The wild, pristine nature of our planet is so generous with its gifts that even the most secluded part of a small country keeps impressive treasures. Let alone the vast expanses of Russia and the fabulous beauty of its main pearl, the Altai Republic, where every turn of the high-mountain highway opens up breathtaking landscapes, and each stone looks like the outlines of everyone's favorite mythical characters.

To see one of these wonders created by time and nature, you don't have to be prepared or physically strong. Even a child can climb the famous Mountain Devil's Finger, and the amazing scenery from its top will undoubtedly amaze every tourist.

The popular tourist attraction of Altai is only a few minutes' walk from the village of Katun. Its top offers fantastic views of the Altai Mountains and the valley of the Katun River that surprise even experienced tourists. The sharp mountain peaks seem to hold the azure sky. Below, the emerald mountain river rushes, skirting the old houses with bright roofs. The silence, unusual for city dwellers, is broken only by the cries of predatory golden eagles and the singing of small birds hiding in dense greenery. Be sure to come to Mountain Devil's Finger during sunrises and sunsets, then it is especially beautiful: the fabulous Altai landscapes acquire new natural colors. The mountain also has another equally sonorous name, "Devil's Claw", thanks to a small ledge above the main rock of the mountain, resembling a sharp claw

There is a legend about the appearance of such an unusual mountain. According to it, the Altaians were bothered by a terrible monster named Cherto. Only one young man managed to defeat it: his horse trampled it into the deep bowels of the earth so that only its finger remained on the surface. Over time, it turned to stone.