If you are vacationing in Karelia, in the area of ​​Ladoga or the city of Sortavala, then I recommend including in your route a visit to the Ruskeala waterfalls, which were made famous by the film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet,” namely the scene where the heroine Zhenya died. It is convenient to combine an excursion to the Ruskeala waterfalls with a visit to the mountain park and marble quarries, about which I wrote a separate review.

"The Dawns Here Are Quiet" was filmed here

Stills from the film "The Dawns Here Are Quiet"

Ruskeala waterfalls are located a few kilometers from the village of Ruskeala, almost along the A130 highway connecting Sortavala and Finland. The waterfalls were formed due to the flood of the Tokhmajoki River; at this point it crosses the road four times, which is very clearly visible on the map.

The Tohmajoki River originates from the Finnish Lake Ruokojärvi and falls into Ladoga lake. In the spring, many athletes raft along it in boats, passing the Ruskeala waterfalls.

In fact, these waterfalls are called Ahvenkoski, but complex Finnish names do not take root well here, so more often these waterfalls appear in guidebooks as Ruskeala.

We arrived at the waterfalls around 7 pm, the guide on the road said that 10 minutes of free time would be enough for us, but everyone started making noise, so we settled on half an hour. Getting off the bus, I realized that the guide was right, you can take a walk and take a couple of photos very quickly, since the area through which the river with waterfalls runs is quite small.

The waterfalls are also not distinguished by their majestic size, but this does not spoil them at all; in combination with the surrounding landscape they look very beautiful. The water from several waterfalls falls very quickly, so the resulting lake is covered with foam, as if it were a cup of carefully prepared cappuccino.

In addition to the waterfalls, there is a souvenir shop where I bought a book about Sortavala and a pillow stuffed with juniper. What surprised me most was the fact that the book costs almost the same as the magnet, which seems strange to me.

We were one of the first to finish our walk along the Ruskeala waterfalls and waited for the rest of the group near the minibus. After some time, a large man pulled into the parking lot. tourist bus, from which people ran out like ants. The guide shouted to them that no more than 10 minutes were allocated to explore the waterfalls, because by the time you collected them all, just half an hour would have passed.

If you come to the waterfalls on your own, you can relax in one of the wooden gazebos and grab a barbecue at the cafe, but we didn’t have time for that.

Another interesting object who may visit independent tourists- This is a waterfall near the small hydroelectric power station "Rymäkoski", which formerly belonged to the Finns. There are even abandoned buildings preserved here, which have long been wanted to be turned into a newly functioning station. You can get to this place on foot from the Ruskeala waterfalls; you need to walk along the road for about a kilometer, then turn onto the forest road and walk about 300 meters through wet and sticky terrain. The best way to demonstrate the location of this hydroelectric power station is a map - I gave a link to it above.

How to get to Ruskeala waterfalls

You need to get there by car along the A130 highway, everything is simple here: the waterfalls are located along the highway.

The most convenient way to get there is from the village of Ruskeala (which is convenient to come from the city of Sortavala for a walk through the mountain park) or by bus, which travels along the highway in the opposite direction from Finland. I think that it is best to check the numbers and schedule at the bus station.

Or call a taxi, which for a small amount will take you to the waterfalls and wait.

My review of traveling around Karelia as part of an organized group

All articles in the direction Karelia

Selection of hotels in Karelia

Flights to Karelia

Anyone who loves nature and also dreams of an active holiday in places untouched by civilization will certainly be delighted with a trip to Karelia, this amazing land stunning northern beauty. One of the masterpieces of this region are, which amaze with their pristine beauty and impressive power. This is a whole complex consisting of four waterfalls formed as a result of the flood of the Tokhmajoki River. The Ruskeala waterfalls are located near the village of Ruskeala, almost along the road connecting Sortavala and Finland. They are clearly visible from the highway. The height of the waterfalls reaches three to four meters. Despite their small size, they look incredibly beautiful and impressive in combination with the picturesque landscape. The water, rapidly falling down, forms a delightful foamy lake. The Tohmajoki River originates in Finland, from Lake Ruokojärvi, and carries its waters to Lake Ladoga, forming numerous waterfalls along its way.

