Where is Lake Ladoga located in the Urals mountains. Lake Ladoga. Where is it located on the map in Russia, source, photos, characteristics. Lake Ladoga in summer

Lake Ladoga(has the second name Ladoga, previously called Nevo) is considered the largest freshwater reservoir in Russia. Ladoga in its popularity is only slightly inferior to Baikal, known throughout the world. Hundreds of tourists come to its coast every year to enjoy wonderful views and capture the beauty of these places in your memory.

In this article you will learn the main features of this reservoir - where it is located, what characteristics it has, what surrounds the lake, what flora and fauna there are, what it is like in winter and summer.

Lake Ladoga belongs to two territories - the eastern and northern shores are located in the Republic of Karelia, and the southern and western shores delight residents Leningrad region. The lake belongs to the pools Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea.

Characteristics

Lake area

If we take the total area of ​​Ladoga, we get an impressive figure - 17,870 km², and if we also take into account the islands, then it comes out to 18,320 km². The volume of water in the lake is 838 km³. The maximum recorded width is 125 kilometers, and the total coastal length is as much as 1,570 kilometers.

The height above sea level is small - only 4.8 meters, but the depth is dozens more. It is impossible to accurately measure the depth throughout the lake; it is uneven - in the northern part the range varies from 70 to 220 meters, in the southern part - from 19 to 70 meters. But it was possible to measure the greatest depth; in Lake Ladoga it is 230 meters.

Water temperature

Like the entire Leningrad region, Lake Ladoga remains in a cold and rainy haze all year round. Average temperature water in warm periods of the year is about +19. In autumn it drops to +10 degrees, and in winter frosts it drops to -3 degrees. In August, if the year is successful, you can catch a temperature of +24 degrees on the surface of the lake, but closer to the bottom it will be only +17 degrees. At a depth of more than 200 meters, the water temperature is almost always +3, +4.

Nature of Ladoga

The northern and eastern shore (Karelia) belongs to the middle taiga zone, and part of the lake in the Leningrad region belongs to the southern taiga subzone. The northern subzone is characterized by the appearance of mosses and shrubs (mainly blueberries, blueberries), and an abundance of spruce forests; The southern part is characterized by dark coniferous forests, sometimes linden and maple are found, but the moss cover is less developed.

In Ladoga, scientists count more than 110 species of aquatic plants. There are more than 76 subspecies of blue-green algae alone, and there are also green algae and diatoms. Together with the violent underwater world Planktonic animals also found shelter. The lake is home to cladoceran copepods, rotifers, daphnia, cyclops, water mites, a wide variety of worms, mollusks and other crustaceans.

The waters of Ladoga are rich not only in mites and single-celled organisms; more than 50 species of fish are found here. For example, Ladoga slingshot, trout, whitefish, salmon, bream, smelt, rudd, pike perch, catfish, cheese, asp, palia, roach, perch, pike, sturgeon, silver bream, burbot and many others. The area of ​​the lake richest in seafood is the shallow southern zone, where the depth is only 20 meters. But in the northern deep-sea region, the catch will be less varied.

In addition to fish, this reservoir can also show tourists more than 200 species of birds. The most attractive place for birds to live is the southern zone, however, many birds can be seen in Karelia. On the territory of Lake Ladoga there are: gulls, dabbling ducks, geese, swans, cranes and waders, eagle owls, grebes, short-eared owls, ospreys, falcons, herbal birds, golden plovers and even a white-tailed eagle.

Lake Ladoga became the habitat for the world's only representative of pinnipeds - the Ladoga ringed seal (a special subspecies of the ringed seal). There are about 4,000 of them in the world, so these animals are listed in the Red Book and are strictly protected by law.

Cities

The following cities are located on the shores of the lake itself: Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Sortavala, Shlisselburg, Pitkyaranta and Lakhdenpokhya. The largest of them are Priozersk and Novaya Ladoga, although the number of people there does not exceed the 50 thousand level.

Larger cities are located near Lake Ladoga, for example, St. Petersburg. From the northern capital of Russia, you can get to Lake Ladoga in various ways, from public transport (trains, buses, trains, ferries) to traveling by car. In this case, the travel time will be no more than three hours, and if you use a car and plot the correct route on the map, you can get there in one and a half hours.

From the northern part, the closest city to Ladoga is Petrozavodsk. From there you can also get there by car or by public transport. However, you will have to spend a little more than 4 hours on the road.

Climate and seasons of Lake Ladoga

It is no secret to avid tourists that in the autumn and winter months Ladoga looks extremely inhospitable. Even in Karelia, where there are picturesque rocks all around and wildflowers making their way among the thick grass, Lake Ladoga is inhospitable.

During cold periods, the lake is affected by an Arctic anticyclone, which brings with it strong gusts of wind, storms, prolonged rains and sub-zero air temperatures. In October, the storm season begins, it becomes damp and wet, and frequent fog appears on the lake. The only outlet for lovers autumn holiday is September, in this month Ladoga is more or less ready to share its beauty - heavy rains do not come often, water surface calm and clean, the air retains a piece of summer.

In summer, the reservoir kindly welcomes guests with a southern anticyclone, delighting with picturesque places and clear water. Only seasoned people will be able to swim here, but everyone will be able to enjoy the beauty. The average air temperature in July and August exceeds +20 degrees, so tourists will definitely be able to capture the glare of the sun playing on the surface of Ladoga.

Lake Ladoga is one of the largest fresh water bodies in Europe. In our article we want to talk about where the nature and climate are on its coast. It has quite interesting characteristics. The nature here is particularly beautiful.

Lake location

Where is Lake Ladoga located? It is partially located in Karelia (eastern and northern shores) and in the Leningrad region (southern, southeastern, western). On its banks there are cities such as Novaya Ladoga, Priozersk, Shlisselburg, Sortavala, Lakhdenpokhya, Pitkyaranta.

Lake Ladoga on the map is located both in the Leningrad region and in Karelia. It's big enough. In addition, there are also islands on it. The area of ​​Lake Ladoga is 17.9 square kilometers, excluding island areas. It extends from north to south for two hundred and nineteen kilometers. Its widest point is one hundred thirty-eight kilometers. Agree, the dimensions are impressive. Using these parameters, you can estimate the area of ​​Lake Ladoga.

The depth of the reservoir in the northern region ranges from seventy to two hundred and thirty meters, and in the southern part from twenty to seventy meters. As you can see, the depth of Lake Ladoga is very heterogeneous, and is most important in the northern part of the reservoir. And the volume of water mass is nine hundred and eight cubic meters.

Rivers of Lake Ladoga and islands

Thirty-five rivers flow into the reservoir. But only one originates from it - the Neva. On the southern coast of the lake there are three large bays: Volkhovskaya, Svirskaya and Shlisselburgskaya Bay.

The most large river, flowing into Ladoga, is the Svir. She brings the waters of Lake Onega into it. Rivers such as Avloga, Morye, Burnaya, Airajoki, Vidlitsa, Obzhanka, Syas, Olonka and others also flow into the reservoir.

It must be said that in Lake Ladoga the water level is not constant. It constantly fluctuates, and this is clearly visible from the white stripes on the rocks that go under the water.

The islands of Lake Ladoga are quite numerous. There are about 660 of them. Their total area is four hundred thirty-five square kilometers. It must be said that more than five hundred islands are located in the northern part of the reservoir. This is the Skerries region.

Largest islands:

1. Riekkalansari - 55.3 km. sq.
2. Mantsinsaari - 39.4 km. sq.
3. Kilpola - 32.1 km. sq.
4. Tulolansari - 30.3 km. sq.
5. Vaalaam - 27.8 km. sq.

The most famous on the lake are the Valaam Islands. They are an archipelago of fifty islands with a total area of ​​about thirty-six square kilometers. They became famous thanks to the Valaam Monastery, located on the main island, and the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery on the island of Konevets.

History of the lake

Lake Ladoga is located in a basin that has a glacial tectonic origin. Three hundred to four hundred million years ago the entire territory of the lake and its basin was covered by the sea.

The modern relief was formed as a result of glacier activity. The main factor was the change in sea level and the rise of land. After the glacier retreated, the Baltic fresh water formed glacial lake. Later, the waters of this reservoir went to the territory of modern Switzerland. And there the Ioldian Sea was formed.

Nine and a half thousand years ago, Ancil Lake appeared due to the rise of land. On the Karelian Isthmus it was connected through a strait with Lake Ladoga. And eight and a half thousand years ago, ongoing tectonic processes opened the Danish straits, and the Littorina Sea was formed. This, in turn, led to the emergence of the Karelian Isthmus and, in fact, the formation of Lake Ladoga. Over the past two and a half thousand years, the relief in these places has hardly changed.

The northern part of the lake is located on the southern part - on the East European Platform. It is at the junction of these surfaces that the greatest depth of Lake Ladoga is observed.

