6 Beautiful Country Walks Near Saint Petersburg

1. Eco-Path in Komarovo

Komarovo is a great place for those who want to experience Saint Petersburg nature. It is located about 40 km away from the city and is easily reachable by car or by public transport. Take a pleasant walk in the picturesque forest on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. The track has a wooden covering that is easy and pleasant to walk on. There are also many information stands along the way that tell visitors about local flora and fauna.

Location: 15 min walking from the train station “Komarovo”. 50 min by train from Finlyandsky railway station.

2. Lighthouse on the Ladoga Lake

Ladoga Lake is one of the three biggest lakes in Russia. A great location to visit here is a lakeside close to Osinovetskiy lighthouse. You can combine your beach time with learning some history. There is a museum dedicated to the Siege of Leningrad that you can visit. Take some food with you for a picnic or have lunch in a local cafe.

Location: 15 min walk from the train station “Ladozhskoe ozero”. It is a 1 hour 15 min journey by train from Finlyandsky railway station.

3. Park Monrepos in Vyborg

Park Monrepo is a beautiful example of northern nature. Scenic landscapes with various cliffs and enormous stone blocks left from the Ice Age make it a great place for hiking and taking photos. Be aware that there may be some renovation works carried on in the park.

Location: The City of Vyborg. You can get here from Finlyandsky railway station. Traveling time might vary from 1 hour 15 min to 2 hours 45 min. Fast trains run several times a day.

4. Lindulovskaya Grove

Lindulovskaya Grove is a nature reserve listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area used to supply wood for the Russian shipbuilding industry in the 18th century. Nowadays the grove is a perfect getaway for nature lovers with high deciduous trees and a beautiful river.

Location: 3 km from the train station “Roshino”. Departure from Finlyandsky railway station.

5. Sablino Caves

Sablino is a curious location with caves and waterfalls, located on the banks of Tosna river . In the 18th century sand was mined here for the local glass factories. Later the area sheltered all sorts of people. Soviet dissidents and gangs hid in the caves, geologists explored rocks and underground lakes, extreme tourists and so-called “diggers” came here in search of thrilling adventures. Many mysterious stories and legends are connected with this place.

Nowadays Sablino is still popular among the “cavers”. As a tourist, you can walk around Sablino and enjoy the landscape. However, if you want to descend into the caves, it’s better to take an organized tour. Without a guide, it is easy to get lost in the underground labyrinths as not all the caves are safe to explore on your own.

How to get: First take a train to the “Sablino” station, which departs from Moskovsky railway station. Then take a bus to the caves.

6. Ruskeala Marble Canyon

Ruskeala is an old marble quarry in Karelia (separate Russian region) that was turned into a national park. Centuries ago local marble was used to build beautiful palaces and cathedrals of Saint Petersburg. Nowadays it is well organized for tourists: zip line and boat rental, restaurants and souvenir shops are available. The natural landscape is just amazing: the quarry filled with pure emerald-green water is surrounded by steep rocks.

How to get: First take a train from Finlyandsky railway station to Sortavala (approximately 4 hours) then take a retro train up to Ruskeala Mountain Park.