home Feeder Natural climbing walls of Karelia. Shuya rocks Extinct volcanoes girvas

Natural climbing walls of Karelia. Shuya rocks Extinct volcanoes girvas

No synthetic blende can replace the living, breathing stone of a natural rock.

Grandfather Shchukar.

Karelian routes can be made more interesting and varied. if you include in them visits to natural climbing walls and training there with the development of mountain techniques. Below are the walls that the author found interesting:

1. Impilahti rocks. Northern Ladoga region.

2. Kollasjoki River Canyon.

3. Mount Lysaya (peak Kupinas 409.3 m) in the area of the station. Peninga.

4. Coastal rocks of the lake. Pisan.

5. Wall of Unut (316 m).

Impilahti rocks.

A dirt road runs south from the highway on the eastern outskirts of the village of Impilahti.

The shore of Impilahti Bay in the area of the village is swampy and overgrown with reeds. From the highway, 4 km along a country road past the beautiful lake Neuvosenjärvi and then along the path around the town of Pullivuori (87.6 m). A ridge of rocks 40-60 m high approaches the shore of the Impilahti Bay of Lake Ladoga. The rock wall stretches for 1 km and breaks into the water at a negative angle. These are the famous rocks of Impilahti:

They are composed of red granite, up to 60 m high, with a steepness of 70-90 degrees. Overhanging rocks go into the water:

The most difficult routes are laid here, with marks 6C+ and 7B on the wall.

From the top there is a panoramic view of the bay. On the right bank you can see the houses of a trout farm:

At the top of Pullivuori (86.7 m) there is a burnt forest. In a clearing under the rocks there is a place for overnight stays True, the place is damp (previously there was a camp for participants in all-Union competitions here). Nowadays the rocks are rarely visited.

Along the coast, bypassing the town of Pullivuori, there is a picturesque path to the rocks of the town of Haukkavuori (76.8 m). A wall of gray granite 40 meters high breaks into the water of the bay:

To the south, a black 12-meter wall goes into the water at a negative angle, hanging over the surface of the lake, drops of water fall into the lake 1 m from the shore:

Canyon of the Kollasjoki River.

Located 14 km above the river mouth. The length is about 1 km, the canyon walls are 15-20 m high and have a steepness of 70-90 degrees. There are descents to the water. There are 3 waterfalls in the canyon, 2-3 m high. The river is popular for rafting during floods, but is low in summer.

Fault at the summit of Kupinas (409.7 m).

Located in the Bald Mountain massif, 6 km west of the station. Peninga.

It is more convenient to climb it along the western slope of Lysaya from the logging road, which goes to the (NW) along the slope along the valley of the right tributary of the river. Cabinet. Opposite the top you can cross the stream along a beaver dam (ford), from here there is a 2 km gentle climb through overgrown clearings. The summit with a fallen wooden tower is located on a vast plateau covered with moss and overgrown with dwarf pine trees. Close to the forest border. East of the summit A fault 1.5 km long runs from NW to SE, with rock outcrops along the western wall. In the area of Kupinas, the depth of the fault sharply increases to 35-40 m. There is a smooth quartzite rock with a steepness of 60 degrees and a height of 30 m.

There are few cracks, the ridges are smoothed, the shelves are licked - right on the sole of El Capitan in California, where most beginners end their route.

Rocks of Lake Pisan.

Approach from the lake Top. Myarat.

Deforestation in front of the lake View of the lake from the spur at elevation. 280 m

The road from the village of Gumarino, going around the northern tip of the lake. Top. Myarat, deviates to (B) towards the foot of the hill, then goes along it for 3 km to (C), gradually gaining altitude. On (W) Karelian views open from the clearings; 30 km on (SW) a dark strip of the town of Vottovar is visible. The road comes out onto a wide saddle and passes onto the (B) slope. Before this, a logging road goes to (W). It first goes down, but after 200 m it turns to (C), to another hill. After 1 km, it descends between rock outcrops into a new clearing, running from (S) to (N) along the (E) shore of Lake Pisanets. At the cutting site, the logging road is divided into (N)- and (S)-ends. Along it 500 m to the (N), then to (W) in the direction of the coastal spur (elevation 280 m) at the (S) edge of the lake. The lake itself is not visible; it lies at the bottom of the fault in a narrow gap at a depth of 100 m. Only from the “ram’s foreheads” at the top of the hill is the (3) wall of the fault visible. Only from the very edge there is a grandiose view of the lake in the rocks of gray quartzite.

There are several viewing platforms on the spur. They are connected by a path, which then descends to the bottom of the fault between two small lakes (the water from them flows into Upper Märat). The lakes are extremely beautiful, framed by rock walls and pine forests. (W)-shore - a rock wall 50-70 m high, steep 70-80 degrees, (E)-shore - large-block scree, turning into destroyed rocks. When you look from above, the 10-meter blocks of stone look like children's blocks. You won't see anything like this in the North. Ladoga, nor in Collas Canyon. I remember the flooded canyons of tributaries on the large dammed lakes of the Tien Shan and Pamir. The scale is unusual for Karelia.

The path crosses a stream at the bottom of the rift and climbs the rocks of the (W) walls. They offer no less interesting views.

In the (South) part of the lake. On the (W) bank of Pisan there is an interesting rock formation with long overhanging sections and complex cornices. There is a parking lot under the rocks near the lake. Difficult routes for climbers, the following are obvious:

1 km beyond the next spur into the lake, 10-meter tongues of ice hang from the rocks (B) of the shore. I really didn’t think that on May 25 it was still possible to go ice climbing in Karelia! During the winter cold, a stream flowing down the rocks formed these hanging “glaciers” that will last until mid-summer.

Rock wall of the town of Unut (316 m).

On the western shore of Unutozero stretches a high wooded rock-talus wall of the town of Unut. An unpleasant swamp stretched under the wall. For some reason, rocks in Karelia like to fall into riptides. It is more convenient to climb to Unut from the logging road coming from Maslozero. A dirt road stretches from it along the summit plateau, in some places coinciding with the viewpoint.

If you rise from the side of Unutozero, in order to cross the swamps of the southern part in a narrow place, you need to move along the lake along the (W) shore to big island, go around it to the right. Here, from the shore of a small bay, begin your ascent. The shore is made up of large stones, then immediately a swampy forest begins. It gently rises to the foot of the wall, giving way to open areas of moss swamp. The wall is a large blocky scree with a steepness of 60 degrees, with outcrops of destroyed rocks.

Quartzite blocks are covered with moss, and in the valleys there are small pine trees. The height difference is 150 m, the steepness of the rock wall is up to 60 degrees. Not bad for Karelia. More reminiscent of the slopes of the Central Sayan mountains.

Along the wide sloping shelves you can quickly climb to a wide wooded plateau, at its edge beautiful view to the lake. On the hills there are “Hiisi gardens” - scatterings of large boulders.

The main peak is hidden in the forest; a long, gentle climb leads to it. On the wooded plateau there are boulders, the remains of a wooden tower.

There are other walls. For example, a rock mass at elevation. 76.8 m in the middle reaches of the river. Northern (Belomorskaya) Shuya, 30-meter “ram’s foreheads” on the right bank of the Kumsa River in the Medvezhyegorsk region:

Kiviristi Canyon on the river. Okhta, coastal rocks on the river. Chirka-Kem at the Krivaya and Tahko rapids:

There are rocky cliffs up to 35 m high on the western side on the islands of Filin and Bol. Petik on the Knyazhegubsky reservoir is already in the Murmansk region and many others.

The quarries of Ruskeala and the Northern Ladoga region in the area of Pitkyaranta, the rocks near the station are not considered here. Shueretskaya and on Lake Onega in the Medvezhyegorsk area, about which there is a lot of information in other sources.

