Travel to the Kola Peninsula. Kola Peninsula: history, description and interesting facts What cities are on the Kola Peninsula

(G) (I) Kola Peninsula (mouth), Murman, Cola Ter

listen)) - a peninsula in the north-west of the European part of Russia, in the Murmansk region. It is washed by the Barents and White Seas.

In the western part there are the Khibiny mountain ranges (height up to 1200 m) and the Lovozero tundra (height up to 1120 m). In the north there is tundra vegetation, to the south there is forest-tundra and taiga.

Borders

The Kola Peninsula occupies just under 70% of the area of ​​the Murmansk region. The western border of the Kola Peninsula is defined by the meridional depression, which runs from the Kola Bay along the Kola River, Lake Imandra, and the Niva River to Kandalaksha Bay.

Story

Physiographic characteristics

Geographical position

The Kola Peninsula is located in the far north of Russia. Almost the entire territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle.

In the north it is washed by the waters of the Barents Sea, in the south and east by the waters of the White Sea. The western border of the Kola Peninsula is a meridional depression running from the Kola Bay along the valley of the Kola River, Lake Imandra and the Niva River to Kandalaksha Bay. The area is about 100 thousand km².

Climate

The climate of the peninsula is varied. In the northwest, warmed by the warm North Atlantic Current, it is subarctic marine. Towards the center, east and southwest of the peninsula, continentality increases - here the climate is moderately cold. Average temperatures in January-February range from minus 8 °C in the north-west of the peninsula to minus 14 °C in the center; July, respectively, from 8 °C to 14 °C. The snow falls in October and completely melts only by mid-to-late May (in mountainous areas in early to mid-June). Frosts and snowfall are possible in the summer. Strong winds (up to 45-55 m/s) are frequent on the coast, and prolonged snowstorms occur in winter.

Hydrology

Many rivers flow through the Kola Peninsula: Ponoi (the longest river on the peninsula), Varzuga, Kola, Yokanga, Teriberka, Voronya, Umba, etc.

There are a large number of lakes, the largest are Imandra, Umbozero, Lovozero.

In the western part of the Kola Peninsula, which has a dissected topography, the territory reaches its greatest heights. There are separate mountain ranges with flat tops, separated by depressions: the Khibiny and Lovozero tundras. Their heights reach 900-1000 m. Only a few peaks of the Khibiny (Chasnachorr mountain - 1191 m) and the Lovozero tundra exceed 1000 m. The eastern half of the Kola Peninsula is characterized by a calmer undulating topography with prevailing heights of 150-250 m. Among the undulating plains, the Keiva ridge rises (397 m), consisting of separate chains stretching from northwest to southeast along the central part of the peninsula.

The Kola Peninsula occupies the eastern part of the Baltic crystalline shield, the geological structure of which includes thick strata of the Archean and Proterozoic. The Archean is represented by highly metamorphosed and intensely dislocated gneisses and granites, in places intruded by pegmatite bodies. Proterozoic deposits are more diverse in composition - quartzites, crystalline schists, sandstones, marbles, partially gneisses interbedded with greenstones.

Minerals

In terms of diversity of mineral species, the Kola Peninsula has no analogues in the world. About 1000 minerals were discovered on its territory - almost 1/3 of all known on Earth. About 150 minerals are found nowhere else. Deposits of apatite-nepheline ores (Khibiny), iron, nickel, platinum metals, rare earth metals, lithium, titanium, beryllium, building and jewelry stones (amazonite, amethyst, chrysolite, garnet, jasper, iolite, etc.), ceramic pegmatites , mica (muscovite, phlogopite and vermiculite are the world's largest reserves).

Relief and nature

Flora and fauna

Infrastructure

The cities of Murmansk, Apatity, Severomorsk, Kirovsk, Ostrovnoy, Kola and Kandalaksha and the urban-type settlements of Safonovo, Kildinstroy, Revda and Umba are located on the peninsula.

