Hiking along the Bolshaya Valdai trail

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We are going on a simple trekking along the Bolshaya Valdai trail. We are waiting for a beautiful route along an equipped trail on the territory of the national park. The nature on the way is constantly changing: the coniferous forest turns into deciduous, underfoot there is a dry path, then marsh moss, then a forest river. We live in tents and stay in equipped parking lots.

The main attraction here, of course, is the taiga forest. It seems that this is where the goblins live, and somewhere in the swamp Ivan Tsarevich is looking for his arrow. Mists creep over the water in the morning, the dense spruce forest is gloomy even during the day, and the blooming meadows smell of the sun itself.

It's warm here in summer, and the lakes warm up enough to swim. It gets colder in autumn, some areas may be washed away by rain, but the forest is fiery red, you can enjoy cranberries, and the air is filled with silence before a long winter sleep.

The route is perfect for your first hiking experience and for preparing for more challenging routes.

For children from 10 to 14 years old, the cost is 20,900 rubles. Cannot be combined with other discounts.

Location

Valdai, Novgorod region

Contact the tour coordinator

Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Southern Taiga

Mixed forests, swamps, rivers, lakes. Beauty, as if descended from paintings of Russian landscape painters

Cozy evenings

Bonfires are allowed in the parking lots, so that sincere evening gatherings are provided.

Valdai National Park

One of the largest protected natural areas in Russia

The Great Valdai Trail

Equipped marked route with European comfort and Russian landscapes

The purest lakes

Valdai is called the crystal dome of European Russia. It's so nice to take a dip at the end of the day!

Ryzhokha Mountain

The highest point of the Novgorod region. There is an observation tower with an incredible view.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Lake Pestovskoye — Lake Mokhovskoye
We meet with the participants from Moscow in the morning at Leningradsky railway station, get our equipment and board a comfortable train to Tver (tickets can be purchased before the train departs from the station), transfer here and rush to the beginning of the route to Lake Pestovskoye, pick up the participants by car on the way. Participants from St. Petersburg will be picked up by a taxi at the railway station in Valdai.
Finally, everyone gathered at the start of the route, redistributed things, properly packed and adjusted backpacks and went out on the trail. The forest surrounds us, the noise of civilization is silenced. It's nice to breathe in the forest scents and feel the real earth spring under your feet.
On the way, we will encounter two small lakes and a kilometer-long stretch of swamp. The trail here is equipped with a wooden deck, you can admire the bumps and barrels, listen to the croaking of frogs and not be afraid to get your feet wet.
Today we will walk 10 kilometers with a stop for a snack.
We'll set up a tent camp in a cozy parking lot near Lake Mokhovskoye and it fully justifies its name. Everything is overgrown with soft moss, and red cranberry berries are scattered like beads in autumn.
Over dinner, we get to know each other better and tell them what brought us on the hike.
The road to the Valdai trail.
The passage under the backpack is 10 km.
Lake Mokhovskoye.
Overnight in tents.
Day 2 - Mokhovskoye Lake — Russian Lake
Today we are waiting for the longest passage and a lot of beauty.
The first one on the way will come across a suspension bridge over the beaver dam. We will be able to get to know the result of the work of the "builders" closely. The huts themselves are usually located above the dam, which is needed to maintain the water level in beaver town.
Further along the route, an observation tower on Ryzhokha Mountain awaits us. This is the highest point of the entire park. From a height of 25 meters, there is a view of a dense, untouched forest and the lake from which our route began.
We will stop for lunch at the spring, at the equipped Zaborovye parking lot. And after a good rest, we'll continue on our way.
In the evening we will walk over the suspension bridge over the Polomet River. It is the largest and most turbulent river in the park.
We'll camp overnight at Russian Lake. To restore your strength, you can swim — there is a convenient gentle access to the water.
Tired and satisfied, we have dinner, admire the sunset and go to bed. Today was an eventful and interesting day.
The crossing is 17 km.
The observation tower on Ryzhokha Mountain.
Russian Lake.
Overnight in tents.
Day 3 - Russian Lake — Lake Nakhodno
According to tradition, we start the morning with a delicious breakfast, warm-up and swimming. Today we walk along the shore of the Russian Lake, then the trail dives into the forest. There will be swamps and rivers along the way.
We set up camp on the shore of Lake Nakhodno. It's pretty busy here, but we'll set up our tents away from the hustle and bustle.
Tonight is our last night at the campfire! We share our impressions and already miss each other a little.
Walking distance 13 km.
Lake Nakhodno.
Overnight in a tent.
Day 4 - Lake Nakhodno — Zimogorye
So the wings of the tent have collapsed! We are moving towards civilization. We are enjoying the last kilometers in the forest.
We'll also have time to go to Lake Berezovoe and take pictures at the Bolshaya Valdai Trail art object, a two-meter—high wooden panel that usually greets tourists. Well, it turns out he's seeing us off.
The end of the hike is in the village of Zimogorye. Next, a transfer will pick us up and take us to Selvitsky Island. Here, surrounded by the mirror of the lake, stands the majestic Iversky Bogoroditsky Svyatoozersky Monastery, known far beyond the borders of Russia.
After exploring the monastery, participants from St. Petersburg will go to the Valdai railway station to board a comfortable "Swallow", and residents of the capital will take a transfer to Tver railway station. And by evening, both groups will be at home, where instead of the coolness of the lakes, they will have a hot bath and memories of the noise of the taiga and the comfort of the campfire.
This campaign is over, and we will definitely meet in the next one!
Walking distance is 7 km.
The Bolshaya Valdai Trail art object.
The Iversky monastery.
The way home.
Important! The route can be changed in case of bad weather or other necessity.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