The surroundings of the village of Impilahti are very beautiful, especially the cliffs along the shores of the bay. Impilahti Rock is a famous rock formation among rock climbers and tourists. It is located near the village of the same name on the shore of the bay of Lake Ladoga.

Impilahti Rocks - perfect place for rock climbing.

The road to the rock begins in the village of Impilahti. It is 3-4 km along the left bank of the bay. The approach to the rocks begins along several houses, then along a well-trodden path, past a small lake. The entire journey will take no more than an hour.

Impilahti Rocks- a rock massif very famous among the climbing and tourist community in Karelia near the village of Impilahti, located 180 km. from Petrozavodsk. On the shore of the magnificent bay of Lake Ladoga, long as a river and more reminiscent Norwegian fjords. There is a low shore of the bay covered with fields and forests on one side, and on the opposite side a high shore, overgrown with pine forest, with numerous rocky foreheads sloping smoothly and sloping into the water of the lake.

Of interest to rock climbers is the rock mass formed a long time ago, the high bank in one place seems to have been cut down, and the fifty-meter vertical vertical of red and gray granite that appears here, with cornices, overhangs, smooth mirrors, dissected by numerous cracks, has made this area their favorite for many. place. This is truly one of the best places for active recreation and sports.

The rocks on the main massif on the left side are pierced with bolts, allowing comfortable climbing with a bottom belay; their height is about 20 meters. Unfortunately, many routes and interesting options have never been broken, and many of the broken ones have old bolts and are broken extremely rarely, especially in the lower part. Here, despite the low altitude compared to the right side, the main part of the sports routes is concentrated.

Nearby on the right is a simpler, but more high array about 50m high. There are no difficult categorical routes here, but for beginners these rocks are of great interest due to their length and the opportunity to really feel the height. The rocks are widely known. Various training camps and competitions were often held here in the past, including the Russian junior rock climbing and tourist all-around championships. IN Lately interest in the area has greatly decreased, the paths are overgrown with grass in mid-summer, creating a wonderful secluded place for relaxation and quiet climbing. The level of the rocks is quite high due to their diversity. In addition, hidden in the relief a large number of routes and opportunities not yet traveled.

Unfortunately, there are no routes of super high categories here, but even an experienced climber will find here opportunities to improve and diversify their skills.
Perhaps this the best place for climbing in Karelia, both in summer and autumn.

Approximately 1 kilometer from the rocks of the main massif in the neighboring bay of Lake Ladoga - Petrovsky, there is another rock massif. This is a rocky bastion that falls straight into the water. In the mid-90s. years, they were partially cleaned and punched for the Russian Junior Championships on natural terrain. Unfortunately, they are currently abandoned and need cleaning and preparation. Dropping straight into the water, they are of particular interest for rock climbing; the potential of the massif is up to 15 routes of up to 7 difficulty categories. Accommodation is possible very close to the rocks; climbing some routes requires a boat or raft.

You can live in charming coastal sites that are even more secluded and quiet. The Impilahti rock area is a place of indescribable beauty at any time of the year. It is impossible to forget these places; once you come here, you want to come back here again and again.

Directly below the rocks there is a scattering of huge boulders, a little further on there is a meadow overgrown with grass, and sloping stone ridges on which there are many convenient places for parking and tents.

A pine forest, thickets of reeds in a warm bay of a lake, a flowering field, yellow with a huge number of flowers at the beginning of summer, and at the height of the season, covered with tall thickets. There are incredibly beautiful places in Karelia, and one of them is the Impilahti rocks. Huge opportunities for recreation and sports, and anyone will find peace and joy here.

The article uses information and photos from open sources.

tourism.karelia.ru

It's time to turn to the final page of our summer menu:
Travel to the former Finnish territories WITHOUT VISAS AND PASSPORTS (290 km). First stop - Ruskeala Marble Park. This is a most picturesque monument of nature and mining.
Since Catherine's times, first-class Russian marble has been mined here. Today it is the most beautiful place in Karelia. Artificial white marble rocks hang picturesquely over the emerald water surface of a small lake, grotto caves beckon with their mystery.
In the Ruskeala Mountain Park we offer a choice of:
Option 1.
Option 2. Underground route “In the Cave of the Mountain King...” (1300 rubles, 6-17 years old 700 rubles).
Option 3.
Departure to Return trip.
cinematic stop on the way. The famous “perch threshold” - Ahvenkoski waterfall. Local residents sometimes call it “Zhenkina River”. Once upon a time, a bathing scene for one of the heroines of the film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” was filmed here.
Old city of Serdobol (Sortavala).
Lunch, complex in a cafe in Sortavala (350 rubles). Free time. Optional:
16:00. Excursion to the island of Valaam
Duration of the excursion: 5 hours. Time spent on the island of Valaam is 2.5 hours.
Boat trip by meteor to the island along Lake Ladoga 45 minutes. Like the fabulous backs of whales or old giant fish Skerries and fjords rise from the waters of Ladoga.

shrines of the temple: the relics of the founders of the monastery Herman and Sergius of Valaam.
return to the bustle of the world, to the mainland.
16.00. Churches Nicholas the Wonderworker, built at the expense of the St. Petersburg merchants Eliseevs in the Russian style according to the design of architect. N.P. Grebenka. Climbing Mount Kuhavuori

21:00.

www.kandagar.com

G. Pakin: [email protected]

No synthetic blende can replace the living, breathing stone of a natural rock.

.
nbsp; Grandfather Shchukar.

1. Impilahti rocks. Northern Ladoga region.

2. Kollasjoki River Canyon.

3. Mount Lysaya (peak Kupinas 409.3 m) in the area of the station. Peninga.

4. Coastal rocks of the lake. Pisan.

5. Wall of Unut (316 m).

Impilahti rocks.

A dirt road runs south from the highway on the eastern outskirts of the village of Impilahti.

They are composed of red granite, up to 60 m high, with a steepness of 70-90 degrees. Overhanging rocks go into the water:

The most difficult routes are laid here, with marks 6C+ and 7B on the wall.

From the top there is a panoramic view of the bay. On the right bank you can see the houses of a trout farm:

To the south, a black 12-meter wall goes into the water at a negative angle, hanging over the surface of the lake, drops of water fall into the lake 1 m from the shore:

Canyon of the Kollasjoki River.

Fault at the summit of Kupinas (409.7 m).

Located in the Bald Mountain massif, 6 km west of the station. Peninga.

It is more convenient to climb it along the western slope of Lysaya from the logging road, which goes to the (NW) along the slope along the valley of the right tributary of the river. Cabinet. Opposite the top you can cross the stream along a beaver dam (ford), from here there is a 2 km gentle climb through overgrown clearings. The summit with a fallen wooden tower is located on a vast plateau covered with moss and overgrown with dwarf pine trees. Close to the forest border. To the east of the peak, from NW to SE, there is a fault 1.5 km long, with rock outcrops along the western wall. In the area of Kupinas, the depth of the fault sharply increases to 35-40 m. There is a smooth quartzite rock with a steepness of 60 degrees and a height of 30 m.

There are few cracks, the ridges are smoothed, the shelves are licked - right on the sole of el Capitan in California, where most beginners end their route.

Rocks of Lake Pisan.

Approach from the lake Top. Myarat.

Deforestation in front of the lake View of the lake from the spur at elevation. 280 m

The path crosses a stream at the bottom of the rift and climbs the rocks of the (W) walls. They offer no less interesting views.

Rock wall of the town of Unut (316 m).

If you rise from the side of Unutozero, in order to cross the swamps of the southern part in a narrow place, you need to move along the lake along the (W) shore to the large island, go around it on the right. Here, from the shore of a small bay, begin your ascent. The shore is made up of large rocks, then immediately a swampy forest begins. It gently rises to the foot of the wall, giving way to open areas of moss swamp. The wall is a large blocky scree with a steepness of 60 degrees, with outcrops of destroyed rocks.

