7 Adventurous Destinations For The Intrepid Traveller In Russia

While Russia‘s cities are not for the faint-hearted, intrepid travellers who seek wild, unique adventure will love the nation’s immense and spectacular wilderness to really get the adrenaline pumping. From snow-capped volcanoes to inland seas and dizzying mountain ranges, here’s where to get off the beaten track.

Kola Peninsula

Almost entirely inside of the Arctic Circle, the Kola Peninsula has a serene beauty and a wild appeal. Thanks to its northern location, summer days are endless, and the midnight sun shines bright during the warmer months. It’s also a good place to spot the Aurora Borealis. Geographically close to Scandinavia, the peninsula shares some of its indigenous people with its Nordic neighbours. The Sami are aboriginal people and traditional reindeer herders, whose native land is above the Arctic Circle, spanning Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The region was also home to a cluster of Gulags, particularly around Murmansk, back in Soviet times, some of which offer tours.

Kola Peninsula, Russia
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Caucasus Mountains

Home to the perpetually snow capped Mt. Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, the mighty Caucasus Mountain range is book-shelved by the Black and Caspian seas and crosses between Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Diverse in scenery as it is in culture, the Caucasus is home to scattered pockets of Islamic and Christian communities, and is home to over 50 ethnic groups who offer visitors warm hospitality. It is also home to breathtaking scenery, world class ski resorts and the Plate Hotel, one of the few remaining pre-fab Futuro houses from the 1960s, which cab be found in Dombay, an area popular for skiing and hiking.

Mt Elbrus, Caucasus Mountains, Russia

Dombay, Caucasus Mountains, Russia