"[1] The peninsula consists of two very distinct parts: a large rocky mountainous "island" (Svyatoy Nos proper), and a swampy low-lying land bridge, the Chivyrkuisky Isthmus, that connects it to the mainland.

A mountain ridge runs the whole length of the island; the highest point is the flat peak of Mount Markova[1] (altitude 1878 m, at 53°38′00″N 108°48′27″E / 53.6334°N 108.8075°E / 53.6334; 108.8075), a popular hiking destination with a scenic view of most of Lake Baikal.

The west side of the ridge starts with a low cliff all along the shore and then rises towards the crest in a single general slope, cut by many valleys.

[12][4] The eastern side is more irregular, with some flat areas next to the shore in the middle part, and some broad low-lying valleys in the northeast.

[18][19] There is also a place called Glinka near the shore of Barguzinsky Bay, about 1 km southwest of the isthmus (53°35′45″N 108°50′56″E / 53.59576°N 108.84879°E / 53.59576; 108.84879), with some tourist lodging.

[20] The nearest significant town is Ust-Barguzin, located on the mainland shore, at the mouth of the Barguzin River, just south of the isthmus.

The southwest branch also follows the shore of the island, passing through the Glinka post and continuing until Cape Makarova (53°34′43″N 108°47′02″E / 53.57872°N 108.78395°E / 53.57872; 108.78395), the starting point of another hiking trail to the top of Mount Markov.

[21] In 1981 the Aeroflot Flight 498 on the route Severomuisk to Ulan-Ude crashed into the Svyatoy Nos ridge, at 1300 m altitude, while trying an emergency landing at Ust-Barguzin, killing all 48 people on board.