Along the wide sloping shelves you can quickly ascend to a wide wooded plateau, at its edge there is a beautiful view of the lake. On the hills there are “Hiisi Gardens” - scatterings of large boulders.

The main peak is hidden in the forest; a long, gentle climb leads to it. On the wooded plateau there are boulders, the remains of a wooden tower.

Kiviristi Canyon on the river. Okhta, coastal rocks on the river. Chirka-Kem at the Krivaya and Tahko rapids:

There are rocky cliffs up to 35 m high on the western side on the islands of Filin and Bol. Petik on the Knyazhegubsky reservoir is already in the Murmansk region and many others.

The quarries of Ruskeala and the Northern Ladoga region in the area of Pitkyaranta, the rocks near the station are not considered here. Shueretskaya and on Lake Onega in the Medvezhyegorsk region, about which there is a lot of information in other sources.

www.gpsigma.ru

MASTER CLASSES ON PAINTING IN EXTREME CONDITIONS!

Only from us from the MilArt Art Studio -
PASTEL PLANER IN KARELIA!
Expand text...
Under the guidance of an experienced teacher, mountaineering artist Mila, you will attend an unforgettable painting master class right on the rocks of Karelia, where:

Learn some basic color theory,
get acquainted with the technique of pastel painting,
learn an unusual way of mixing colors,
Let's remember the basics of chiaroscuro and much, much more.

At the end of the master class, everyone will leave with an unforgettable work (and perhaps two), which will remain for you as a pleasant memory of a wonderful trip.

If you love hiking and have long dreamed of learning how to draw from life - this master class is for you - DON'T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Dates: August 12, 13
Time: determined locally based on the weather, most likely morning or evening, class lasts 2 hours
Meeting point: lake Yastrebinoye, parking lot of the alpine club "Sturm"
Cost: 1000 rub.*
*All materials are provided: pastel crayons, pastel paper, nags, wet wipes, tablets.

Bring with you a seat and a good mood.)

How to get there:
By car: to Kulikovo village, leave the car in the fields
By train: to the station. Forging and then 2 options:
1. Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail
2. By taxi to the fields via Kulikovo

vk.com

Duration of the tour: 9 days / 8 nights (2 night transfers).

Tour cost: from26,550 rubles.

The cost of the tour depends on the chosen category of hotel room in Karelia. In Rostov-on-Don, accommodation in 2-3 bed rooms with private facilities.

Tour program:

1 day. 07/15/18. 05.00. Group gathering Sevastopol, pl. Ushakova, departure. Transit in Crimea. Transit to Rostov-on-Don. Hotel accommodation. Overnight.

Day 2. 07/16/18.Breakfast. Transit to Karelia in the city of Kondopoga. Night transfer.

Day 3. 07/17/18. Transit . Along the way we admire the magnificent natural landscapes from the window! Arrival at Republic of KareliaAccommodation inHotel "Karelia". Lunch at the hotel, buffet.

12:00. Excursion " Capital of Culture Karelia - the city of Kondopoga.

Today on our summer menu: “Hello, Karelia, let’s get acquainted!” Musical carillons.We'll get to know the city on foot.“Konda” - “pine” - “poga” - “corner” can be proud of not only the best “ship” pines in Russia, but also architectural masterpieces made of glass and stone. Ice Palace has no equal in the North-West. Two Carillons with their melodious bells they slowly count down city time. Today they will perform familiar melodies especially for you. Palace of Arts- a stone miracle made of granite and marble. His pride is his two organs: the large German one and the small French one. Do you want to hear the “main king” of Kondopoga? Organ concert at the Palace of Arts (400 rubles, 300 rubles for children 6-14 years old). Is waiting for you concert large German organ. A world of sound harmony will open before you: sublimely strict in German, romantic in French, colorful in Italian. "Karelian Upper Room". National Master Class: Let's plunge into the world of traditional culture of the northern people and get acquainted with the peculiarities of the region. Let us gently touch the strings of an ancient kantele. They will sing to us about the wind and home. There will always be happiness and joy in him. To the sounds of a cheerful song, we will learn to dance Karelian, Finnish, Vepsian dances. The guests dance and play the kantele, and the “sorceress Sampo” grinds mountains of rye flour. Let's sit together at a wide table and, under the guidance of an experienced master, prepare the famous rupittetu (wickets). While the pies are browning in the oven, let’s make the “Wisher” doll amulet. Now you will have your own souvenir-talisman as a memory of Karelia.

Dessert of the day: tea party with fragrant wickets."Freaky gatherings." In the evening we gather around the fire on reindeer skins in the present Sami plague. Together with wise shaman Let's get the sacred fire, call on the spirits of fire, wind and forest with a tambourine, let's conjure! Let's burn troubles in the fire and scatter the ashes of sadness to the wind! Return to the hotel.

Day 4 07/18/18. Breakfast, buffet.

Option 1.

In good weather. Excursion to famous island Kizhi. (3,400 rubles, children 5-12 years old 1,800 rubles; price includes: water transfer to Kizhi Island, entrance fee to Kizhi Island, excursion services along the route). Duration of the excursion: 6.5 hours. Time spent on Kizhi Island 2.5 hours. Journey to the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. A water journey of 1 hour 30 minutes will begin along the vast expanse of open Onego from the city of Kondopoga on covered taxi boats, and will end among the numerous islands called Kizhi skerries. We will learn about all the secrets of the island when visiting the ensemble Kizhi Pogost, Let's get acquainted with one of the oldest wooden churches in Russia - Church of the Resurrection of Lazarus, rumored to have the ability to heal all ailments and visit the estate Transonezh peasant. The names of the brilliant masters who created truly the eighth wonder of the world still remain a mystery - temple complex, built without a single nail.

Option 2.

In bad weather (waves over 1.5 m). Excursion to Kizhi Island from Petrozavodsk (for an additional fee of 4,500 rubles). Return to the hotel. Lunch, buffet (for an additional fee of 350 rubles). 14.00. Traveling for new impressions and natural mysteries Excursion “Welcome to Girvas”. A unique geological object, the oldest volcanic crater in Karelia, it is about 2 billion years old!!! Your eyes will see a section of more than 20 lava flows up to 32 m thick and fossilized volcanic “bombs”, including gas voids. Mighty old giant Kivach waterfall! Famous poet and Gavrila Derzhavin talentedly sang one of the most striking sights of Karelia. “A mountain of diamonds is pouring down from the heights with four rocks...” It's time to find out ancient Karelian legend about the emergence of the largest Eastern European waterfallAnd get to know the national nature reserve, nature museum and arboretum. And also see the famous Karelian birch. This is a mystery tree with amazing marbled wood. Even in the 21st century, there is debate among scientists about its origin. Return to the hotel. Dinner, buffet (for an additional fee of 300 rubles). Overnight.

Day 5 07/19/18. Breakfast. Excursions to choose from:

— Excursion to the legendary Solovki (4,200 rubles, children 6-10 years old 3,700 rubles).Duration: 19 hours. Time spent on Solovki Island is 4.5 hours. A 390 km long journey awaits you to the port of Rabocheostrovsk. And further: “Give up the mooring lines!” We are going on a sea voyage. Keep your camera ready - it is possible to meet a ringed seal or a bearded seal, and from the end of June, a beluga whale. Welcome to Famous Solovki Island - a unique architectural monument and a place of pilgrimage for believers from all over the world. Getting to know the monuments Solovetsky Monastery complex.

We will walk around the entire monastery complex and visit operating temples, we will see the monuments included in the List world heritage UNESCO, objects of economic activity and the Solovetsky Fortress. Let's learn about the lives of monks.

The impressions will be complemented by: Excursion “Monastery Prison”, whose walls keep secrets.

Free time on the island. Lunch in the refectory, complex (for an additional fee of 350 rubles).

