Not far from the village of Aktash, in the Eastern Altai, there is Geyser Lake, a unique small thermal lake with bright turquoise, crystal clear water, and springs in its center. The latter form a whimsical pattern at the bottom, making the lake impressive. The diameter of the lake is about 30 meters, its depth is 2 meters, and the water temperature in summer is no more than +10°C. The lake is also called Secret, Blue, or Silver, confirming its fickleness and impermanence.
The lake changes again and again because of the springs that constantly gush out of the ground, throwing blue clay to the surface. You can watch this process endlessly, and the lake will always be different. The silt thrown out by the springs does not mix with the water but spreads over the bottom. Thus, blue stains are always visible.
You can't swim in the lake. Firstly, it does not have a gentle descent. Secondly, the muddy bottom and peat around the lake make it not suitable for swimming. Visitors prefer to stay and watch the changes at the bottom. Many people notice that it seems that something very big is breathing underground.
The lake does not freeze even in severe frosts. So you can admire its beauty all year round. Locals regard the lake as sacred. Shamans perform various rituals here and predict the future by looking at the clay circles at the bottom. Legend has it that the lake is the eye of the Earth looking into Space.
Science still cannot explain this activity of the lake. A similar miracle of nature is found only in Yellowstone Park in the USA. The American lakes indicate volcanic activity. However, there are no volcanoes in the Aktash area.
The area around Geyser Lake is swampy, but walking in the nearby forest is not prohibited. It offers views of the North Chui Mountain Range.
It is not difficult to get to the lake, as it is located a kilometer from the Chuysky Trakt (R256 highway). Besides, locals made the area and lake approach comfortable.