Hiking along the Bolshaya Valdai trail

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We are going on a simple trekking along the Bolshaya Valdai trail. A beautiful route through the taiga forest awaits us on the equipped territory of the national park. The nature on the way is constantly changing: the coniferous forest turns into deciduous, there is a dry path underfoot, then marsh moss, then a forest river flowing into a lake.

We will walk over two interesting bridges, one of which is suspended, and the second one runs directly over the beaver dam.

The trail is marked, and wooden gates are stretched through the marshy areas. Information stands have been set up along the route, telling about the nature of the region. Parking lots on the trail are equipped: there are decking for tents, campfires, tables and covered gazebos, and even firewood has already been harvested.

This route is perfect for hiking, but without the Spartan lifestyle and constant overcoming.

Location

Oktyabrskaya railway, Bologoe-Moskovskoye station

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Tour highlights

Southern Taiga

Mixed forests, swamps, rivers, lakes. Beauty, as if descended from paintings by Russian artists

Cozy evenings

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

The purest lakes

It's so nice to plunge into them after a day of hiking.

The Great Valdai Trail

Equipped marked route with European comfort and Russian landscapes

Valdai National Park

One of the largest specially protected natural areas of the European part of Russia

Equipped parking lots

Decking for tents, tables, covered gazebos and harvested firewood

Itinerary

Day 1 - Lake Pestovskoye — Lake Mokhovskoye
Our route will start from Lake Pestovskoye, and a transfer from the Bologoe station will take us to it.
We pack and set up our backpacks properly and go 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 Lake Velje, 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.
Day 3 - Russian Lake — Lake Nakhodno
Get up, swim, exercise, and get on the route.
We walk along the shore of the Russian Lake, then the trail dives into the forest. Today we come across swamps and rivers on our 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.
The crossing is 13 km.
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.
We'll have lunch in a cafe (and it tasted better on the campfire!), stop by the visitor center to buy souvenirs and visit the bell museum. This is the only such museum in Russia, and it is located in the palace church of Catherine II.
A transfer will take you to the train station. The carriage starts moving, leaving the taiga behind, but the hair still smells like a bonfire. And happiness. This campaign is over, and we will definitely meet in the next one!
The crossing is 7 km.
An art object.
The Bell Museum.
The way home.

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 morale.

It is possible and necessary to take children if parents are confident, first of all, in their own abilities and are ready to share these forces with the child, support and encourage, relieve in a difficult moment.

Accommodation

Camp Site

1 night

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation in 2-3-4-bed tents.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 17 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Oktyabrskaya railway, Bologoe-Moskovskoye station

Included in price

transfers according to the program;
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 in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
visit to the bell Museum on 12-14.06.2025 (visit to the Iversky Monastery on 14-17.08).

Paid extra

transportation costs;
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.

Don't 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 flask (1 l);
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

$213

12 – 15 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

A
Anastasia

about provider

29 Mar, 2025

The tour was excellently organized. We were well-fed with delicious meals, taken everywhere, treated to tea, and genuinely cared for.

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