Karelia in winter is a place specially created by nature for lovers of frost, a lot of snow, active pastime, connoisseurs of pristine beauty and those who are looking for a real winter fairy tale.
In winter, Karelia is unusually beautiful. But at the same time, it should be taken into account that this is the coldest time in this region, there is a strong wind here, and due to the large number of lakes - high humidity. Therefore, it is worthwhile to approach the selection of equipment wisely if you are planning a vacation in Karelia in the winter.
But if you have warm, waterproof boots in your suitcase, a good winter jacket and protective cream, then traveling to Karelia will bring you nothing but pleasure. Here you can celebrate the New Year in a truly fabulous way, have plenty of sledding, ice skating, snowboarding, snowball fights as much as you like, go skiing ... There are a lot of options for active and fun holidays.
In January, Petrozavodsk annually hosts the International Dog Sled Race “Across the Land of Sampo”. Athletes run short and medium distances. Hundreds of tourists gather to watch such competitions of strength, speed and agility. And if for the participants of the competition it is a real struggle, then for the spectators it is an entertaining spectacle with a cultural program.
The capital of Karelia in February again becomes the center of a large event. The International Winter Festival "Hyperborea" gathers old and new participants and annually presents new surprises. The program includes dozens of competitions. One of the most anticipated is the international competition of snow and ice sculptures. A whole sculptural park of various compositions grows on the embankment. Passes at the festival and the winter carnival. Its participants march through the streets of the city and always in bright carnival costumes.
Karelia in winter, reviews: where to relax, what to see
After reading a lot of admiring reviews about Karelia, we decided to use the New Year holidays 2016-2017 in order to admire this miracle of nature ourselves. And here is my opinion.
A small digression. Today we are publishing an article that Alexei Ishchenko kindly provided us for publication. He and his family made a road trip around Karelia in winter and wrote this wonderful review. Vyacheslav and I are grateful to Alexey for cooperation with the site. And for those who also want relax in Karelia in winter, immerse yourself in the wonders of a snowy fairy tale, we can recommend the local tour operator Alem-Tour, a reliable and responsible company. Alexey, we look forward to our long-term cooperation. So, is it worth visiting Karelia in winter?
Of course, Karelia is worth a look. At least to know that he was there. Maybe the seasonality of the trip affects, but I think. Those who admire, for example, the embankment of Petrozavodsk, most likely did not go further than some remote regional center. Those who admire the nature of Karelia, at least the region of Lake Ladoga and Onega, we did not climb north, most likely, they constantly live in some metropolis and go out into nature a couple of times a year, no further than fifty kilometers. Those who admire Kizhi or Kondopoga can also look approximately on trips along the Golden Ring, maybe a little easier, but much richer, and most importantly closer to civilization, for example, in Suzdal.
Well, now a little more.
1. Two words about the road. We drove from Kazan, route options vary greatly, from 1500 to 2000 km. But given that the navigator builds short routes in the remote areas of the Kirov, Kostroma, Vologda regions, you can drive everywhere there, but the roads are often broken in summer, and in winter, even on good roads, snow / thaw, snow / thaw. As a result, there is still that washboard, so I had to drive in 2-3 gears for several tens of kilometers. Back, taught by bitter experience, they drove through large regional centers to the M7 highway and further along it. More than 1800 km, but fast and not shaky. And also a feature. In Karelia, the main roads are in very good condition both in terms of asphalt quality and cleanliness.
2. Petrozavodsk.
Small, not very clean town. There is nothing special to watch. The embankment painted in other reviews can be considered ennobled, only considering that the rest of the main part of the shore of Lake Onega within the city is overgrown with impenetrable shrub forest and built up with an industrial zone. The Museum of the History of Navigation, or whatever it is called, was closed during the holidays, nothing interesting was visible from the outside. Of the pluses, the rented apartment was very decent and not expensive - 2000 r / day. And when I was looking for options, most of them are there, the culture of providing housing is at its best.
We didn’t go to Kudama, for three three-hour adventures about 12,000, given that about 35,000 were paid for the entire trip, this is chaos. The child's ability to let go full program, and my wife and I, to reduce the cost, for a more modest one - NO. As a result, we went to Chalna.
Basically interesting, a lot of dogs. We saw that those Huskies that we see in our cities are only one of the subspecies.
To beat the dogs, though Husk managed to bite his wife, so be careful, especially those who are afraid of dogs, they feel it. Five minutes two laps on the dogs.
To look at only two deer, and then from afar, from a height, in a zoo, and then closer. But in principle, the tour is worth the money, they gave something about two thousand, and to go many times closer than to Kudama.
