Top 10 Glaciers in Russia
Russia rarely tops glacier-trip lists, but the country holds the fourth-largest area of glacier ice in the world after Antarctica, Greenland and Canada. Most of it sits on remote Arctic islands; the rest is concentrated in the Caucasus, the Altai and the volcanoes of Kamchatka. Access varies from straightforward day trips to multi-month expeditions.
Bezengi (Caucasus)
The largest valley glacier in the Caucasus, roughly 17 km long, flanked by the famous Bezengi wall — five summits over 5,000 m. The Bezengi base camp at 2,200 m is the standard mountaineering hub.
Dykh-Su (Caucasus)
A long, debris-covered glacier near Bezengi, draining the same massif. Approach is via the Karasu valley; less visited than its neighbour and often used as an acclimatization route.
Elbrus glaciers (Caucasus)
The double cone of Europe's highest mountain (5,642 m) carries 22 named glaciers, including the Big and Small Azau. The south side is accessible by cable car to 3,800 m, which makes parts of the glacier visible without crampons.
Karatash and Aktru (Altai)
Twin valley glaciers in the Aktru basin of the Russian Altai. The Aktru base camp at the road end is the classic mountaineering school in Siberia.
Belukha glaciers (Altai)
Belukha (4,506 m) is the highest peak of the Altai and a sacred mountain to the local Altai people. Its north faces hold a cluster of glaciers; the Akkem and Mensu are the largest.
Maliy Aktru (Altai)
Small but accessible — sits at the head of the Aktru valley and is often the first glacier Russian climbing courses set foot on. Heavy debris cover but with clear ice in patches.
Kropotkin (Kamchatka)
Glacier on the Klyuchevskaya volcanic group — one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth. The glacier sits on the flanks of an active volcano and is regularly altered by lava and ash.
Bilchenitsa (Kamchatka)
A large glacier on the Ichinsky volcano, the highest in central Kamchatka. Helicopter access only for most parties.
Schmidt Glacier (Franz Josef Land)
One of the larger glaciers in the high Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land. Visited mainly by expedition cruises in the brief summer window.
Akademii Nauk (Severnaya Zemlya)
An ice cap rather than a glacier in the alpine sense — covers most of October Revolution Island. Access is by icebreaker; one of the least visited large ice masses on Earth.
Keep exploring
Many Russian glaciers are remote and access depends on permits and season. The interactive map lists which of the ten are reachable as straightforward trips and which require expedition-style logistics.