Lake Region: What to See in Karelia in Summer

The classic chain of associations goes like this: Karelia – north – winter. It seems like a story only about harsh mountains and rocks, snow-covered tree branches, and the northern lights. But with the change of season, the lake region transforms and blossoms, and such beauty must be seen with your own eyes. We tell you where to go in Karelia in summer.

Weather in Karelia in Summer

The epithet "changeable," characteristic of Karelian winter, remains relevant in summer. You can never guess in advance what the new day will bring. If in other regions you can check the weather forecast for a week and roughly imagine what wardrobe will be needed for the trip, in Karelia the planning horizon is 2-3 days. It will definitely rain, the sun will definitely shine, and these episodes will definitely alternate throughout the day. Well, at least the rains are not prolonged, but rather short showers.

The summer tourist season in the Republic of Karelia starts in late May and lasts until the end of September. The air in May warms up to 15°C, in June – up to +20°C. July is considered the warmest month, when the temperature outside averages +22°C, although in recent years periods of abnormal heat have become more frequent. The water in the lakes does not warm above +18°C, so swimming is at your own risk. But the White Sea in July and August can even be considered warm – up to +25-26°C.

A feature of the area is its high humidity. But it is in May and June that it is the lowest all year (hooray!). Nevertheless, it's best to always keep an umbrella handy, no matter which part of the region you find yourself in. And we talked about how to get to Karelia here. In summer, the situation is similar – by plane, train, bus, car.

What to See in Karelia in Summer

A summer vacation in Karelia inevitably means encountering insects, so be sure to bring mosquito and midge repellents, as well as closed clothing to protect against tick bites. Even in summer, a waterproof windbreaker, comfortable trousers, and possibly a sweater or hoodie will come in handy. Because you definitely won't want to freeze while exploring local attractions. The entire "winter" list of locations remains relevant, but for summer, we'll add a few more interesting spots.

Solovki

You can only get here in summer, which is why the islands are at the top of our list. There are two ways to get to Solovki.

First – by train:

• get to Kem station,
• get to the pier in Rabocheostrovsk village,
• sail by boat or motorboat to the Solovetsky Islands.

Navigation lasts from June 1 to September 20.

Second – by plane:

• take tickets Moscow – Arkhangelsk,
• fly to Solovki from Vaskovo airport.

Flights are operated by "2AOAO" airline on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

The main attraction on the islands is the Solovetsky Monastery with the Transfiguration Cathedral, founded in the 15th century. Peter I visited here twice, the British shelled the fortress during the Crimean War (surprisingly!), and in Soviet times, a correctional labor camp was located on its territory.

In summer, on Solovki, you should definitely go to Beluzhiy Cape and watch belugas directly from the shore. Here, the whales have a kind of "kindergarten" where they teach their calves ocean survival. Where else can you see something like that?

Ladoga Skerries

A large archipelago off the shores of Lake Ladoga. It consists of 650 small rocky islands, resembling Norwegian fjords (the word "skerry" is, in fact, borrowed from Norwegian). They owe their whimsical shape to a giant glacier that passed through these places thousands of years ago. Although the islands can be reached in winter, in summer it's especially great to kayak, boat, or SUP-surf through the narrow straits. And if you bring a tent, it's worth staying until morning to meet a fabulous sunrise.

How to get to Ladoga Skerries:

• by private car : just type "Beryozovo" into your navigator and drive along highway A121;
• by electric train: from Finlyandsky railway station to Kuznechnoye station, then by taxi to Beryozovo village;
• by bus: from Murino bus station to Sortavala. You can get off in Priozersk or Lakhdenpokhya – here the lake coast is already cut by islets.

Eco-park "Valley of Waterfalls"

A place for those who want "everything at once." Firstly, it's beautiful here: the park is located in the Lakhdenpokhya district, 5 km from Ikhala village, and offers several panoramic routes along rivers and waterfalls. Secondly, it's convenient: all trails are equipped with boardwalks and stairs with handrails. Thirdly, it's educational: on the territory there is a Karelian cuisine cafe, the "Ancient Karelia" museum, a water mill, a suspension bridge, and a forge. You can also feed deer and go dog trekking.

How to get there:

• by car : along the M18 "Kola" highway towards Sortavala to the 198 km mark. Immediately after the bridge over the Iijoki River, there will be a sign "Lumivaara 11 km". Here, turn right and drive another 1.5 km.
• by car from Sortavala: drive towards St. Petersburg, pass Lakhdenpokhya, reach the "Lumivaara 11 km" sign, but do not cross the river and turn left. 1.5 km and you are there.

Onega Petroglyphs

Want to touch the true legacy of primitive tribes? The rock carvings, which history textbooks told about, look at tourists directly from the stone surface here. In winter, they are covered by snow, but in summer, nothing prevents you from seeing the drawings and mysterious symbols. The petroglyphs look best at sunrise and sunset, when the sun's rays give them clarity and additional volume. Onega rock art is notable for its scale: "Bes" (Demon), part of the trio of the most famous local paintings, reaches two and a half meters in length. A cape and an old lighthouse nearby are named after it. On the sides of "Bes" are carved "Vydra" (Otter) and "Nalim" (Burbot). An excellent option for those looking for what to see in Karelia in summer on their own.

