Driving the Ice Road of Lake Baikal in Siberia

Driving the Ice Road of Lake Baikal in Siberia

Russia, europe

Length

12 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Hey thrill-seekers! Ever dreamt of driving on water? Head to southern Siberia's Lake Baikal, the deepest lake on Earth, and you might just get your chance!

Every winter, when the ice gets thick enough (usually February to March), a wild 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) ice road appears. Seriously! You can actually drive across the frozen lake. The clearest time to travel is from early February to late March, when the ice is a meter or more thick. The ice is so clear that you can recognize the bottom stones through it.

This incredible route connects Kurkut village on the mainland with Irkutskaya Guba on Olkhon Island, a huge, gorgeous island with killer lake views. This temporary road opens to the public from 9 AM to 6 PM, but only when the ice is at least 60 cm (24 inches) thick. By the time February rolls around, the ice is often a solid 1.5 meters thick – strong enough for trucks! Prepare to be amazed as you glide across this icy wonderland!

Where is it?

Driving the Ice Road of Lake Baikal in Siberia is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 56.8205, 38.3678

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Road Details

Country
Russia
Continent
europe
Length
12 km
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
56.8205, 38.3678

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