The Russian Northern Fleet's home bases of Severomorsk and Gremikha are located on the peninsula. Severomorsk is the headquarters of the Northern Fleet.

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An excerpt characterizing the Kola Peninsula

Our free guide to the Kola Peninsula is part of a larger guide to Russia. In it you will find information about the natural attractions of Kola, lakes and rivers, unique northern reserves.

Holidays on the Kola Peninsula are:

• rafting on northern rivers and lakes;
• climbing the passes of the Khibiny Mountains;
• visiting ancient settlements of the Far North;
• rest at recreation centers;
• skiing;
• fishing and hunting.

With the help of our guide to the Kola Peninsula, you can easily plan an independent trip, book a hotel or recreation center, select a full tour or a separate excursion.

Budget (2015)

Tickets

Most tourists begin their trip to the Kola Peninsula from Murmansk, Apatit or Kirovsk. It is in these cities that airports and large railway stations are located, with direct connections to the center and north-west of Russia.

Prices for economy class air tickets to the main destinations are as follows (per person, round trip):

• Moscow - Murmansk: from 7,000 rubles;
• St. Petersburg - Murmansk: from 10,600 rubles;
• Moscow - Apatity (Kirovsk): from 9,000 rubles;
• St. Petersburg - Apatity (Kirovsk): from 8,000 rubles.

Train tickets to the same destinations are not much cheaper, especially considering the much longer travel time (more than 1 day):

• Moscow - Murmansk: from 6,300 rubles (reserved seat) and 12,600 rubles (compartment);
• Moscow - Apatity: from 5300 rubles (reserved seat) and 7000 rubles (compartment);
• St. Petersburg - Murmansk: from 5,000 rubles (reserved seat) and 7,200 rubles (compartment);
• St. Petersburg - Apatity: from 4500 rubles (reserved seat) and 6600 rubles (compartment)

per person in both directions.

The Kola Peninsula has a well-established intercity bus service. So, from Murmansk you can get to the most popular cities and towns. Prices for one-way tickets per person: to Apatit or Kirovsk - from 555 rubles, to Kandalaksha - from 630 rubles, to Monchegorsk - from 345 rubles, to Olenegorsk - from 261 rubles, to Severomorsk - from 160 rubles, to Umba - from 710 rubles, to Titovka - from 280 rubles, to Teriberka - from 331 rubles and Kola - 343 rubles

Accommodation

There are not many hotels on the Kola Peninsula, although in recent years the tourism infrastructure has been developing noticeably. In Murmansk, a standard double room in a 3-star hotel will cost 2200-3500 rubles per day; in Monchegorsk, Kirovsk and Apatity prices are higher, apparently due to the close location to popular ski resorts. Here, prices for a room in the same category vary between 2900-5200 rubles per day. A popular type of recreation on Kola is various tourist centers on the Kola, Tuloma, Viva rivers, Lake Imandra, and in the Lovozero region. Here, the cost of living starts from 900 rubles per day per person and increases depending on the range of included services and the comfort of the residential facility.

Nutrition

Restaurant service on the Kola Peninsula in all its diversity is presented only in large cities - Murmansk, Monchegorsk, Kirovsk, Apatity. For example, the restaurants “Tsarskaya Okhota”, “Tundra”, “Dekante” top the rating of the best establishments in the Murmansk region. Here you will be offered delicious dishes of national Sami and Pomeranian cuisine, for example, venison with a variety of berry sauces. Of course, the average check in such establishments will start from 1,500 rubles per person. You can dine inexpensively in a variety of pubs, pizzerias and self-service cafes. Here a set lunch will cost 500-700 rubles per person, depending on the establishment. If you go on a trip along the Tersky Coast, then most of the settlements that you will meet along the way are small villages, half abandoned. There is no point in looking for a cafe there; at best, you will find a grocery store for organizing an independent picnic in nature. Product prices are basically the same as the Russian average. The only thing is that there is a wide variety of types of sea fish, from which many national dishes are prepared, it costs much less, it is always fresh and tasty. You can buy from locals or go fishing yourself.