Yes, it’s important, there are no puppies there at all, but the guide said about Kudama that there might be, but with great doubt, so the promises are again higher than reality.
4. The village of Kinerma. In general, nothing cool, old houses, no people, but ...
5. Sortavala. The town is cleaner and outwardly more beautiful than Petrozavodsk, due to its proximity to Finland. A beautiful road there along the lakes, in the town itself there is also a beautiful view of the lake. Museum of wooden paintings. Nice, and most importantly, you understand what a hellish amount of work, only on one picture, and there are three dozen of them.
Beautifully, in a foreign way, they managed to make a popular tourism point out of a simple quarry.
It's interesting to see, I've never been to a place like this before. In general, it’s worth a look, although it’s probably much cooler in summer, since you can’t swim in boats in winter.
Well, to go, if this is one of the goals of the whole trip, I would not go even from St. Petersburg just for the sake of this place. Well, a fly in the ointment, a tiny toilet and two cafes for crowds of people, huge queues.
Mountain is a strong word, again expectations are greatly overestimated. A hill as high as a three-story house, a nearby lake is slightly visible above the tops of pines.
You have to drive fifteen kilometers off the highway, honestly it's a pity for time and even gasoline.
8. Kondopoga.
The town is small, around the industrial zone. It stands on a beautiful lake. Inside, maybe a little cleaner than in Petrozavodsk, but the town itself is some kind of old, just old, and not old. Although everything is modern on the central square, especially chain stores, everyone is present, well, where would it be without them. It's funny, there are three car washes in the whole town, two of which do not work in winter, and in the third there are two washing places. By the way, there are no gas filling stations in Karelia, only in Petrozavodsk, who runs on gas.
The famous Kondopoga wooden church is large, tall, impressive both in age and in what is still standing. A beautiful view of the lake, but there is no infrastructure around the church, not even a toilet. And around the village and the industrial zone. When I read the reviews, I had the complete impression that she was somewhere in the center, as if the basis of the town, but no.
Beautiful, impressive, but slippery everywhere.
Lots of souvenirs. I did not see any super beautiful forest. Not cooler than, for example, we have in Mari El. I would definitely make some kind of bridge over the waterfall, especially if suspended, it would be generally cool.
But it's also worth a look. After Ruskeala, the second place that deceived expectations the least.
10. Medvezhyegorsk, we stopped by only to spend the night. There was no impression left, the same old town as Kondopoga. But the rented apartment is much inferior to the Petrozavodsk one, maybe we got one, we rented it in a hurry, since BOOKING let us down cruelly. We drove in the dark through the White Sea-Baltic Canal, didn’t see anything, that’s a pity.
Well, first of all, the road. And then I read a lot of nonsense that "you can get through in two jeeps." Before the great bay, there was an excellent track, cleared, although we drove right after the snowfall, but it was not strewn with anything, it was slippery and there were a lot of sharp turns with slides. But not sprinkled, maybe even better, less dirt. 100 kilometers in two hours on a rear wheel drive is absolutely real. From Velikaya Guba to Oyatevshchina about forty kilometers through the forest along the road under construction. One track has been cleared, we have a Hover, but any passenger car will pass there. The only pockets for passing are few, if anything, or move backwards or you need four-wheel drive to pass. But we didn’t get to the meeting either there or back, so we didn’t feel any problems at all. We went straight to the shore, right at the rate of about a kilometer to the island and Kizhi. Probably it was possible to take a chance on the car, just the frost hit under thirty. But they did not dare, they slapped on foot. The road rolled by snowmobiles immediately began to take away to the right along the coast. It became scary, suddenly, if you go straight to the island, you can fall through, there are no traces at all. But they took the risk, they stepped on it. Only then did they understand what was going on.
The main church of Kizhi is not opposite, but to the right, and the tracks led there. We moved to the island. There are several old houses and small churches brought there as a museum.
But everything is simply not impressive. We looked around, the main church is further along the island for a kilometer and a half. You won’t be able to walk along the island, you fall through the virgin lands, there is a road, but it strays so much that it takes twice as long. Pasik rides there, carries excursions, probably if you wait, they will give you a ride. But how long do they have to wait? We continued our fanatical journey, went out on the ice and peshkodralom, since there is practically no snow on the ice. Hovercraft often ride on the ice, they take excursions from the great bay, but it seems a little expensive, at least for the money they ask, there will not be any impressions.
The temple is large, beautiful, many domes, around the wall is like a wooden fortress. They let you inside for five hundred rubles only in one room. An altar, icons, but, in general, again, there is nothing superb.