Climatic conditions

Lake Ladoga has a temperate climate, sort of a transitional form from temperate maritime to temperate continental. Such climatic conditions are explained very simply. Geographical location Lake Ladoga and the atmospheric circulation of this region determined such a climate.

It must be said that in these places there are not many sunny days a year. This means that the amount of solar heat reaching the earth is not so great. Therefore, moisture evaporates extremely slowly. There may be only sixty-two sunny days here in 12 months. For most of the year, this region is dominated by days with cloudy, cloudy weather and diffuse lighting.

It is better to plan your vacation on Lake Ladoga from the twenty-fifth of May to the seventeenth of July, then you can watch the white nights here. These days the sun does not go below the horizon, morning and evening twilight merge into a single whole. In general, white nights last about fifty days.

It should be noted that Lake Ladoga itself also influences local climate, smoothing out extreme characteristics. Throughout the year, southwestern and western winds dominate here. Quiet and windless weather is extremely rare. Sometimes the winds are stormy.

The entire coast experiences breezes during summer days and nights. They start around nine in the morning and last until eight in the evening. Breezes penetrate fifteen kilometers inland. Fogs are observed here most often in spring, autumn and summer.

Lake shoreline

The coastline of Ladoga is more than a thousand kilometers long. The northern shores are heavily rugged rocks, forming many peninsulas and narrow bays, as well as small islands separated by straits.

The southern coastline is low. It is less rugged and is often flooded. The coastline is entirely covered with rocky reefs, banks, and shoals. Volkhovskaya, Svirskaya and Shlisselburgskaya bays are the most large bays Lake Ladoga.

The eastern shores are very little indented. There are two bays here: Uksunlahti and Lunkulanlahti. It is in this part that there are wide, beautiful sand beaches.

The western shore of the reservoir is even less rugged. It was completely overgrown with dense mixed forests and shrubs, which came close to the water. The shore is strewn with scatterings of boulders. Stone ridges sometimes extend from the cape far into the depths of the lake, thereby forming dangerous shoals.

Relief of the lake bottom

As we noted earlier, the topography of the lake bottom is heterogeneous and has a clear increase in depth from south to north. It can be said that average depth The reservoir is about fifty meters, and the largest is two hundred and thirty-three meters (towards the north of the island of Valaam). Lake Ladoga in the northern part has a very uneven bottom. It is completely dotted with depressions. And in the southern region the bottom is smoother and more even. Lake Ladoga is in eighth place most deep lakes Russia.

The transparency of lake water varies along different shores. Its lowest indicators are observed in the Volkhov Bay, and the highest - in a western direction from the Valaam Islands.

During a strong storm, the water in the lake, as they say, boils and seethes, it is completely covered with foam.

Ice can only cover central part reservoir and only in a very harsh winter. A long cold period leads to a strong cooling of the water, for this reason the water in the lake remains cold even in summer. It only has time to warm up in the thin upper layer and narrow coastal strip. The maximum temperature of surface waters is in August, when it is twenty-four degrees. The water in the lake is fresh and, in principle, quite clean, except in those areas where there is runoff pollution from industrial waste.

Economic importance of the lake

The location of Lake Ladoga has determined its serious economic importance for the country. The fact is that the lake is navigable, which is important for the region. It is considered one of the parts of the waterway that is part of the Volga-Baltic Route, as well as the White Sea-Baltic Canal.

The most navigable is southern part Ladoga from the Neva to the Svir. Since the reservoir is quite large, there are often storms, especially in the fall. During such periods, all shipping is stopped for the safety of passenger ships.

Since the founding of St. Petersburg, the lake became part of a single water transport system northern Russia. For safe navigation along the southern coast, the Staraya Ladoga Canal was built. As soon as it was not enough, the Novoladozhsky Canal, one hundred and sixty-nine kilometers long, was also laid.

The Staraya Ladoga Canal is now almost completely dry and overgrown. And the second canal is still navigable. Up to eight million tons of cargo are transported across the lake every year. Petroleum products, chemical raw materials, building materials, and timber are transported to the Baltic from the Volga. In addition, tens of thousands of passengers are transported across Ladoga every year.

From Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities there are cruises (tourist) to the islands of Konevets and Valaam. Vessels enter and pass through the central waters of the lake, where the shores are not visible. And in strong winds you can feel significant rolling.

Regular passenger transportation in Ladoga no. However, tourist ships sail twice a day to certain destinations during navigation periods.

Fish living in the waters of the lake

The fish of Lake Ladoga is of industrial importance. Ten species are caught, among which the most popular are vendace, smelt, and ripus. There are quite a lot of pike perch and whitefish in the lake.

Holidays on Ladoga

Despite the fact that the water in Lake Ladoga remains cold even in summer, it attracts large number vacationers. As we said earlier, there are beautiful sandy beaches on the coast. Particularly popular among tourists northern islands. The best period for kayaking on the lake is June and July. A little closer to autumn, storms begin, during which the water is rough, like in the sea.

Here on the lake there is Nizhnesvirsky nature reserve. It is located on the right bank of the Conservation Area - a wetland of international importance. They are interesting because they are nesting places for aquatic and migratory birds. There are 256 registered in this territory different types birds.

The island of Valaam is of particular interest to tourists. It is completely covered with coniferous forest. There is an ancient monastery on the island, which was founded in the ninth to eleventh centuries.

Vacationers also like to visit Konevsky Island, which has a monastery. The island received this name from the Horse-Stone boulder located here. Until the end of the nineteenth century, this stone was a place of sacrifice. The main attraction is the Church of the Nativity Holy Mother of God, located on the territory of the monastery.

Historical excursion

The Novgorodians had a military and merchant fleet on Lake Ladoga for several centuries in a row. Geographical information came to Western cartographers in those days. Lake Ladoga appeared on the map of the Moscow state back in 1544. It was made by the German scientist Sebastian Munster.

And in 1600, a drawing of Rus' was drawn up by Fyodor Godunov. The lake was depicted on it with fairly high accuracy. In the middle of the eighteenth century, a map was made not only of Lake Ladoga itself, but also of an artificial canal.

Novaya Ladoga

Novaya Ladoga is one of the towns on the shores of Ladoga. It is located on the left side of the Volkhov River in the place where it flows into the lake. The city was founded in 1704 by Emperor Peter the Great himself. A large number of historical architectural monuments, which may be of interest to guests and tourists.

Shlisselburg

The city is located on the shore of Ladoga. It was founded by the Prince of Novgorod in 1323, who founded a wooden fortress on the island of Oreshek. It was later captured by the Swedes, who renamed it Noteburg. And in 1702 the fortress was recaptured by Peter the Great. It was he who gave it its current name. The city also has its own attractions: the Staraya Ladoga Canal, the Oreshek fortress, the monument to Peter the Great, the Annunciation Cathedral, St. Nicholas Church.

Priozersk

A Karelian settlement lived on this site already in the twelfth century. And in 1310, the Novgorodians built a capital fortress at the mouth, called Korela. Later it was conquered by the Swedes. But in 1710 it again passed to the Russian Empire.

Lake Ladoga and its surroundings are quite interesting places for tourists. Here you can not only admire the beauty of nature, take boat trips, visit the islands, but also see historical monuments, preserved to this day.

Lake Ladoga is the largest freshwater lake on the European continent. For Russia, this lake has great industrial, environmental and historical significance. Another name option - Ladoga.

If you look at the map, you can see that the shores of Lake Ladoga belong to two Russian regions: the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad Region. That is, it is located in the European part of the country.
On the north side Ladoga The shores are high, rocky, their relief is quite rugged, which explains the presence of a large number of peninsulas, bays, and small islands. From the south of Ladoga, the lake is surrounded by low, gentle, more even shores. The largest bays are also located here: Volkhovskaya, Svirskaya, Shlisselburgskaya bays. The eastern coast is also not very rugged; there are sandy beaches here. In the west the coastline is almost flat. Mixed forests and bushes grow here; there are many large stones near the water on land, which also cover the bottom under water for quite a distance.
They bring their waters into Lake Ladoga There are 35 rivers, but only one flows out. The largest river bringing water is the Svir. What river flows from Lake Ladoga? This is the famous Neva, on which the second largest city stands Russian Federation- Saint Petersburg. Some rivers bring water into Ladoga from other lakes, such as Onega or Ilmen.
There are a large number of islands on the lake - at least five hundred. The largest islands Ladoga together they constitute the Valaam archipelago. The largest single island is Riekkalansari. Also a large island is Konevets, where a famous monastery was built, just like on Valaam.

Dimensions, extent and depth of Ladoga

The depth of Lake Ladoga is uneven throughout its territory - it increases from south to north. The maximum depth of Lake Ladoga is 233 m. The average figure is much lower - 50 m. In the north of Lake Ladoga its depth varies from 70 to 230 m, and in the south - from 20 to 70.
The area of ​​Ladoga is 17.87 thousand square meters. km. The volume of water in Lake Ladoga is 838 cubic meters. km. The length from north to south of the lake is 219 km; at its widest point, Ladoga stretches for 125 km.