Story

The Kola Peninsula, located in the Far North of Russia on the border with Norway in the White and Barents Seas, was called Murman until the beginning of the 20th century. The ancient sites of the first people, discovered by scientists on the territory of the peninsula, date back to the Stone Age. As for the indigenous population of the peninsula - the Sami, their ancestors began to inhabit these northern lands later, only in the 2nd millennium BC. They were engaged in reindeer herding, hunting and fishing on the northern coast. Russians began to actively populate the Tersky coast of the Kola Peninsula only in the 9th-11th centuries: various historical documents and chronicles mention the large settlements of Varzuga and Kola. They quickly begin to develop sea routes, organizing promising trade in fish and fur with European countries in the North and West.

The natural resources of the Kola Land and established trade relations with many European countries attracted the attention of the Russian government. In the middle of the 19th century, active scientific study of the Kola Peninsula began. Numerous expeditions are sent for the purpose of detailed study of the geography of the area and mapping. In 1916, the Murmansk railway line and the port of Romanov-on-Murman (modern Murmansk) were built. This ensured the connection between the central part of Russia and the Kola Peninsula both by land and by sea.

The peninsula was actively involved in the events of the civil war in Russia. In addition to the confrontation between the White Guards and the Bolshevik forces, intervention from England and America began in 1918, in connection with which a large-scale partisan movement was organized under the leadership of the Bolsheviks. As a result, foreign troops were forced to leave the peninsula, the White Guards were also defeated, and Soviet power was established throughout the territory.
From this time on, active industrial development of the region began. Forestry and fisheries were restored. Huge deposits of various minerals have been discovered in the depths of the Khibiny, including the richest reserves of apatite. The development of these deposits contributed to the development of several industrial sectors at once - fertilizer production (in Kirovsk), non-ferrous metallurgy (in Monchegorsk).

During the Great Patriotic War, the northern front line passed through the Kola Peninsula. Fierce fighting took place on land and in coastal waters. The ground forces, aviation and Northern Fleet suffered huge human losses, holding back the active onslaught of the enemy, preventing him from approaching the strategically important Murmansk. Thanks to the courage and heroism of Soviet soldiers, the Murmansk port operated without interruption, and enterprises in the region supplied products for the needs of the front without stopping. The complete liberation of the Kola Peninsula occurred in October 1944, and in honor of the heroism of the Soviet people in the north, a special medal “For the Defense of the Arctic” was established.

In the post-war years, the active industrial development of the Murmansk region continued, and today it is one of the most powerful industrial regions of Russia. More than 9 million tons of apatite are mined in Khibiny per year, logging and fishing are actively carried out on the shores of the Barents and White Seas, non-ferrous metallurgy is successfully developing in Kovdor and Monchegorsk, and a whole network of hydroelectric and nuclear power plants operates to meet the peninsula’s large demand for electricity. The Kola Peninsula today still has important military and strategic significance. The Northern Fleet is based here, with its headquarters in Severomorsk, and there are large ports that provide direct access to the open ocean throughout the year. Recently, eco-tourism and skiing have been actively developing. More and more residents of our country and foreigners are striving to explore the amazing nature of the Far North of Russia.

Business card

The visiting card of the Kola Peninsula, undoubtedly, is the amazing nature of the Russian North, harsh, but no less beautiful. On the one hand, there are endless tundras, lonely peninsulas with half-forgotten villages and a cold ocean beating into steep coastal cliffs. On the other hand, there are green river valleys buried in dense forests, picturesque mountain passes and gorges hidden in the heart of the Khibiny, fabulous northern lights in winter and long white nights in summer.