Many tourists come to admire the Ruskeala waterfalls in the spring, when powerful cascades of water break into small pearly splashes that shimmer in the sun with all the colors of the rainbow. Tourists are also amazed by the incredible contrast between the frantic noise of the waterfalls and the silence of the pristine spruce forest. In spring and early summer, numerous groups of athletes, extreme sports enthusiasts and just amateurs come here active rest, which float down the river on catamarans and kayaks. Filled with melt waters, Tokhmajoki becomes full of water at this time of year, with an incredibly obstinate character. The bravest athletes try to conquer the cascade. By mid-summer the river pacifies its stormy temper and rafting enthusiasts conquer other rivers and cascades. These places are also quite attractive in winter, especially for those who love snow and snowmobile rides in the snowy forest.
The Finnish name for the waterfalls is Ahvenkoski, but most often they appear in guidebooks as Ruskeala. The water in Tohmajoki has a brownish-brown tint, which is due to the high content of iron salts in the river. It is with this that the name of the river Ruskolka is connected, which translates as red or brown. The rocky ledges located on both sides of the river are also reddish-brown in color. Low cliffs, surrounded by greenery of spruce and pine trees, add extraordinary charm and charm to these places. Near the waterfalls there are gazebos for relaxation, parking and observation decks, from where it opens unusually beautiful view. By picturesque places There are special paths around the waterfalls where you can take a walk either independently or with the help of a guide. Among the rocky shores lies a small sandy area, used by tourists as a beach. Near the natural attractions of Karelia there are recreation centers and tourist complexes, where tourists can use the services of comfortable cottages. Using the services of Elite Travel, you can spend unforgettable vacation in this amazing corner of Russia. A holiday in Karelia would not be complete without visiting the Ruskeala waterfalls.

Getting to the Ruskeala waterfalls, located in Karelia near the village of Ruskeala, is not difficult. You can easily see them from the highway and road bridges if you drive by road from Sortavala. You can independently take a bus from Sortavala to the village of Ruskeala to visit the mountain park and waterfalls. If you walk along the road from the Ruskeala waterfalls downstream for about 1 kilometer, and then about 300 meters along a forest road, you can see another waterfall on the site of the destroyed Finnish hydroelectric power station Rymäkoski. By the way, the Ruskeala waterfalls are famous for the filming in these places of the wonderful film about the war “And the Dawns Here Are Quiet”, as well as the mystical film “The Dark World”. The filming of the latter is reminiscent of the hut specially built for this purpose, which organically blended into the surrounding environment, giving these places a peculiar charm.

The Tokhmajoki River is one of the major waterways of the northern Ladoga region. It originates from Lake Ruokoyarvi near the border with Finland and flows into Lake Ladoga near the village of Helyulya. The length of Tokhmajoki is about 40 km. There are many rapids and small waterfalls on the river, called Ruskeala waterfalls.

The nature of the rapids is different, there are classic, rocky rapids with chaotic swells, and there are also steeply falling, local rapids. Among the waterfalls, perhaps the most beautiful is Ruskeala Ahvenkoski waterfall.

Ahvenkoski waterfall in Ruskeala

Translated from Finnish, its name means “Perch Threshold”. Locals sometimes call it “the waterfall of three bridges.” At this point, the winding Tokhmajoki River crosses the road three times. It is located 3 km from the village of Ruskeala. The waterfall is clearly visible right from the highway; there is a developed area and gazebos. Near the waterfalls there is a car area equipped with benches, canopies and a toilet.
The picturesque waterfall attracts the attention of everyone passing along the road, so motor tourists often stop here for a short rest. The bathing scene of one of the heroines of the film “The Dawns Here Are Quiet” was filmed at this waterfall.

