Verkhoyansk Range

The Verkhoyansk Range is a mountain system in Russia’s far northeast, within the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), known for its rugged ridges, cold climate and extensive permafrost. The range is geographically prominent in northeastern Siberia and is associated with some of the coldest inhabited places on Earth.

Topography transitions from taiga at lower slopes to tundra and bare rock at higher elevations; rivers and deep valley systems cut the range. Human settlement is sparse and concentrated in river valleys and a few towns such as Verkhoyansk, which give the range its name.

The mountains lie in the interior of northeastern Siberia, well inland from the Arctic coast, and are reached by long overland routes from regional centres in Yakutia.

• Extreme cold: The surrounding region includes Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon, localities famous for recording some of the lowest air temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Environment and access: The range supports continuous permafrost, taiga and tundra ecosystems and is sparsely populated, with access limited outside of summer months.

• Use Yakutsk as the logistical base for trips into the Verkhoyansk Range-most overland routes and charter flights are organized from there and road access is highly seasonal.
• Visit in summer (June-August) when river crossings and summer tracks are passable; in winter the region is extremely remote and travel conditions are far more challenging and weather-dependent.