What to see in Karelia by car - 25 most interesting places

Mount Sampo

It is considered a place of special strength, powerful energy. The mountain is located in the Kondolozhsky region at a distance of 27 km from the center of Petrozavodsk. According to local legend, any dream comes true here: if you go to the tree of desires, state your request and tie a piece to its branches.

The unusual name of the mountain is associated with the filming of the Soviet-Finnish film "Kalevala". According to the ancient mythology of the local population, the word Sampo means an object that brings happiness, abundance, and prosperity. In the epic, such a subject is the miracle mill.

On it they grind bread, salt, money in an amount sufficient for everyone. According to legend, the mill was created by the blacksmith Ilmarinen as a ransom for his wife. Arriving at the mountain in spring, you can not only listen to a wonderful legend, but also plunge into the magical atmosphere of lily of the valley thickets.

At any time of the year, you can walk to the top of the mountain along the stairs with railings installed among the century-old forest, to the equipped observation deck and look at the beautiful Lake Konchezero.

Marcial waters

The sanatorium "Marcial Waters" was formed on the basis of water, mud from the healing springs of Lake Gabozero. In 1965, the village of Palaces was renamed into the village of Martsialye Vody with subordination to Petrozavodsk. It served as the first resort in Russia since 1719 by the decree of Peter I.

The resort specializes in the treatment of diseases of the blood, heart, respiratory organs of a non-tuberculous nature, diseases, the locomotor system, the nervous system, and genitourinary disorders. It is located at a distance of about 55 km from the capital of Karelia. The resort uses special programs to improve the overall health of the body.

This is facilitated by the unique chemical composition of water springs containing a large amount of iron, the presence of healing mud, the purest air. There are four wells with a depth of 7 to 14 m. Water of varying degrees of mineralization is supplied independently.

Many procedures are paid. The price of a weekly voucher with accommodation in a single room, meals, treatment is about 22,000 rubles.

Reserve Kivach

In 1931, in the vicinity of the village of Kivach, one of the oldest reserves in Russia was created. The place was chosen in order to preserve the pine forests of Sapokhsky and Voronovsky. Slender, century-old giants were ruthlessly cut down for the production of coal and shipbuilding elements. Now you can see the lost pits, adits, copper mines.

You can get to the reserve by car along the highway leading to Murmansk. The distance to Petrozavodsk is about 80 km. Protected by impenetrable forests, swamps, the reserve can be explored (without getting lost) along with excursions, walking along ecological paths.

Its central part is occupied by a large flat waterfall created by the Suna River among the granite rocks of the Diabaz Range. This is a "silver staircase" of several steps, along which streams of water rush. The height of the main step is 6 m.

There are 14 lakes in the reserve, huge forest lands, a sea of ​​boulders, granite stones, animals and plants. At the top of one rock there is an observation deck for tourists. Climbing it is slippery, requires attention, caution.

Paanajärvi National Park

Since 1992, in a corner of wild, untouched nature (no tree felling work has ever been done here), the National Park has been formed. It got its name from the beautiful, deep lake Paanajärvi, formed among stone rocks. This is the only park included in the PAN parks system, which unites the wildest areas in Europe (there are 11 of them).

You can get to the park only after preliminary agreement, for example, through an application to the visit center located in the village of Pyaozersky. Hunting, river rafting, making fires in any place are prohibited in the park (fishing only in designated areas).

Heated houses are provided for tourists, special trails have been developed. There is not a single settlement in the entire area of ​​the park. You can only admire the pristine nature here.

Here bears walk freely, over 150 species of birds live, plants and trees of the mountain tundra reign. Popular places are Lake Paanajärvi, the highest mountain in Karelia, Nuorunen. The iconic boulder (seid) still stands on it, an object of worship among the Sami. You can come to the park by car through the village of Kalevala.

National Park "Ladoga Skerries"

On the northern shores of the largest lake in Europe, Ladoga, there are amazing natural formations of skerries or small rocky islands. They were left to us by a mighty glacier as an eternal gift. He, as if - scattered them on the mirror surface of the water.

Between them, straits and bays were formed, which have become a real paradise for tourists. The islands were gradually covered with trees, various plants, became a home for birds and fish. Since 2017, the Ladoga Skerries National Park has been created on this territory. " The largest islands are Kilpola, Lauvatsari, Riekkalansari, Putsaari, Sorolansari.

