The extreme point of Russia and 4 more unique locations, where it is impossible or very difficult to get to

Pro-Visioni president, Vinogradov.story kogukonna autor

“It would take a lifetime to travel to all the inspiring locations in Russia. However, even if the time issue is miraculously solved, it will still not be possible to get to some places in our country – other circumstances will interfere, which are not so easy to overcome. I have collected several locations that could have become major tourist centers, but fate has decided otherwise”.

Weathering Pillars of Manpupunyur, Komi Republic

Stone remnants towering over the Manpupunyur plateau are among the most recognizable natural sights in Russia. However, it is not easy to get to them: access to the territory of the Pechoro-Ilychsky Reserve is open only to 2000 people a year.

Another difficulty is transportation: the poles are so far away from the nearest “civilization” that the only way to reach them is to charter a helicopter. But the lucky ones who will overcome all the difficulties will be rewarded: not everyone will be lucky enough to see seven remnants that look like tired travelers and the impressive nature of Komi.

The city of Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region

Among all the settlements of Russia, 38 ZATOs – closed administrative-territorial formations – stand out. Created in the USSR as secret research and production centers, many of them still maintain a strict access regime and do not allow “outsiders” into their territory.

All the more interesting is the neighborhood of the nuclear city of Sarov in the Nizhny Novgorod region with one of the most important Orthodox monasteries – the Sarov Desert, where St. Seraphim of Sarov ascended. Since 2018, these places have been united in the pilgrimage and tourist cluster “Arzamas – Diveyevo – Sarov”, assuming to develop the city in the context of traveling as well. However, to date, both the very “corner of socialism on the Nizhny Novgorod land” and the monastery remain closed for mass visits.

Ratmanov Island, Chukotka

Every Russian schoolchild knows for sure: the extreme point of Russia in the east is Cape Dezhnev. However, 35 kilometers away from Alaska, there is Ratmanova Island, which disputes this title with a reservation. The harsh and sparsely populated Ratmanova Island is the easternmost island point of our country. Together with its neighbor, Kruzenshtern Island, it forms the Diamidov Islands, along which the U.S.-Russia border and the Date Line run.

In general, Ratmanov Island is a very symbolic and attractive place for everyone who “collects” significant points on the map. It is also beautiful with that harsh northern beauty that attracts many desperate travelers. However, it is almost impossible to get here: unlike its American neighbor, where several Eskimo families live permanently, Ratmanova Island has only a border guard.

Ratmanova Island

Metro-2 in Moscow

The only place in this selection that you can’t go to because you can’t be certain of its existence is Moscow’s Metro-2. The debate about the system of underground command centers and communications for the evacuation of Politburo members has been going on since the opening of the Moscow Metro and has not subsided until now.

Among the most widespread information about Metro-2 are the maximum depth (up to 250 meters!) and four branches at once, the longest of which reaches 60 kilometers. However, it is much easier to believe in the existence of a system of technical tunnels necessary for servicing the stations of the ordinary city subway. And to get there would be very curious.

Kronotsky Reserve in Kamchatka and the Valley of Geysers

Going to the shores of the Kronotsky and Kamchatka Bays, the Kronotsky Reserve recreates all the iconic landscapes of the peninsula – from seaside tundra lowlands to volcanic highlands with glaciers. To visit here means to visit the very heart of Kamchatka. And to see the Valley of Geysers is also to realize all its power and grandeur.

Remaining one of the most desirable, but difficult to access locations, the Valley of Geysers accepts only small groups of organized tourists – rarely and extremely reluctantly. In order to visit this place, it is necessary that several factors come together at once: a group was gathered, there were free “windows” in the schedule of helicopter pilots and the weather did not let you down. However, the result is guaranteed to exceed the most daring expectations.