is a distinctive region of Russia with a large number of natural attractions. Thousands of tourists come here every year? including foreigners. Among the most beautiful places stands out Marble Canyon Ruskeala and the mountain park of the same name. Quiet pine forests, amazing in shape and with clear water - there is something to surprise here.
Ruskeala Marble Canyon: description, photo, video
Canyon Ruskeala is a former quarry in which various types of marble were mined. Today its width is about 100 meters and its length is about 460 meters. The canyon has a slightly elongated shape from north to south. The first mentions of this area date back to the 17th century. At that time the lands belonged to the Swedes. However, after success in the Northern War, Karelia, including the quarry, went to Russia.
Catherine II became interested in the development of stone. Local marble was used in the decoration of the Kazan and St. Isaac's Cathedrals, as well as in the arrangement of window sills in the Hermitage building. Marble Canyon worked for more than 60 years and in the 30s of the 19th century, mining was stopped. After the war, they tried to resume marble mining, but the explosives damaged the aquifer and the bottom of the gorge was filled with water, forming a lake.
Today, industrial mining is still carried out in the surrounding area, but not on such a scale as before. One of the quarries was turned into Ruskeala mountain park, which made the region attractive for tourism. The Ruskeala marble canyon has been cleared, and hiking trails and observation platforms have been equipped along its territory.
The banks of the remaining quarries are overgrown with bushes and grass in many places, but this does not interfere with the view. From a 20-meter height, truly picturesque landscapes open up. Externally, the rocks produce an unforgettable sight - powerful gray-white giants proudly drown in a turquoise lake. Photos taken at the Ruskeala Marble Canyon will undoubtedly become an addition to the photo collection of any, even the most demanding, tourist.
Where is the Ruskeala Mountain Park located?
The Republic of Karelia is located in the Northwestern District of the Russian Federation. It borders on three administrative units - Vologda, Murmansk and Leningrad regions. The international border with Finland also runs through the territory of the Karelian Republic. Where is the Marble Canyon in Karelia? The attraction is located in the southwest of the republic.
Distance of Ruskeala from civilization
- the village of Ruskeala is the nearest settlement;
- city of Sortavala – 32 kilometers;
- border crossing "Vyartsilya" - 20 kilometers;
- city of St. Petersburg – 300 kilometers.
Ruskeala Marble Canyon on the map
Coordinates of Ruskeala Park in Karelia on the map:
- Latitude — 61°56′45
- Longitude — 30°34′49
How to get to Ruskeala
The most convenient and easiest way to visit Ruskeala Park and Marble Canyon– excursions and bus tours. You can find a wide variety of offers on the Internet. Prices start from 2 thousand rubles. It is not easy to get there by public transport, but it is also possible:
- Train number 350 runs from Ladozhsky Station to Sortavala. The journey takes about 5 and a half hours. The approximate cost of a one-way ticket is 500 rubles;
- Buses run from the Northern Station to Sortavala. The exact schedule can be found on the official website. The ticket will cost about 600 rubles, and the journey will take about 5 hours;
- Minibuses depart from the Okay shopping center to Ozerki metro station. The ticket price is the same as for the bus. The journey will take 1 hour less;
- You can get from Sortavala to Ruskeala by local minibuses or taxis.
For those who decide to visit the Grand Marble Canyon by personal transport, it is best to use a navigator. The route to the attraction is as follows:
- From St. Petersburg you need to take the A-121 highway;
- In Sortavala, you should turn onto highway 86K-332 - the road will lead directly to Ruskeala.
On the right side of the road will be located, and on the left will be the border with Finland.
When is the best time to visit Marble Canyon?
The climate in the Republic of Karelia is quite mild. There is a significant amount of rainfall here throughout the year. At the same time, summers are not hot, and significant frosts in winter are extremely rare. The hottest month of summer is July. At this time, the temperature can reach 30 degrees, but on average it stays around 15. In summer, white nights can be observed in the region, but in winter the sun appears for only 5-6 hours.