On some of them you can see the foundations of houses of former settlements in Finland. There are four zones in the park: reserved, specially protected, educational tourism, and recreational. Visitors rest there. The park contains 63 items of cultural heritage.

These are burial grounds, parking lots, ancient settlements and the historical center of the city of Sortavala. From this town, the easiest way is to drive up to the coast, as close as possible to the skerries. And then it is proposed to take a walk by boat, yacht, walk and get acquainted with any glacial island.

Kostomuksha nature reserve

The history of the creation of the reserve is associated with the city of miners Kostomuksha. The initial task of the reserve was to neutralize the consequences of the work of the city's mining and processing plant. On its territory, the influence of complex industries on natural processes was revealed, methods of restoring the protected ecosystem were found.

The national park has made it possible to preserve the natural beauty and ecology of these places.The town is located at a distance of 430 km from Petrozavodsk and 30 km from the border with Finland. It has sights to see before visiting the natural massif. For example, an Orthodox church with an old icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, monuments "Akhvenyar stones".

Among the interesting places of the reserve, the most popular is Lake Kamennoye. By the way, precisely, its water is used in the city's water supply system. In the forests (typical taiga) there are many animals and rare plants. Among them, for example, there are two types of mushrooms listed in the Red Book of Russia.

National Park "Kalevalsky"

The youngest National Park of Karelia is located 50 km from Kostomkusha. The protected area was defined as a park in 2007 with the aim of preserving the fund of the pristine area of ​​the taiga, conducting scientific research, and developing tourism in ecologically clean zones. The age of individual trees in the park reaches 500 years.

Among the dense forest thickets, unique bogs, almost 400 lakes, rivers, streams have been preserved, which have formed a unique ecosystem suitable for forest deer, wolverines, bears, etc. In the freshwater reservoirs of the park, a special species of salmon, listed in the Red Book, a mollusk called the European pearl mussel, is developing well.

But not only for the sake of acquaintance with the standard of the virgin taiga of the park, the beautiful Käunas waterfall, lakes with the purest, cold water, tourists come here. Since ancient times, the territory of the park has been inhabited by Karelians and Sami.

The surviving cultural monuments, traditions restored in the villages located near the park are the witnesses of their life. Most of the runes of the Kalevala epic were found in these settlements. Once upon a time, the paths of famous peddlers went through them, going to Finland and back.

Museum-reserve "Kizhi"

The unique open-air museum of wooden architecture received its first visitors in 1955. It was a state reserve. Since then, the flow of tourists has not decreased to it. In the early years of the existence of the reserve in the status of a Museum, one could see here only two churches and a bell tower belonging to the Kizhi churchyard.

Gradually, houses, icons, household items from ancient Karelian and Russian villages, chapels from all over Zaonezhie (about 60 buildings in total) were brought to the island. The Kizhi Pogost ensemble of ancient architectural structures is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The most famous building of the Museum is the Church of the Transfiguration of the State Hospital, erected by the carpenter Nestor from wood without a single nail. Its majestic walls, 22 bells, located at different heights, have long become the symbol of the island.

Next to it are the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin with 9 bells and a tent-roofed bell tower. The buildings represent the pinnacle of Russian carpenters' craftsmanship, and the collected artifacts show the old way of life. The Museum is located on an island located in Lake Onega at a distance of about 70 km from the capital. You can come here by boat along with an excursion.

Cape Besov nose

Among the amazing places of Karelia, its mysterious corners, there is a rock formation called Cape Besov Nos. Its shape is very similar to an elongated, hidden nose, about 750 meters long and almost 100 meters wide.

A special atmosphere is formed around the stone block, filled with mystical, magical power. If you overcome the difficult climb and walk along the broken line of the cape, you can see the ancient mystery of the Besov Nose - petroglyphs. They are older than the famous pyramids of Egypt.

The drawings were discovered in the middle of the 19th century. There are no analogues to them anywhere else on our planet. The main images on the rock are figurines of lizards, fish, and demons. Their size is very large. Among the unusual paintings one can see the silhouette of a demon with a human figure, a small square-shaped head, twisted limbs.

On his right hand is an image of an Orthodox cross. The true meaning of the petroglyphs is still unknown. You can get to the natural and archaeological monument by car with an all-terrain vehicle along the road going through Pudozh, Karashevo.