To remember the salty taste of the Solovetsky wind, you can buy the famous White Sea seaweed, as well as cosmetics made from kelp, and swim in the White Sea. We arrive at mainland and return to Kondopoga by 02:30.

— Excursion “In search of Karelian papyrus” ( 700 rub.).

Duration of the excursion: 3.5 hours.

Introduction to the pulp and paper mill OJSC Kondopoga. We go through a safety briefing, put on a helmet and overalls, and off we go into the depths of paper creation. In the production workshop we will see the work of a real PAPER MACHINE from the first stage until the reel exits the packaging machine. Let’s find out what a “wardrobe” is and how many “dresses” our “fashionista” is used to changing per hour.

Return to the hotel. Lunch, buffet (for an additional fee of 350 rubles).

Free time, outdoor recreation . You can rent:

— 4-seater rowing boats (200 rub./hour),

— bicycles (100 rub./hour),

— fishing rods and spinning rods (from 70 rubles) for fishing in the bay of Lake Onega.

Dinner, buffet (for an additional fee of 300 rubles). Overnight.

Day 6 07/20/18. Breakfast. Excursion "Osudareva Road".

We travel along the road of Peter the Great to the first Russian resort "Marcial Waters". We visit Church of the "Foreigner" of St. Petra. This unique church was created according to the drawings of the sovereign emperor himself. Candlesticks carved by Peter I himself have been preserved in the church. Tasting medicinal water with a high concentration of active iron . A thick layer of shungite, a good filter of local sources. Magical mountain Sampo. Wasn’t this where the magic mill of happiness stood? Whether the heroes of the epic were here is debatable, but the beauty of the place is undeniable. She is depicted in the films “Keith and Company”, “Sampo”. Ancient lava flows rise like a ridge above Lake Konchezero, narrow and long, created by the efforts of glaciers over thousands of years. The mountain fulfills all wishes.

The capital of Karelia is the city of Petrozavodsk. Let's take a look Governor's Park, We will drive through the ancient squares of the city. Let's walk through Onezhskaya embankment, it's like a museum of modern avant-garde sculpture under open air: original sculptures from Finland, Sweden, Germany, France and other sister cities. Let's ask for something treasured from UHA on Tree of Wishes. As Kent Andersen, the author of the monument, promised, it will definitely come true.

On the menu: trout fish soup, navy-style pasta, fresh vegetable salad and hot tea with cookies. For dessert - tasting of Karelian liqueurs “For acquaintance”.

Return to the hotel. Free time . Optional:

- relaxation for the soul, walks in the forest, communication with husky dogs and swimming in the river.

- exciting and safe rafting(for additional fee 400 rub.1,5 hour).

Experienced instructors will provide safety instructions and teach you how to properly fasten a life jacket and helmet. They will show you the technique of raft control and reveal the secret of the magic word “taban”. Children can participate in rafting from the age of 12. Let’s walk with them along the Shuya River and arrange a “ride” on the threshold of Bolshaya Tol. We return to the hotel.

On the way, we will visit the “Fish Store” in Yanishpol and buy local delicious gifts.

A compliment from the company - a tourist bath: tents with a stove, for men and women, keep the temperature of a Russian bath.

Dinner, buffet (for an additional fee of 300 rubles). Overnight.

Day 7 07/21/18. Breakfast. Release of rooms.

In the mountain park "Ruskeala» we offer a choice of:

Option 1. Independent visit to Ruskeala Park (300 rubles, 6-17 years old 100 rubles).

Option 2. Underground route “In the Cave of the Mountain King...” (1300 rub., 6-17 years old 700 rub. . ).

Option 3. Ground route “Dear Mountain Masters” (450 rubles, 6-17 years old 150 rubles).

Departure on the way back. On my way cinematic stop. Z the famous “perch threshold” - Ahvenkoski waterfall. Local residents sometimes call it “Zhenkina River”. Once upon a time, a bathing scene for one of the heroines of the film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” was filmed here.

Old city of Serdobol (Sortavala). A city that is rightly called the “architectural encyclopedia of European architecture.” Nicholas Roerich called it one of the few places on Earth where there is a special breath. And the most romantic of Bella Akhmadulina’s poetic cycles was written here...

Lunch, complex in a cafe in Sortavala (350 rubles). Free time. Optional:

16:00. Excursion to the island of Valaam (3,100 rubles, children 6-17 years old 2,600 rubles, price includes: water transfer on the Meteor, entrance fee, excursion services along the route).

Duration of the excursion: 5 hours. Time spent on the island of Valaam is 2.5 hours.

Boat trip on a meteor to the island on Lake Ladoga 45 min. Like the fabulous backs of whales or old giant fish, skerries and fjords rise from the waters of Ladoga.

The island is the center of spiritual, cultural and Orthodox life in Russia.

Excursion to the central estate of the monastery. Visit to a majestic architectural monument Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, shrines of the temple: the relics of the founders of the monastery Herman and Sergius of Valaam. Return to the bustle of the world, to the mainland.

16.00. Walk through the ancient streets of Serdobol. Visit Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, built at the expense of the St. Petersburg merchants Eliseevs in the Russian style according to the design of architect. N.P. Grebenka. Climbing Mount Kuhavuori and a bird's eye photo stop.

Saying goodbye to Karelia. Good luck to you and new travels around Karelia.

21:00. Heading home. Night transfer.

Day 8 07/22/18. Transit to Rostov. Accommodation at the hotel. Overnight.

Day 9 07.23.18. Breakfast. Transit home. Late arrival in Sevastopol.

Additions to the tour:

— Additional excursions can be purchased during the tour for an additional fee. Excursions to Solovki Island, Kizhi Island, Valaam Island and underground tour in the Ruskeala Mountain Park are guaranteed only when booked together with a tour.

— The company reserves the right to change the sequence of services provided without reducing their volume.

— Tourists who want to raft on the Shuya River are asked to take things to change (including underwear and a spare pair of shoes) when leaving for Marcial Waters.

— A tourist bath is a two-section tent with a stove: 1 section is a steam room, 2 section is for changing clothes. Visit the bathhouse in swimsuits. Provided free of charge to everyone who visits the base camp on the Shuya River.

— Transfer to Kizhi Island is carried out on 13-seater high-speed covered “water taxi” boats from the city of Kondopoga.

— We recommend taking with you on the tour: an inflatable pillow for relaxing on the bus, windproof clothing, a raincoat and comfortable sports shoes. Depending on the season, it wouldn’t hurt to have: repellents and sunburn protection.

- In bad weather boat excursions may be canceled or rescheduled to another day if possible. Refunds will be given in full if the excursion is cancelled. The return method is the same as payment. If the wave height is more than 1.5 m, an alternative excursion to Kizhi Island from Petrozavodsk is possible. Cost 4,500 rub./person.

— MAYBE: increase in prices for additional excursions and entry tickets. Check the final price on the eve of your trip.

Tour cost:

*The cost of the tour depends on the chosen category of hotel room in Karelia.

In Rostov-on-Don, accommodation in 2-3 bed rooms with private facilities.

