Difference between revisions of "Balaam"

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(Create this article by translation with language model (gpt 4.1) from hitchwiki original language: ru Валаам)
 
m (Create this article by translation with language model (gpt 4.1) from hitchwiki original language: ru Валаам)
 
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{{infobox Location
 
{{infobox Location
 
|country = Russia
 
|country = Russia
|map = <map lat='61.388889' lng='30.956944' zoom='9' view='0' />
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|map = <map lat='61.3833' lng='30.9333' zoom='9' view='0' />
 
|pop =  
 
|pop =  
 
|state = Karelia
 
|state = Karelia
 
|motorways =  
 
|motorways =  
 
}}
 
}}
'''Valaam''' (Karelian: Valamoi, Finnish: Valamo "high, mountainous land") is an island in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, in the southwest of [[Karelia]], [[Russia]], and the largest in the Valaam archipelago. The island hosts the village of Valaam and the famous Valaam Stauropegic Monastery.  
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'''Valaam''' (Karelian: Valamoi, Finnish: Valamo "high, mountainous land") is an island in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, in the southwest of [[Karelia]], [[Russia]], the largest in the Valaam Archipelago. The island is home to the settlement of Valaam, which is part of the [[Sortavala]] urban settlement, and a monument of Russian architecture—the Valaam Stavropegial Monastery.
  
Getting to Valaam by hitchhiking is extremely difficult as it is an island. In ''some'' (but not all) winters, there is a winter ice road from [[Sortavala]] to Valaam, which makes hitchhiking possible. If you want to try, pay attention to ice conditions and local news. In summer, you could theoretically attempt to reach the island with personal watercraft, but the precautions are the same—if anything goes wrong, you won't be the first to drown there.
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== Hitchhiking out ==
 +
Getting here by hitchhiking in the literal sense is difficult, because this is an island.  
 +
However, in ''some'' (read: not all) winters, there is an ice road from [[Sortavala]] to [[Valaam]], which you can hitchhike on if it exists. If you attempt this, follow the ice situation and the news closely. In summer, one could try to use a personal watercraft—precautions apply as well; if anything goes wrong, you won't be the first to drown there.
  
Other (paid) ways to reach the island:
+
Other (paid) ways to get to the island:
* Cruise and regular boats go to the island from [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Priozersk]], and [[Sortavala]].
+
* Cruise and regular boats run from [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Priozersk]], and [[Sortavala]] to the island.
 
* In winter, there is a hovercraft and a helicopter from [[Sortavala]].
 
* In winter, there is a hovercraft and a helicopter from [[Sortavala]].
* In winter, it is possible to reach the island on skis from [[Lakhdenpokhya]], [[Sortavala]], or Uuksu. However, be careful about the weather—Lake Ladoga can be as harsh as the Arctic in winter.
+
* In winter, it is also possible to reach the island on skis from [[Lakhdenpokhya]], [[Sortavala]], or Uuksu. However, keep in mind the weather—Lake Ladoga in winter can sometimes be as harsh as the far Arctic.
 
 
== Hitchhiking out ==
 
Getting off the island by hitchhiking is as difficult as getting to it. During winters with an ice road, return is possible by hitchhiking the same way. Otherwise, only paid transport options exist.
 
  
 
== Hitchhiking in ==
 
== Hitchhiking in ==
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== Accommodation and Sleep ==
 
== Accommodation and Sleep ==
There is a pilgrim hotel on the island, but it is paid under normal circumstances, especially during warm seasons when there are many visitors. However, in winter, adventurous travelers who make it to the island across the ice have sometimes received the blessing of the monks, which means free accommodation and even excursions.  
+
There is a hotel for pilgrims on the island, which is usually paid. It is difficult to stay for free, especially in the warm season, due to demand. In winter, however, crazed travelers who manage to cross the ice may sometimes receive the blessing of the monks, which could include full board and excursions.  
Camping in tents is discouraged by the monastery, with varying success.
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Camping is discouraged by the monastery in summer; their level of success against campers is currently unknown.
  
 
== Other useful info ==
 
== Other useful info ==
* [https://ru.wikivoyage.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B0%D0%BC Wikivoyage page]
 
* [https://vk.com/prioz_prichal "Valaam Pier" in Priozersk - VK group] with boat schedules
 
* [https://travel.yandex.ru/journal/ostrov-valaam-marshruty-kruizy-klimat/ Valaam travel guide, map, cruises, winter access]
 
* [https://travelask.ru/russia/valaam TravelAsk portal page]
 
* [https://valaam.ru/publishing/183946/ Mobile app]
 
* Add links to online travel guides!
 
 
=== Useful Telegram links ===
 
* [https://t.me/valaam Valaam Monastery]
 
* [https://t.me/valaamgeo Valaam Chat]
 
* [https://t.me/valaamcom Valaam Pilgrim]
 
* Add more useful links for visitors/travelers!
 
  
 
[[Category:Russia]]
 
[[Category:Russia]]
 
[[Category:Karelia]]
 
[[Category:Karelia]]
 
{{IsIn|Karelia}}
 
{{IsIn|Karelia}}

Latest revision as of 20:49, 24 April 2025

Dall-e 3 (jan '24) artificial intelligence icon.png Due to latest advancements in language models this article could be translated from its original language into English. Still - as with any other articles - its correctness and up-to-datedness have to be confirmed. If you visited this place or are a local and could verify the present information, please remove this tag. Otherwise, you have the chance to correct this article!
Balaam
<map lat='61.3833' lng='30.9333' zoom='9' view='0' />
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State: Karelia
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Valaam (Karelian: Valamoi, Finnish: Valamo "high, mountainous land") is an island in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, in the southwest of Karelia, Russia, the largest in the Valaam Archipelago. The island is home to the settlement of Valaam, which is part of the Sortavala urban settlement, and a monument of Russian architecture—the Valaam Stavropegial Monastery.

Hitchhiking out

Getting here by hitchhiking in the literal sense is difficult, because this is an island. However, in some (read: not all) winters, there is an ice road from Sortavala to Valaam, which you can hitchhike on if it exists. If you attempt this, follow the ice situation and the news closely. In summer, one could try to use a personal watercraft—precautions apply as well; if anything goes wrong, you won't be the first to drown there.

Other (paid) ways to get to the island:

  • Cruise and regular boats run from Saint Petersburg, Priozersk, and Sortavala to the island.
  • In winter, there is a hovercraft and a helicopter from Sortavala.
  • In winter, it is also possible to reach the island on skis from Lakhdenpokhya, Sortavala, or Uuksu. However, keep in mind the weather—Lake Ladoga in winter can sometimes be as harsh as the far Arctic.

Hitchhiking in

Places to avoid

Accommodation and Sleep

There is a hotel for pilgrims on the island, which is usually paid. It is difficult to stay for free, especially in the warm season, due to demand. In winter, however, crazed travelers who manage to cross the ice may sometimes receive the blessing of the monks, which could include full board and excursions. Camping is discouraged by the monastery in summer; their level of success against campers is currently unknown.

Other useful info