Ruskeala - photo in winter
In general, the weather for recreation in the Ruskeala Mountain Park is favorable all year round. In warm weather, vegetation flourishes here, and in winter, snow cover and frost create a fabulous effect. An impromptu skating rink is set up on a frozen lake, and local caves are turned into chambers of an ice castle. In summer you need to come here early in the morning or on a weekday - on weekends there are a lot of tourists and enjoying unity with nature will be problematic.
Features of Ruskeala
In the vicinity of the village of Ruskeala and the city of Sortavala there is a large selection of tourist recreation centers and guest houses. The most comfortable option is to rent a cottage. In summer you can also stay at a campsite. The opening hours of the mountain park depend on the season. So in winter, it does not work on Sundays. It is worth noting that ticket offices close 1 hour before general closing time. More details about the operating schedule of Ruskeala Park and Marble Canyon are described on the official website.
Entrance to the territory of the natural attraction is paid. For an adult, a ticket will cost 250 rubles, and for children over 7 years old - 100. Additionally, you can take advantage of group excursions. So, a guided tour of the grottoes will cost 1 thousand rubles. The cost of a regular excursion is 400 rubles. The park offers boat rentals and diving opportunities. A detailed map is provided at the ticket office, and at night the area is illuminated with colorful lights.
The road to Ruskeala is winding, so you need to drive extremely carefully when driving. Due to the proximity to the border, communication problems are possible - roaming is activated. The banks of the canyon are steep rocks, so climbing them is dangerous. It is also forbidden to swim behind the buoys when renting a boat - stones periodically fall from above.
What to see in the vicinity of the Ruskeala Marble Canyon in Karelia
The Ruskeala Mountain Park, in addition to the Marble Canyon, is rich in interesting locations. After walking around the quarry and admiring the surface of the water, you should definitely go and look at the underground lake located in the hole. According to rumors, it was formed as a result of blasting in another quarry. The failure has an impressive area of 500 square meters. In the far corners, the lake is covered with ice even in summer.
Between the failure and the Marble Canyon there is a through hole in the ground - this is an old adit. A little further there is a stone exhibition consisting of huge polished boulders. On the way to Ruskeala you should definitely stop by the Tohmajoki River and Ahvenkoski Waterfall. Here you can not only admire the surrounding landscapes, but also stay and relax in guest houses
Near the waterfall there is a destroyed Finnish power plant. To get to it, you need to get on the road and drive to the point with coordinates 61°54′29″N 30°37′50″E. From there you should take a right and walk along the forest road for about 500 meters. The geographical coordinates of the station are 61°54′33″N 30°37′16″E. Although these places have been exposed to human influence, they look very impressive. The power plant will soon be restored, so soon there will be one less attraction in the region.
Russia has a huge extent from north to south and from east to west. All natural and climatic zones (except the tropics) are observed on the territory of the country. Karelia and its pristine nature occupy a special place in the list of tourist places.
White nights, blue lakes framed by pines and centuries-old fir trees, wild rocky landscape and waterfalls, fabulously exciting sunsets over Ladoga and colorful Karelian names conceal an inexplicable magnetism that annually attracts thousands of tourists to this region.
The old marble quarry in Ruskeala is a young tourist attraction, a visit to which leaves an indelible impression.
Karelia (Ruskeala), Marble Quarry and waterfalls are one of the most interesting tourist sites of the republic. The village of Ruskeala is administratively part of the Sortavala region of Karelia.
The first mention in the chronicles dates back to 1500. A workers' settlement with the same name arose in 1796, when, by decree of Catherine the Great, work began on the extraction of marble in the Ruskeala deposit.
Near the village there is a monument of industrial culture - the Ruskeala Natural Mountain Park. The settlement stands on the Tohmajoki River, the source of which is in Lake Tohmajärvi in Finland. A stormy Karelian-Finnish river flows into Lake Ladoga near the village of Helyulya.