Included in the price:

— Transport services along the route by comfortable Euro-3 bus,

— Meals according to the program: 6 breakfasts, 1 buffet lunch, tea party with gates;

— Accommodation in hotels: hotel “Karelia” (Kondopoga, Lenin Square 5) — 4 nights, 2 nights in a hotel in Rostov-on-Don

— Excursion services in Karelia

– excursions: musical carillons, Girvas volcano, Kivach and Akhvenkoski waterfalls, the first Russian resort Marcial Waters, Church of the Apostle Peter, tasting of medicinal water from 4 springs, Sampo Mountain, Ruskeala Mountain Park (optional excursion option), city tours: Petrozavodsk, Lake Onega embankment, Kondopoga, Sortavala

— Animation programs: 4 national master classes: “KANTELE”, “Finnish, Karelian, Vepsian dances”, amulet “Zhelannitsa Doll”, “WICKETS”, “Freaky gatherings” with a shaman in the Sami tent,

— Insurance against accidents,

Additional charges:

— meals: lunches, dinners (for an additional fee along the route or in the hotel cafe, buffet),

— safe rafting on the Shuya River 400 rub.,

– excursion to the island of Valaam (water transfer on the Meteor, entrance fee to the island, excursion services along the route) RUB 3,100., children 6-17 years old RUB 2,600.,

– excursion to the island of Kizhi (water transfer to the island, entrance fee to the island, excursion services along the route) RUB 3,400., children 5-12 years old 1,800 rub.,

– excursion to Solovki Island (water transfer to the island, entrance fee to the island, excursion services along the route) 4,200 rub., children 6-10 years old 3,700 rub.,

or excursion “In search of Karelian papyrus” 700 rub.,

– excursion to the Ruskeala mountain park,

- organ concert 400 rub., children 6-14 years old 300 rub.,

- rental services.

Greetings to all nature lovers and those who are in one way or another interested in beautiful Karelia and they want to visit here (after all, you do?)! 😀

I'm starting a series of articles dedicated to this the most beautiful region rivers and lakes, and I’ll start with a selection of the very best places that, in my opinion, are worth visiting. I’ll make a reservation that this list was compiled based on the places I personally visited. I still have a list of places I want to go (after all, I haven’t seen everything in Karelia yet). But knowing them, I’m almost sure that the list presented in this article is unlikely to change. These places are cool and deserve your close attention!

I admit, it was very difficult for me to choose 10 places, and then also select photographs. But I did it! 🙂 The places on the list are not arranged according to any of my ratings, but simply randomly. But the first two are still the best for me.

I present them to your attention!

1. NATIONAL PARK "PAANAYARVI".

If you ask me which place in Karelia impressed me most, then without hesitation or hesitation I will answer - Paanajärvi! Yes, this amazing, fabulous and beautiful place has forever won a strong first place in my rating and, of course, in my heart.

Paanajärvi – national park, a conservation area in the north-west of Karelia. Here is the most high mountain, the most powerful waterfall, one of the deepest and most picturesque lakes in Karelia and the coolest landscapes! Indeed, everything here is the best.

I want to come back here. Very much. I highly recommend for nature lovers, especially northern and wild ones, to come to Paanajärvi!

I visited here this summer (summer 2018), I was so impressed that on my blog I now have as many as 4 detailed articles on each of the park’s attractions with all the details and my recommendations. There are several attractions in the park, and it is simply impossible to touch on each one in a couple of sentences. Therefore, I won’t write much here, but will give a link to the first of the articles in this series:. Links to the other three articles are at the end of the first.

I'll show you a few photos here.

Stunning view from Mount Kivakka.

This is the view from the highest mountain in Karelia - Nuorunen.

Kivakkakoski Waterfall is the largest unregulated flow in Karelia.

The picturesque Mäntykoski waterfall, which can only be reached via Lake Paanajärvi.

Nice paths in the middle of the forest. It is convenient to cross the swamps.

2. MOUNT VOTTOVAARA.

And this is perhaps the most mystical place in Karelia. Mystical, amazing and beautiful! I'm sure everyone has heard about Vottovaara at least once.

This is a mountain in the Muezersky region of western Karelia. What attracts people, ordinary tourists and even scientists here? First of all, these are numerous seids - sacred stones of the ancient Sami, according to one version. The second most unusual phenomenon is twisted dry trees. They are truly extremely amazing and amazing. At least for them it’s worth coming here.

There are rumors of strange phenomena occurring on the mountain. It supposedly has an effect on some people.

I was very impressed by the visit to the mountain. Of course, I didn’t notice any particular impact on my consciousness, unfortunately or fortunately, but I want to go back. Here you feel at least unusual. Not like any other place or mountain. Well, the views from it are incredibly beautiful!

Over time, the appearance of the mountain, as it is now, will change, so everyone should go there urgently! 😉

Unusual twisted trees are the highlight of the mountain.

Megaliths of glacial origin are impressive.

The views from the mountain are some of the most beautiful in Karelia!

3. RUSKEALA MOUNTAIN PARK.

Already very popular and famous place. Crowds of tourists from all over the country flock here. And for good reason – it is truly unique. Most often they begin their acquaintance with Karelia with him. Majestic marble rocks, turquoise water, the opportunity to take a boat ride through the marble canyon, visit its grottoes and see the magical illumination of the rocks, learn how marble was mined, fly on a zip line over the canyon or bungee jump, just walk around, enjoying the views, sometimes feeling in some fairy tale - you will get all this after visiting Ruskeala.

I've been here in winter, summer and autumn. You can read about winter Ruskeala at. Admire Ruskeala in autumn. And here I will attach summer and autumn pictures.

To this same point I will refer AKHVENKOSKI waterfalls(they are also called Ruskeala, because they are located very close to the canyon, on the way to it, so you won’t miss it). These waterfalls attract, firstly, with their beauty, and secondly, films were filmed here, for example, the Soviet “And the Dawns Here Are Quiet.” Hanging bridges were recently built over the rapids and a route was laid out. There is a fee, but just looking at the general view of the waterfalls is free. Waterfalls are traditionally visited by everyone who travels to the marble canyon. Convenient because it's on the way.

Coordinates mountain park Ruskeala: 61°54’5″N 30°37’53″E

Ahvenkoski waterfalls coordinates: 61°54’58″N 30°37’38″E

In the water you can see stone blocks that have fallen from above.
Dangerous areas are fenced off.

Magnificent and so different marble!

The boats are still in service.

Ahvenkoski waterfalls. Walk over the stormiest rapids.

The bridges over the waterfalls were made quite recently.

4. CITY OF PAASO.

This is a high mountain Paasonvuori , which is located in the Sortavala region (immediately after Sortavala near the village of Helyulya), a place where ancient Karelians lived in the 12th-13th centuries, and maybe earlier. Excavations were carried out on the mountain and evidence of this was found: ceramic fragments, arrowheads, jewelry. Now we will no longer find any traces of former settlements, but the very awareness that we are in historical place, excites the imagination. This is usually what happens to me. 🙂 But it’s worth climbing the mountain primarily because of the beautiful views that open from it. On one side we see the highway, the lake, railway above the lake, the river going into the distance, and the village of Helyulya. If we look in the other direction, we will see views of majestic spruce forests. Below I will attach one of my favorite photographs that I took in Karelia. The sight of forests is endlessly inspiring!

A safe and at the same time picturesque path to the top goes around the rock on the right, if you stand with your back to the road, there was also a tiny bridge over a ditch near the road itself. On the route itself there will be a sign “Paaso Settlement”. Leave the car in the parking lot - there will be a turnoff from the highway - and walk back, you will find the beginning of the path. We didn’t know this and climbed straight up the rocks. It is possible to climb this way, but it is difficult.

You can visit the settlement while heading to Ruskeala. It does not take a lot of time.

Paaso settlement coordinates: 61°43’56″N 30°41’54″E

The path to the top of the mountain is very picturesque.

View of the highway and the village of Helyulya.

View from the mountain to the railway.

View of the spruce forests from the other side of Mount Paasonvuori. I probably like this look even better.

5. KOJONSAARI ISLAND.

We visited this wonderful place a year ago and were very impressed! The island is located on Ladoga, or more precisely, in the Ladoga skerries. It attracts with its uncharacteristically chic sandy beaches and, of course, breathtaking views from Leshego rock. There are also pine trees on the island, bizarrely twisted and growing directly on the stones or from the sand. There are also mixed forests. You can set aside a whole day for a leisurely visit to the island and a picnic on it, and you won’t regret it. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a whole day, we walked quickly, but we still spent 4 hours on the island. We had a longer route that went around part of the island.

