Shorsky National Park

Area: 413,843 ha

Established: 27 December, 1989

Main ecosystems:  Siberian mountain taiga, fast flowing streams, caves

The park covers an attractive mountainous area called the Shoriya Mountains, which are distinct from its higher neighbours – the Altai Mountains (Altaisky Zapovednik) and the Abakan Ridge (part of Western Sayan Mountains). This largely forested area in the southern Kemerovo region has many well-developed karst features, making it a great place for both hikers and potholers. There are a number of larger cave systems such as Bolshaya Kizaskaya (Big Kizas Cave), Grandioznaya (Grand Cave) and Lunnaya (Star Cave), delicately decorated by limestone pinnacles, stalagmites and stalactites. But the world above the caves is not less attractive, with many mineral water springs, beautiful rivers and mountain streams with spectacular waterfalls as the scenic Saga Waterfall at Sholbychak Creek falling into a small lake. The main transport artery is the River Mrassu, which flowing from the south towards the north divides the park into two halves. The river name in the Shor language means ‘Siberian Pine River’ due to many majestic old-growth Siberian pines decorating its banks. The tasty pine nuts are part of the local diet, traditionally collected by Shors – the indigenous nation inhabiting these lands. They still live in little villages along the rivers in the mountain valleys in the park.

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