Map of Ruskeali attractions in Karelia. Shown here is a marble quarry and waterfalls
The regional center - the city of Sortavala (old name Serdobol) - is included in the list of historical cities of Russia. It is located on the northern shore of Ladoga, at an equal distance from Petrozavodsk (the capital of Karelia) and St. Petersburg.
The terrain has features characteristic of Karelia and is associated with the activity of the last, Quaternary glaciation and tectonic movements of the Baltic geological shield: rocks, outcrops of granite rocks.
The flora is represented by conifers - spruce, pine, juniper, as well as deciduous trees typical of the region:
- birch;
- Rowan;
- aspen.
Blueberries and lingonberries are common in the forests; cranberries, cloudberries, and a large number of edible mushrooms are found in swampy areas. The fauna is divided into lake and forest fauna. Hares, moose, foxes, wild boars are common in the forests of Karelia; there are bears and wolves.
A wide variety of mustelids, rodents and birds, including waterfowl. Lake Ladoga and surrounding reservoirs are home to 58 species of fish, the most valuable being salmon, as well as the lake’s endemic species, the Ladoga seal.
The climate in the Sortavala region is mild compared to the nearby northern capital: usually, summer is not very hot (+15 ° C), and there are no severe frosts in winter (-6-8 ° C). According to climatic characteristics, it is equal to the regions of the North of Russia.
The area, despite its distance from the center, is very popular. Amazing Karelian landscapes and the opportunity to visit historical and cultural attractions attract many travelers to this region.
Below is a small list of available natural and cultural monuments:
Waterfalls of Karelia in Ruskeala
Karelia (Ruskeala), the Marble Quarry and waterfalls on the Tohmijoki River are a must-see. Having visited Karelia at least once, it is impossible not to fall in love with this amazing region. What epithets did she deserve for the beauty of her nature? “The Land of a Thousand Lakes” will forever remain in everyone’s memory. There are no less rivers in the republic.
According to statistics, the length of all the rivers of Karelia is 83 thousand km - 2 times more than the equator. Karelian rivers are very turbulent: most of them have rapids and for this reason are unsuitable for navigation. But for water sportsmen and tourists, these places are a real paradise.
On the banks of the rivers, starting with the main one - Vuoksa, there are numerous raft clubs and tourist centers.
“Red” Tokhmajoki is one of the rivers flowing into Lake Ladoga. All 40 km of the current are marked by rocky rifts, waterfalls and small waterfalls: single, cascading.
Ahvenkoski Waterfall
Karelia has an inexplicable attractive force. Tourists heading to the Ruskeala mountain park always stop to admire the flat waterfalls of Tokhmajoki: from them to the Marble Quarry is about 3 km. Ahvenkoski is the largest: water rushes with a roar into a wide pit from a height of 4 m. 
The seething brown waters against the backdrop of emerald green fir trees create a fantastic picture. Despite its small height, the waterfall leaves a feeling of power and unbridled strength. The Finnish name for the waterfall means “perch rapids.” The local population gave it the name “waterfall at three bridges”, since it is here that the river crosses the highway three times in a row.
Cinema often uses the magical Karelian world for location filming. Ruskeala waterfalls became the place where Stanislav Rostotsky filmed the film “And the Dawns Here Are Quiet” in 1972. After filming the fantasy “Dark World” in 2010, a “witch’s hut” was left on the shore, successfully fitting into the fairy-tale landscape.
There is a convenient exit to the waterfalls from the Sortavala - Kostomuksha highway, there is a parking lot, an information stand, equipped places for photography, a stall with pies and a souvenir shop.
The forest area has been landscaped for the convenience of tourists: paths have been cleared, bridges have been built across numerous streams, sidewalks have been laid, and wooden sculptures of fairy-tale characters stand along the route. You can walk along the trail and enjoy the pristine nature by paying 100 rubles. For children, admission to the “fairy tale” was left free.