You can go from St. Petersburg to Koyonsaari in one day if you get up early. It takes about 3.5-4 hours to get to the island. You can leave the car near it on the road or, if there is no space, for a small fee on the next tour. bases (for example, “Annushkin Prichal”). There is a bridge from the mainland to the island, since the distance is only 150 meters - yes, it’s funny, but you don’t have to swim to the island, you can only take a few steps.

Coordinates of the bridge to Koyonsaari island: 61°17’07.2″N 30°05’27.0″E

Koyonsaari beaches.

Pines grow not only on rocks, but also on sand! Still hardy trees.

View from Leshego rock in the other direction. Numerous islands are visible everywhere.

Insanely beautiful view from Leshego rock. It's worth coming here just for this!

6. CAPE IMPINIEMI.

This place also belongs to the Ladoga skerries, only to the north. The cape is located in the southernmost part Hunucca Peninsula in the north of Ladoga. The nearest village is Impilahti.

What is interesting about the cape? First of all, with its relief - flat, bizarre rocks that go into the water cannot leave anyone indifferent. It's really very beautiful! Also visible here open Ladoga with its crazy sunrises, sunsets and other weather and natural phenomena. You can even see Ladoga seals in the lake! There are also elevations here, and from the elevations, of course, the views are even more beautiful. And on the cape there is a small internal lake, closed by rocks from Ladoga, where it is calm and quiet. Many people like to relax on it, but I would choose a place to set up a tent right next to Ladoga, on the cape itself, with a gorgeous panoramic view. We didn't spend the night here, but we had a wonderful day. The place is one of my top favorites! And I really want to come here for longer.

This time we were very lucky with the weather: at first it was cloudy, but then the sun came out, making the landscapes around us even more beautiful and brighter. There was calm. But on Ladoga there are often storms, when it is dangerous to go out into open water on a boat. You definitely need to keep this in mind and watch the weather forecasts.

How to get to Impiniemi: you need a car here. Heading from St. Petersburg, we pass Sortavala, turn to Ruskeala and drive along north coast Lake Ladoga to the village of Impilahti. The road that leads to the cape starts in Impilahti and is approximately 6 km long. But to get to the end by car, you need a very large and passable jeep. At some point, one might say, the road ends and something like it begins: mud (very serious mud!), puddles, rocks and roots.

But there is a good option, which we also took advantage of: transfer by boat to the very cape. We turned to the guys from "Karelia Park" (this is an extreme park with its own zip line and bungee) and they dropped us right on the cape. They can also take it back. Vkontakte community . And we decided to walk back. It was quite creepy, as we were told that bears live on the peninsula. That's why we walked with the radio blaring. 😆

Rocks on the cape.

Flat rocks extending into the water are the hallmark of Cape Impiniemi.

It is from Impiniemi that you can see Valaam. We saw)

The views here are amazing, I'm telling you the truth! 🙂

7. LYNX MOUNTAIN.

This mountain is my favorite of all the mountains I have been to in Karelia in this moment life. Bye) The views from Lynx Mountain seemed the most beautiful to me. It's easy to climb the mountain. In the distance we see a lake and endless beautiful forests. Of course, there are rocks covered with moss and the ubiquitous pine trees of unusual shape. Here you want to sit on a bench built by someone kind at the very top, and, turning off your brain, just look into the distance and dream.

The name of the mountain was given simply for beauty, and there are no lynxes here, as a local guy we met told us. But there are lynxes in Karelia! And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they are here too. They say they were met further south, closer to St. Petersburg.

Lynx Mountain is located near lakes Janisjärvi (a very beautiful lake, by the way!). The nearest village is Vyartsilya (you need to go north of Ruskeala). You can only get to the mountain (well, almost to it, you have to walk a little, about 5 minutes) by car. There are clubs on the Internet that organize trips to the mountain on ATVs. If you search, you can find it. There are also several recreation centers on the banks of the Yanisjärvi, and some of them probably rent bicycles, and maybe, if you ask, they will take you there. But you also need to get to the bases somehow. The mountain is quite remote from the main “tourist” places, so it is still most convenient for auto tourists to visit it.

Important! These places are a border zone - Finland is only 5 km away, so you need to have passports (a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation is sufficient). Most likely they will ask where you are going, you can say to the Arsenal recreation center, for example (we were just there).

Rysya Mountain coordinates: 62°8’4″N 30°45’53″E

Breathtaking views from the mountain!

Northern pines, cunningly twisted and growing right on the rocks, are something incredible!

View from the mountain.

Centuries-old rocks of glacial origin.

8. WHITE BRIDGES WATERFALL (YUKANKOSKI).

Located in the Pitkyaranta region of Karelia. Most high waterfall southern Karelia - its height is different time year ranges from 15 to 19 meters. It is especially full of water, of course, in the spring. In fact, there are two waterfalls here, few people know about the second one, but if you walk further along the beaten paths, you will see it. The second waterfall is smaller. The main attraction is still the first one, which is in the photos below. It is named “White Bridges” because once upon a time there really was a white stone bridge built by the Finns. Now a new wooden bridge has been laid, painted white.

The waterfall is really very beautiful! And the surrounding area – picturesque forests – adds even more charm.

To get to the waterfall, you need to go towards Pitkäranta and then turn off the main road. Everything is pretty clear there, just follow the coordinates. But there is one thing: previously there was a narrow dirt road along which you could still get to the parking lot at the waterfall itself (or almost to it). But last year, when we were there for the last time, we saw the beginning of active construction of a large road to the waterfall. We were able to get through, but the road was being widened, there were a lot of trucks with sand, and we had to let them through periodically. I don’t know how it is now. Unfortunately, this place will soon become very crowded with tourists, just like Ruskeala.

If you don’t have a car, most travel companies include this waterfall in their programs.

Coordinates of the White Bridges waterfall: 61°45’12″N 31°24’37″E

Waterfall and me, to understand the scale and height.

Top view of the waterfall. The photo, of course, does not show the height.

9. KIVACH WATERFALL.

And this is the largest flat waterfall in Karelia. It is called the pearl of the republic. It is located on the Suna River in the Kivach nature reserve. Although Kivach is not as high as White Bridges, it is unique and beautiful in its own way. In the old days, the waterfall attracted many historical and creative figures, such as Alexander II or the poet Derzhavin, who even dedicated a poem to it.

On the territory accessible to tourists, there is also a museum and an ecological trail telling about various plants and trees.

I have a personal story connected with this waterfall. I've wanted to come here since school! 🙄 Every year my parents and I drove from the north and back past the turnoff from the highway to Kivach, and I always asked: “Well, let’s stop by, come on, it’s nearby!” But we were always in a hurry, and my entreaties were not heard. Can you imagine my joy when I finally got here? This was already in adulthood and quite recently. But I want to come back here again and again.

Recommendation: there are a lot (sometimes too much) of tourists here! Several buses arrive at once. Therefore, it is best to go to the waterfall right from the early morning in order to calmly admire its beauty and take normal photographs without cropping other people’s arms, legs, and heads.

All tours are also taken to the Kivach waterfall now. companies from St. Petersburg.

Kivach waterfall coordinates: 62°16’4″N 33°58’49″E

Mesmerizing view of Kivach from observation deck, which is higher.

Kivach waterfall. It was once more turbulent. But even now he is very handsome.

10. EXTINCTED VOLCANOES OF GIRVAS.

We bet that when you heard the word “volcano”, you probably imagined a huge spiky mountain with a crater in the center? Yes, yes, that’s exactly how volcanoes seem to me too. And our Girvas once upon a time very long ago (3 billion years ago) most likely was like this. But over such a long time, all the traces that resembled classic volcano, were destroyed by nature. All that is left to us are petrified lava flows in the bed of the Suna River, which we can see and even walk on. This gives you a very unusual feeling. Well, it’s also beautiful here!)

