8 points
1 km
2.5 hours
Like Strolling Past Museum Showcases
At the fences the route splits into two paths. One of them is a gravel footpath running along the shore. It is neatly surfaced and easy to walk even in light shoes. Along it are lakeside platforms that let you view the lake from different angles. The area around Galkino is a mix of forest edges and wet meadows, with conifer stands predominating. The local woods are full of birdsong: you can hear the nutcracker, the waxwing, the hazel grouse, and the capercaillie, and teal can be seen on the wet meadows. Above the lake you may often spot the Oriental stork, a large and graceful bird that comes here to feed. Birds, by the way, also spread lotus seeds, helping this wonder of nature to spread. In the grass by the water and in the forest litter, small rodents scurry about, such as nimble chipmunks and voles, and sometimes you may even glimpse a birch mouse. The platforms are safe and convenient for photography: you can lean on the railing and wait calmly for the perfect shot. The path is also adorned with benches made from recycled plastic, proudly labeled “Made in Khabarovsk Territory.” Sitting on one of them, you realize that caring for nature can take the form of real, tangible things. From these platforms the view is shaded for most of the day, so the picture is easier on the eyes, though the view does not open up fully. As the path continues, it reveals contrasting but no less beautiful details of the landscape and gently brings travelers to the North Viewing Platform, which offers a more panoramic view.