Kivach waterfall
The first chronicle records about the waterfall on the Suna River date back to 1566. The Karelian legend says that the two sister rivers Suna and Shuya loved each other so much that they could not part for a minute - their beds were located very close. One day, Suna lay down to rest, giving her sister her comfortable bed. 
While she was sleeping, Shuya ran very far away. Rushing to catch up with her sister, Suna broke through the diabase rocks - in this place the Kivach water slide appeared, which is translated from Finnish as “swift, powerful.”
The water stream, bubbling and foaming, falls from a height of 10.4 m over a distance of 170 m, the height of the cliff of the lower step is 8 m. The stream is divided by a rock into two branches: the main one falls along 4 ledges, the second is directed perpendicular to the main one. The Sun cascade of hydroelectric power stations slightly reduced the power of water fall.
10 thousand hectares of land around the waterfall are occupied by the Kivach nature reserve. In the protected area around the reserve (1-2 km wide), any type of human activity is prohibited, including hunting and fishing, but picking mushrooms and berries is allowed. The reserve is located in the Kondopoga district, accounting for 2% of its land.
85% of the reserve’s territory is occupied by forest, there are 13 lakes, 2 rivers flowing through it, and 4% is occupied by swamps.
Human activity is forever prohibited on these lands; it is prohibited to be on its territory without the consent of the administration. This is a reserve for populations of wild animals, birds and plants, from where they are resettled in places where the number of species is under threat.
Yukankoski Falls
This cascading waterfall is the highest in the Northern Ladoga region: the height from which the water flow thunders down is 17-19 m. The first description of this place can be found in the geographical atlas of Finland for 1927. The waterfall is located on the Kulismajoki River, in the depths of the Karelian forest and consists of two branches separated by a small island. 
Roaring and menacing in spring and early summer, during the period of high water, it turns into two graceful streams when the water subsides. Spring streams of brownish-yellow color become crystal clear by summer. The water warms up quickly in summer and attracts those who want to swim. The autumn waterfall again regains its abundance of water, which is constrained by frost. But under the top layer of ice the water continues to flow.
It got its name from a Finnish village located nearby: Yukankotu - which means “yucca estate”. The name of the waterfall means “yucca threshold”. At the end of the 20th century. The local population renamed the waterfall in their own way, calling it “white bridges.” The Finns who lived in these parts built roads and bridges from white stone; the ruins of these structures can still be seen.
The waterfall is located far from populated areas (the nearest village of Leppäsilta is 13 km away); you can reach it along a narrow forest road by car or on foot. For this reason, the Jukankoski rapids is a place rarely visited by tourists, but this is also its advantage.
The absence of human habitation makes it possible for animals to exist in the forests, which can be found if you behave carefully. Since 1999, the White Bridges hydrological park-reserve has been created on the territory adjacent to the waterfall. On an area of 88 hectares, the ecosystems of the Northern Ladoga region are preserved in their natural state.
In 2017, construction of the road and improvement of the surrounding area began.
Rymäkoski Waterfall
Rymäkoski translates as “thundering, noisy.” The water falls from a height of 6-7 m. In ancient times, there was a water mill in this place. In the 1930s The Finns built a power plant on the doorstep to supply small settlements in the area, primarily the village of Ruskeala. 
During the war, the hydroelectric power station at Rymäkoski was destroyed until the 2010s. was in ruins. The picturesque waterfall was available for free visits. Due to the lack of a good access road, the place was not crowded. Downstream after the waterfall, a small lake with rocky shores forms.
In 2013, the restored hydroelectric power station started working again. The station is small and operates automatically. It is now impossible to approach the dam and you have to admire the waterfall from a distance. A plus was the paved asphalt road.