Surprisingly, the volcano was discovered quite recently - in the 60s of the 20th century. There is a hydroelectric power station here, the construction of which helped to discover this a unique place, which is sometimes called the oldest extinct volcano on the planet. The bed of the Suna River became bare and these same lava flows were revealed to the eye.

Girvas is located in the village of the same name and very close to the Kivach waterfall, so visiting them can be combined. It is very easy to find and there is no need to turn off the main road. There is parking here.

Girvas volcano coordinates: 62°29’9″N 33°40’26″E

Solidified lava in the bed of the Suna River.

A small waterfall.

Girvas. It's beautiful here and there are always people.

— Take protection against mosquitoes and ticks. Anticipating questions, I will add: no, there are no more bloodsuckers here than anywhere else. I didn't notice this! Of course, the deeper you go into the forests, the more of them there are, but I repeat, they are here just like everywhere else. There are a lot of midges in Paanajärvi in the summer, yes. And in some of the places listed above they were not observed at all. But it’s better to take the funds, it will be calmer.

— If you are traveling as a savage and go to places remote from residential areas and/or to forests (from my list these include Impiniemi, Koyonsaari, Ladoga Skerries and Rysya Gora), it is better to always have repellers for wild animals with you. 😯 Just in case. These could be, for example, false flares. Thank God, we haven’t encountered bears, lynxes, or wild boars yet. And we are afraid of them. But as they say, if you are afraid of wolves, do not go into the forest. And we want to go!)

— In all tourist popular places Indeed, it is best to come at the opening itself, while there are no people.

— Take paper maps. Sometimes phones fail or glitch and show geolocation incorrectly. We have several such cards. It is maps of Karelia that exist.

— Take memory cards for larger cameras and clean your phones in advance) Because you can take pictures here endlessly, especially if this is your first time.

To be continued. Stay with me!

The Republic of Karelia is located in Northern Europe, on the Russian-Finnish border. It is called the center of wooden architecture, a pantry of mushrooms and the most mysterious region in Russia. A lot has been done here beautiful photos, but they are not able to convey the full range of feelings that these places evoke in the traveler. Fabulous taiga forests, clear lakes, virgin nature, an abundance of historical and architectural monuments - all this needs to be seen with your own eyes.

Mount Vottovaara

In the central part of the republic, 20 kilometers southeast of the village of Sukkozero, there is a curious place - Mount Vottovaara, the most high peak West Karelian Upland (417 meters).

Locals call this place of power Death Mountain and consider it a portal to other world– an anomalous effect on electrical equipment, nature, and the human body is noted here. The dead silence, as well as the depressing sight of trees bent, broken by the wind and blackened after a fire, add to the ominous feeling.

In 1978, a complex of ancient cult seids - rolled stones-boulders, located in groups - was discovered on the mountain. In this case, huge blocks lie on smaller ones, creating the impression of stones on legs.

Also on Vottovaara there is a mysterious stairway to heaven - 13 steps carved into the rock, ending in an abyss.

Mount Kivakkatunturi

Located in Paanajärvi National Park, in Loukhi district. The height of the mountain is 499 meters, and the name is translated from Finnish as “stone woman” - at the top there are many seids, one of which resembles the head of an old woman.

The climb to Kivakka is quite easy and takes 1-2 hours - in addition to the trodden path, there are wooden beams laid down for the convenience of tourists. When climbing, you can see around the landscape features characteristic of these places - hanging swamps and high-altitude lakes lying on the slopes of the mountain and indicating the water-bearing nature of the rock.

From the open top you can clearly see the beauty of Paanajärvi Park. This place becomes especially picturesque with the arrival of autumn, when the plants color the mountain in yellow-purple colors.

Mountain Park "Ruskeala" (Marble Canyon)

The basis of this tourist complex in the Sortavala region of Karelia is a former marble quarry. The blocks quarried here were used for cladding palaces and cathedrals in St. Petersburg and other Russian cities. Now these quarries have turned into man-made marble bowls, filled with the purest water and cut through by a system of shafts and adits, reminiscent of mysterious caves and grottoes.

The mountain park is 450 meters long and about 100 meters wide. It is equipped for tourists - pedestrian paths have been cleared, observation platforms have been created, there is parking for cars, and boat rentals. It is from the water that the most impressive views of the surrounding rock formations, up to 20 meters high, open up. You can also take a boat into the marble grotto and admire the bizarre reflection of the water in the translucent arches.

Marble Canyon Caves

No less interesting are the mines and adits of the quarry, which can be visited on a guided tour. Most of these caves were flooded, but there are also dry ones - the higher the air temperature on the surface, the more deadly cold it feels here.

For its unique acoustics, one of these grottoes is called Musical. However, the greatest interest is caused by the Proval cave, in the roof of which a hole measuring 20 by 30 meters has formed. Another name for the Gap is the Hall of the Mountain King or Ice cave, it is best to go down into it in the cold season, when the 30-meter thickness of water in the grotto is hidden under ice. Drops flowing from the vaults formed numerous ice stalactites and stalagmites, the beauty of which is emphasized by lighting.

Ruskeala waterfalls (Akhvenkoski waterfalls)

Not far from the village of Ruskeala, where the Tokhmajoki River divides into several branches, there are 4 small waterfalls. Falling from rocky ledges 3-4 meters high, the kvass-colored water foams and rumbles.

The area around is landscaped, there are wooden gazebos, a cafe, and a souvenir shop. Once upon a time, the films “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” and “The Dark World” were filmed in these places; now kayaking (kayak) is carried out along the Tokhmajoki River, overcoming waterfalls.

Paanajärvi National Park

This corner of wild nature is located in the north-west of Karelia, in its most elevated part and occupies about 103 thousand hectares. The park owes its name to unique lake Paanajärvi, which arose in rock faults, the boundaries of the park run along the line of this lake and the Olanga River.

The landscapes here are picturesque and varied - Mountain peaks alternate with gorges, turbulent rivers and noisy waterfalls coexist with the calm surface of lakes.

The park contains the most high point Republic - Mount Nourunen. Here you can also see the Kivakkakoski waterfall - one of the largest and most powerful in Karelia.

Daylight hours in winter are very short - from the end of August you can see northern lights. But in summer the sun sets only for 2-3 hours - the time of white nights comes.

National Park "Kalevalsky"

This park was created on far west Karelia in 2006 to preserve one of the last old-growth tracts in Europe pine forests. On an area of 74 thousand hectares, pine trees occupy about 70%; the age of many trees reaches 400-450 years.

For thousands of years, these places have been the constant habitat of various species of animals and plants; the pristine beauty of the forests still fascinates today. In the park you can see many large rivers with picturesque waterfalls, deep clean lakes.

There are also several villages located here - Voknavolok is considered the cradle of Karelian and Finnish cultures, where the songs of the Kalevala epic were born, many historical and cultural monuments have been preserved in Sudnozero, and Panozero is considered one of the oldest settlements in the area.

Archipelago Kuzova

It is a group of 16 small islands in the White Sea, near the city of Kem. In order to preserve the unique landscape and diversity of flora and fauna, a state government was created here landscape reserve"Body". Now there are special places for visiting tourists on 3 islands - Russian Kuzov, German Kuzov and Chernetsky.

In addition to the beauty of the surrounding nature, the archipelago attracts with an abundance of seids, labyrinths, ancient sites of people from the Mesolithic and Bronze Ages, and religious buildings. The islands are shrouded in many legends and are still a mystery to historians and archaeologists.

Girvas volcano crater

IN small village Girvas, Kondopoga region of Karelia, is home to the world’s oldest preserved volcanic crater, its age is about 2.5 billion years.

Previously, the full-flowing Suna River flowed here, but after the construction of a dam for a hydroelectric power station, its bed was drained and the water was sent along a different path, and now petrified lava flows are clearly visible in the half-empty canyon. The crater of the volcano itself does not protrude above the ground, but is a depression filled with water.

