In the very center of Russia on the border of the Tver and Novgorod regions between St. Petersburg and Moscow there is a unique Seliger lake system, consisting of several glacial lakes. On a total area of 260 km 2 there are about 160 islands connected by channels and isthmuses.
Surrounded by the shade of a pine forest, the blue expanse of the lake attracts a break from the noise and the hubbub of urban life for ecotourism lovers. During the rest, you can visit historical places such as the Nilova Pustyn or the city of Ostashkov, go fishing on the Selizharovka River. It is very inexpensive, wonderful and active to spend a vacation in campsites located on the shores of the colorful Lake Seliger. You can also set up your tent on one of the secluded picturesque islets.
Weather on the lake
Due to the high humidity, the climate here is softer and more comfortable than in the whole central zone of Russia. The most successful vacation in a tent camp on Seliger will be on sunny days in June and July, since in May it is still quite cool, and in August it often rains.
Lake water, air filled with aromas of the forest, and general unity with nature endow these places with healing energy. After a night spent in silence under the shadow of centuries-old pine trees, an unprecedented surge of new forces is felt. For this reason, several centers of the sanatorium type are open here.
The choice of tourists
A summer vacation at campsites on Seliger helps to disconnect from working worries and temporarily forget about the benefits of civilization. Mostly tourists come to the lake with the whole family or a small friendly company. Experienced "savages" pitch a tent camp away from recreation centers or equipped campsites, independently create comfortable conditions for their vacation. Tourists with no experience of living in the open air are happy to be accommodated in equipped campsites. Here you can rent not only a tent with a sleeping bag and necessary accessories, but also prepare food in the kitchen equipped with a canopy, rent a boat and fishing equipment, a bicycle or a mushroom basket, and spend a quiet evening by the fire in the company of temporary neighbors.
Sometimes such tourists are located next to the recreation center, where you can leave a car in the parking lot for a small fee, and, if necessary, seek help from the staff or use services such as laundry or shower.
Entertainment at the tent camp on Seliger
Going to rest on the lakes, you need to collect all the necessary equipment for active pastime. You should also ask what equipment you can rent at your favorite campsite on Seliger.
Fans of swimming and diving this opportunity is provided in June. Warm water remains until the end of August, and its transparency allows you to admire the amazing underwater world. The surrounding forests will delight with an abundance of mushrooms and berries, and a fish caught on their own and cooked on fire will turn out to be tastier than the most refined delicacy. Here you can ride on the blue lake surface on a rented boat or on a rowing boat to sail to the nearest island. A boat trip in any case will leave an unforgettable experience. Children and nature lovers will be curious to observe the behavior of wild birds and animals that live on the islands and in the forests around the lake.
Believers will be interested in visiting churches and monasteries located in the district. And lovers of history, local residents will gladly tell the legends associated with their native land.
Camping with children
In the vicinity of Lake Seliger, campsites usually offer relaxation for families with children. Such bases have the rental of the necessary sports equipment: trampolines, tennis tables, badminton rackets, etc.
Of course, no film can be compared with a visual lesson of survival in nature! Seeing how a tent is being built and a fire is being made, having tasted porridge cooked on a bonfire, collecting a bouquet of wild flowers, listening to birds singing at dawn and having plenty of fun in a clean warm lake, a little tourist will remember for a long time a fascinating vacation with his parents in nature.
How to get to camping on Seliger?
Tourists, often relaxing on the lake, know that good places on the shore or on the islands at the height of the summer season are usually occupied. Having decided to relax in the equipped camping, you should take care of renting in advance.
Going by car, you have to get to Torzhok. From Moscow it is about 250 km, and from St. Petersburg - all 500. The next destination is the small town of Ostashkov. But it can also become finite, since in its vicinity there are enough picturesque places to relax.
Public transport (bus, train or train) will bring travelers to Tver, from where you should continue on to Ostashkov. The most secluded and interesting places are accessible only to backpackers. Therefore, it is better to leave personal transport in a paid parking lot in the city or at a recreation center.
According to tourists, the best conditions for recreation are on the Seliger Lake campsites "Lost World", "New Ark", "Silver Lake", "Trail".
So, in the "Lost World" tourists are given three meals a day, camping equipment, and you can also negotiate with the cook about the menu. Camping accommodation to choose from: a tent or a 2-3-seater cabin.
Outdoor activities, physical activity, beautiful nature charge the body with health and positive emotions for a long time.