Climatic features of the area

Lake Ladoga has a generally temperate climate. In the geographical area where Lake Ladoga is located, not much sunlight penetrates throughout the year. Therefore, the evaporation of water from Ladoga occurs quite slowly. Most days of the year it is cloudy and cloudy here.
Between the end of May and mid-July Lake Ladoga You can observe the famous phenomenon of “white nights”, when at night the sun practically does not set beyond the horizon.
Throughout the year, western as well as southwestern winds blow on Ladoga. In winter, Lake Ladoga freezes until the end of spring, but is completely covered with ice only in the coldest winters. This long period of glaciation affects water temperatures throughout the rest of the year. The average water temperature here is low: at depth it is 4°C, and at the surface Lake Ladoga Depending on the time of year and site, it can range from 2 °C to 24 °C. The water is not as clear as on Baikal, but this may be due to the fact that many species of algae and small plankton live in it, and constant storms agitate its surface, churning up the foam.

History of Lake Ladoga

Lake Ladoga was formed as a result of the melting of glaciers and over several thousand years its outlines formed and changed.
Until the 13th century, the lake was called Nevo, which apparently was directly related to the name of the Neva River. Then it was called Lake Ladoga, taking the name from the city of Ladoga located here. Many objects in this area have names originating from the Karelian language. But the most likely explanation for the name “Ladoga” is considered to be Finnish versions - from ancient words denoting water or the concept of “lower”, which are consonant with Ladoga. The name Nevo also has Finnish roots and can mean “swamp”. It is quite possible that in those days the lake gave reason to call itself that; there are many traces of swamps in this area.
Along Lake Ladoga, starting from the 9th century, the water part of the route “From the Varangians to the Greeks” passed from Scandinavia through the territory of Europe to the country of Byzantium. In the 8th century, the city of Ladoga was built here, and soon other cities and fortresses began to appear here. At the end of the 14th century, the famous Valaam Monastery was founded on the islands of the same name; its buildings are still a pearl of wooden architecture.
For many years there was a war with the Swedish state for part of the lands lying on the shore of the lake. Peter I nevertheless managed to ensure that Ladoga became Russian. In 1721, according to an agreement with the Swedes concluded after the war, the entire coast of Lake Ladoga went to Russia.
To make navigation on Ladoga more accessible, a canal was built here.
During the difficult war years from 1939 to 1944. The Ladoga flotilla was based in Lake Ladoga and fought in its waters. In 1941–1944 more than half of the coast of Lake Ladoga was occupied by enemy troops. From September 1941 to March 1943, the “Road of Life” passed along the ice of Ladoga - the only way, through which provisions and necessary things could be delivered to besieged Leningrad. The evacuation of people was also organized along it; in total, about 1.3 million people took advantage of the evacuation.
Thus, Ladoga is a lake that has special significance for Russian history.

Ecology of Lake Ladoga

Basically, the waters of Ladoga are very clean, but there are problem areas. This is largely due to the development of industrial zones near Lake Ladoga, as well as with the consequences of World War II. During the war, radioactive weapons were tested in this area and on some islands. In particular, the reaction of animals to the consequences of its use was studied. In addition, many sunken military ships and aircraft with ammunition create an unfavorable radiation background.
The number of contaminated places is growing. On the shores of Ladoga there are approximately 600 industrial enterprises that pollute the air, dump industrial waste into the Ladoga River and others, which then bring them into the lake. By the way, the correct answer to the question - Ladoga is a river or a lake is that it is both. There is a river and also a city with the same name. At the same time, historians claim that first the river received its name, then the city, and only after that Lake Nevo was renamed.
Pollution of Lake Ladoga today is considered to be at a moderate level. In some places, radiation standards are exceeded - where supplies were previously tested, as well as those closest to nuclear and other industrial enterprises.

Nature and fauna of Lake Ladoga

The nature of Lake Ladoga is very beautiful; this place is a very famous place for tourists and travelers to relax and go hiking. Majestic rocks, mountains, pine forests - all this creates a unique image of this place. Rare plants and animals are found in various nature reserves of Ladoga. Despite the difficult climate, even some southern plant species grow here, and in the north - typical representatives of the tundra (saxifrage). The forests on Lake Ladoga are not only coniferous, but also broad-leaved - with maples and elms.
Fauna Lake Ladoga includes representatives of the taiga: foxes, wolves, hares, bears, etc. There is also an original animal that is found only here - the Ladoga seal. This animal, which is more typical for the seas, feels great in the fresh water of Ladoga.
Lake Ladoga is home to approximately 50 species of fish. The most popular among fishermen and industrialists are smelt and pike perch.

Holidays on Lake Ladoga

Around Lake Ladoga you can find places to relax for every taste and for any purpose: recreational, hiking, entertainment. You can often meet fishing enthusiasts here. Everything you need for such activities is located at the recreation centers, including almost every one of them with instructors who will teach you the intricacies of this or that type of pastime.
People love diving here because of the large number of finds that can be found on the bottom and simply beautiful underwater views. You can also choose a relaxing holiday on the beach when weather conditions permit.
Excursions to natural and historical attractions of Ladoga are also organized, for example, buildings remaining after the war, old fortresses or mountain peaks.

Attractions on Lake Ladoga

The sights of Lake Ladoga are worth talking about separately. Here is, for example, an interesting beautiful views practically untouched nature Nizhnesvirsky reserve. It is home to a huge number of bird species and many animals.
The island of Valaam on Ladoga with the monastery of the same name is of historical, cultural and architectural value. Not to mention the fact that pilgrims come here from all over Russia and beyond.
The memorial complex dedicated to the Road of Life tells the story of the heroic feat of people who, in the most dangerous conditions, traveled on the ice of Lake Ladoga, risking falling through the ice or being shot at by the enemy. Still, they did this in order to save the lives of city residents who survived the terrible siege.
Also of historical and cultural interest on Lake Ladoga are the cities of Shlisselburg, founded by Peter I, with the Oreshek fortress, and Novaya Ladoga.

Lake Ladoga in works of art

Ladoga is a lake that is reflected in folk legends and examples of folk art of the various peoples who lived here. These are mainly Karelian and Russian epics.
The famous Karelian folk composition "Kalevala", which was once passed down from mouth to mouth, describes the events that took place in the north of Lake Ladoga.
In his youth, Constantine Roerich made an expedition along the rivers flowing into Lake Ladoga and to the lake itself. From 1916, he lived in this area for two years and created several paintings, sketches, poems and fairy tales here.
Thanks to its amazing nature, Lake Ladoga primarily inspired painters who were delighted with the local colors and landscapes. Many wrote about the Valaam Monastery, as its buildings looked especially impressive and mysterious against the background majestic nature. The lake with the sonorous name Ladoga also evokes fairy-tale scenes. Such masters of painting as F. A. Vasiliev, A. I. Kuindzhi, N. K. Roerich, I. I. Shishkin worked here.

Industry on the lake

The lake is used for the passage of ships whose routes along it are sections of the Volga-Baltic Route and the White Sea-Baltic Canal. The weather on the lake is very changeable and ships are often threatened by storms and high waves, so shipping is periodically suspended. Once upon a time there was even a widespread expression that if a sailor has not sailed on Ladoga, then he is not yet a real sailor. Such a phenomenon as complete calm is quite rare on this lake.
Various industrial cargo and construction materials are transported across Lake Ladoga. There are also passenger ships and cruise ships, for the most part these are tourist routes.
About 10 species of fish, such as smelt, pike perch, and whitefish, are caught here on an industrial scale. Not far from the lake there are industrial enterprises: a paper and pulp plant, aluminum, oil and chemical production, etc.

Mysteries and secrets that the bottom of Lake Ladoga keeps

At the bottom of the lake there are many interesting things for researchers and lovers of various mysteries and secrets of things. Of course, the greatest luck is to find something very ancient, dating back to the Vikings. But the most common artifacts found are those left over from World War II. They are better preserved and easier to find. For example, to the sights of that time that attracted extreme tourists and divers there is the so-called “Death Bay”, the bottom of which is practically covered with shell casings, since a fierce battle took place here in 1941.
Amateur divers find sunken ships and wartime aircraft. Unlike sea water, fresh water does not destroy and spoil sunken things so much, which is why the finds of Lake Ladoga are so attractive.

The beaches of Lake Ladoga attract many tourists who are partial to the clean fresh waters and harsh beauty of the northwestern region. Ladoga is one of the natural attractions of Russia, and relaxing on the lake is not only pleasant, but also very interesting.

Origin of Lake Ladoga

The Lake Ladoga basin was formed on the East European Platform and the Baltic Shield over a very long time - the process began about 400 million years ago. The origin of the lake basin of Lake Ladoga is seismic-tectonic, and the crystalline foundation on which the reservoir is located consists of ancient granite, gneiss and diabase deposits. However, the age of the modern reservoir is much younger - Lake Ladoga is approximately 12,000 years old, and it appeared along with the end of the Valdai glaciation. During the Ice Age, the place where the reservoir is now located was covered by an ice sheet about 3 km thick. As the glacier retreated, water filled the contours of the lake and the terrain carved by the glacier.

