Bystrinsky Nature Park - Enjoy untouched nature!

In order to give an idea about the beauties of our unique nature, we have worked out several tours to the most gorgeous places during the last years.
Most tours are family-friendly, some of them, however, are for more experienced hikers only.
We gladly inform you about the tours that are most suitable for your needs.

If you wish, a park inspector can participate at your hike as well to lead you. He knows the trails, is able to tell you about the local nature and the peoples on Kamchatka.

Currently there are 11 main trails in Bystrinsky Park:

1. “Beliye Skaly” (“White Peaks”), one-day, radial, not rated

This trail can be traversed on foot, on horseback or by all-terrain vehicle. It is 6 km one-way. The White Peaks are located in the Uksichan River Valley 6 km from the village of Esso. No special preparation is required to climb the peaks. A spectacular sight.

2. “Tupikin Spring,” one-day, radial, not rated

This trail can be traversed on foot, on horseback or by all-terrain vehicle. It is 5 km one-way. There are 3 pavilions along the trail with fire-pits. In the middle of the trail is a scenic lookout point, from which there is a view of the entire village of Esso. The trail passes through tall coniferous forests. In June there is plenty of wild garlic here, and in August-September – blueberries, rowan-berries and pine nuts. While on the trail visitors may see cuckoo birds, partridges, grouse, squirrels and other small birds and animals. Sometimes there are encounters with bears and sable – the most important thing is to walk quietly and be observant of one’s surroundings.

3. “Vulkashiki,” one or two days, not rated

This trail can be traversed on foot, on horseback or by all-terrain vehicle; 28 km one-way. A hike on foot can be completed in an average of 5-7 hours; on an all-terrain vehicle the trip is 2-3 hours. The trail leads from the village of Esso through a volcanic plain. Here you will see lava and scoria cones, all of which have the common name “Vulkashiki.” From the volcanic plain you can see several volcanoes at once: the tallest active volcano in Eurasia, Klyushevskaya Sopka (4850 meters), the inactive volcano Ostryi Tolbachik (3642 meters) and the active Ploskii Tolbachik (3082 m), the active volcano Ichinsky and the inactive Uksichansky Volcano. At the end of the trail is a cabin where guests can spend the night, and here is also a fire-pit and a spring with clean potable water.
A strong wind blows continuously both on the volcanic plain and at the end of the trail, and it is essential to have warm, wind-proof clothing.

In the winter this trail can be traversed by snowmobile.

4. “Lake Ikar,” one-day, radial, not rated

This trail can be traversed on foot, on horseback or by all-terrain vehicle; it is 8 km one-way. This is also a botanical and ornithological trail.
The path leads along a forest road, which is marked with information signs and various cognitive devices (a force dynamometer, forest telephone, etc). There are 3 rest stops along the trail. Four kilometers from the village of Esso you must cross the mountain river Olengende via a log bridge. An 18-m deep lake is located 12 meters above the nearby river Bystraya-Kozyrevskaya.

5. “Lake Galyamaki,” five days, not rated

Trail can be traversed on foot or on horseback; 35 km one-way.
This trail begins in Esso and continues to Kozyrevsky Pass; first overnight in tents. Further on (day two) – trail continues to a lake (5 km), a base camp is pitched, visitors can sightsee and fish. Most of the catch is loach, of which there are 5 sub-species in the lake. On the third day hikers can set out on radial paths along the Burnyi River valley, with outlets to lakes and plateaus. On the fourth and fifth days hikers return to Esso.
There are 3 pavilions along the trail. From the trail visitors can see astonishing views of the ancient Dygeren-Olengende Volcano and the Chernyi Zamok (Black Castle) Cliffs. Visitors can also enjoy the Manmannaya hot springs along one tributary of the Kozyrevka River.

