10

The port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was founded and visited by sailing ships. Even today no road connects it to the network of the rest of Russia -- it is reputed to be the second largest inaccessible mainland city in the world after Iquitos, Peru. However, people must have at least attempted to reach or leave it by land. Has there ever been any kind of overland route to and from the Kamchatka peninsula, and if so, who has taken it?

Improve this question
3
  • Googe map photos show no land road. The settlements are on the shore, and there are local roads near some of them. But no continuous road to Kamchatka.
    – Alex
    Dec 18, 2016 at 22:34
  • Also Wikipedia hints that in 17th century Russians penetrated it by land. Native people always lived there, so what is the meaning of the question "who has taken it"?
    – Alex
    Dec 18, 2016 at 22:39
  • Edited the text a smidge to make this on-topic (history).
    – T.E.D. ♦
    Dec 18, 2016 at 23:15

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
5

Before the snowmobile, the only options for land travel in such a region would have been reindeer sleigh or snowshoes. I can find no mention of a navigable river. Here is a fairly detailed account on Wikipedia that seems to support the conclusion that no successful attempt was made to explore the southern peninsula over land.

The main indigenous people with a history the region are the Koryaks. They may have arrived over land, but I don't see any evidence that they ever made it as far south as the port you are asking about.

Improve this answer
0
5

There have been trips done in well equipped 4x4s in recent years. You can generally find more info searching in Russian. Several examples:

For a rough map of the route here is a map (part 1) and (part 2).

Of some tangential interest may be the Wikipedia article for the Andyr highway. Once more however there is more relevant info on the Russian Wikipedia article.

For the more historical perspective of the Russian exploration and conquest of Kamchatka it's worth looking into Vladymr Atlasov's 1697 expedition.

Improve this answer
3

The Itelmen or Kamchadal were the native inhabitants of the southern part of Kamchatka while the Koryaks lived at the northern end. The presence of the isolated southern tribe suggests to me that land routes were once in use. There is more documentation of access during the Russian era, though.

Before the first successful sea voyage from Okhotsk to Kamchatka in 1717, land travel from Yakutsk to Kamchatka entered the peninsula from Anadyrsk to the north. According to James Gibson's "Feeding the Russian Fur Trade", the route skirted either of the two bays on each side of the peninsula (rather than go to higher elevation on the mountainous ridge).

Russian travelers on this route suffered attacks by both Koryak and Chukchi people. Absent navigable rivers, travel options of the time were principally dogsleds (in winter) and riding reindeer.

The traveler who, from Okhostk, wishes to visit Kamchatka may reach Petropavlovsk by sea through the Kuriles, or continue round the coast by road.... a land journey of 2,540 miles... [Through Siberia, Henry Lansdell]

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.