The history of Lake Ladoga claims that in ancient times the reservoir was connected in the area of ​​the Karelian Isthmus with the Littorina Sea, and the Mga River flowed into the lake. Over time, the land in the lake area rose, due to which the strait in the isthmus area disappeared, and the reservoir became a closed system. But the waters continued to flow into the basin, and after some time the lake rose above the level of the banks and poured into the valley of the Mga River and the Tosny River. This is how the strait between Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland, or the modern Neva River, was formed.

Description of Lake Ladoga

The Ladoga reservoir has interesting geographical characteristics. Its outline, as well as the depth and extent of the reservoir, deserve study.

Special features of Lake Ladoga

The shores of the Ladoga reservoir narrow both in the north and in the south. However, in the northern part the narrowing occurs quickly and ends in a bay called Hien Selke, while in the south the shores narrow more gradually. Due to this, the Volkhov and Shlisselburg bays are formed with a wide area of ​​land between them.

Important! The reservoir is the largest fresh water body in Europe, and among Russian lakes it ranks second in size after Baikal. Sometimes Lake Ladoga is even called a sea - it is so huge.

Shape of Lake Ladoga

The Ladoga reservoir has an oval shape. However, the banks sharpen noticeably to the north, which can be easily seen on the map.

What rivers flow into Lake Ladoga

In total, more than 30 large and small rivers flow into the Ladoga reservoir. Among the largest waterways are the rivers Svir, Volkhov, Syas, Vuoksu and Nazia. At the same time, only one river flows out of Ladoga - the Neva.

Islands of Lake Ladoga

In the water area of ​​the reservoir there are about 600 islands of different sizes and shapes. The most famous of the Ladoga islands are:

• The Valaam Islands are an island archipelago with a famous landmark in the northwestern region, the Valaam monastery of the same name;
• the islands of Kilpodan, Teposari and Korpan in the Kronober Bay in the northern part of the reservoir;
• Kuko-sari island at the mouth of Vuoksa at the northern end of the lake;
• Salorin Island in Yakimvara Bay;
• The Western Archipelago is a group of islands that have the status of a state protected nature reserve;
• Mantsinsaari Islands - only about 40 land areas.

The relief, geological composition and height of land areas depend on which coast is nearby. The northern part of the reservoir is dominated by rocky granite islands, noticeably rising above the water level, and the southern part is dominated by low, swampy islands surrounded by reefs and shallows.

Size of Lake Ladoga

It is not only the beauty of the Ladoga reservoir that evokes admiration, but also its size. The largest fresh water area in Europe is 2 times larger than Onega and 5 times larger Lake Peipsi, its size is much larger than the size of any of the Western European lakes.

Depth of Lake Ladoga

The average depth of the reservoir is 51 m - this is quite a lot. The maximum depth of Lake Ladoga is 230 m.

Area of ​​Lake Ladoga

The total area of ​​the reservoir occupies 15923 square meters. km, and at the same time the water area is located on the territory of two states at once. From total area 8881 sq. km belongs to Russia, and another 7041 sq. km is located on the territory of Finland - Ladoga is the joint property of neighboring countries.

Diameter of Lake Ladoga

At its widest part, almost exactly in the middle of its length, the reservoir spreads out to 124 km in diameter. This wide area is located between the mouths of the Olonka and Vuoksa rivers, at 61 degrees north latitude.

Length of Lake Ladoga

If we measure the entire length of the coastline of the reservoir, the length of the banks will be 1071 km. It should be noted that only 410 km of them stretch across the territory of Russia - this is the entire southern coast, part of the western and part of the eastern coast. Another 610 km of the reservoir belongs to Finland.

Volume of Lake Ladoga

The huge reservoir holds about 980 cubic km. Depending on the time of year, the level and volume of water may vary slightly.

Is it possible to swim in Lake Ladoga

There are a number of environmental problems in the waters of Ladoga, but in general Ladoga remains a very clean natural reservoir. Swimming in Lake Ladoga is permitted almost everywhere where there is convenient access to the water.

Beaches of Lake Ladoga

There are a lot of wild and cultural beaches on Ladoga - some of them are famous, others are known only local residents and experienced tourists. Among the largest and most comfortable beaches, several can be listed.

• Kokkorevo beach in the village of Kokkorevo of the same name near St. Petersburg - this is where the most people gather on fine warm days, since the beach is not equipped with infrastructure, but it is very clean. The location is popular among windsurfers and kite surfers in the north-west region.
• The beach near the village of Vladimirovka, located opposite the island of Konevets, is a long sandbank with convenient access to the water. There is also no infrastructure on the beach, but it is very clean, and in the summer you can watch yoga festivals on the shore.
• A beach near the village of Lake Ladoga - this place attracts local residents and tourists not only with clean sand, but also with the presence of changing rooms and toilets. Rental of sports equipment is available on the beach; in the immediate vicinity of the beach there are attractions - the Osinovetsky lighthouse and the Museum of the Siege of Leningrad.
• There is a good sandy beach near the village of Motornoye. The place is not landscaped, but it is very beautiful here, tall pine trees grow on the shore, there is a place to stay with a tent for several days.

In the northern part of the Ladoga reservoir, after the city of Priozersk, there are fewer beaches, since the coastline is more rocky. However, sometimes sandy bays with convenient approaches to the water can be found here too. Especially among them it is worth noting the beaches on the island of Koyonsaari - there are few people here, but the nature is very beautiful.

Advice! If you wish, you can find a place for swimming along almost the entire length of the shore of the reservoir. But the gentle sandy slopes to the water are the most convenient for relaxation, especially if a trip to Ladoga is planned in a large group or if you are planning a vacation with children on Lake Ladoga.

What to see on Lake Ladoga

While traveling to Ladoga you can enjoy not only natural beauties and clean water reservoir There are many cultural and historical attractions of Lake Ladoga around the lake. Namely:

• Nizhnesvirsky Nature Reserve, which is home to many rare animals and a huge species diversity of birds;
• The Valaam archipelago, on which is located the monastery of the same name, known not only in Russia, but throughout the world;
• the city of Shlisselburg and the Oreshek fortress, as well as Novaya Ladoga - settlements were founded by Peter I; many architectural monuments and military buildings have been preserved here.

Not far from the Ladoga reservoir there is a memorial complex telling about the Road of Life in besieged Leningrad; all connoisseurs of the history and culture of their native country should visit this monument.

Relaxation on the shores of Lake Ladoga

People come to the shores of the Ladoga reservoir not only to swim, especially considering that the water in the water area is quite cold. Ladoga offers quite a lot of vacation options.

• Fishing on Ladoga is widely known. The clean reservoir is home to many species of freshwater fish, such as salmon and trout, bream and smelt, pike and burbot and many other fish.
• You can go diving in the pond - the bottom of Ladoga is very beautiful, inhabited by a huge number of invertebrates and decorated with dozens of species of green, blue-green and diatom algae. Diving instructors can be found on the territory of tourist centers on the shores of the reservoir.

At any time of the year you can enjoy the beautiful places of Lake Ladoga - in spring and summer there are thick fogs, and in autumn the shores are painted in golden and crimson shades. There are a lot of mushrooms and berries in the forests around the lake.

Summer holidays on Lake Ladoga

The summer months are considered the best for a trip to Ladoga, since the reservoir is located in the north, only in the summer you can experience pleasant warm weather here. It is worth going on a trip in July or August, when the air warms up to maximum values ​​above 20 ° C; in June, the reservoir is usually cool like spring.

In summer, on the banks of the reservoir you can enjoy all available types of recreation - swimming and relaxing holiday on the beach, fishing and sightseeing. In summer there is an opportunity to go to any group excursion around the surrounding area, while in winter some interesting sites may be closed or inaccessible.

Winter holidays on Lake Ladoga

Ladoga offers tourists and local residents a lot of entertainment and winter time year. First of all, here you can exercise in all kinds winter sports- skiing and skating, snowkiting, and other entertainment.

It should be noted that the average winter temperature on Ladoga is quite mild - about -8 °C. Therefore, even those who do not like severe frosts can enjoy a winter holiday here.

Where to relax on Lake Ladoga

Near the Ladoga reservoir there are many recreation centers equipped with all the necessary infrastructure, and in summer time Along the shores you can stay at campsites of Lake Ladoga. Among the comfortable and proven hotels and bases in Ladoga we can list:

• hotels Piipun Piha and Haapalampi in Sortavala;
• inexpensive hostel Yarvi Hostel in Sortavala;
• recreation center Krenitsa;
• campingHoliday Park Tri Ostrova, operating in summer months;
• recreation centers Horizon and Jolly Roger;
• tourist center Ladoga.

