Baranovo on the northern shore of Lake Lukoma

• Baranovo lies on the northern shore of Lake Lukoma.
• On the lake at the southwestern edge of the village is a settlement site dating from the 11th to the 13th century.
• Nearby Rikon Ranch offers farm tours for children and adults in three excursion options.

The two lakes provide different geographical reference points: Lake Lukoma marks Baranovo’s location on the northern shore, while the historical settlement site is located at the southwestern edge of the village, by Lake Baranovets. This helps distinguish the village’s location from the historical site without presenting them as a single excursion destination.

Rikon Ranch is an attraction near the village. Its farm tours are for children and adults, with three excursion options to choose from. If you plan to visit, confirm current availability directly with the operator.

Beyond Baranovo, Leningrad Oblast offers other regional nature attractions. Vepsian Forest Nature Park lies in the far east of the oblast and includes seven nature reserves with especially strict protection regulations. The park has numerous lakes; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye, in the reserve of the same name.

Notable natural features include preserved old spruce and pine forests in the “Vepsian Forest” and “Ashchozyorski” reserves. These are important for numerous organisms that can survive only in forests undisturbed by economic activity. Brown bears are found in significant numbers in the nature park; the wolverine, which is extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded. These details describe the park’s wildlife, not a sighting visitors can plan on.

The region’s culture is also connected with the nature park: the Veps, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived there.

Koporye Fortress is a museum and a monument of ancient Russian stone architecture. It has been preserved in its present form since the 16th century; parts of the masonry date from the 13th century. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because they are in an emergency condition. A visit without a guide is possible with the multimedia guide “Koporskaya Krepost 2.0”; check whether this option is available before planning your visit.

A regional description dated December 24, 2019, mentions ecological routes in seven protected areas of regional significance. They were intended for independent visits and equipped with information materials and various visitor facilities. Check the current conditions before planning a route.

The loop trail at the “Toksovskie Vysoty” natural monument passes over sand hills and through hollows, as well as old spruce and pine forests. In the “Gryada Varyamyanselkya” protected area in Priozersk District, a cycling route crosses a landscape of lakes, marshes, and dry old-growth pine forest. The descriptions of these two routes date from 2019; check their current status before planning a visit.

Another regional example is the Ladva Trail: it leads to glacially shaped terrain, middle-taiga vegetation, and the Vepsian village of Ladva, as well as Lake Ladva in Podporozhye District. Near the settlement of Kurba in the same district, an ecological trail runs alongside lakes in Vepsian Forest Nature Park; here too, check the current route conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Voznesenye, Issad, Michurinskoye, Tikhvin, Staraya Sloboda, Sosnovo, Staraya Ladoga, Berezhki.

Where is Baranovo?

Baranovo lies on the northern shore of Lake Lukoma.

What does Rikon Ranch near Baranovo offer?

The ranch offers farm tours for children and adults in three excursion options. Check current availability with the operator in advance.

What should you know before visiting Koporye Fortress?

The fortress is a museum and a monument of ancient Russian stone architecture. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because they are in an emergency condition. A multimedia guide is available for visits without a guide; confirm its current availability before planning your visit.

See the regional travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.