The largest zoo and recreation on the Gulf of Finland

On the last day of the trip, continue to meet our little brothers. Na Lampushka Zoo is the largest private zoo in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region with more than 400 animals. Animals came to the zoo for a reason: some were rescued from the hands of poachers, some were picked up injured and released.
Here you can not only look at the animals, but also get to know many of them better: feed them with special food, stroke them, walk together and take pictures.
Opening hours: in winter 10:00-18:00, in summer 10:00-19:00. Website: https://lampushki.ru/zhivotnyj-mir/zoopark

Dive into the nature of the Karelian Isthmus. The Värjamänselkä Ridge Nature Reserve is one of the largest in Northwest Russia. The ridge stretches for 50 kilometers along the lakes Vuoksa and Sukhodolskoye. The width of the ridge is 1-3 km, the terrain is slightly hilly. A walk in the reserve is always very authentic and atmospheric: vast areas covered with forests, lakes and the remains of buildings of past centuries. Visitors to the nature reserve are particularly pleased with the well-maintained paths and easy-to-navigate paths.

Man does claim to be the master of nature... at least on Earth. The history of the Vuoksa River proves this. There is an 800-metre man-made rapids here, which are by far the largest in Europe.
Just seeing the powerful rushing stream that connects the upper lake of the Vuoksa system and Sukhodolsky lake takes your breath away. Admire the water element. If you like active recreation, be sure to come back here for a day.

At the end of your travels, it is customary to slow down and enjoy a relaxing break. The resort area will welcome you with its calmness and tranquillity.
In the center of Zelenogorsk there is a Church of Transfiguration of the Evangelical Lutheran parish, which miraculously survived to this day. Near it there is a cozy park, where you can relax and have a snack. Try not to rush anywhere.

Take a stroll along the city's main promenade. There is a museum of retro cars and a yacht club. The central avenue of Zelenogorsk Park leads straight to the Golden Beach, where tourists from all over the Leningrad region come in summer. Once a dacha garden, it has now become a full-fledged recreational and cultural park. In 2012, a real Ferris wheel 37 metres high, a carting, a rope park and children's attractions appeared here.

In this place you can see probably the biggest anthills in the Leningrad region. The 2,8 km long eco-route on the "Komarovsky shore" passes through old spruce forests, where you can see a large number of anthills. The route also runs along the coast of the Gulf of Finland with dunes and sandy beaches. In addition to thematic stands, the eco-route is equipped with wooden decking for easy walking through the forest, benches, bird feeders and a gazebo.

A cosy gastronomic manor in true Chekhovian spirit is situated on the Gulf of Finland: with lace casings, green greenhouses, massive buffets, wicker chairs and a roaring fireplace. Younger guests will enjoy attractions, a zoo and a cozy tree house, adults - a romantic kissing tower and watching the sunset in a rocking chair on the Gulf of Finland, a wishing well that fulfills the most cherished dreams, sun beds on the beach, covered gazebos for friendly gatherings.

Four days of travelling along the Karelian Isthmus will not leave anyone indifferent. You will get to know many new places, most of which are hard to find in traditional guidebooks. If some place particularly appeals to you, then feel free to go back there again. At different times of the year, the experience can be quite different. The nature of the northern region loves to surprise!