There are many more campsites, tourist centers and mini-hotels on the shores of Ladoga - this is just a short list of them. On the territory of hotels and tourist centers there are cafes and canteens, baths and equipment rental; in hotels you can book places on excursions. Holidays on Lake Ladoga in the Leningrad region can be truly comfortable, and accommodation is relatively inexpensive.

Advice! During the warm summer months, anyone can organize a vacation on Lake Ladoga with a tent. However, it is better to do this if you have some hiking experience, since the nights on Ladoga can be cold even in summer.

In addition to the geographical features of Ladoga, it is interesting to know a few facts about this body of water.

• Lake Ladoga is a water area with active shipping. The reservoir is part of the White Sea-Baltic Canal and the Volga-Baltic Waterway; tens of millions of tons of cargo are transported through the water area every year. There is no passenger shipping on a regular basis in the Ladoga reservoir, but they regularly ply the water area cruise ships, with their help, communication is carried out between the nearest cities on the coast and the islands of the Ladoga water area.
• At the bottom of the Ladoga reservoir you can not only get acquainted with the most interesting fauna of the reservoir, but also find real treasures - objects and equipment from the Second World War are buried here, as well as shell casings and fragments, small arms. There are legends that even ancient treasures of the Vikings and Slavs can be found at the bottom of the reservoir.

From time to time on Lake Ladoga you can hear mysterious low-frequency sounds, similar to distant thunderclaps or the long sound of a bass string. These sounds are called brontids and are usually explained by seismic activity and the complex topography of the bottom of a deep reservoir. In ancient times, people believed that prehistoric monsters lived in the waters of the Ladoga water area, making these booming sounds, and even now you can hear this version from old-timers.

How to get to Lake Ladoga

The most convenient way to get to Ladoga is from St. Petersburg - from major cities it is located closest to the reservoir. There are several fast, proven routes.

• By car. From St. Petersburg you can get to Ladoga along the A-121 highway to Sortavala or along the P-21 highway. Highway 86K-8 also leads to the eastern shore of the reservoir; you can turn onto it from both the A-121 and P-21 highways.
• By train. Electric trains run regularly from Finlyandsky Station in St. Petersburg to Priozersk and Shlisselburg. It is most convenient to get to the reservoir using them if you do not have personal transport, and when traveling by train there is no risk of getting into a dense traffic jam.
• By bus. From the Obvodny Kanal metro station there is regular transport to Novaya Ladoga, Syasstroy and the city of Pitkyaranta.

In all options, the travel time from St. Petersburg to the water area takes about 1.5-3.5 hours, so you can go to the Ladoga reservoir even on the weekend.

Photos of Lake Ladoga

Photographs are the best way to appreciate the natural beauty and grandeur of the Ladoga reservoir. You can find a lot of them on the Internet; tourists and professional photographers willingly share successful photographs.

Conclusion

The beaches of Lake Ladoga attract tourists in the summer, and in winter, on the shores of the reservoir you can try many active winter activities. The lake invites travelers to enjoy the unique beauty of northwestern Russia and spend a calm and harmonious vacation in one of the recreation centers.

"We live in the most beautiful country in the world, and all other countries envy us! ”, - I’m ready to subscribe to every word. And the point is not even that “we shoed a flea and pierced a caterpillar,” but that so many natural and man-made miracles that you constantly feel a sense of pride for your Motherland, and this makes your soul feel so good!

We have the very best: the best deep lake in the world (Baikal), the most extensive forests (Siberian taiga), the coldest populated area on Earth (Oymyakon), the largest Orthodox church located in Moscow (Cathedral of Christ the Savior)… We have a lot of things, the list goes on and on.

Now I want to talk about one more “most”, about the most big lake in Europe - Ladoga. It is more than two hundred kilometers long and 125 kilometers wide! When you stand on its shore, it seems that this is not a lake, this is the SEA! Ladoga, of course, is a national treasure not only for its impressive size, but also for its clean water, unique flora and fauna, rich history… Well, I’ll try to embrace the immensity and tell it in in brief all the most interesting and useful things I know about this miracle of nature.

How to get there

Lake Ladoga occupies a huge area and is located in two constituent entities of the Russian Federation - the Leningrad region (western, southern shores) and the Republic of Karelia (northern, eastern shores).

The choice of your preferred mode of transport directly depends on which shore of Lake Ladoga you are trying to get to. In principle, it can be reached by plane, train, bus, ferry, and, of course, by private car.

By plane

To St. Petersburg

The closest airport to Lake Ladoga is Pulkovo Airport, located in St. Petersburg. The distance from it to the southwestern shore of Ladoga in the most optimal way (by car) is 55 kilometers. Pulkovo is the largest air transport hub North-Western region, receiving daily flights from many localities in Russia and from abroad. Pick up optimal route from your city, I think it won’t be difficult. The official website of St. Petersburg airport and other Internet resources can help you. For example, you can monitor ticket prices.

You can rent a car right in the arrival hall (Avis, Europcar, Sixt). The price for renting an economy class car (eg Hyundai Solaris) for one day is about 2000 rubles; The longer the rental period, the more acceptable the final cost. Compare prices from different rental companies.

If you plan to continue your trip to public transport, then now is the time to decide how you intend to get to your final destination on Lake Ladoga - by railway or by bus. In the first case, you need to get, no, not to Ladozhsky, but to the Finlyandsky station (popularly “Finban”), in the second - to the Obvodny Canal bus station or to the Northern bus station.

How to get there from the airport

So, how can a tourist leave the airport? There are two acceptable options:

• by taxi. Just don’t even think about hiring a driver from among those who offer their services at the exit of the terminal! They usually charge prices three times higher than the citywide prices. Just call a taxi service (for example, “Vezet”, “Taksovichkoff”, “068”). The machine delivery time is no more than 15 minutes; transfer cost to Finban ~ 850 rubles, to the bus station on the Obvodny Canal ~ 600 rubles, to the Northern bus station ~ 1100 rubles;
• bus + metro. Buses (No. 39, No. 39A) and minibuses (No. 39K) regularly run from the airport building to the Moskovskaya metro station. Travel time is 15 – 30 minutes depending on the traffic situation, the fare is 40 rubles. In order to get to railway station you need to get to the Lenin Square metro station (change at the Tekhnologichesky Institute station), the bus station is within a 5-minute walk from the Obvodny Kanal metro station (change at the Sennaya Ploshchad station), Northern Bus Station – near the Devyatkino metro station (transfer to the Tekhnologichesky Institute station). For your convenience, I am including a map of the St. Petersburg metro. There is a mark on it where the route begins - station. m. Moskovskaya (red star), marks final stops: Finland Station - yellow rectangle, bus station - light green, Northern Bus Station - purple.

To Petrozavodsk

Alternative airports “in the vicinity” of Lake Ladoga:

• airport "Besovets" in. Distance to eastern shore Ladoga (Pitkyaranta) is approximately 190 km. Keep in mind that it has air service only with Moscow. Flights are operated by RusLine five days a week. The travel time is about 2 hours; for a round-trip ticket you will need to pay approximately 8,000 rubles. Read about how to get from the airport to the city center. It is better to get to the coast of Lake Ladoga (the cities of Lakhdenpokhya, Sortavala, Pitkyaranta, Syasstroy) by bus from the local bus station. For example, the travel time to Sortavala will be about 4 hours, the ticket price is 550 – 600 rubles; It takes longer to get to Syasstroy - about 5 hours, the ticket price starts from 650 rubles.

By train

From St. Petersburg

From Finlyandsky Station(metro station "Ploshchad Lenina") there are regular commuter trains to Priozersk (northern direction) and to Shlisselburg (south-eastern, east directions). There are more flights in summer, fewer in winter. You can view the current schedule on the Russian Railways website. For clarity, I am posting a print screen of the map. It shows the nearest railway stations to the coast of Lake Ladoga with colored markers.

• Raspberry color Priozersk is indicated (fare ~350 rubles), located on the Vuoksa River. The shore of the lake is located no more than 5 kilometers from the city center. From the Priozersk bus station (Vyborgskaya str., 31) you can go to smaller settlements on Ladoga.
• Orange marker– railway station Ladoga Lake (fare ~130 rubles). From the station to the beach, walk no more than one kilometer.
• Purple marker– Petrokrepost railway station (~120 rubles), located in the village named after. Morozova. The distance to the Ladoga coast is 500 meters.

From Ladozhsky station(Ladozhskaya metro station) train No. 350A runs twice a week (Wednesday, Friday), following the route - Kostomuksha. He makes stops in Priozersk and Sortavala. The train arrives in Priozersk 2 hours after departure from St. Petersburg, and in Sortavala - 5.5 hours later. Please note that the cost of tickets to Priozersk will be higher than for a commuter train - about 450 rubles one way; a ticket to Sortavala will not cost much more than to Priozersk, about 550 rubles.

From Moscow, from other cities

I advise you not to invent a bicycle, but to get from Moscow (by train, plane, bus) to St. Petersburg, and from here start to your final destination. You will not find convenient direct trains or electric trains going straight to Lake Ladoga from Moscow or any other large Russian cities.