I would like to get into the main building, to visit the turrets with domes, but they are not allowed to go there. There is another house nearby and the atmosphere of the past is recreated there, but again, much more modest than in Suzdal. In general, it’s worth visiting, but the actual labor and money costs for visiting it would be reasonable if you could get directly to the temple by your own car, without walking, and so, again, a deceit of expectations. Well, at least they took us back to the car on a snowmobile. Although we had a good run on foot, city life is not conducive to such walks, we haven’t walked so much for a long time.
12. They returned back along the opposite shore of Lake Onega through Pudozh. There is not a single settlement there, a little at night at 30 degrees they were not left without gasoline, they refueled in some village with a resident from plastic bottles.
Conclusions and recommendations.
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Ishchenko Alexey was with you with his wife and son, in Karelia in the winter on a Hover H3 car during the New Year holidays of 2016-2017.
Chic opportunities for outdoor activities and sightseeing, breathtaking landscapes with snowdrifts, elegant pine trees and old wooden houses, ringing air - that's what Karelia in winter. If you have a desire to escape from everyday bustle, to touch the secrets of amazing nature and rich history, to taste all the delights of the cold season - by all means go on a trip to Karelia in winter with the tour operator Alem-Tour.
Take a walk through a snow-covered forest, ride down a hill with a breeze, take a steam bath in a real wood-fired sauna ... there are a number of worthy answers to the question - what to do in Karelia in winter? Thrill-seekers, lovers of outdoor activities and winter sports will not be bored here either - tourists will find a lot of entertainment here, and this is not just a turn of phrase, but a real fact, confirmation of which you will find below.
Attractions
Due to its geographical location and natural and climatic features, the republic has not yet become a place of a very massive influx of tourists. And this is good for preserving its unique natural wealth. Looking for an answer to the question: what to see in Karelia in winter?- many are surprised to find that this land is rich not only in natural beauties.
In addition to them, the sights of Karelia, which are easy to see winter by car, - this is
- well-preserved architectural monuments of distant antiquity,
- masterpieces of wooden architecture,
- hunting and fishing bases,
- unique zoos, zoo complexes, sled dog kennels.
Marble Canyon Ruskeala
A unique place is the mountain park Ruskeala. This marble canyon was formed in a huge quarry, from which marble was mined for more than two hundred years. Now it represents a canyon stretching for several kilometers, flooded with clear waters.
visit Ruskeala in winter in Karelia nice: not a big crowd of people. Nothing distracts from communication with calm and majestic nature. You can’t go down on the ice, but this marble canyon especially beautiful from above. The trail passes through a cave-adit, illuminated at night.
Waterfall Kivach
One of the most famous sights of the republic is the Kivach waterfall on the Suna River. It falls over stone rapids from a height of more than ten meters, bewitching with its power and majesty. The waterfall is in perfect harmony with the beauty of nature of the surrounding nature reserve of the same name.
Even in Epiphany frosts, the Kivach waterfall does not freeze. He always rolls river waters along icy ledges, past trees, the branches of which are generously shrouded in sparkling snow.
Mount Sampo
Mount Sampo is a “place of power” with bright natural energy. This mythical rock from the Kalevala runes looks especially colorful in winter. Climbing the mountain is worth at least because of the unusually beautiful view that opens from its top to the lake and the surrounding forests. And, of course, take a series of amazing photos.
For tourists, Mount Sampo in winter in Karelia is quite accessible, as in summer: there are ladders, railings, viewing platforms. But caution does not hurt: the steps can be slippery.
Where to relax in Karelia in winter
Place, Where to stay, everyone chooses based on their own preferences and capabilities. This may be a hotel in Petrozavodsk or in the suburbs of the city, for example, the country recreation center "Verkhovye" is well suited for this, or a detached "hunting house" or a cottage on the lake.
Those who want not only to relax, but also to improve their health, are waiting for the health resorts of the republic. The village of Marcial Waters in the Kondopoga region, 55 km from Petrozavodsk, is the first resort in the history of Russia, founded in 1719: year-round, balneological and mud.
In Karelia - expanse for lovers of skiing. Well-equipped trails are in Malaya Medvezhka, on the Spasskaya Bay; on Yalgora, and on Gorka, which is directly inside Petrozavodsk. There are a lot of opportunities for ice fishing on local lakes.
On snowmobiles you can get to the main attractions of the republic: Kizhi and Valaam in the list of places to visit in Karelia in winter, traditionally occupy the highest places.
