Traveler’s choice: top 5 places with beautiful lakes in Russia and not only

Pro-Vision prezidents, Vinogradov.story kopienas autors

Vacation by the water is a special kind of pleasure. While the seas are literally lining up, countless lakes, unique and amazingly beautiful, remain undeservedly forgotten. I propose to correct this misunderstanding and include in your summer plans a trip to one of the legendary fresh water bodies. There are plenty of available locations – let’s sail from the West to the East.

Lake Ladoga, Leningrad Region and Karelia

The mighty Ladoga is the center of the north-western nature in all its harsh splendor. Karelian pines spread their coniferous paws to the waters of the lake, frightened seals scurry in the skerries cut by the elements and time, and the way to the rocks and bays of Valaam is indicated by the Nikolsky skete lighthouse.

The mood of Ladoga is fickle – not every vessel will dare to go on a voyage in inclement weather. But you should be patient and wait for clear weather – and the wait will pay off a hundredfold: you should look for sunsets like those in the Russian north.

Lake Ladoga

Lake Pleshcheyevo, Yaroslavl Region

Lake Pleshcheyevo surprises from the first sight: it is the same perfect blue oval, which is more often seen in children’s drawings than in the Central Russian nature. The best way to get acquainted with it is to go out in the early morning on the embankment of Pereslavl-Zalessky, rent a wooden boat and walk on oars along the shore, contemplating scattered here and there white stone churches and ancient monasteries. Fishing is also suitable – there is nothing wrong with fish on the lake, there is even a convinced endemic – Pereslavl ryapushka.

And admirers of active rest will surely like local kiting or windsurfing. By the way, at the end of July Pereslavl-Zalessky hosts the ballooning festival: if you plan a trip on these dates, you will be able to appreciate the beauty of Lake Pleshcheyevo and the national park of the same name from an incredible angle – from the basket of a balloon.

Lake Pleshcheyevo

Lake Ritsa, Abkhazia

The pearl of Abkhazia, the high-mountainous Ritsa, was a favorite place of the party elite – and this is a case when the taste of functionaries can not be denied. However, Ritsa is surrounded not only by luxurious nomenklatura dachas, but also by numerous legends.

The saddest one tells about an old man with incredible green-blue eyes, who was killed by robbers, but “gave” Ritsa the exceptional shade of his eyes. The water in the lake is really very unusual color – and also clean and transparent: it can be seen up to 10 m deep.

You will not be able to swim in Ritsa, but you can swim on a catamaran or go fishing. Fish can be cooked immediately and you will remember this wonderful panoramic dinner with pleasure for a long time.

Lake Ritsa

Altai lakes

Mountain Altai disputes the status of the lake region from Karelia itself, and this says a lot. The largest and most famous Altai lake is Lake Teletskoye with its powerful waterfalls, wooded shores and fragrant alpine meadows.

But I recommend stopping by its lesser-known brothers – Blue, which is only shown in the cold season, or colorful Malinovoye, whose name fully illustrates its mouthwatering color.

Altai lakes are incredibly photogenic: shooting frame by frame, you risk overflowing the memory of the camera. However, in Altai you want to put it aside to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of contemplation and peace.

Lake Teletskoye

Kuril Lake, Kamchatka

Among Kamchatka lakes Kuril Lake stands out especially – it was favored by brown bears, having found a large salmon spawning ground in these places. On Kuril Lake you can watch the fishing of Kamchatka bears from quite a close distance – and if you are lucky, you can catch the cubs as well. The experience is exciting and unique: it is not every day that you meet a wild animal in its natural habitat.

A trip to the volcanic islands – romantic pink Alaida Heart or shouting Gull Island – will help to cope with emotions. The latter, by the way, is also suitable for bird watching (if bears are not enough).

Kuril Lake