Mountain Park "Ruskeala"

On the territory of five man-made canals, where marble was mined, a unique tourist recreation area was created. For this they used deep canyons, pits filled with the purest groundwater. On the formed lake, you can safely ride a boat, make a fascinating swim in the grottoes, look at the entrances to the underground tunnels.

Icicles hanging from the marble walls give it a fantastic, fairytale look. At a height of about 25 m, ropes are stretched through the canyon for the most courageous walks. It is proposed to make extreme jumps, descents into the canyon, right to the water.

In the mountain park, you can rent a boat to go down the mountain river. As a souvenir of the visit to the park, it is proposed to take a piece of marble, independently mined in a former mine. There is also a stone-cutting workshop.

It hosts interesting master classes on creating stone figures. The Ruskevala mountain park is located near the border with Finland. By car you need to come to the city of Sortaval. Nearby there is a parking lot, cafes, souvenir shops, shops.

Mount Vottovaara

Until now, disputes and arguments about the appearance of the highest mountain in Karelia do not end. Even the translation of its name does not have an unambiguous interpretation. An inexplicable force has created a stone amphitheater of seids (boulders in a strange way) on the top of the mountain. For the first time, the world learned about these stone structures, as created by human hands, in 1970 from a local historian from a local village.

There are many versions, but they only add mysterious secrets to the history of the mountain. Numerous tourists strive to conquer the magic peak, walk along the eastern slope and look at the stone “stairway to heaven”, “stone gate”.

The fire added mystical horror to the outlines of the mountain, exposing the stone plateau. After him, the landscape was complemented by burnt trees with twisted branches. But having climbed to the top and looking at the surroundings, you forget about fears, and only admire the extraordinary nature of Karelia.

You need to start conquering the mountain by driving a car along a dirt road (about 100 km) to the villages of Sukkozero, Gimola.

Mount Tabor

This is not the mountain, located 8 km from Nazareth, where the Transfiguration of the Lord took place. This Mount Tabor can be seen here in Karelia, next to the pier of the Monastyrskaya Bay of Valaam Island. It rises above Lake Ladoga and, as if it guards the shrine of the island - the most famous monastery in Russia. To get into it, you need to make an effort and climb to the top of the mountain.

Many monastic sketes were arranged so that it was possible to reach them with some effort. The mountain is surrounded by magnificent gardens on three sides. They have been cultivated by monks for many centuries.

A staircase leads past the garden to the main estate of the monastery. It contains the relics of its founders. On the territory of the monastery there is an old Assumption refectory church, a new church. You can come to Mount Tabor by boat.

Shuya rocks

The rock massif located not far from Petrozavodsk is a paradise for mountaineers and rock climbers. Several routes in the form of complex pitons have been made among the difficult terrain of the rock wall. They practice the elements of classical rock climbing, orienteering, boldaring, methods of emergency rescue of the victim.

On the rocks, you can hang a 70-meter troll, make a descent or ascent in a space without supports (up to 10 m), learn the technique of Dombai ligaments. The length of the rock ridge is about 100 m, the height is 12 m. In front of the rocks there is a small equipped place for rest and making a fire.

Lovers of outdoor activities, keen on mountaineering, both experienced athletes and beginners come here.

Tolvojärvi nature reserve

The amazingly beautiful landscape reserve (approved in 1995) includes a water system of 12 glacial lakes, separated by man-made dams and the surrounding area. With gusts of wind, water calmly pours from one lake to another.

The reserve is located near the village of Tolvojärvi and the lake of the same name. You can find it in a place where two famous Karelian lakes come close to each other: Ladoga and Onega.

These are the western places of the Suyarva region, which have become one of the favorite places for fishing and recreation. The shores of the lakes have many places convenient for fishermen. To get acquainted with the reserve, 7 ecological paths for hiking tourists have been laid along its territory. All routes are equipped with convenient parking lots with toilets, fireplaces with a supply of firewood, tables, shelters from the rain.

The peculiarity of the reserve's water resources is their color: the purest water has a tint of strong tea. It is inhabited by the inhabitants listed in the Red Book. Walking along the paths of the reserve, you can come to the picturesque Tolvojoki River with rapids and a small waterfall.

There are no settlements in the reserve. The destructive Soviet-Finnish and the Great Patriotic War raged over its territory.

Volcano Girvas

Now Karelia is a place of silence, tranquility, unusually beautiful nature. It’s hard to believe that in ancient times, for almost a billion years, one of the largest volcanoes on the planet reigned here. Natural forces have hidden many consequences of the giant's activity from human eyes, and now you can walk on the surface of the volcano, looking at the surviving evidence of his life.

