Karaulnenskoye Highland: forest, caves and rocks

Karaulnenskoye Highland is an area situated between Gremyachaya Griva and Mininskie Stolby. This is one of the most unusual nature routes: he you can find either forest, or caves, as well as an observing ground above the Yenisey.  And all this is in a short distance from Krasnoyarsk. A hiking tour there does not require any special physical training.

The rocks Golubka (Dove) and Karaulniy Byk (Karaulniy Bull) is the minimal list of the places, we recommend visiting, if you want to make a trip for a half a day. Nearby there also caves Karaulnaya-2 and Eleneva – they are worth dropping in!  

HOW TO GET THERE

●           GPS coordinates: 55°58′03.59″N 92°34′51.5″E

You can get to the Karaulnenskoye Highland in two ways — by car and on foot. The orienteer is Udachniy village. The route is not difficult. There are no high rises, it’s not a far walk. So, such a walk will take not more than four hours. The only minus is that you can meet stray dogs.

On foot: you can go by bus 12 to the final stop Sovkhoz Udachniy. From there go right through the forest – it about 3 km to go. Further, on the crossroads you need to go right to the gates of the scientific base of SibSAU. From there you can go up under the power line along the motorway, or go down and walk along the Yenisey bank. The both paths lead to the village of Izvestkoviy. It’s necessary to go through the village along the main road, cross the Karaulnaya river along the bridge and go through a small part of the village. There you can see the path, which will lead you to the rocks you need.  

By car: from the bus stop Sovkhoz Udachniy move along the main road (up and right from the stop). You can get right to the rocks themselves by car, but you are guaranteed to succeed only in dry weather in summer — on sharp turns and hills the car can slip. So, if you’re not sure, it’s better to leave the car, for example, near the SibSAU gates and continue the trip on foot.

GOLUBKA

The rock Golubka (Dove) is situated right near the road, you won’t miss it – the only thing you need is to get around, to see its outlines. You can go up – the climb is not difficult, but you need to be careful on the path, as small stones strive to slip away from under your feet. After admiring the landscapes go down to the road.

KARAULNIY BYK

Walking a bit back, you will see the path going up to the opposite side from Golubka. From there the climb to Karaulniy Byk (Karaulniy Bull) starts. It has two tops. One can get to the both of them without special equipment. The views from there are not less fascinating than those from Golubka, but they are seen from another point. From the tops, an excellent panorama of the Yenisey, Sliznevo and Ovsyanka villages, situated on the opposite bank, opens. The impssions are: it’s high, frightening, but  insanely beautiful!

Inside the rock from the river’s side there is an entrance to Eleneva Cave. It’s named after the Krasnoyarsk mathematician, who studied local caves during the prevolutionary times. But it’s better not to go down without an instructor and equipment. It’s easier to get to it by water using some boat.