Ruskeala Marble Canyon: description, location on the map
Karelia (Ruskeala), the Marble Quarry and the waterfalls of the republic are included in the Tourist Complex “Mountain Park “Ruskeala”, located 30 km north of the city of Sortavala.
The basis of the unique man-made-natural landscape monument was marble quarries. The “main” quarry has been registered as a cultural and historical monument by Decree of the Government of Karelia since 1998. 
Tohmajoki is a river on the banks of which there are quarries; the name is translated from Finnish as “bad, mad” due to its difficult, seething character and numerous rapids. The local name of the river is Ruskolka, which means “brown”.
The water in it is dark in color due to its high iron content. Despite this proximity, the Ruskeala quarries are filled with the purest emerald blue water, the transparency of which reaches 15-18 m.
The quarries are fed by groundwater; there is no vegetation at the bottom. The main quarry extends 460 m from north to south, the width reaches 100 m. Height - depth is more than 50 m: the distance from the highest point of the “side” to the bottom of the quarry. 
The deposit was formed as a result of violent tectonic activity, which was smoothed by the last glacier “rolling like a skating rink” across Karelia, which happened approximately 12 thousand years ago:
The marble quarry is open to the public all year round and is part of the Blue Road tourist route. In the summer, tourists have the opportunity to take a boat and look at the steep marble rocks from the water surface of the lake, explore the numerous grottoes and caves located at the border with the surface of the water.
Extreme lovers have a chance to get a dose of adrenaline by flying on a cable over the quarry, or descending into the “Ruskeala Gap”. The flow of tourists from Russia and neighboring Finland is growing every year. 
The park organizes festive performances, laser and fire show programs. Everyone who comes to Ruskeala simply enjoys communicating with the unique nature of Karelia: coniferous forests, lakes and stones.
How to get there: tours from tour operators, prices
It is possible to organize an independent trip to Karelia using your own vehicles. In this case, tourists freely manage their time and decide on their own issues of overnight accommodation and excursion services.
In the absence of personal vehicles, it is possible to get to Sortavala by electric train from the Ladoga station or by regular bus (minibus). There are buses from Sortavala to Ruskeala.
Many people prefer a comfortable trip accompanied by a guide. Many tour operators in St. Petersburg offer one-day and two-day tours to the Ruskeala Mountain Park.
Standard day trip itinerary:
- collection and boarding the bus at 6 -15 (the collection point can be different, usually the city center near metro stations, or the metro at the exit of the city towards Priozersk), seating is free;
- sightseeing tour of the city and highway;
- 9 -30 - visit to the 14th century fortress. Korela in Priozersk;
- 13-30 – lunch in one of the villages along the highway to Sortavala (additional payment);
- 14-30 – arrival at the Mountain Park (excursion with a local guide);
- Free time - excursions and spending time as desired (visiting the “Underground Route” - optional, additional payment 1320 rubles, boating);
- 17-00 – stop near the Ruskeala plain waterfalls;
- 18-00 – excursion around the city of Sortavala, visit to the Ladoga Museum (cost 100 rubles);
- visiting a trout farm, buying fish (optional);
- upon completion - return to St. Petersburg (approximately 23-30 near the Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro station)
The cost of such tours ranges from 1,700 to 2,400 rubles. Travel times may also vary.
Hotels
Those wishing to visit Karelian attractions have a large selection of hotels, guest houses, cottages both in the very regional center of Sortavala and in nearby villages. 
