Smolensky District: River Landscapes, Trails and Festivals

In Smolensky District, river landscapes meet forest and rock trails, along with cultural attractions in the villages. When planning your trip, it is worth choosing your focus first: would you like to center your visit on the Peschanaya, with its varying difficulty levels; are you interested in walking trails and rock formations; or would you like to include festivals and museums?

The Peschanaya and its changing water levels

A 20 km stretch of the Peschanaya runs between mountain foothills. At normal water levels, it forms an almost continuous series of rapids rated difficulty category 3–4. At high water, the difficulty rises to category 4–5.

The annual regional “Peschanaya” festival takes place on the banks of the Peschanaya in Solonovka. The program includes competitions in water tourism, paragliding, sport climbing, mountaineering, cycling and motorcycle touring, and rafting. If the festival fits your travel plans, check the dates for your chosen year.

Forest trails and granite rocks

The 12 km educational walking trail “S vidami na goru Sinyukha” is located in the Predgorye Altaya Nature Park, near the resort town of Belokurikha. On a mountain slope, the route passes through dense mixed forest and by the rock formations Ogorodchiki (Poyas Sartakpaya, Kamennyy ogorod), Chetyre Brata and Kamennyy vodopad. These rocks are isolated remnants in a weathering granite massif. The trail description thus combines forest sections with a succession of clearly named rock formations.

A shorter route option is the 1.8 km “Staraya melnitsa” terrenkur-style walking trail, which is considered easy. Comparing the stated distances, you can choose between 1.8 km and 12 km; the longer route is also characterized by its mountain slope, mixed forest and the rocks described above. More precisely, the name “Staraya melnitsa” refers to the remains of a dam on the Belokurikha River beside a large meadow.

Village museums and regional festivals

The village of Novotyryshkino is home to the “Dom sibirskogo krestyanina” and “Dom nemetskogo pereselentsa” museums. A museum complex in Novotyryshkino presents the history of the village. The Smolensk Local History Museum is devoted to the history and development of the district, as well as the military and professional achievements of its residents. Before visiting the two village museums, it is advisable to check current access arrangements.

The “Sibirskaya maslenitsa” festival takes place in Novotyryshkino. Its program includes performances by folk groups from various parts of Russia, the “Zoloto Altaya” equestrian competitions and other contests. Together with the “Peschanaya,” it illustrates how varied festival programs in Smolensky District can be: one features folk performances and equestrian competitions, while the other includes competitions across several sports.

The wider Altai region

The Altai region also offers other nature experiences, including in Belokurikha. Forest health trails invite visitors to go for walks there; more challenging routes lead to the natural landmarks Lonely Pine, Four Brothers Rock and Shishi Creek. A chairlift in Belokurikha takes visitors to the summit of Mount Tserkovka. If you are considering it for your trip, check its operating status in advance.

Discover more destinations: Mamontovskiy District, Zavyalovskiy District, Shebalinskiy District, Mayminsky District, Romanovskiy District, Kulundinsky District, Shipunovskiy District, Chemalskiy District.

Go to the overview of the wider region: Altai region.