Balaam

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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, and the largest in the Valaam archipelago. The island hosts the village of Valaam and the famous Valaam Stauropegic Monastery.

Balaam
<map lat='61.388889' lng='30.956944' zoom='9' view='0' />
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Information
Country:	Russia
State:	Karelia
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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.

Other (paid) ways to reach the island:

• Cruise and regular boats go to the island from Saint Petersburg, Priozersk, and 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.

Contents

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.

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. Camping in tents is discouraged by the monastery, with varying success.

Other useful info

• Wikivoyage page
• "Valaam Pier" in Priozersk - VK group with boat schedules
• Valaam travel guide, map, cruises, winter access
• TravelAsk portal page
• Mobile app
• Add links to online travel guides!

Useful Telegram links

• Valaam Monastery
• Valaam Chat
• Valaam Pilgrim
• Add more useful links for visitors/travelers!