A trip to Kola really builds character. If you are not afraid of the cold and wind, hours of off-road driving with the constant risk of getting stuck far from civilization the next time you try to cross a ford, and you like campfire romance on the coast of the White or Barents Sea, then we can say with confidence that you will be able to see the real far north Russia.

Head to the Tersky coast - the surrounding landscapes there are inspiring, and under your feet there are scatterings of amethyst brushes shining in a variety of shades. And someone will certainly want to visit the most northern point of Russia - Cape Nemetsky or wander in silence through the ruins of military fortifications and trenches from the Second World War on the Sredny and Rybachy peninsulas, marveling at the courage and perseverance of the people who defended their Motherland in such harsh conditions. It will be interesting to visit the Sami reindeer herders on Seidoozero or Lovozero, ride a reindeer sled and become imbued with the traditions of this ancient people.

People from all over our country also go to Kola for fishing and hunting. The most popular places: lakes Imandra, Bolshoi and Maly Vudyavr, Umboozero, as well as the rivers Kola, Tuloma, Varzuga, Teriberka, Umba - are rich in valuable salmon species, among which there are truly record-breaking specimens. And hunting for fur-bearing animals has been practiced on Kola since the appearance of the first Russian settlements on the peninsula.

And yet, for the majority of tourists who have visited the Kola Peninsula, the Khibiny Mountains leave the most vivid impressions. This is an ancient mountain range, in the depths of which there are huge deposits of iron ores, semi-precious stones and a wide variety of minerals, many of which are not found anywhere else on Earth. On the slopes of the Khibiny Mountains there are popular ski resorts that can delight experienced riders with extreme slopes and wide snow couloirs for off-piste skiing. Ecological trekking is also actively developing here - exciting mountain hikes with overcoming passes of various categories of difficulty.

Those who go to the Kola Peninsula can hardly be called tourists. These are real travelers, accustomed to weather surprises and difficulties on the road, those who value natural beauty above hotel service and usual tourist entertainment.

It's a must do

Explore the Khibiny Mountains

This natural attraction is number one among many tourists planning a trip to the Kola Peninsula. The Khibiny Mountains have always been full of mysteries. Previously unknown minerals are still found here - of course, since this is the oldest mountain range, the geological age of which is more than 350 million years. Unique natural resources attract researchers from all over the world here; the largest mines for the extraction of a wide variety of minerals operate here. The Khibiny Mountains are of no less interest to lovers of active recreation and ecotourism. On the slopes of the Khibiny Mountains there are the best ski centers in the North; climbing routes to the peaks of varying complexity and hiking to mountain lakes and rivers are organized.

Relax on Lake Imandra

Lake Imandra is called the pearl of the Kola Peninsula. Its shores are very picturesque and varied - there are steep cliffs and gently sloping sandbanks strewn with huge boulders, and in some places you can even find comfortable pebble beaches. This place is very popular among tourists. Here you can simply relax by renting a house at the base, go fishing, go boating, or go hiking in the surrounding forests to pick berries and mushrooms. And for those who love speed, adrenaline and adventure, there are many developed routes for rafting along rapids rivers flowing into the lake, as well as opportunities for various types of kitesurfing at any time of the year.

Catch your "record" salmon

Even if you are not an avid fisherman, fishing on the Kola is a real thrill. More than 18,000 rivers flow on the peninsula, all of them are different in character and surrounding landscape, but they have one thing in common - the wealth of valuable species of fish that come to spawn from the Barents Sea. “Salmon” rivers are considered to be mountain-type rivers with rapid currents and shallow but long rapids. By the way, in order to overcome such a threshold, the salmon must have a strong caudal fin, which helps it make jumps up to 3 meters high! Not all representatives of the salmon family are capable of this, so only the best specimens rise into the rivers. The Kola, Yokanga, Tipanovka, Kharlovka, and Rynda rivers are considered places for first-class fishing. Here it is absolutely possible to catch a truly huge fish: reports are full of photographs of lucky people holding salmon 1.5 meters long in their hands, the weight of which can reach up to 45 kilograms! So feel free to go for your personal best.

