The Great Baikal Trail (GBT; Russian: Большая Байкальская Тропа, Bolshaya Baikalskaya Tropa) is the name of a planned and partially completed network of long-distance hiking trails around the Baikal lake in Siberia (Russia). In the narrower sense, the most famous, 51 km long piece of Listvyanka after Bolshoye Goloustnoye meant. However, there are other sections such as the 100 km long one Frolikha Adventure Coastline Track (FACT) on the northern coast of Lake Baikal.
The path has been built on a voluntary basis since 2003, the idea dates back to the 1970s. The aim is to build an approx. 2100 km long network of trails around Lake Baikal. A positive effect on the regional infrastructure and environmental protection is expected. The Great Baikal Trail is not yet finished, but the first sections can already be used. Several work camps take place every year, during which volunteers from all over the world continue to build on the path. Between 2003 and 2015, 211 projects were carried out with a total of 5,000 volunteers from 25 countries and 35 cities in Russia. More than 350 km of hiking trails were created.
General
The GBT runs along the coast for 51 km, with 1,580 m of altitude to be mastered. Most of the route runs directly on the lakeshore or on the bank slopes, over shorter stretches it is laid out further away from the shore, for example when avoiding cliffs. The village of Bolshiye Koty, the settlement of Bolshaya Kadilnaya and two private holiday complexes will be passed. The difficulty moves mainly in the T1 and T2 range of the SAC hiking scale, in some places shorter steep passages have to be overcome or orientation skills are required. The GBT is otherwise adequately identified with signs.
Usually the GBT is in three day hikes Completed: From Listvyanka to Bolshiye Koty, on to the settlement of Bolshaya Kadilnaja and finally to Bolshoye Goloustnoye (or vice versa). Under certain circumstances, an ascent in the opposite direction (from Bolshoye Goloustnoye to Listvyanka) is advantageous: the return options from Listvyanka to Irkutsk are more diverse, and (on certain days) it is possible to continue with the speedboat to Olkhon Island. From Bolshyie Koty (day's destination of the second stage) there is a ferry connection to Listvyanka, where it is also possible to shop in the shop.
It is advisable to orientate yourself and to find the campsites Maps to have with you. In OpenStreetMap the paths and campsites are well marked. Since a network signal is only available in the vicinity of the settlements, the map section must be printed out in advance or downloaded to the smartphone using the appropriate apps.
To use Telephone and internet network Because of the high roaming fees - as everywhere in Russia - we recommend buying a Russian SIM card. The two largest providers are Megafon and tele2, which operate numerous branches in Irkutsk - Megafon, for example, directly in the exit hall of the airport. With #Hello Megafon offers a tariff especially for foreign travelers. Network coverage along the GBT is only available in and near the larger settlements: In Listwjanka and Bolshoye Goloustnoye, network reception is possible with megaphone and tele2, in Bolshiye Koty only with tele2.
The paid Approval For camping in the Pribaikalski National Park, through which the GBT leads, you have to get hold of a container at the beginning of the path (in Listvyanka on the edge of the village in the forest, in Bolshoye Gouloustnoye after the campsite). These containers are not always manned (08/19).
Water situation
From the official and scientific side there are different statements about the water quality of the Lake Baikal.[1] The cellulose factory in Baikalsk, which has been the lake's biggest polluter for decades, has been closed since 2013.[2] However, it can be assumed that in the coastal area in front of larger settlements such as Listvyanka there is sometimes no drinking water quality, as these do not have a comprehensive sewer system.[3] The mouth of the Selenga is also problematic, as this river flows through several cities. Basically, it is advisable to clean the water of Lake Baikal twice before drinking it: With a microfiber cloth or coffee filter, turbid substances can be removed, bacteria are neutralized with the help of chemical or mechanical filters (such as the Sawyer Mini PointOne) or by boiling.
Long stretches can be found along the way Streams that flow into Lake Baikal. However, such tributaries are not continuous: While there are numerous streams in the section from Listvyanka to Bolshiye Koty, the stream at the campsite in front of Bolshyie Koty (coming from Listvyanka), however, does not. In the section between Bolshaya Kadilnaja and Bolshoye Gouloustnoye none of the creeks shown on the maps carry water (as of 08/19).
Stay
Overnight stays are possible in tents that you have brought with you or in private accommodation: There are numerous campsites along the way that can be used free of charge. Camping is only allowed in these places. Basically, the tent sites are sometimes a good distance outside of the villages and settlements, which must be taken into account when planning the daily stages. B. Bolshie Koty, the campsites are 1 km before or 1.5 km after the village center. The number of tents that can be set up varies, as does the equipment - usually a fireplace and a bench are set up at the tent sites, sometimes there are also toilet huts. In Boshiye Koty there are several private accommodations and a small shop (Magasin), from here there is also a daily ferry connection to Listvyanka. In Bolshaya Kadilnaja, a base of the national park, hut spaces can be rented, but the park administrator's knowledge of English is limited.
getting there
The GBT runs from Listwyanka to Bolshye Goloustnoe and can be walked in both directions. In both cases, the journey takes place from Irkutsk out:
- To Listvyanka there are several options: either with a shared taxi, departure several times a day from the eastern corner of the Torgovyy Kompleks shopping center, travel time approx. 1.5 hours, the price of approx. 150 rubles per person is paid when getting off. Or from the bus station (Автовокзал) on ul. Oktyabr'skoy Revolyutsii, but the tickets must be made in advance on-line be bought (08/19). Also drive on Speedboats (Hydrofoil) Lake Baikal, which also stop in Listvyanka.
- To Bolshoye Goloustnoye by bus no. 530, departure from the bus station (Автовокзал) on ul. Oktyabr'skoy Revolyutsii at 10:00 and 16:00.
Route
As stated above, the path can be walked in both directions. The illustration below describes the route from Listvyanka to Bolshoye Goloustnoye.
Section 1: Listvyanka - Bolshyie Koty
On this section, 20 km and 650 m ascent are to be conquered. The way st
Section 2: Bolshyie Koty - Bolshaya Kadilnaja
12 km, 250 m ascent
Section 1: Bolshaya Kadilnaya - Bolshoye Goloustnoye