Winter recreation centers
The best way to get away from the intense rhythm of modern civilization is not to settle in a city hotel, but at one of the recreation centers located "in the very heart" of Karelia.
Like, for example, the Verkhovye base. This complex fits well into the surrounding natural landscape and offers the most intimate vacation in the winter of 2019. An increasing number of tourists choose recreation centers every year, thanks to affordable pricing and a wider range of services - here you can walk through the forest and make snowballs in the yard, and the New Year is unusual to meet.
Cottages in Karelia in winter
Before traveling, you need to decide: what format of accommodation will be the best for this winter vacation? Whether to settle in a separate room or, together with a friendly company, rent cottage?
Traditionally, accommodation is offered in cottages on the shore of one of the lakes, or in close proximity to it. There are even options on a separate island, with its own bathhouse and equipped shore.
Renting a house in winter in Karelia
An excellent accommodation option for couples in love; families with children; small companies - rent a house in Karelia in winter. As a rule, in such a house there is a terrace with a table, chairs / benches overlooking the forest; wood-burning bath/sauna; brazier and woodpile.
There can be one, two, or three bedrooms in the house, and they are most often built from local environmentally friendly wood.
Excursions and tours in winter Karelia
In one weekend tour, you can visit most of the sights of the republic - both natural and man-made. In just a few days, you can get a complete picture of what it is Karelia in winter. Tours from Moscow and St. Petersburg include in their itinerary the museum-reserves of Kizhi and the Valaam Monastery, the Kivach waterfall, tasting mineral waters, as well as: Ruskeala marble canyon, Holy Trinity Monastery, Sheltozero ethnographic museum, the ancient Karelian village of Rubcheila, the Three Bears zoo complex. As part of winter tour you can ride dog sleds and snowmobiles. It will be necessary to set off on a journey in the early morning, and return to the hotel - late in the evening. These will be busy days full of fresh impressions and positive emotions.
Fishing tours in winter
Subglacial fishing in Karelia in winter usually available from January. Sometimes earlier, depending on weather conditions. The very end of winter is considered the best time, and March and April too - in the Russian North, these are still more winter than spring months. In this period, the wilderness is ending and fishermen can count on a richer and more varied catch.
Husky riding
An unforgettable winter entertainment in Karelia is dog sledding. A number of breeders of husky sled dogs, in different villages of the republic, offer this service, and a couple of interesting routes through the picturesque area.
Communication with a husky is not able to leave anyone indifferent, because the dogs of this breed are friendly, fluffy and affectionate, and how skillfully they pose for a photo!
Karelia attracts no less tourists in winter than in summer. In winter Karelia, you can perfectly combine active, sightseeing and passive recreation. Even a few days on the Karelian land will leave unforgettable impressions and invigorate any tourist.
For those who cannot imagine a vacation without excursions and sightseeing, snow-covered Karelia has prepared a lot of interesting and amazing places: the Kivach waterfall that never freezes, the Assumption Church on the shores of Lake Onega, the Kizhi and Valaam islands. If rest coincides with new year holidays, then in festive Petrozavodsk you can find many cozy cafes, from the windows of which a beautiful view of the winter city opens.
For lovers of outdoor activities, nature has given the opportunity to ride a snowmobile along a forest track, visit a dog kennel and feel like the owner of a dog team, get to know animals that live on Karelian soil in a zoo complex. After outdoor activities, it is good for health to take a steam bath in a Russian or Finnish bath.
For children and adults who are not averse to returning to the world of childhood, the Karelian Father Frost has prepared an entertainment program with a picnic.
For lovers a relaxing holiday Karelia has prepared hiking through the winter forest, sanatorium treatment and winter fishing. Thick ice allows you to fish almost all winter. Winter fishing is very different from summer fishing, and for beginners it is better to take an instructor who will teach you all the tricks of catching fish in winter.
Holidays in Karelia will remain in your memory for a long time, and photos of the nature and sights of winter Karelia will become an adornment of the family album. But, going on vacation in winter, you should remember that in the coldest period, the thermometer can drop to 36 degrees below zero.
In winter, it is popular not only among Russians, but also among foreign tourists. Here you can see unique architectural monuments, enjoy virgin nature, engage in active sports, and also spend time comfortably with your family.
Winter hunting
Recreation in Karelia in winter, many guests prefer to spend actively and even extreme. So, hunting has long been a well-known tourist "brand" of this region. Everyone can test the strength of their nerves and go to the local forests for birds or game. At the same time, tourists should be aware that a license is required for beavers, bears, black grouse, capercaillie and wild boars. It is not so easy to obtain the necessary permission from the regional divisions of the State Committee for Hunting of the Republic of Kazakhstan or organizations that have their own hunting grounds, since the number of licenses is limited. But hunting for hazel grouse, white hare, squirrel, duck and a number of other animals is possible without special permission.