Look for amethysts on the Tersky Coast

There is a particularly picturesque place on the Kola Peninsula - this is the Tersky Coast - the southeastern coast of the White Sea. It was here that the first Russian settlements began to appear, which later became major centers of maritime trade and fishing - Umba, Varzuga, Kuzomen, Kashkarantsy. Nowadays, unfortunately, they look rather depressing; there is practically nothing reminiscent of their former prosperity. But the surrounding nature has retained its charm. There is a wonderful place here - Cape Korabl, famous for its multi-colored amethyst shores. Of course, now you won’t find large amethysts worthy of royal rings here. But everywhere there are any number of natural souvenirs in the form of rock fragments with small crystals of various shades - soft pink, lilac, bright purple, blue or even black. Here you need to take a leisurely walk, completely forgetting about the daily routine, simply admiring the magical glow of the shore in the rays of the northern sun.

Wander through the Kuzomensky sands

How do you like the idea of ​​visiting a desert in the middle of the northern tundra? It sounds unrealistic, but when traveling around Kola, you won’t see anything! It’s worth coming to the village of Kuzomen to see this. Getting here is not the easiest thing, but the local landscapes are truly fantastic. Instead of the usual rocky shores, there are endless red sands, each year getting closer and closer to the village itself. There is almost no vegetation, except that here and there there are bizarre trees standing on bare roots - the wind blows the soil out from under them, turning them into fairy-tale characters from a dense forest. And don’t be surprised if you meet Yakut horses roaming freely here. They were once brought to the village for collective farm work, but they preferred a free life, and now wander here on their own.

Visit reindeer herders

The Sami are an indigenous people who have inhabited the Kola Peninsula since the second millennium BC. Since time immemorial, they have been engaged in reindeer herding, preserving the ancient traditions of treating these noble northern animals to this day. Today, tourists have the opportunity to visit Sami reindeer herders by going independently to the Lovozero tundra or booking an organized excursion on snowmobiles. In any case, it will be an exciting adventure: you can watch or even take part in reindeer sleigh competitions, and try the best dishes of the national Sami cuisine. They are very hospitable people, so if you want to stay for a few days, you will be offered to spend the night on warm reindeer skins in a tent - a traditional Sami dwelling.

Why and when to go

Walking around the cities of the Far North

When: Any time throughout the year.

One way or another, you will begin your journey across the Kola Peninsula by arriving in one of the major cities. Most likely, it will be Murmansk, Kirovsk, Apatity or Severomorsk. These cities initially developed as large industrial centers or important strategic ports with year-round access to the open ocean. Therefore, you should not count on outstanding architecture or a rich excursion program here. However, it’s definitely worth taking a walk and feeling the specifics of the harsh northern cities, and at the same time running through the most popular attractions.

The calling card of Murmansk, the main port city in the Arctic, is the famous icebreaker Lenin and the northernmost aquarium in Russia. By visiting the first one, you will be able to look at the legendary nuclear reactor, which provided the ship with unique speed in the Arctic ice. And in the aquarium you will find a wonderful show with the participation of talented gray seals, ringed seals and the only trained bearded seal in Russia. They perform clever tricks and even play musical instruments.

Severomorsk is still an important base for the Russian Northern Fleet. On the pier near the main square of the city stands the huge submarine K-21, which gained worldwide fame thanks to a series of successful military operations at sea during the Great Patriotic War. It was a real “ocean thunderstorm” that sank 17 enemy ships. Now the submarine houses a permanent museum exhibition, and tours of the combat compartments are conducted.