In addition, many amateurs pitch tents on the banks of numerous lakes and rivers. In this case, only mosquitoes, of which there are a great many in these parts, can interfere with your rest. Hotel prices vary from quite reasonable to high if the hotel level is high. The table provides a small list of possible placements.
| The name of the hotel | address | Prices, from rub./night |
| Hotel Piipun Piha | Sortavala, st. Industrial - 44 | 3999 |
| Sofia Hotel | Sortavala, st. Gagarin - 15 | 1299 |
| Hotel Scandinavia | Sortavala, st. Sadovaya - 28 | 1599 |
| Hotel Seurahuone | Sortavala, st. Karelian — 22 | 2499 |
| Hotel Sortavala | Sortavala, st. Karelian — 35 | 3099 |
| Guest House Father Vasily | Pos. Rantue -11a | 2799 |
| Guest house Jakkimaa | Pos. Lahdenpokhya, st. Malinovsky - 1 | 2399 |
| Recreation center Khutor Yarvi | Sortavala highway 22 km | 2199 |
| Hotel Ladoga Estate **** | Sortavala, st. Ozernaya - 1 | 23590 |
How to rent a house in Ruskeala?
Finding housing in Ruskeala, in close proximity to the quarry and waterfalls, is not difficult. The place is popular with tourists, so local residents and various organizations use the opportunity to make money by renting out cottages. 
You can choose a suitable house (depending on the number of vacationers and the purpose of your visit) on websites on the Internet. The cost of housing is indicated per day and varies from 1 thousand rubles. up to 6-7 thousand rubles. The cottages are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay: sleeping places, showers, saunas, internet, television.
Larger cottages with additional equipment and amenities are rented at a higher price of 10-12 thousand rubles. per day.
What can a tourist do in Ruskeala?
Karelia (Ruskeala), Marble Quarry and waterfalls are places where all conditions for a positive holiday are created.
Everyone can organize their time in accordance with their interests and capabilities:
Karelia is a mysterious northern region, where hardworking, taciturn people have long lived, inextricably linked with fantastically beautiful nature, who conquered the harsh Ladoga, built cities on the rocks, created the fabulous epic Kalevala, who know how to protect and preserve their land.
The marble quarry in Ruskeala, the frantic power of the roaring waterfall will forever remain in the memory of everyone who finds themselves in these parts.
Article format: Vladimir the Great
Video about Ruskeala
5 reasons to visit Ruskeala City Park:
Today I want to talk about how we visited Karelia during a one-day trip by car. During the day we managed to explore the marble canyon of Ruskeala and a small waterfall located nearby.
Distance from the center of St. Petersburg to Ruskeala: about 312 km
Walking distance: about 3 km
Ruskeala marble canyon coordinates: 61°56"40.0"N 30°34"52.6"E
Entrance fee to Ruskeala mountain park: 200 rubles per adult (2016).
We left at 5 am from St. Petersburg and returned late in the evening. The total mileage was about 650 km. You can get to Karelia by two routes: along the Murmansk highway and along the Novopriozersky highway (Sortavala highway). Depending on where you are going, choose the right route. This time we moved towards Sortavala, it was more convenient for us to go along Novopriozerka. The Sortavala highway has not yet been completely rebuilt, and there are some unpleasant parts - very dusty gravel. Unexpected pits may occur, although a grader sometimes passes there. I recommend keeping your distance, because due to the dust (when it’s dry) you can’t see anything from the car in front.
Ahvenkoski Waterfall
So, 300 kilometers of the way are behind, and we finally got to the village of Ruskeala. The beautiful Tokhmajoki River flows here, which is divided into several branches and falls down with picturesque waterfalls. This landscape is complemented by a coniferous forest. It’s not for nothing that the films “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” and “The Dark World” were filmed in this place. Many tourists stop here, as the waterfall is very accessible and visible from the highway. Some swim directly in the waterfall. There are souvenir shops nearby, you can also have a snack in a cafe or relax in the gazebo.
Ruskeala Mountain Park
We get into the car again and drive a little to the Ruskeala mountain park. This is the most beautiful place in the vicinity of Sortavala. Since the park is landscaped, you have to walk strictly along a route specially laid out for tourists: along the paths. But here it is clean and tidy.