If you are not a professional in this type of activity, then use the services of a specialist who will accompany you and relieve you of many difficulties and inconveniences. If you wish, you can purchase a special tour, within which you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in a hunting lodge, meals, as well as the services of a professional huntsman-guide.
Fishing in Karelia
Karelia in winter is an excellent holiday destination for lovers of ice fishing. In the central and northern regions of the region there are many rivers and rapids where you can catch grayling, salmon and whitefish. In the north of Karelia there are many lakes, where Pyaozero is especially popular. It is here that fishermen come for trout, whitefish, brown trout and many other types of fish. There are 47 species of fish in Lake Onega, including such "favorites" as salmon, trout, perch, pike perch and pike. Most fans of winter fishing come here on their own, because they believe that it is not worth paying money for what you can take for free. However, in Karelia there are also specialized recreation centers with stocked reservoirs. Here, everyone can combine their favorite business with accommodation in a comfortable hotel, sports, relaxation in a Russian bath and other entertainment.
If you decide to spend your holidays here, you should take into account that Karelia is a rather specific place in winter - the days here are short, the nights are long, and the air temperature is quite low. It is also necessary to know that there are a number of restrictions on fishing. So, for example, breams, ides and graylings less than 22 centimeters in length, and pikes less than 30 centimeters should be released into the wild.
Active holidays, prices
Karelia in winter is a great place for lovers of an active lifestyle. It is here that you can go skiing, dogging or horseback riding or go on an ATV and snowmobile tour. If you don't love extreme vacation you can engage in quieter and safer activities. For example, go ice skating, skiing, popular "cheesecakes" and, of course, enjoy snow fun. For organized programs, please contact the tour operator "Alem-Tour".
What will Karelia cost for tourists - winter holidays? Entertainment prices are more than affordable for most of our fellow citizens. Thus, a two-hour dog sled ride will cost about 3,500 rubles, and a one-day hovercraft trip to Valaam Island and sightseeing tours will cost 7,000 rubles.
Landmarks of the region
At any time of the year, tourists tend to visit the most famous places in Karelia. Therefore, in the winter season, you can also admire the beautiful lakes, forests and other picturesque places of this region. The most famous natural attractions of Karelia are, of course, the Ladoga and Onega lakes, the beauty of which is difficult to convey even to professional photographers. The next places visited by almost all tourists are Solovki, Valaam and Kizhi. Here you can see architectural monuments, museums, cathedrals and chapels with a long history. The list of local attractions will be incomplete without mentioning the old Russian northern cities in it. We are talking about Olonets, Petrozavodsk, Kemi and many other settlements.
average cost walking tour in Petrozavodsk is 200 rubles, and by bus - 350 rubles.
Excursions in Karelia
If you want to have an exciting winter vacation, then feel free to go to Karelia. Here you can create a travel program, the impressions of which will last a lifetime. Someone prefers bus tours, someone moves in their own car. However, experts say that it is impossible to see all the beauty of this region in the usual bustle. Stop and try to escape from everyday affairs, admire the nature and beauty of the northern cities. On such a journey, you will simply need a guide who loves his homeland and knows its history perfectly.
For those who want to see all the sights in a short time, the guides make up a special program. It provides for movement in different modes of transport and different ways of spending leisure time. Such a two-day tour will cost approximately 12,000 rubles for one person. There is also a very special group of excursions - extreme tours, where instead of the usual "all inclusive" you get an SUV, a tent, a fishing rod, a folding knife and a bowler hat.
Winter holidays in Karelia with children
If you decide to spend with your family, then it is in Karelia that you will get a lot of positive impressions. If you are going to Karelia in winter with children, you can be sure that you will find a wonderful hotel, interesting excursions for all ages, as well as exciting winter fun. It will be interesting for kids to ride dog and reindeer sleds, go skiing or build a real snow fort. Many hotels offer families to celebrate the New Year and Christmas there. They develop a special program that will appeal to all members of your family. Here you will find Father Frost and Snow Maiden, funny contests and attractions, as well as a lot of gifts and pleasant surprises.
Karelia in winter: reviews of tourists
Those who visit this wonderful region in winter are usually full of new and vivid impressions. Someone is excited about outdoor activities, someone admired the beauty of the northern nature, and someone got a lot of pleasure from the rich excursion program. However, almost all guests of Karelia agree on one thing - they dream of returning here more than once.