6. “Dygeren-Olengende Volcano,” three days, not rated

Trail can be traversed on foot or on horseback; 18 km one-way.
The height of the volcano is 1920 meters; from the top the entire village of Esso is visible. According to some geologists Esso is located in the crater of an ancient volcano, and the Dygeren-Olengende Volcano is one of the crater’s sides. From here, at the top, you begin to believe this hypothesis…
Trail begins in Esso, leads to the base of the volcano, where a base camp is set up. Hikers climb Dygeren-Olengende Volcano and then return to Esso.
There are 3 pavilions along the trail. Hikers will cross all vegetation zones, from the poplar stands of the flood plains of the Bystraya River through coniferous larch forest and thickets of cedar and alder wood, to alpine meadows and alluvial deposits.

7. “Ichinsky Volcano,” 8-10 days, for tourists with climbing experience

Trail can be traversed on foot, on horseback or by all-terrain vehicle; 80 km one-way. Ichinsky Volcano is the only active volcano in the Sredinnyi Range; with an elevation of 3621 meters, it is visible even from the Sea of Okhotsk. This is a very difficult climbing route and a center of modern glaciation. Visitors will see beautiful mountain landscapes, the bright colors of alpine meadows, milky-white rivers. Here there is also a watershed boundary, and within 200 meters of each other are the headwaters of two rivers: the Bystraya-Kozyrevskaya and Bystraya-Khairyuzovaya – one flows into the Pacific Ocean, the other – into the Sea of Okhotsk.
Start in Esso, lunch after 12 kilometers at the Demchikansky Ranger Station; Bystraya River crossing, setting up camp at the mouth of the Oemtevlan Brook (25 km from Esso). Trail continues the next day with lunch on the Okura River (40 km from Esso), setting up camp at a ford on the Bystraya-Khairyuzovaya River (60 km from Esso). Onwards to the base of Ichinsky Volcano, setting up base camp. Climbing the active Ichinsky Volcano. Next day – radial trails to waterfalls and plateaus, to an old corral. Days 6-8 – return to Esso.
Along the trail there are 6 rest stops, two ranger stations; at the beginning and end of the trail there is a banya and radio station.

8. “Cheremshanka Brook,” one-day, radial, not rated

Trail can be traversed on foot or on horseback; 5 km one-way.
In June there is a lot of wild garlic along the trail; in August-September – berries and pine nuts. There are two rest stops and a hunting cabin along the trail. In the winter this trail is a long ski slope that is a favorite of alpine skiers and snowboarders.

9. “Ethnographic Tour,” 5 days, not rated

A tour by helicopter or all-terrain vehicle; 200 km one-way. The Even nomad camp “Manych”: yurts, covered with traditional chosenia bark; the simple way of life and traditions of an ancient local culture. For those who want to learn about the life of native peoples without the museum displays.
Tour circuit:
Departure from Esso, overnight at the Dalnii Ranger Station. Tour continues: lunch on the Oblukovina River, overnight near traditional Shanuch lands. On the third day – travel to the nomad camp Manych. Lunch – traditional Even cuisine. Fourth and fifth days – return to Esso, overnight at Demchikansky Ranger Station, banya.

10. “Travel into the Herd,” 3 days, not rated

A tour by helicopter, all-terrain vehicle or on horseback; 50-200 km depending on location of herd. What is a reindeer – food or a way of life? Does man herd the deer, or does he follow them? You can try to find the answers to these questions in Bystrinsky Park.
Freshly boiled deer ribs, soup, strong tea with unbelievably delicious flat cakes, fried in an iron cauldron, conversations about life around a crackling fire and the amidst the snorting of reindeer…and it seems you are in another world in another time.

11. “Ethnographic Nomad Camp “Menedek,” one-day

An ethnographic Even nomad camp called “Menedek” was created in the village of Anavgai in 2004. Here the life and culture of Kamchatka’s native peoples is replicated in the open air. You can buy unique handmade souvenirs, see real nomadic buildings, hear stories about the culture of reindeer herders, and learn the legends and fairy tales of native northern peoples – the Koryaks and Even – over a cup of tea. On holidays or for special events the ensemble “Nurgenek” gives traditional dance presentations in national costume, with tambourines and throat singing.