Putorana Plateau Geological Survey Road
Soviet mining road across Arctic plateau
Built by Soviet geologists in the 1960s to access platinum deposits, this 180-kilometer track cuts across the Putorana Plateau’s brutal landscape of table mountains, tundra, and waterfalls that dwarf Niagara. The route starts from Norilsk’s industrial wasteland and climbs through mining camps abandoned when the USSR collapsed, including the ghost town of Talnakh South. You’ll navigate around Lake Ayan — one of hundreds of pristine alpine lakes — and ford streams that run red with iron oxide from exposed ore bodies.
Difficult rating due to soft tundra, creek crossings, and complete remoteness. High-clearance 4WD minimum; tracks disappear in places and you’re following Soviet survey markers. July-September only when the tundra firms up enough to support vehicles. No permits needed but inform authorities in Norilsk of your plans — this is restricted mining territory. Bring everything including fuel; nearest civilization is 200+ miles away. The plateau offers some of Earth’s last untouched wilderness and geological features found nowhere else.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 112 mi / 180 km |
| Duration | 5-7 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4920 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai |
| Land manager | Putoransky Nature Reserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum vehicle setup to attempt this trail?
High-clearance 4WD is the floor, not the ceiling — think fully-locked axles, aggressive all-terrain or mud tires, and a snorkel given the river crossings. A stock Defender or Land Cruiser 70 series is more appropriate than a lifted mall crawler; this is Soviet Arctic terrain, not a weekend forest road.
When does the trail actually open and how long is the usable season?
July through September is your window — the plateau holds snow well into June and early October snowfall can strand you fast. August is the sweet spot for ground stability, but expect boggy tundra sections even mid-summer.
Do I need a permit to drive the Putoransky Nature Reserve section?
Yes — Putoransky State Nature Reserve requires a permit for entry, issued through the reserve administration in Norilsk. Factor in significant lead time; Russian bureaucracy for protected wilderness areas moves slowly, and foreign nationals face additional documentation requirements.
What's the hardest section and what makes it dangerous?
The river crossings are where trips end — multiple unbridged channels with no reliable depth data, glacial water temperatures, and current strong enough to shift a loaded truck. There are no recovery services within any realistic range; if you high-center or flood an engine, you're solving that problem yourself.
How do I get fuel — is Norilsk the last resupply before the trail?
Norilsk is your only fuel source; there is nothing on or near this trail for 112 miles. Carry enough jerry cans for at minimum 150% of your calculated range — slow tundra speeds, deep crossings, and recovery situations will destroy your fuel economy.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.