Kivach waterfall

Translated from Finnish, the name of the waterfall means “powerful”, “swift”. It is located on the Suna River and is the fourth largest flat waterfall in Europe. Kivach consists of four rapids with a total height of 10.7 meters, of which the vertical drop of water is 8 meters.

Due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station in this area, there was a large outflow of water, which somewhat reduced the attractiveness of the waterfall. The best time The best time to visit this attraction is spring, when Suna gains strength, feeding on melt waters. In 1931, a State Government was created around the waterfall. nature reserve"Kivach".

White Bridges Waterfall (Yukankoski)

This waterfall, located on the Kulismayoki River in the Pitkäranta region of the republic, is one of the highest and most beautiful in Karelia and reaches about 18 meters in height. In summer, the water in the river warms up well, which allows you to swim in it and stand under the falling streams of water.

In 1999, the hydrological natural monument “White Bridges” was established on the territory adjacent to the waterfall, the area of which is 87.9 hectares. Due to its location in the forest, far from the highway, Yukankoski is not very popular among travelers.

Marcial waters

This name is given to a balneological and mud resort, as well as a village in the Kondopoga region. The resort was founded by Peter I in 1719 and is the first in Russia.

There are 4 wells here, from which flow mineral water, their main feature is the amount of iron, greater than in other sources in Russia and abroad. Each source has a different concentration of iron, and the waters also contain calcium, magnesium, manganese, and sodium.

Sapropelic silt sulfide mud extracted from the bottom of Lake Gabozero also has healing properties.

The resort is visited for the treatment of diseases of the blood, cardiovascular, digestive, genitourinary and musculoskeletal systems, and respiratory organs. Here, according to the design of Peter I, the Church of St. Apostle Peter was built, and opposite the temple there is a building local history museum"Marcial Waters".

Valaam Island

The name of the island translates as " high ground“- it is the largest of the islands of the Valaam archipelago, located in the north of Lake Ladoga.

Every year Valaam attracts thousands of tourists - its rocky territory 9.6 kilometers long and 7.8 kilometers wide is covered with coniferous forests, large and small inland lakes, and cut by numerous channels, bays and bays.

Here is the village of Valaam and a monument of Russian architecture - Valaam Stavropegial monastery with many hermitages (buildings located in hard-to-reach places).

Island of Good Spirits

This island, located on Voronyo Lake, is not marked on any geographical map, for which it is often called Karelian Shambhala. You can get to it while rafting along the Okhta River and only with the help of tips from the guides.

The place is a traveler's paradise and is famous for its convenient parking areas, excellent fishing and picturesque surroundings. However, what attracts people most is the abundance of wooden crafts on the island - a real open-air museum created by the hands of tourists. Some products date back to the 70s of the last century. According to legend, this place is inhabited by spirits who guard the island and inhabit every craft, bringing good luck to its maker.

Solovetsky Islands

This archipelago, which includes more than 100 islands, occupies 347 square kilometers and is the largest in the White Sea. It is located at the entrance to Onega Bay and is included in a specially protected protected area.

Here is the Solovetsky Monastery with many churches, Maritime Museum, airport, Botanical Garden, ancient stone labyrinths and a whole system of canals that you can navigate by boat.

The White Sea beluga whale, the white whale, lives near Cape Beluzhy. Beautiful nature and the abundance of historical and architectural monuments attract many excursion groups to these places.

Lake Pisan

This reservoir is located in the central part of the Republic of Karelia, and has a tectonic origin - the lake was formed as a result of a fracture in the earth's crust, as clearly evidenced by the symmetry of its shores. The name of the lake translates as “longest” - occupying up to 200 meters in width, it extends 5 kilometers in length. In some places the depth exceeds 200 meters.

On the northern shore of the reservoir there are parking areas, convenient places for fishing and launching boats. As you move south, the banks become higher, forming a gorge with rocks rising 100 meters above the water. Virgin nature, silence and lack of nearby settlements make this place especially attractive for lovers of solitude.

White Sea

This inland sea, located in the north of the European part of Russia, belongs to the North Sea basin. Arctic Ocean and has an area of 90 square kilometers. Due to the cold water even in summer (up to 20 degrees), there is not too much tourist flow on the White Sea, and nature in many places remains untouched.

Blueberries and mushrooms grow abundantly on the islands of the sea coast; in the water you can see jellyfish, fish, seals and beluga whales. The seabed after low tide is a unique sight - it is filled with a variety of living organisms.

Lake Ladoga (Ladoga)

Located in Karelia and Leningrad region and is the largest freshwater body of water in Europe - the length of the lake is 219, and its greatest width is 138 kilometers. The northern shores are high and rocky, with many bays, peninsulas, large and small islands; South coast– shallow, with an abundance of rocky reefs.

Along Ladoga there are a large number of settlements, ports and recreation centers; numerous ships glide along the water surface. At the bottom of the lake numerous historical finds different eras, even now these places are popular among diving enthusiasts. Mirages and brontides also occur here - a rumble coming from the lake, accompanied by the seething of water or weak vibrations of the earth.

Lake Onega (Onego)

This lake is called the younger sister of the great Ladoga - it is the second largest freshwater body of water in Europe. On the territory of Onega there are more than 1,500 islands of different sizes, dozens of ports and marinas are located on the shores, and the Onega Sailing Regatta is held annually.

The water in the lake is clean and transparent thanks to the shungite mineral that literally lines the bottom. In addition to fish, there is a bivalve mollusk that grows nacreous pearl balls in its shell.

Taiga forests rich in mushrooms and berries, the charm of northern nature, a huge number of historical monuments, architecture, and folk art attract many tourists to these places.

Onega petroglyphs

On east coast Lake Onega in the Pudozh region of Karelia contains ancient rock paintings dating back to the 4th-3rd millennia BC. They are collected in 24 separate groups and cover an area of 20 kilometers; more than half of the petroglyphs are located on capes Peri Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets.

In total, about 1,100 images and signs were carved into the rocks, mainly drawings of birds (especially swans), forest animals, people and boats. The dimensions of some petroglyphs reach 4 meters.

Among the mystical figures is the mysterious triad of “demon, catfish (burbot) and otter (lizard).” To neutralize this evil spirits, around the 15th century, the monks of the Murom Holy Dormition Monastery knocked out a Christian cross on top of the image.

Kinerma village

The name of this ancient Karelian village, lost in the Pryazha region, translates as “precious land”. The settlement, founded more than 400 years ago, has up to two dozen houses, half of which are architectural monuments. The buildings are located in a circle, in the center of which is the chapel of the Smolensk Mother of God and the old cemetery.

More recently, the fate of the village was in question; only 1 person lived here permanently. However, thanks to the efforts of local residents, it was possible to restore the buildings, improve everyday life, and attract tourists. For the preservation of its historical appearance, Kinerma is recognized as a complex monument of wooden folk architecture of the Karelian-Livviks. She also won the competition “The Most beautiful village Russia."

Kizhi Museum-Reserve

The main part of this unique open-air museum is located on Kizhi Island in Lake Onega. The heart of the collection is the ensemble " Kizhi Pogost"consisting of a 22-headed wooden Church of the Transfiguration, the smaller Church of the Intercession and the bell tower that unites them, the complex is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The museum is constantly replenished with chapels, houses, icons, household items, outbuildings brought from the surrounding Karelian, Russian and Vepsian villages; it also presents a number of historical objects of Zaonezhye and Petrozavodsk.

Thanks to its height of 42 meters, it became the tallest wooden church in Karelia. The interior decoration has survived to this day and, with its modesty, contrasts with the rich modern churches.

A visit to the Assumption Church is not included in the list of obligatory routes; there is no invasion of tourists here, but newlyweds get married and children are baptized local residents. It’s worth coming here for the surrounding beauty and special atmosphere of this place.