Okulovsky District: Lakes, Culture and Excursions

• Okulovsky District has around 200 lakes of varying sizes: some are bordered by pine forests, others lie among dense forests or in open terrain.
• The Borovno hydroelectric power station is a valuable natural, hydraulic engineering and industrial monument in the district, as well as a cultural heritage site in Novgorod Oblast.
• The one-day bus tours “Okulovskimi tropami istorii” are organized for groups of 15 to 25 people aged ten and over.
• The Okulovsky canoe slalom course has a children’s section, a training section and a main section with a difficulty rating of five.

The roughly 200 lakes do not all share the same setting. Some are bordered by pine forests, while others lie among dense woodland or extend across open terrain. Their sizes also vary. The approximate number gives you a sense of the lake landscape; your interests may also make it important to consider whether you prefer a wooded or open setting. The different descriptions show how the character of the landscape changes from lake to lake.

The Borovno hydroelectric power station is designated as a monument combining natural, hydraulic engineering and industrial history. It is also a cultural heritage site in Novgorod Oblast. The Okulovsky Local History Museum offers a different focus: its main exhibition is devoted to the traveler Nikolay Miklukho-Maklay, who was born in this area. These are two distinct ways to explore the area: a hydraulic engineering and industrial monument, and the story of a well-known traveler.

The museum also lists a walking tour of the town entitled “Nash gorod,nam dorog.” For your planning, the walking tour is a separate option from the bus excursions. If you would like to include it, ask the museum about current availability.

The listed itineraries for the one-day bus tours “Okulovskimi tropami istorii” differ in their stops. One route goes from Okulovka via Likhaya Krucha and the “Baldazary” hills, then returns to Okulovka. The other goes from Okulovka via the hydroelectric power station, Pogost, Gorneshno and Gory, then returns. You can compare the routes by their listed stops. The tours are organized for groups of 15 to 25 people aged ten and over; confirm current arrangements with the tour operator in advance.

The Okulovsky District Museum also lists a bus excursion to the source of Saint Seraphim of Sarov at the holy spring “Kresty.” Ask the museum whether this excursion is currently available. The Okulovsky Local History Museum also lists the bus excursion “Puteshestvie po Biankovskim mestam” on the Okulovka–Borovno–Okulovka route. For this museum bus tour, too, check availability directly with the museum.

Other bus trips listed by the Okulovsky Local History Museum include a circular route to “Strana Div” and a local history excursion on the Okulovka–Kulotino–Boevo–Opechek–Okulovka route. These are different types of itineraries: a circular route to “Strana Div” and a route that passes through several named places. Ask the museum about current dates.

The Okulovsky canoe slalom course has a children’s section, a training section and a main section. The main section is rated difficulty level five and hosts all-Russian competitions. The three types of sections and the main section’s rating can help you understand the facility’s stated purpose. If you are planning a visit for a competition, confirm the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Sukhoye, Chudovsky District, Malovisherskiy rayon, Valdaysky District, Marevskiy rayon, Starorusskiy rayon, Khvoyninskiy rayon and Krestetskiy rayon.

How large are the groups on the one-day bus tours?

The “Okulovskimi tropami istorii” tours are organized for groups of 15 to 25 people aged ten and over. Confirm current arrangements with the tour operator in advance.

Which places are connected by the route via the hydroelectric power station?

The listed route goes from Okulovka via the hydroelectric power station, Pogost, Gorneshno and Gory, then returns to Okulovka.

What sections does the canoe slalom course have?

It has a children’s section, a training section and a main section. The main section is rated difficulty level five.

Go to the main travel overview: Novgorod Oblast.