Tourist Routes of Nalychevo Nature Park

Nalychevo Nature Park provides visitors the perfect opportunity for hiking and relaxation. Admirers of pristine nature and those craving outdoor adventure may chose from a network of tourist trails in the park. Visitors can climb the summits of active volcanoes, take excursions to hot springs and steaming fumaroles, observe birds and animals, and learn about the park's plant life.

The headwaters of the Nalycheva River host a number of thermal springs with therapeutic waters of a very rare type. The park's central camp is located nearby, equipped with a ranger station and accommodations for tourists. The ranger station has radio communication devices. A variety of accommodations are available, from comfortable houses for two to four people to less expensive cabins for 10 to 20 people. The camp also has facilities for cooking meals - a kitchen and dining room under a separate roof, as well as several shelters for campfires. The hot springs of the park are equipped with changing facilities.

The central part of the park can be reached by foot from the village of Pinachevo or from the Avachinsky base camp, located 44 and 49 kilometers away, respectively. The hot springs and central part of the park are also accessible via a 20-25 minute helicopter ride.

The central part of the park is a convenient starting point for radial hiking tours to Vershinskoye Lake, Vershinskie mineral springs, Talovskie hot springs, the active Dzensur Volcano, and Aagskiye Narzany (mineral springs).

Talovskiye Hot Springs and Dzenzur Volcano:
One of the most accessible routes in the park, this trail runs for 10 km, climbing a low pass (500 m), then leading to the bright orange travertine domes of Krayevedcheskie springs and on to Talovskiye hot springs. The trail to the fumaroles of Dzenzur Volcano starts at the Talovskiy ranger station, and follows Zhelob Creek, which flows over a bed of hardened lava. The trail to Dzenzur and back is 30 km long.

Vershinskoye Lake:
On this route, tourists become acquainted with the beauty of the tundra on Vershinsky Pass. The trail is 12 km long one way. From Vershinskoye Lake, hikers are rewarded with spectacular views of the Nalycheva River Valley. More agile hikers can take a roundtrip excursion from the central part of the park to Vershinskiye mineral springs and Kupol Volcano. Plans are underway to fully equip this route, by building bridges over creeks, a ranger station, and overnight shelters.

Aagskiye Narzany:
The route to Aagskiye Narzany is one of the most interesting trails in the park. The path winds over mountain tundra, offering superb views of the Aag, Arik, Koryaksky, and Avachinsky active volcanoes. The water of Aagskiye springs has a pleasant taste and is similar to the famous Caucasian narzan waters in chemical composition. The length of the route is 28 km roundtrip.

One of the most frequently visited parts of the park is the Avachinsky Pass. Every year, thousands of tourists ascend the Avachinsky Volcano. In its crater, hikers can watch hissing fumaroles and see hardened lava streams, which appeared after the 1991 eruption. While the trail is not very challenging, visitors should always remember safety rules. Before the trip, it is necessary to register at the Kamchatka Regional Department for Emergency and Civil Defense. We also recommend that hikers use the services of qualified local guides.

Nalychevo Cape is an important site for scientific tourism, providing perfect opportunities to observe Steller's sea-eagles and marine and coastal birds. On Nalychevo Lake, visitors can observe salmon spawning streams. The area is accessible by helicopter or by boat up the river flowing out of the Nalychevo lake.

The park is actively promoting winter tourism adventures. Lovers of extreme winter sports can downhill ski or snowboard the several-kilometer slopes of Dzenzur (2,156 m), Avachinsky (2,741 m), Zhupanovsky (2,900 m), or Aag (2,310 m) volcanoes. Helicopters take skiers to the summits of the volcanoes. Afterwards, skiers can relax in the Nalychevo hot springs. Cross-country skiing is popular in the park in April and May. Dog-sledding over the snowfields of the park is also gaining popularity. The first international dog-sled race, called "Kamchadal," was held in the park in 2004. Athletes from several countries, including the US and Canada, participated in the competition.