By bus

From St. Petersburg

Bus station on Obvodny Canal(Obvodny Kanal metro station) offers tourists daily flights to Novaya Ladoga (No. 847), Syasstroy (No. 862) and Pitkyaranta (No. 963). All these settlements are located in close proximity to the shore of Lake Ladoga. A bus ticket to Novaya Ladoga will cost about 300 rubles, travel time is 3.5 hours; to Syasstroy - from 350 rubles, travel time - 2.5 hours; to Pitkäranta - about 900 rubles, travel time - at least 7.5 hours. The bus to Pitkäranta also makes stops in other settlements with access to Lake Ladoga. You can easily buy a ticket to the villages of Vidlitsa or Salmi. If you kill two birds with one stone, you will save a little and end up in a sparsely populated area (relevant for those who are planning to go on holiday as a “savage”).

Northern bus station(metro station "Devyatkino") Tickets to Syasstroy (350 rubles) and Priozersk (250 rubles) are sold here. Tickets can be purchased either at the ticket office of bus stations or on the Internet.

From Petrozavodsk

Petrozavodsk bus station(Chapaeva St., 3) offers a large number of inter-republican routes to Sortavala, Lahdenpokhya, Pitkyaranta. A more interesting direction is the northern one (to Sortavala). The cost of a ticket Sortavala – Petrozavodsk (4 hours travel time) is ~600 rubles. It is possible to get off this flight earlier, in such picturesque places, like Rautalahti or Karjavalahti (the village is not indicated on the map, but bus stop exists!). From Petrozavodsk to the Pitkyaranta bus station (Privokzalnaya St., 30) travel costs about 450 rubles (the journey takes 3.5 hours). Current schedule can be seen on the website of the Petrozavodsk bus station.

From Moscow, from other cities

As is the case with by rail, I strongly advise you to first get to St. Petersburg or Petrozavodsk in any convenient way, and from there take a bus following the routes I suggested above.

By car

The most, most, most convenient way to get from St. Petersburg and Moscow to Lake Ladoga! You can get to almost any place with your own car. coastline, without thinking about tickets, their cost and availability, time for transfers... You can take a bunch of things with you; This is especially true for campers and amateurs active recreation.

From St. Petersburg there are two main highways encircling Ladoga - one runs along its western, northern coast (A-121 Sortavala), the other along the southern coast and then turns to Petrozavodsk (R-21 Kola). These routes meet each other in the area of ​​the Karelian village of Pryazha, located near Petrozavodsk. On east coast(road 86K-8) can be reached from the P-21 highway after the city of Olonets, and from the A-121 road, turning south from it in the area of ​​​​the village of Leppäsilta. Which path you prefer depends on the final point of your trip. Theoretically, to get to the southern and eastern coasts, it is better to use the Kola highway, and to the northern and western coasts, it is better to use the Sortavala highway. Or maybe you just want to take a ride around Ladoga? Then the “problem of choice” disappears by itself.

From Moscow, of course, the ride is longer, at least 700 kilometers longer. If you want to get to the western or northern shores of Ladoga, feel free to follow the familiar M-10 highway to St. Petersburg, and along the St. Petersburg Ring Road take the Sortavala highway. If you planned to find yourself on the southern or eastern banks, then from the M-10 highway after the village of Chudovo you need to turn right onto Volkhov. In the end, this road will lead you to the Kola highway and further to Lake Ladoga. Another alternative route from Moscow to the eastern coast of Lake Ladoga is the A-114 road, passing through Kalyazin, Pikalevo,. But, I warn you, the quality of the road surface and roadside infrastructure of the A-114 road are inferior to the same indicators of the M-10 federal highway. In the “worst” case, you will have to spend about 13 hours on the road, for example, if you are traveling from Moscow to Sortavala or Pitkäranta ( ~1000 km). However, I do not recommend stopping overnight on the road. This distance can easily be covered in one day, and even with small children, it has been tested for yourself.

It wouldn’t hurt to immediately draw up a travel estimate (for a car enthusiast traveler from Moscow):

• payment for gasoline (based on 2000 km in both directions) - about 8000 rubles;
• travel by toll road M11 - from 1000 to 1500 rubles depending on the time of day (round trip);
• snacks in roadside cafes - at least 300 rubles per person;
• hotel room - at least 1,500 rubles for double occupancy (if you decide to stay overnight along the way).

The total is approximately 15,000 rubles. Of course, we can optimize expenses by removing all items from the list except the purchase of fuel - then our estimate will be cut exactly in half!

By ferry

From St. Petersburg

Since the beginning of May, numerous travel companies offer a huge number of water cruises on Lake Ladoga. You can easily choose a route to your liking, for example, “St. Petersburg - Valaam - St. Petersburg” (for 3 days, price from 8,000 rubles), “St. Petersburg - Valaam - Konevets - St. Petersburg” (for 4 days, prices from 11 thousand rubles), extended “St. Petersburg - Valaam - Sortavala - Pellotsari - Konevets - St. Petersburg” (for 5 days, prices from 19 thousand rubles). And so on, and so on. There are countless of these cruises, they are all different in price, content, and duration.

Motor ships start from the St. Petersburg River Station (Obukhovskaya Oborony Ave., 195) and arrive there. Unfortunately, the public budget river transport to the islands on at the moment does not exist. If you want to sail to any island in Lake Ladoga from the Northern capital, you will have to buy a ticket on a river cruise, but this, as you have probably noticed, is not a cheap pleasure.

From Moscow

It is also easy to sail to the islands of Lake Ladoga, as from St. Petersburg - you just need to buy a ticket for the ship. All river boats to Ladoga depart from the Northern River Station (metro station " River Station"). Interesting cruises, in my opinion, are “Moscow - - - Peplotsari - Sortavala - Valaam - St. Petersburg” (duration – 9 days, cost – 42,000 rubles) or “Moscow - - Peplotsari - Sortavala - Moscow” (for 12 days , cost from 64,000 rubles)... In general, the offer of cruises is truly impressive, apparently, and the demand for them is quite high, despite their fabulous cost.

Clue:

Lake Ladoga - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season? When is the best time to go

You most likely have already guessed that the peak season on Lake Ladoga is, of course, summer. The climate here is not very pleasant - humid, cloudy, windy - and even in summer there will probably not be a single sunny day during your holiday on the coast. But this is the saddest option. Statistics say that on average there are about 60 sunny days a year on Ladoga, of course, the lion's share of them occur in the summer, when the southern anticyclone enters the lake area, and in the winter - during the dominance of the Arctic anticyclone. Spring and fall are usually very rainy and windy, especially in the fall when storm season begins.

The northern and eastern coasts of Ladoga (Lakhdenpokhsky, Pitkyaranta, Olonetsky districts and the city of Sortavala of the Republic of Karelia) are equated to the regions of the Far North. I can’t say that the climate here is very harsh compared to, for example, St. Petersburg, but by a couple of degrees average annual temperature clearly lower.

Lake Ladoga in summer

As I said, summer - best choice to visit Lake Ladoga. At least the air temperature here is guaranteed to be positive. It is in the summer that residents of St. Petersburg and other large cities of our Motherland go to the shores of Lake Ladoga in order to take a break from the city noise and bustle, breathe fresh air, and improve their health. In June it is still quite cool, for a trip it is better to choose July-August, when average monthly temperature air will still exceed 20 degrees Celsius. True, it is not a fact that you will be able to swim, because the water in Ladoga only in rare years warms up to more than 21 degrees, and even then, such a temperature is relevant only for the southern shallow areas; on the northern coast, where the depths are much greater, only "walruses".

Lake Ladoga in autumn

Navigation on Lake Ladoga closes in October, and this is no coincidence. It is at the beginning of October that the strongest storms rage on Ladoga. The weather is disgusting - cold, damp, cloudy, plus fog and gusty wind. If you are going to Lake Ladoga in the fall, then only in September, preferably at the beginning of the month. There are lovely quiet days here early autumn, when in the calm, avid lovers can enjoy good fishing, when tourists can still sail to the islands and Konevets, and when “middle managers” can spend their last weekend in nature, barbecuing and contemplating the local beauty.

Lake Ladoga in spring

March and April - not at all best time to plan a trip to the shore of Lake Ladoga. But this is purely my personal opinion. I start from the fact that in March and even in April there can be negative temperatures here, and if not, then there is a high probability of precipitation, fog and gusty winds. The first tourists usually appear in these parts at the beginning of May, and there is a good reason for this - the May long weekend. In May, navigation just opens - welcome to Konevets, Peplotsari and other islands. But don’t flatter yourself too much – the average monthly temperature in May for the region is 10 degrees Celsius, so you can safely leave your sunscreen at home!

Lake Ladoga in winter

In winter, numerous fans come out onto the ice of Ladoga to hunt for fish :). Winter fishing very, very popular on Ladoga. Unfortunately, due to the unstable temperature (either wild cold or thaw), sad incidents often happen on the ice of Lake Ladoga. People, be attentive and extremely careful, no “okushka” is worth a human life! In addition to fishing, in winter people engage in various “activities”, for example, skiing, ice skating, snow kiting... The average temperature throughout the country is -8.8 degrees Celsius.

