Vyborgsky District: Water Route, Birdlife and Dunes

• The “Rakovye Lakes” water route operates from July 16 until the lakes freeze over. From April 1 through July 15, visits to the nature reserve are restricted.
• The Rakovye Lakes are home to 228 bird species; the area is an Important Bird Area in Russia.
• Bukhta Zhyoltaya includes old and modern dunes, various types of marshland, waterlogged depressions and historic landscapes considered cultural heritage.

The season is key when planning your visit: the water route operates from July 16 until the lakes freeze over. Visits to the nature reserve are restricted from April 1 through July 15. Check the current rules and conditions before your trip.

The route starts at a pier on Lake Okhotnichye. From there, it follows the right-hand branch of the Dolgunets stream to Lake Bolshoye Rakovoye. It ends at a pier near the environmental education center. The route can therefore be easily traced by its waterways and endpoint.

After the lakes became shallower and overgrown, they developed into habitats and stopover sites for waterbirds and other water-dependent birds on migration. The presence of 228 bird species and the area’s designation as an Important Bird Area in Russia reflect its significance for birdlife.

The historical context is also noteworthy: at the beginning of the 20th century, the lakes were considered Finland’s most famous bird lakes. This statement refers to their reputation at the time; it does not describe their current level of fame. Those interested in wetlands and bird migration will find both an ecological and a historical perspective on the lakes here.

The Bukhta Zhyoltaya natural monument brings together old and modern dunes with various types of marshland. Waterlogged depressions lie between the dune ridges; the area also includes historic landscapes considered cultural heritage. This combination differs clearly from the water-focused character of the route and offers a second way to experience nature in Vyborgsky District.

The Vepsian Forest Nature Park lies in the far east of Leningrad Oblast. It includes seven protected areas with particularly strict conservation rules. The park has numerous lakes; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye in the reserve of the same name. Preserved old spruce and pine forests in the “Vepsskiy les” and “Ashchozyorskiy” reserves are important for numerous organisms that can survive only in forests undisturbed by economic activity.

The wildlife and culture of Vepsian Forest Nature Park also shape this regional contrast. Brown bears are found there in greater numbers; the wolverine, extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded. Wildlife sightings are therefore not guaranteed. The Veps have traditionally lived in the nature park; they are a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions.

Another cultural site in the region is Koporye Fortress in Leningrad Oblast. It is a museum and a monument to ancient Russian stone architecture. It has survived in its present form since the 16th century, while parts of the masonry date back to the 13th century. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because of their emergency condition. A museum page describes a visit without a guide using the “Koporskaya krepost 2.0” multimedia guide; check its availability when planning your visit.

If you would like to compare more places, you can also explore Pribylovo.

Discover more destinations: Lotoshinsky District, Priozerskiy District, Vsevolozhsky District, Vyborg District, Kingiseppsky District, Priozerskiy District, Podporozhskiy District.

When does the “Rakovye Lakes” water route operate?

It operates from July 16 until the lakes freeze over. From April 1 through July 15, visits to the nature reserve are restricted. Check the current rules before your trip.

Where does the water route end?

It ends at a pier near the environmental education center, after following the right-hand branch of the Dolgunets stream to Lake Bolshoye Rakovoye.

What characterizes Bukhta Zhyoltaya?

The natural monument includes old and modern dunes, various types of marshland, waterlogged depressions between dune ridges and historic landscapes considered cultural heritage.

For the wider travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.