Ahvenkoski Waterfall- this is a whole complex of four waterfalls in the place where the Tokhmajoki River overflows. In spring and early summer, numerous groups of tourists and active recreation enthusiasts on catamarans and kayaks pass here. Many groups also go through the waterfalls themselves. The height of the waterfalls is about 3-4 meters.
Along the road, before reaching the village 4 km, there is an inconspicuous forest road to the left that leads to the Rymäkoski Waterfall. All the way to the waterfall Ahvenkoski Can't get through by car. Part of the road is swampy. You will have to walk the last 200 meters. This waterfall used to have a Finnish hydroelectric power station. The old buildings of this hydroelectric power station have survived to this day. In the near future, it is possible that this small hydroelectric power station will be restored.
Upstream of the river, in the village of Ruskeala itself, the Tokhmajoki River crosses the road again, revealing the water riffles of another group of rapids.
Although these Karelian waterfalls are not as high as Yukankoski on the Kulismajoki River, their picturesqueness leaves no one indifferent.

Ahvenkoski waterfall photo

Karelia is amazing and unique with its piercing northern beauty and places untouched by civilization.

The Ruskeala waterfalls, which fascinate with their pristine picturesqueness and power, can easily be considered among the masterpieces of this region.

The waterfalls are located right next to the road and are known to many tourists for the fact that it was in these places that films such as the masterpiece of Russian cinema “And the Dawns Here Are Quiet” were filmed (the scene of the death of one of the heroines of this film, the anti-aircraft gunner Zhenya, was filmed at the Ruskeala waterfall Akhvenkoski) and “Dark world", a picture filled with mysticism and bloodshed. For the filming of "The Dark World" water flows They built a log hut, which is not actually residential - it’s just a dummy, but now this structure gives the area a unique charm, completely fitting into the surrounding environment.

Ruskeala waterfalls consist of a cascade of four, three to four meters high, flat waterfalls, and they are created by the small river Tokhmajoki, which has an unusual color of water, breaking into branches. The brownish-brown tint of the river waves, according to scientists, is due to the increased content of iron salts and local residents noted this property in the Karelian name of the river - Ruskolka, which means red or brown color. The rocky ledges in which the river cascades down the ledges in a foaming dance are enclosed also have “scorches” of a reddish-brown color. Low cliffs, framed by the greenery of pine and spruce trees, give these places a unique flavor and extraordinary charm.

Tourists especially like the Ruskeala waterfalls in the spring, when pearl splashes are painted with rainbow colors in the rays of the sun, and the cascades of water are a truly magical sight. Amazes tourists and amazing contrast between the noise of a river raging in its fall from the ledges and the silence of a spruce forest frozen under the blue sky. Among the Ruskeala waterfalls, Akhvenkoski, which means “Perch Threshold,” is considered the most beautiful.

Holidays at the Ruskeala waterfalls

Warm spring and summer make the cascades attractive for people involved in extreme species sport, when Tokhmajoki, saturated with melt waters, becomes full of water, with a stormy and obstinate character. Here, brave athletes practice descents on catamarans and kayaks, and even some of them conquer the cascade itself. By August, the waters of the river pacify their temper, and the flow decreases, and rafting enthusiasts go to other places. During the winter season, the whirring of snowmobiles can be heard among the snow-covered trees, on which snow-loving tourists ride here.

The places near the waterfalls are well equipped for travelers: there is equipped parking, gazebos have been built where you can relax after a walk, and observation decks with magnificent views. Paths around the waterfalls lead among boulders and rocks along the most beautiful places, where you can walk on your own or use the services of a guide. IN travel companies are offered excursion routes oriented towards visiting the Ruskeala waterfalls.

Among the rocky banks of the river there is a small sandy area that travelers use as a beach. There is a souvenir stall and a shop where you can buy and enjoy smoked fish caught nearby. And of course, public toilets were built.

Recreation centers and tourist complexes have been built near the natural attraction. Hotel "Gardarika" offers tourists rooms in comfortable cottages for relaxation.

How to get to Ruskeala waterfalls

Russia, Karelia, Sortavala district, Ruskeala village.

Getting around highway from the city of Sortavala, and it is simply impossible not to see the waterfalls, because the water cascades are clearly visible from the highway and road bridges. They are located near the village of Ruskeala.