Ruskeala (Finnish “brown” - a former quarry, a marble quarry, which arose during the reign of Catherine II, in 1765. Marble of four colors was mined here! Marble from these quarries was used in the construction of the main attractions of St. Petersburg - the floor of the Kazan Cathedral, cladding St. Isaac's Cathedral, window sills of the Hermitage, lining of some St. Petersburg subway stations.Numerous adits of the quarry were flooded after the Great Patriotic War.Now the quarry is almost the most popular tourist attraction in Karelia.
Main attractions of the park:
- Of course, the marble quarry itself is now a beautiful lake;
- The ruins of a marble factory, which we did not go to;
- Ruskeala failure, which deserves a separate article;
- Adits;
- Italian quarry
You can walk around the park on your own or as part of an organized excursion. We did not use the services of a guide.
For clarity, I would like to present a map that I found on the Internet:
I have so many photos of the quarry itself that I can’t choose just a couple for this article. Hang in there, there will be a lot of them!
You can rent a boat and look at the surrounding beauty from the water. Unfortunately, we were not able to take advantage of this opportunity: all boats were booked for the whole day.
Me against the backdrop of a quarry with a bouquet of daisies:
Oh, these rocks! The landscapes are simply amazing. This must be seen live!
The color of the water is simply amazing.
You can try yourself in extreme entertainment:
On the way back, having already covered about half the way back to St. Petersburg, we stopped for a small picnic. We chose a cozy forest clearing surrounded by coniferous trees. After having a snack, we moved on. From the road we noticed a picturesque field:
The main attraction of Karelia is the nature that surrounds you as soon as you enter the republic. North Karelia is beautiful, it has its own special natural landscape. Even an ordinary field looks beautiful here. Or maybe I just love these places and see something unusual in every bush... We took pictures with haystacks:
Nearby we noticed a lake and photogenic mopeds:
Well, now it’s time to go home to St. Petersburg... Never mind, there will be a new trip! 🙂
Karelia is famous not only for its marble quarry, but also for many other attractions. Several years have passed since this photo story was written, during which we became even more familiar with the republic. New stories are waiting for you soon, including a 12-hour hike to Besov Nos. It will be interesting!
Karelia is a place where you can see pristine nature and enjoy the beauty of the Ruskeala waterfalls and the Marble Canyon. Read about this in the article.
Karelia
This region is called the country of numerous lakes and rivers, the pearl of the Russian North. Karelia, with its relict forests and bottomless lakes, attracts beauty lovers.
Here the lakes are blue, the rivers are rapids, and the rocks are harsh. Nature is characterized by untouched purity. The Marble Canyon and Ruskeala Waterfalls, which are a nature reserve and custodian of folk art and antiquity, evoke admiration.
Ruskeala park
It is a natural landmark of Karelia. Translated from Finnish it means “brown or brown rock.” The location of the Ruskeala mountain park is in the vicinity of the village of the same name. The center of the composition is the Marble Canyon, which is currently a natural monument and cultural heritage of the country.
The canyon is four hundred and sixty meters long and up to one hundred meters wide. The depth in some places is more than fifty meters. The quarry is filled with groundwater, the transparency of which reaches fifteen to eighteen meters.
In addition to the Marble Canyon, there are other interesting places in the park that can be approached along paved paths. The park is equipped with observation decks, lighting, and rope slides. There are signs everywhere so that tourists don't get lost. It's always clean and well maintained here.
History of the formation of Marble Canyon
Ruskeala is a village in the Sortavala region of Karelia. Its history begins at the beginning of the sixteenth century, when the Swedes were engaged in marble mining. After the annexation of the lands to Russia, at the end of the Northern War, all work was suspended. But the St. Petersburg palaces needed to be decorated; marble was required. Its mining resumed in the second half of the eighteenth century.
St. Isaac's Cathedral and St. Michael's Castle are decorated with Ruskeala marble. Later they were used to line the Primorskaya and Ladozhskaya metro stations. The beginning of the twentieth century was marked by the war with the Finns. When they left our country, the marble quarries were flooded. These places were no longer used for industrial purposes. Tourists did not visit them either.
