“I would like to know of the most recent travel condition reports on the Road of Bones in the summer. What is the best recommended itinerary and what settlements or towns does one pass. How are the bridges, when are the rivers at their lowest point? There is some information on your site but still difficult to figure out. Where does one obtain maps for the region?” a blog visitor, of Belgium, asked.
In the summer, the Kolyma Highway, actually, is in good condition. Roads are mainly gravel, i.e. sand with small stones. However, be aware, gravel roads require accurate driving, high speed is not recommended.
There are two ferry passes – one over the Lena river (Yakutsk – Nizhnyj Bestyakh), the other over the Aldan river (Megino Aldan – Keskil). The level of water does not affect the capacity of ferries. The ferry over the Aldan river goes one or two times a day only.
Rivers and bridges you are asking about must be those in the Oymyakonsky district, precisely on the old federal highway going through Tomtor (the Pole of Cold). You know, there are two roadways in the Oymyakonsky district, the new one in the north and the old in the south.
The best time to travel by the old roadway is the end of July – the midst of August. In the early summer rivers have high waters due to melting mountain snow, in the late August due to rains.
Bridges in the Oymyakonsky district on the old roadway are shaggy, but possible to drive through, very accurate driving is required.
The old roadway is the most interesting. It goes through the Pole of Cold. No industries. Traditional Yakut settlements to see only. However, the old way is the most difficult. The area has many hard-to-pass rivers and bridges. In any case, travellers need to have a truck as technical support.
The new roadway is used mainly for cargo delivery. The road is in perfect condition. Easy to pass. Many industrial settlements with gold/ore miners. Boring a little bit.
In regards to settlements to pass, check the following list.
KOLYMA HIGHWAY: YAKUTSK – MAGADAN OBLAST
Yakutsk
Megino-Kangalassky District:
- Nizhnyj Bestyakh (Нижний Бестях)
- Tumul (Тумул)
- Tyungyulyu (Тюнгюлю)
- Nuoragana (Нуорагана)
Churapchinsky District:
- Maralajy (Маралайы)
- Mugudai (Мугудай)
- Churapcha (Чурапча)
- Kharbala 1st (Харбала 1-я)
- Kharbala 2nd (Харбала 2-я)
Tattinsky District:
- Kyjy (Кыйы)
- Cherkekh (Чёркёх)
- Boroboul (Боробул)
- Ytyk Kyuel (Ытык-Кюёль)
- Uolba (Уолба)
Tomponsky District:
- Megino-Aldan (Мегино-Алдан)
- Keskil (Кескил)
- Khandyga (Хандыга)
- Teplyj Klyuch (Тёплый Ключ)
- Turn to Topolinoe
- Razvilka (a fork)
- Mountain pass
Oymyakonsky District:
- Kyubeme (Кюбеме)
New roadway (northern part of the district)
- Byjyttakh (Быйыттах), left settlement
- Ust Nera (Усть-Нера)
- Gousinyj (Гусиный)
- Burustakh (Бурустах), turn to the Pobeda Peak
- Artyk (Артык)
- Delyankir (Делянкир), on the border
The road leads to Ust Khakchan, Magadan Oblast.
Old Highway (southern part of the district)
- Agayakan (Агаякан)
- Ychyugei (Ючюгей)
- Tomtor (Томтор)
Way north to Oymyakon (Оймякон) from Tomtor and Yuchyugei.
- Kujdusun (Куйдусун)
- Kuranakh Sala (Куранах-Сала)
The road then leads to Kadykchan, Magadan Oblast.
Similar Posts:
- What is the road distance from Yakutsk to Verkhoyansk?
- What settlements to pass on the way to Magadan through Oymyakon?
- 2009 August Road Report: the condition of the Kolyma Highway (the Road of Bones) in Oymyakonsky Ulus
- What is the condition of the Road of Bones in June? Watch the video of June 2011.
- How does the Road of Bones (Kolyma Highway) look like in winter?