What are the prices for holidays?

Accommodation prices vary from 1,500 rubles per night to infinity (well, say, 20,000 rubles in a club spa hotel). This applies to a double room. If you come with a large group and rent a house, then most likely it will be quite affordable - the same 1000 - 1500 rubles per person, but the living conditions will be much more comfortable. The house, as a rule, has its own kitchen (so you can cook yourself and not spend money on a restaurant), grill or barbecue outside. Double rooms They hardly have a corner for cooking, at most they have a refrigerator and a kettle.

You can save money by carefully monitoring coupon sites. Discounts on accommodation in some hotels sometimes reach 50%! If you are planning a long vacation on the shores of Lake Ladoga, then you can think about renting a country house - a dacha. Good options will cost from 30,000 rubles per month of stay, bargaining is appropriate.

In hotel restaurants, prices can vary, defying any laws of logic. It can be cheap and tasty, or maybe vice versa. But on average, you can expect the following prices: breakfast 150/300 rubles, lunch 250/500 rubles, dinner 250/600 rubles.

Another expense item is rental of sports equipment. The cost of renting a rowing boat is approx. 1500 rub./day, boats with a motor – approx. 2500 rub./day, bicycle – from 200 rub./day, ATV – from 2000 rub./hour, snowmobile – from 1500 rub./hour; negotiable price for hunting, fishing, excursions to the islands.

Main attractions. What to see

The main attraction of Ladoga is, undoubtedly, its stunning nature! No matter how many times you come to Ladoga, it doesn’t matter, you will never be able to look at its harsh northern landscapes indifferently. This incredible symbiosis - pines, rocks, mosses, coastal waves, the distant horizon... They act magically - they calm the mind, help to tune in to a philosophical mood, throw away everything empty and even make an important decision. Yes, yes, it is! That is why, my number one in the TOP 5 list.

Top 5

Beaches. Which ones are better

Of course, you can’t count all the beaches of Lake Ladoga! There are a huge, huge number of them. I’ll start my brief review, perhaps, with those that are located near St. Petersburg:

• beach in the village “Kokkorevo” (on map No. 1). A very popular and crowded place to relax. On a fine day, owners of nearby summer cottages and residents of the eastern districts of St. Petersburg flock here (and residents of the western districts go to relax on Gulf of Finland). The beach is sandy, without any infrastructure, but surprisingly quite clean, apparently proximity plays an important role Capital of Culture. This beach is a gathering place for kitesurfers and windsurfers;

• beach in the village of “Lake Ladoga” (on map No. 2). There are a terrible number of people here on a summer day off, but you can always lay down your own towel. The beach is sandy and clean with the necessary infrastructure (changing rooms, toilets, cafes). There is a volleyball net and sports equipment rental. 20 meters from beach strip the museum of the siege of Leningrad is located; The Osinovetsky lighthouse (one of the highest on Ladoga) dominates the area. The only negative is that the water temperature is not always pleasing, but this does not stop desperate St. Petersburg residents. Arrived - swim!
• There is an excellent beach near the village of Vladimirovka (on map No. 3). It is located exactly opposite Konevets Island, and summer yoga festivals are held here. The beach is a long strip of sand with a gentle entry into the water. At the bottom there are quite large boulders and pebbles. But you will probably notice them, because the water is very clean and transparent! The beach is NOT equipped with changing rooms, there is no cafe here, but there are pine trees, sand and sun (sometimes);
• There is a wonderful long sandy beach near the village of Motornoye (on map No. 4). Almost the twin brother of beach number 3. Sand and pine trees are the main advantages of this place. The water is probably cold. Fans of tent camping often stop here; it is a fairly safe place. For reference, the beach is located 150 km from St. Petersburg;
• Further after Priozersk, the skerries area begins, which rarely pampers tourists with warm sand. Among the rocky northern shores of Ladoga, there are sandy bays, but you have to look for them yourself. I will give the highest rating to the beaches of Koyonsaari Island (on map No. 5), they are magnificent. Minimum people and no service, but maximum nature and silence;

• On the eastern shore after Pitkäranta, in the area of ​​​​the village of Karku, an almost continuous strip of sand begins, a kind of eastern “monobeach”. I would especially like to mention the area of ​​the village of Vidlitsa (on map No. 6), it’s beautiful and pleasant to relax here, and it’s not that far to go to a grocery store. Of course, don’t expect any service here – only privacy, only hardcore!

After the city of Olonets, swampy areas begin, occupying almost the entire southern coast of Ladoga up to Shlisselburg. To make it easier for you to find your way around, I’m including a map. I want to emphasize that this is my personal set of acceptable places beach holiday, I think you understand that you can swim, if you wish, on any stretch of the Ladoga coast.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

To the above museum sites (Valaam, Konevets, Oreshek fortress, Korela fortress) I will add a few more cultural attractions that are interesting for an inquisitive mind:

• Museum “Road of Life” (village “Lake Ladoga”). A large and entertaining museum complex consisting of an outdoor exhibition and several thematic pavilions. Here you can see with your own eyes and even touch a genuine military equipment those years, examine in detail the personal belongings of Red Army soldiers, see unique photographs, listen to a “touching to the heart” excursion. The museum is a must visit! Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 11-00 to 18-00. The cost of visiting is 200 rubles. for adults, excursion service– 150 rubles, audio guide – 300 rubles.

• Museum of the History of the City of Shlisselburg (Shlisselburg, Factory Island, 2A). The museum is located in a relatively small room, so the exhibitions are constantly changing. I found the museum interesting because for a small fee (200 rubles for a group of 5 people) you can book a tour not only in the permanent museum building, but throughout Shlisselburg. A senior museum researcher will take you to key sites and tell you all about the city's founding and history. Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 09-00 to 18-00, Saturday from 10-00 to 17-00, Sunday – closed. The cost of an adult ticket is 30 (!) rubles.

• Regional Museum of the Northern Ladoga Region (Sortavala, Ladoga Flotilla Embankment, 5). Sortavala is a city with a Finnish rather than a Russian face. You can feel the Scandinavian spirit of this Karelian city in the halls of the museum of the northern Ladoga region. See the main local history exhibitions, visit the halls of temporary exhibitions, and take field trips around the city and the nearest islands. For detailed information please visit the website.

Parks

In the southeastern part of Lake Ladoga there are two particularly important natural sites - the Nizhne-Svirsky State Nature Reserve and the Olonets State Nature Reserve (part of the first). They were created in the 80s to preserve and protect the flora and fauna of the region. First of all, this concerns waterfowl and migratory birds, which have stopovers in these places for rest and feeding.

The Nizhne-Svirsky and Olonetsky nature reserves will be of interest to ornithologists and fans of pristine nature. But getting to the territory of the reserves is not so easy! It is necessary to first send an application addressed to the director indicating the purpose of the visit, length of stay, and the number of people in the group. When management makes a positive decision on admission, payment is made (nowhere is it indicated how much, apparently this is a big secret), and the group is included in the visit schedule.

What to see in 1 day

Going to Ladoga for one day from afar is somehow ridiculous. We will start from the fact that you are a St. Petersburg resident or a guest of the Northern capital who, tired of the bustle of the city, decided to get out into nature for a “weekend.” Let's say you have a personal car, and the weather outside is +25 degrees Celsius. So be it! Then my suggestion:

1. At 10-00 we leave the house/hotel/hostel in the direction of Shlisselburg. In principle, from any area of ​​the city to the mouth of the Neva (where Shlisselburg is located) it takes no more than an hour (without traffic jams).
2. Our path lies to the Oreshek fortress. Enter into your navigator the address of the pier from which boats depart for Orekhovy Island - the village named after. Morozova, st. Skvortsova, 76.
3. Let's assume that at 11-00 you are already there! We take a boat to the island. We walk, wander, admire, take pictures. You can even take a short break at the fortress wall. Admire the views of Ladoga, Neva and Shlisselburg. Drink coffee from a thermos, eat a sandwich (which you, of course, took with you from home).
4. At one o'clock in the afternoon or so, I suggest moving towards the beach in the village of Lake Ladoga.
5. On the way, we’ll stop by to see the “Broken Ring” monument, which is located in locality Kokkorevo.
6. Around two we are on the beach. Hooray! The main landmark of the beach is the huge Osinovetsky lighthouse; if you are near it, then you are on the most popular beach of Ladoga.
7. We relax - swim and sunbathe, sunbathe and swim.
8. For those who are hungry, there are a couple of cafes on the beach. Of course, the prices here are a little steep, but hunger is not a problem!
9. Those who are not delighted with meaningless lying on the beach, or do not like to play, say, beach volleyball (by the way, there are nets) can also get cultured by going to the nearby “Road of Life” museum.
10. I think that by six or seven o’clock in the evening you will already have time to feel all the charm of beach life on Lake Ladoga - it’s time to go home.
11. On the way back, buy dried or smoked fish. Yum-yum, very tasty. And such delicacies are sold almost everywhere - in stalls on the highway and in rural stores.
12. At eight o'clock in the evening you are satisfied and happy - already at home.