How to get there:

• by bus or private car or Petrozavodsk, drive to the city of Pudozh (this is on the eastern side of Lake Onega),
• then choose – Shalsky village or Karshevo. There, privately rent a boat. In the first case, the route to Besov Nos cape runs along the lake shore, in the second – along the Chernaya River.

White Nights

If people go to Karelia in winter for the northern lights, then the summer hit is the white nights. They last from late May to the tenth of July. During this period, the sun only briefly dips below the horizon, so light twilight reigns for most of the night. And although white nights as a brand are strongly associated with St. Petersburg, in Karelia you can enjoy this natural phenomenon longer, and it manifests itself more brightly. At night, you can go for a walk, fishing, or boating on a lake or river. And you won't need a flashlight!

Active Recreation

Summer in the north is short and not hot, so you need to make the most of every warm, fine day!

Rafting

Rafting on the rivers of Karelia is one of the main local entertainments. The concept usually includes rafting tours on kayaks or sports catamarans. In recent years, SUP-surfing tours in Karelia have also become popular. But if rafts are about "passing waterfall-type rapids of various difficulty categories," then SUP is primarily a relaxed, meditative route.

The rivers Shuya, Ukssa, Tumcha, Okhta, Keret, Pista are most often chosen for rafting. There are many organizers, so you need to choose based on your level of physical fitness. For some, even one day will be too much, while others need a full two weeks with overnight stays in tents and other delights of "wild" recreation. The terrain of Karelian rivers is not easy, but there will be many emotions from overcoming difficult sections.

Trolley (Zip-line) in Ruskeala

Flying on a zip-line over the Marble Canyon, with boats carrying vacationers below, is a must-do for a summer visit to Ruskeala. The distance is 400 meters; to ensure you get a ride, we recommend arriving at the park early and being among the first to queue for tickets.

Ticket price: 2 500 ₽

Fishing

July and August are the best months for summer fishing in Karelia. Here you can catch trout, roach, grayling, bream, catfish, and in addition to the process itself, there are mesmerizing views of green forests and clear, deep lakes. Summer fishing in Karelia usually includes renting a cabin + a boat somewhere on the shore. Beginners can even hire an instructor!

Trekking

Many routes for hiking are laid out through Karelian parks, mountains, and forests. Some are suitable for independent travel, while for others it is better to go as part of an organized group. For example, there is a two-kilometer eco-trail equipped with wooden boardwalks, leading to the largest spruce in Fennoscandia. Or a route to the Karelian Stonehenge – Vottovaara mountain, 417 meters high, where you can see unusual trees with twisted trunks and the crater of an ancient volcano. So summer is the ideal time for trekking and hiking in Karelia.

Festivals in Karelia in Summer 2025

If you need a special reason to visit Karelia, there are even more of them in summer. Events here are held on various scales and with different focuses, so everyone will find a suitable option for what to do in Karelia in summer.

KareliaTri

The triathlon sports festival is scheduled for July 5-6, and athletes from different parts of the country will gather for it. The start will take place in the center of Petrozavodsk: the routes for all "land" disciplines are laid along the central streets, and the swimming stages will take place in Lake Onega. This will create a mix of competition and an excursion "tour" of the city's attractions. You can participate in KareliaTri alone, with a team, or even with colleagues in a special corporate category.

Rock'n'Road

The biker festival near Girvas will be held for the 19th time. Dates are July 11-13. The organizers are the Night Riders MC Russia motorcycle club. The lineup has not yet been announced, but the musical part of the event promises good old hard rock. However, evening songs with a guitar are also not ruled out.

"Kåstry"

A festival of electronic music and visual art that will take place in the forests of Karelia from July 17 to 21. Veterans and fresh talents of the musical underground will perform on five stages. Meanwhile, artists from all over Russia will fill the space with bright art objects, installations, and large-scale decorations. Although it's an open-air event, the organizers have taken care of the participants' comfort: they promise a banya, hot showers, and a fair with coffee shops and food trucks. For fans of all things ecological and spiritual, "Kåstry" will create a healing laboratory with performances, theatrical productions, and soundhealing immersion.

"Kizhi Regatta"

The festival of traditional shipbuilding and navigation, held annually by the Kizhi Museum-Reserve, is scheduled for August 1 and 2 this year. The first day will feature the "People's Boat" shipbuilding masters' competition and the "Big Race" competition with a distance of 14 km. The "Kizhi Regatta" itself is scheduled for the second day. Races will be held in stages: traditional, modern, team, small, and other vessels will compete separately. So, in just a couple of hours, you can watch several starts at once.

Useful Tips

1. Take care of necessary vaccinations in advance: ticks become active in Karelia in summer. Even better, get insurance.
2. Vipers are found on Kizhi Island in summer, so watch your step carefully.
3. Bring warm clothes, even if the weather forecast promises heat. This is not a region where you can be sure of a stable +25°C.
4. SPF cream for sun protection will also come in handy.
5. Going camping? Bring a raincoat, wool socks, and spare sets of clothes.
6. It's best to pick mushrooms in Karelian forests in late August – early September.
7. Be prepared that mobile communication and internet will not be available everywhere.
8. Try local cuisine in cafes and restaurants – kalitki, lohikeitto soup, mushroom and berry snacks.