Great Valdai Trail

Valdai National Park in Novgorod Oblast protects a hilly country of lakes, rivers and forest, and the Great Valdai Trail crosses it on foot for 77 km. The route passes spruce forest carpeted with green moss, broadleaf woods and pine stands, rivers dammed by beavers, blue lakes and bogs, and it crosses the Polomet, the largest and in places rapid river of the park, on a suspension bridge.

Seven base camps with shelters, tables, washbasins, toilets, rubbish bins and fire pits are spaced along the way for overnight stays, and two springs provide water. An observation tower stands on Ryzhokha, the highest point of the park.

Valdai National Park gives five to seven days for the trail and recommends visiting from May to November, asking walkers to check with park staff before setting out in October or November. Visitors pay a park entry fee and a one-off charge for the base camps, fill in a traveller's registration form, and groups must inform the Russian emergencies ministry ten days in advance.