No special training is required for this hike, but we will walk under a backpack, participants must be in good physical shape and ready for the declared load both for health and morally.

You can take children from the age of 10 if the parents are confident, first of all, in their abilities and are ready to share these forces with the child, support and encourage, relieve in a difficult moment.

Accommodation

Tent

3 nights

Comfort

Basic+

Place in 2-/3-/4- local tents are included in the price of the hike.

Mats, sleeping bags and a backpack rented from us will be available at the train station in Moscow.

If you are traveling from St. Petersburg or by private car, you will need to take the rental and return it yourself.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 18 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Valdai, Novgorod region

Included in price

transfers according to the program (from/to Tver or Valdai railway);
entrance tickets to the National Park;
payment for parking in the national park;
meals on the route;
public equipment (tents, campfire and cooking equipment);
group first aid kit;
place in 2-3-4-bed tents;
instructor support;
registration of the group with the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Paid extra

tickets to Tver or Valdai railway;
personal equipment and items according to the list;
lunch at a cafe in the city of Valdai (day 4).

It's important to know

It is very important to choose the appropriate equipment for each hike.

Properly selected equipment is the key to your good mood and comfort on the route.

Personal equipment should weigh no more than 9-13 kg and occupy about 65% of the backpack volume. The more weight you take with you, the less fun the route will give you.

Do not forget that you still have to carry some of the public equipment and modules with food, which will be distributed to all participants.

The instructor will ensure that the backpacks are evenly lightened.

Equipment:

backpack for a long hike (90 liters for men, 70 liters for women) with belt;
a cape on a backpack;
foam (travel mat, polyurethane foam mat, karemat);
spring-autumn sleeping bag (comfort temperature -5°C);
hoba (tourist seat);
The flashlight is a head-mounted LED.

Clothing:

sleep clothes;
lingerie;
swimming costume (swimsuit, swimming trunks);
thermal underwear;
shorts;
socks or thermal socks;
flashlights (gaiters, shoe covers);
T-shirt;
long sleeve shirt;
light jacket (vest, thermal);
warm fleece jacket with a neck;
the jacket is windproof and waterproof (membrane);
gloves;
the cap is light;
headdress (panama hat, bandana, cap, hat);
rain cape with hood;
trekking boots;
flip-flops/crocs/sandals;
comfortable pants.

Personal items:

passport;
money;
thermos;
set of dishes (KLMN);
reusable bottle;
toilet paper;
individual first aid kit;
sunscreen and lipstick;
personal hygiene items;
a light towel;
telephone;
medical policy;
mosquito repellent;
a remedy for ticks;
powerbank.

We recommend adding:

trekking poles;
photo camera.

Dates and Prices

$341

11 – 14 Jun 4 days 3 nights

No seats left
$341

24 – 27 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

N
Nadezhda

about provider

14 Jan, 2026

Everything was clear
E
Ekaterina

about provider

16 Dec, 2025

The hike was well organized. The food was high quality, with plenty of sweets :) The providers were always available, answered all our questions, and kept us informed about everything important.
M
Maria

about provider

16 Jun, 2025

Everything has been taken care of.