This is a cone with a crater at the top, explosion tubes, traces of lava rivers found at the bottom of the Suna River and around the volcano. Among the stones of the volcano, magmatic fragments have been preserved in the form of balls, pillars, "bombs" with gas voids. The discovery of the volcano was helped by the construction of a power plant on the river. Curious tourists and sportsmen quickly began to visit the geological monument.

It hosts a non-road sports festival every year. Cars compete on sand dunes, rocks, frozen lava of the extinct (or maybe asleep for a while) volcano Girvas. Near the volcano, a recreation area is organized with a minimal but convenient infrastructure. You can come here by car along the P-21 road leading to the village of Girvas.

Karelian Zoo

The largest and only zoo in Karelia has been created in the basin of Lake Yanisyarvi, formed as a result of the fall of a huge meteorite. Here, among the picturesque ancient landscapes, comfortable dwellings are arranged for animals and birds brought from different parts of Karelia and other countries and continents.

Sika deer, llamas, alpacas feel great in spacious open-air cages, close to living conditions in the wild, black African ostriches are walking around importantly. Many animals have beautiful cubs, which confirms the quality of the conditions for their living in the zoo.

Younger guests are offered a fascinating walk through the petting zoo with tame, good-natured animals. It is absolutely safe to feed, pet, take pictures with Cameroonian goats, dwarf sheep, rabbits, Scottish ponies. The zoo is located in the village of Kirkkolahti near the town of Sortavala. Works daily, seven days a week.

Zoo complex "Three Bears"

The purpose of the construction of this complex on the shores of the picturesque Lake Syamozero was the need to solve the problems of environmental education, study of the life of the animal world, restoration, protection of endangered species.

The introduction of unique programs for the provision of tourist services was aimed at creating a financial base that helps children from orphanages, disabled people, adolescents who find themselves in difficult life situations. The first inhabitants of the complex were in 2004 three circus bears brought by Mstislav Zapashny.

Hence its name was born. Now, on an area of ​​about 3 hectares, bears, wolves, wild boars, foxes, etc. are peacefully settled. All animals are well-groomed, clean, beautiful. For a detailed acquaintance with them, it is proposed to stay in guest houses with 3,2,1 bed rooms.

While relaxing on the shore of a beautiful lake, next to a wonderful animal world, you can use a bathhouse, a beach, a barbecue, rent a boat, a boat and test your luck in exciting fishing, take a walk with a little bear cub. You can get there by car from Petrozavodsk to the village of Syamozero in the Pryazhinsky District. The distance is about 70 km.

Yushkozero village

History lovers can visit an old Karelian village located in the Kalevala region of the country. In a beautiful village built in the traditional style of the ancient peoples of Karelia about 400 years ago, the runes of the world famous epic "Kalevala" were collected.

The houses are sheltered along the banks of the Chirzha-Kem River. Its banks are connected by original hanging (since 1980) and six wooden bridges. Sometimes it is called the Karelian Venice.

The village has long been famous for its artistic crafts: making boats using old technology, weaving baskets from splinters, creating beautiful national rugs on looms preserved in every house. It is not for nothing that a craft center under the international project "Tacis" was recently created here.

The folklore festival “Four seasons in Kalevala” is held here, reviving the culture and language of the Northern Karelians. Folklore group "Tuomi" has been active for about 30 years. The village is home to the only performer of the ancient Ioig. The closest date for the festival is set for August 28 (the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin).

The island of good spirits

You can come to this island along the Okhta River, during the rafting to Voronye Lake. It is advisable to do this with an experienced escort. Local legends say that here, on a mysterious island (Karelian Shambala), which can magically hide from unwanted visitors, good spirits live.

They move into original wood sculptures and give good luck to the person who made them. It is not known exactly who and when was the first to build them.

Among the "handicrafts" from the museum of creativity of ordinary people there are elements made in the 70s of the last century. The unique wooden buildings of the island include an old hut, a boat built of birch bark, a kettle and a huge spoon, a strange telescope, numerous figures of animals and people.

Every vacationer tries to bring with him or carve a new wooden figure on the spot. Together they create an unusual, mystical aura of the island, illuminated by the light of the white nights even in August.