Nearby Islands

Lake Ladoga delights tourists with islands - there are about 660 of them (!), and about 500 of them are concentrated in the northern part of Ladoga, the so-called “skerry area”. Two most famous islands– and Konevets (I wrote about them above). The largest islands of Ladoga are Riekkalansaari (near Sortavala), Mantsinsaari (south of Pitkäranta), Kilpola (near the village of Kuznechnoye). But some micro islands do not have names at all; travelers themselves give them names! The island of Pellotsaari is interesting, having the shape of a heart, “the heart of Ladoga”. There is a walking ecological trail “One day in the life of a taiga island” on it.

Each, even the smallest island, is a unique and unrepeatable little world. If you sail a boat through the skerries, you can find perfect island to your taste!

Neighboring regions

Ruskeala Mountain Park (34 km from Sortavala) – former marble quarries, now unique in beauty natural object. The main attractions of the park are the “Main” quarry, together with the Italian quarry and the Ruskeala failure. Read more about the place, or on the official website.

Food. What to try

One of the main riches of Ladoga is FISH! In the waters of the lake there are more than 50 varieties of fish, including salmon, trout, lamprey, whitefish, pike perch, smelt... Since the waters of the lake are considered quite clean, you can safely eat the Ladoga catch without fear of being poisoned by heavy metals or toxic chemicals. In almost every locality on Lake Ladoga there are shops or stalls where they sell fresh, smoked or dried fish. I advise you not to neglect the alluring aromas, but rather buy, for example, smoked bream, and take home fresh, tender trout!

They say that on the Murmansk highway, 75 km from St. Petersburg in the village of Yushkovo, there is a wonderful fish market, which amazes the urban citizen with its assortment and price. There is so much to be found here - fresh, smoked, salted, dried and dried fish and, of course, caviar. The initial cost can be high, so bargain. Approximate prices for fish (for 1 piece): trout, whitefish, salmon, hot smoked bream - approx. 300 rubles; the same items, but cold smoked ones are more expensive - prices start from 350 rubles per unit; Dried bream and pike - approx. 200 rubles; dried vendace - from 200 rubles 0.5 kg.

All more or less decent places are located either in cities (Priozersk, Shlisselburg, etc.) or at hotels. In both the first and second cases, you can choose a restaurant to suit your taste and budget. It is clear that in large populated areas there are European, Japanese, and Russian taverns, and you can have a snack on shawarma or a hamburger, but let the seeker find! What I mean is that instead of McDonald's or Sveta's cafe, you can find establishments where they cook freshly caught Ladoga fish, national Karelian dishes (kalaruoka, wicket). I believe that without tasting local “delicacies” the trip would be incomplete!

Very decent places where you can try something from Karelian cuisine:

• restaurants "Dacha Wintera" (in the city),
• Piipun Piha (in),
• “Ladoga Estate” (in the village of Niemelyanhovi).

The cost of dinner with drinks per person starts from 1000 rubles.

Holidays

In my opinion, the two most significant events on Lake Ladoga are of a sporting nature:

Safety. What to watch out for

In Russia you should, of course, beware of roads and fools. The road around Lake Ladoga is mostly passable, but there are some sections of primer where you can kill your car’s suspension or get the body paint chipped (as happened with us!). You should drive in such areas slowly, carefully, gently; True, the faster guys are trying to overtake you and throw a wave of roadside dust over you. You also need to be careful when approaching the edge of the lake - it is quite possible to get stuck in liquid soil, or skid in the sand, or God knows what else! It’s worth carrying a winch and a couple of strong men with you at all times. As for fools... My friends and I really like to relax outdoors in tents, but it’s not always safe, unfortunately. Bad people can take you by surprise - rob you, or even worse... Therefore, if you go into nature as a “savage”, then only in large groups, and if together, then it is better to stay at recreation centers or in tent camps. Another misfortune for a tourist - weather. If you are boating in “open” water, beware of sudden changes in weather. This phenomenon is not uncommon in Ladoga. The lake often experiences strong storms and dangerous waves that can capsize any boat even with an experienced captain.

Things to do

In the summer, of course, sunbathe and swim, if the weather permits. Sailing on a boat (you can rent a boat at almost any hotel on Lake Ladoga), pack up and go on a hike from point A to point B (first work out your travel route in detail!), in summer and autumn, pick mushrooms and berries that grow here in abundance, You can fish in all seasons. This is a standard set of Ladoga entertainment, but if you want something hotter, try something more extreme (see below).

Extreme Sports

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

It doesn’t occur to me that I would advise you to bring something amazing and unique from Lake Ladoga. Most likely, it depends on the place where you will be vacationing.

For example, from the islands of Valaam and Konevets they mainly bring ritual items - icons, crosses, candles, Christian literature. Prices in the church shop are affordable, starting from 50 rubles per item (candles are cheaper). From the northern region of Ladoga, tourists take away products made from shungite (a black rock mined exclusively in Karelia). The cost of small figurines starts from 300 rubles. In many cities of the Ladoga region they offer products made from natural materials - leather (bags from 2000 rubles), birch bark (box from 500 rubles), wood (jewelry from 300 rubles), textiles (rugs from 1500 rubles) . Of course, you shouldn’t forget about natural gifts - mushrooms, berries (which you can pick yourself), fresh and thermally processed fish. But, of course, the best thing you can bring from Lake Ladoga is a lasting northern tan and a charge of positive mood!

Lake Ladoga - holidays with children

I am a proponent of traveling everywhere with children. Therefore, of course, I advocate that on a trip to Lake Ladoga you need to take children with you, and more of them! For them - fun, knowledge of the world around them, communication with nature, healing, hardening (all advantages). It’s a real hassle for you to keep track of them; but raising children is not easy at all! Before traveling to “any country,” I advise you to vaccinate yourself and your children against ticks. In recent years, cases of infection with tick-borne encephalitis in the Leningrad region have become more frequent. Be careful!

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

The nature of Lake Ladoga is beautiful, amazing and, by the way, quite diverse.

• North Shore Ladoga from Priozersk to Pitkäranta is a rocky skerry area with fjords and numerous small islands. It is very beautiful and romantic here. The natural landscapes are immediately reminiscent of Finland, Norway, and Sweden combined. It's impossible not to fall in love with this rugged northern beauty; and anyone who has visited Northern Ladoga at least once will definitely want to come back here again. And again. And again. There are plenty of housing offers here. These are mainly guest houses and cottages. Where there is demand, there is supply. Recently, especially “thanks” to the economic crisis, more and more Russians are choosing to vacation in their homeland. Northern Ladoga – ideal option in this regard, the service and views are the same as abroad, but you still pay for your vacation with our “wooden” ones. The flow of tourists to this area is now consistently high, so you need to try to find decent living conditions, but affordable housing. Some people make it simpler - they come here in the summer with tents. If you have your own boat, you can sail to any micro island, set up your own camp and feel like a real oligarch, at least for the weekend!

• South Bank, unlike the Northern one, is low, swampy, slightly indented. From interesting places I can name the “Oreshek” fortress at the mouth of the Neva River, the city of Novaya and Staraya Ladoga. Actually, all hotels and inns are concentrated near these attractions. The reason for the poorly developed infrastructure, in my opinion, is the fact that the entire southern shore of Ladoga is surrounded by the Staraya Ladoga and Novoladoga canals. They have a high daily traffic load and, probably, partly hinder the development of the tourism business due to the fact that they separate the lake shore from the “ big land" However, there are also a couple of decent guest houses here. They say that on south coast It’s better to “bite” that this is “a paradise for a fisherman.” And the water temperature here is higher, so you can even swim in the summer!

• West Bank it is also slightly indented and densely overgrown with bushes and forests, approaching right to the water's edge. It is difficult to find a decent place for a secluded parking lot here. The beaches in the village of Kokkorevo and the village of Lake Ladoga are very popular, as they are located near St. Petersburg. There are a couple of spa hotels and guest houses nearby that look quite decent. But further to the north there is a “bare” all the way to Priozersk.

• Eastern Bank, is probably the least popular among tourists, no, not because it is “worse” there, but because it is further away. Few St. Petersburg residents want to spend five hours on the road one way to barbecue, and then drive five hours home again the next day so as not to be late for work on Monday. But everything changes dramatically if you are not planning a weekend getaway, but a full-fledged vacation. Then - welcome to the east coast with its wide sandy beaches, clean water and a complete absence of people. After the Nizhne-Svirsky and Olonetsky reserves, that part of the eastern coast begins, which the traveler needs to get to. You can choose to stay in a guest house or hotel, or rent a house from a private owner (this is relevant not only for the east coast).
, .

Anything to add?