How was the mountain park created?
The beginning of the nineties is the second birth of Ruskeala. One of the private companies took it upon itself to equip a marble quarry for a tourist complex. Here they began to lay routes, build hotels, and parking lots for cars. Experts have developed programs for excursions and leisure activities for future tourists. This is how the Ruskeala mountain park was created - a favorite vacation spot for tourists from various parts of Russia.
Marble Canyon
The Marble Canyon and Ruskeala Waterfalls are a landmark of Karelia. The canyon is clearly visible from the entrance to the park. The spectacle surprises with its beauty. The rugged shores are framed by sheer gray-white marble cliffs that drop straight into crystal clear turquoise water, similar to the Northern Lights.
Currently, only one mine remains unflooded. It is clearly visible from above if you climb the hiking trail. It can be seen if you take a trip around the lake. Using a boat, you can get to any place, and even swim under the rocks. The park can be visited at any time of the year, only the schedule changes. In winter, the water in the canyon is covered with ice. As soon as darkness sets in, the artistic lighting turns on. The canyon is extremely beautiful at this time; it glows with bright colors of different shades.
The Tokhmajoki River is distinguished by many waterfalls and steep rapids. There are three waterfalls in the Ruskeala complex. The largest and most beautiful waterfall is Akhvenkoski. It is called the Okunev rapids or the waterfall at three bridges. The banks of the river bed where the waterfall discharges its waters are rocky. But there is a small area with a sandy shore. It is used by tourists as a beach.
Driving along the highway, the banks of the river overgrown with pine and spruce trees are clearly visible. This is an impressive sight. There is car parking, gazebos for relaxation, and shops selling souvenirs.
If you go down the river, you can see the Rymäkoski waterfall. It is difficult to get to it, so tourists go to see the beauty on foot. This waterfall is the remains of a Finnish hydroelectric power station. There is another waterfall in the village of Ruskeala. The noise and splashes of foaming water spread throughout the area.
Ruskeala waterfalls got their name from the village located next to them. The waterfalls are powerful, full-flowing, with rapids up to three to four meters high. They are characterized as flat. Ruskeala waterfalls are famous for the fact that such a box-office film as “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” was filmed in these places. The film "The Dark World" was also filmed here.
Tourists admire the Ruskeala waterfalls from the observation deck. But if you cross the river on the bridge and go deeper into the forest, you can see the waterfalls on the other side. The natural beauty is simply mesmerizing.
Tohmajoki freezes in December, but the waterfalls continue to live until February. Ruskeala waterfalls are beautiful in winter: cascading streams of red water hit the rocks with force. Foam spray freezes into icicles on tree branches. Peat water resembles silky hair braided. Looking at the water, the soul is cleansed, as if bells are ringing or a fire is burning, the sparks of which pierce the heart.
How to get from St. Petersburg to the city of Sortavala?
Ruskeala waterfalls and the Marble Canyon of Sortavala can be visited by car, regular bus or minibus. The distance from the cultural capital of the country to the city of Sortavala is three hundred kilometers. From here to Ruskeala - thirty. The entire journey takes up to four and a half hours.
If you want to visit the Ruskeala waterfalls, how to get there, read the article. Traveling by car is the most common form of transport. First you need to get to the city of Priozersk, following the highway of the same name. Then turn onto highway A-129 and get to the city of Sortavala. From here follow the A-130 highway to Vyartsilya, from where the road leads directly to the village of Ruskeala. Travel time from the city of Sortavala takes twenty minutes.
If for some reason traveling by private car does not suit you, you can take a regular bus, which departs every day at ten o’clock in the morning from the Devyatkino metro station. People go back to St. Petersburg by the same bus, which departs from the city of Sortavala at sixteen o'clock. Flights are daily. If you have the funds, you can go on a trip by minibus. Flights are daily. Stop any taxi, negotiate a price, and off you go.