Valaam Island

The pearl of Karelia is the ancient archipelago of the northern part of Ladoga. It includes about 50 large and small islands of land, surrounded by the vastness of Ladoga. The main island is Valaam. He, as if, a fabulous mirage moves towards, attracting to himself with his extraordinary charm.

The first settlements of the Slavs appeared here in the 9th and 10th centuries. The island has long become the spiritual center of Orthodoxy, has become known for its shrines, architecture, nature. At the same time, the Valaam Monastery played a major role in the formation of Christianity in the North.

The holy monastery was founded by Sergius and German. The life of the monks in the monastery was revived in 1989. Now the monastery is home to about 200 inhabitants. Services are still being held, and the manicured gardens near the monastery are flourishing.

The best architectural monuments of the island are the Nikolsky sketes, all Saints, the monastery hotel, the Vodoprovodny house, built in 1862. You can come to the island by boat from the pier of the town of Priozersk or Sortavala.

Lake Yanisjärvi

The Ladoga Lake basin includes many lakes that are popular with vacationers. Among them, the "hare lake" or Yanisjärvi stands out.Scientific studies of the history of the formation of the reservoir showed that the lake was created as a result of the fall of a meteorite (700 million years ago), which left a crater that was gradually filled with water.

One of the confirmations of this version is the finding of minerals (coesite and stishovite) contained in meteorites. The lake is oval and contains about 43 islands. 20 rivers and streams flow into it. The length of the coastline reaches 100 km, the average depth of the lake is 12 m.

The deepest point is at an elevation of 57 m. The elevated, rocky shores are covered with forest. There are settlements, recreation centers are built on them. There is everything for a relaxing holiday, exciting fishing, picking berries, mushrooms, hunting. The distance from Petrozavodsk is 240 km.

Waterfall White Bridges

In 1999, an interesting natural creation was awarded the status of a hydrological monument. On the relatively calm river Kulismajoki (on its two branches), thanks to rocky ledges with sheer cliffs, two beautiful waterfalls are formed, continuing to move in a deep canyon. Historically, the waterfall was called "Yukankoski".

This is an old Finnish name derived from the name of the nearest farm. Just above the waterfall there were white bridges built by the Finns from white stone (now they are not). The name White Bridges was given in the 70s of the XX century by local residents.

The waterfall, falling from a height of about 19 m, has become a popular attraction in Karelia. You can come to him from the city of Sortavala along the federal highway in the direction of Pitkyarantu. Then turn following the sign for Leppäsürja.

Protossaam labyrinth

Many interesting artifacts tell us about the life of the Sami on this land. They left behind mysterious burial grounds, mysterious seids, incomprehensible labyrinths. One of them is located near the village of Alkho. It is a giant large spiral of stones, laid out at the foot of the cliff.

The purpose of the creation and use of this spiral is still unknown. According to one version, it was used to carry out ancient rituals that attract good luck in hunting and fishing, symbolizing the passage of fish and animals into spaced nets.

On the other, the spiral blocked the path of the dead into the world of the living. Local residents still remember the times when there was a pagan temple at the top of the cliff. Here, the ancestors performed magical rites of worship of the gods.

There is a legend according to which you need to go through the labyrinth with your hands down, put a gift to the spirits in the center of the labyrinth and return so that your palms are turned up. So a person gets rid of negative energy, receives a charge of new strength with positive energy. Many come to this magical place to ask for help from the mysterious forces.

Fiefdom of Talvi Ukko

All children are waiting for Santa Claus to visit with a bag of gifts. Each country calls it differently. But always - this is a big, adult grandfather, and next to him is a beautiful Snow Maiden. And only Talvi Ukko is a young, cheerful youth who was found small under the snow.

The boy grew up and lives in a beautiful residence located among the forests of Karelia, and happily receives guests (not only for the New Year, but also in the summer). And with him is always the beautiful granddaughter of Lumiko.

N. Stolyarov from Karelia invented and created the image of a new grandfather Frost. A tea house was built on the allocated territory in the village of Chalna, the residence of the magic Santa Claus. A new building with hotel rooms is under construction.

A kennel for sled dogs, a reindeer farm, and a courtyard with domestic animals have been organized. Streams of tourists flowed here to celebrate the New Year holidays, ride huskies, malamutes, walk around the neighborhood, visit the granddaughter's cozy room, see how Santa Claus lights the stars, causes the northern lights.

Route in Karelia by car on the map