The nature of the Primorsky Territory is surprisingly diverse, fabulously beautiful and mysterious. Having once visited these places, I want to return again to touch the riddles of the relict forests with my soul, breathe in the thick transparent air and enjoy the view of the pristine crystal water in streams and lakes.
Such unique natural objects as mountains are all the more attractive. The subject of this article is Olkhovaya Mountain. About her, her particular attractiveness for tourists will be discussed in the publication.
Meet Olkhovaya Mountain, Primorsky Territory
Located 270 kilometers from Vladivostok, this mountain is the only one in the region, at the top of which a mountain lake spreads on a plateau, a small but surprisingly picturesque one. Olkhovaya Mountain, or, as it is also called, Chinese, is located in the Partizan region of Primorye, its height reaches 1669 m. A rather convenient climb makes the mountain very attractive for visiting. A climbing route has been developed. This is the Alekseevsky ridge, which is a lateral spur of the Partizansky ridge, which also serves as the watershed of the Partizanskaya and Kievka rivers.
The top of the Alder Mountain is a rocky platform from which on a cloudless day an amazing view of the neighboring heights opens.
These are the Cloud Mountains, rising 1854 meters, Snezhnaya - 1682 meters high, Sister (1671 meters), Lysaya (1560 meters), Chernaya (1379 meters), Makarova (1366 meters) and others. As a sign of people staying on the top of the mountain, a trigonometric point and a memorial cross were erected.
Mountain lakes
At an altitude of 1600 meters on a mountain plateau is a small lake - a shallow body of water framed by honeysuckle shrubs. It feeds on precipitation. Therefore, in dry years, the water level drops markedly. Old-timers claim that sometimes in the most severe droughts the lake dries up, but this happens extremely rarely. In the middle of summer, the water warms up well, and you can swim in the lake. Transparent crystal water, clean mountain air attract travelers.
In addition, the plateau is quite extensive, which allows you to comfortably settle on the shore, pitch tents, spend time enjoying the primeval peace, and completely forget about the bustle of the city.
Water inhabitants
There is no fish in the pond, but here you can see newts - a relict species of the tailed amphibians of the family of real salamanders. Fond of a pond from ancient times, these animals arranged their life in it, adapting to the features of the pond. Another similar natural body of water is located a little higher, but it is so small that it dries up almost every year, although the newts have inhabited it too.
But not only the unique reservoirs are famous for Olkhovaya Mountain. The reviews of travelers who have visited these places emphasize a relatively convenient way to the top and the opportunity to get acquainted with rare representatives of flora and fauna. Few places on the planet like places with relict vegetation and rare animals.
Nature
Olkhovaya Mountain (Primorsky Territory) is forested, which makes the laid routes picturesque and vibrant. Here you will find thickets of lemongrass - an amazing tree creeper with clusters of purple berries.
Every person has ever heard of the magical properties of this plant: lemongrass infusions, which have a general stimulating effect, can increase performance several times, and essential oils from it are extremely popular in cosmetology. Eleutherococcus, a thorny shrub from the Aralian family, which has no less valuable medicinal qualities, grows near the Olkhova Mountain. Decoration of the mountain forests of Primorye is another representative of the endangered fauna - rhododendron. This is an ornamental shrub from the heather family. Spring flowering of rhododendrons is an amazing sight, which you can see on the way to the top of Mount Olkhova. In addition, the forest is rich in cedar pine, larch, Manchu nut, aralia, wild rose and wild grapes.
No less extensive is the group of rare herbaceous plants found in these places. In numerous glades among the thickets of incense and sediment ripen lingonberries, blueberries and honeysuckle. On the slopes you can see the edelweiss - the legendary flower with soft purple inflorescences. And in the forest, a meeting is possible with one of the rare plants, the venus slipper, - a herbaceous perennial and an ancient terrestrial orchid.
Fauna
The fauna in the forests of the Primorsky Territory is also diverse. So, on the way to the top, with any luck, you can see a golden eagle soaring in the sky - a representative of an endangered species of eagles, listed in the Red Book of Russia.
On the forested mountain river Alekseyevka, accompanying the route to the Olkhova peak, there are small mandarin ducks - the indigenous inhabitants of Primorye.
Mount Olkhovaya, Primorsky Krai: how to get from Vladivostok
The hiking trail begins at the foot of the mountain, which can be reached from different directions and in different ways. It is easier to use personal vehicles, but it is easy to get to the starting point of the route and on public.
For example, you can leave Vladivostok by the morning Vladivostok-Nakhodka electric train and, after reaching Partizansk, transfer to a bus or minibus following the village of Sergeevka. Get off at the bridge over the river. Alekseyevka 7 kilometers from Sergeevka.
The same way can be done on the bus message "Vladivostok-Lazo", daily departing from the city, and get to the already mentioned bridge. Note that the ticket will need to be taken to the village of Monakino.
On your own car follow the route: Vladivostok – Frolovka – Sergeevka – Alekseevka. The total length of the path will be approximately 240 km. For reference: the last gas station is in the direction of the village of Frolovka, and you can replenish the fuel supply only there.
Over the bridge over the river. Alekseyevka turn right and continue on. A kind of marker in the right direction is the fork of the Alekseyevka and M. Alekseyevka rivers, which is 24 km from the bend, and after 4-6 km from the fork, a pedestrian route begins, i.e., the Olkhovaya mountain itself. How to get back, you need to think about it right away.
This is especially true if tourists arrived not on their own transport. It should be agreed with the taxi driver on arrival at the start point on the day of departure, since the last train from Partizansk leaves at about 6 pm, and you need to calculate the time to catch it.
How to get from Nakhodka
From the city of Nakhodka all the way to the foot of the mountain will take no more than two hours. You can get by car to the village of Sergeevka, turning onto a pretty solid dirt road right behind the village. The landmark also is a bridge across the river. Alekseyevka. The primer, as we have already noted, is in good condition, the path along it takes 40-50 minutes.
Top Route Options
You can start the crosswalk immediately from the bridge by turning onto a dirt road and reaching the foot on foot.
The climb usually takes about 4-5 hours. The length of the walking route is about 12 km (6 km - to the top and back). The route lies along the Alekseyevka River and Olkhov Key. You can climb along the ridge. It is impossible to make a mistake on the road, any path will lead to a plateau with a mountain lake under the top.
You can also climb Olkhovaya through the Immalinovskaya (Povorotnaya) valley along the Povorotnaya river. This path is a little shorter, it is about 10 km. The Immalinovsky Glen is unusually beautiful and represents a unique corner of the true wildlife of the Primorsky Territory.
Olkhovaya Mountain, whose photos are presented in the publication, leaves the best memories awakened by the touching beauty of a stone placer and a crystal water surface.
When descending from the top of the mountain in a south-westerly direction, travelers go out to the picturesque key, framed by small rocks and forming miniature waterfalls.
Tourist excursions and hiking
Mount Alder - an excellent place for outdoor activities. You can come here alone, with a group of friends, or climb as part of an organized excursion. As a rule, the excursion trip is 15-16 hours. Departure is carried out from Nakhodka in the early morning, the ticket price is 2300 rubles, which includes the cost of delivery by bus, guide-guide work, insurance component and meals. Return to the city - at 22:00.
However, there are many hiking options. Experienced tourists prefer not day trips, but longer vacations with stops and overnight stays at the campground. Mount Alder is generous in pleasant meetings and unforgettable impressions.