Novichikha, the district capital, lies 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) to the east of the southeastern shore.

[2] The lake and its surrounding area is a tourist attraction and was declared a natural monument of regional significance in 2015.

[3] With a length of 25 kilometers (16 mi), Gorkoye is one of the longest lakes in Altai Krai.

It lies in one of the wide ravines of glacial origin that cut diagonally across the Ob Plateau.

[4] Lake Zerkalnoye is located in the same trench 17 kilometers (11 mi) to the northeast, at the head of the Barnaulka river.