Kirovsk and Apatity are located at the foot of the picturesque Khibiny Mountains. Lifts run directly from the city to the famous ski slopes of Aykuaaivenchorr and Kukisvumchorr. And nearby is the Polar Botanical Garden named after. N. Avrorina is one of the largest in Europe. Here you can look at collections of plants from all over the world in huge greenhouses, and also take a walk along the ecological trail to the slopes of the Khibiny peaks to get acquainted with the northern flora in natural conditions. Mineralogy lovers should also visit the geological museum in Kirovsk, where unique samples of rare minerals and precious stones mined in the depths of the Khibiny are collected. If you come to Kirovsk in winter, be sure to visit the Snow Village. This is an entire city built from ice and snow. Interesting themed events are held here, you can play hide and seek in the snow maze and even hold a wedding ceremony in the ceremonial ice hall.

Visiting nature reserves

When: All year round, the best time to visit is the summer months.

You can get up close and personal with the interesting flora and fauna of the Far North of Russia by visiting one of the three nature reserves of the Kola Peninsula on a tour. The oldest biosphere reserve in Russia, the Lapland Nature Reserve, was created to protect the reindeer population. Today it is a unique corner of nature, combining picturesque mountain landscapes, river and lake valleys and dense centuries-old coniferous forests. In addition to ecological routes to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the reserve, tourists really enjoy an excursion to “Fairytale Lapland” to visit Santa Claus.

The Kandalaksha Nature Reserve is one of the first and largest marine reserves in Russia, which is spread over more than 550 islands of the Barents and White Seas. This is a real bird kingdom: during a tour of the archipelagos you can see thousands of colonies of gulls, guillemots, cormorants and a wide variety of “flying birds”. However, the most important inhabitant of the reserve is the common eider. This is a species of sea duck whose down is considered very valuable. It was with the aim of protecting the eider from mass destruction for commercial purposes that the Kandalaksha Nature Reserve was created in the 30s of the 20th century. Excursions by boat in the protected waters of the White Sea are popular: in addition to the “bird markets”, you can see seals, bearded seals, ringed seals, and if you are especially lucky, a pod of dolphins or beluga whales.

Pasvik is an international nature reserve located on the border between Russia and Norway. This is a special place on the Kola Peninsula, where forest-tundra meets northern taiga, which leads to a wealth of flora and fauna. There are magnificent northern forests with ancient pine trees and many beautiful glacial lakes. The most popular tourist routes are visiting the island of Varlama with the museum of the Norwegian explorer Hans Skonning and the border village of Rajakoski.

Mountain trekking

When: the optimal time for climbing is from early June to mid-September.

The Khibiny Mountains are far from the highest mountains in Russia: the main peak Yudychvumchorr has an elevation of just over 1200 meters. However, this is a very picturesque and ancient mountain range, in the depths of which beautiful gorges and clear lakes are hidden. Most of the Khibiny mountain passes have difficulty categories 1A and 2A or are not categorized at all, so special equipment for climbing is usually not required, with the exception of passing some gorges in winter. However, hikers must be in good physical shape and prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions, which is common in northern climates regardless of the time of year. For beginner climbers, many routes have been developed through the low passes of Ramsay, Geographers, Kukisvumchorr, and Postman. More experienced athletes choose the Krestovy, Eagle's Nest, Shchel, and Chorrgor Severny passes for climbing - their conquest requires more serious mountaineering experience and endurance. Also popular are routes to the Lovozero tundra (the highest point is Mount Angvundaschorr, 1127 meters high) with a visit to Seidoozer, sacred to the Sami people.

The most beautiful period for trekking on the Kola Peninsula is from late May to mid-July. At this time, the sun does not set beyond the horizon, and you can enjoy the amazing northern “white nights”. They add a special romance to the already beautiful mountain landscapes.

Adventures

When: any time of the year depending on interests.

A trip to the Kola Peninsula itself is already a real adventure, a test of strength in harsh weather and off-road conditions on the way to the most beautiful places of this amazing northern region.

There are many rivers flowing here, varying both in landscape (plain, mountainous), and in flow speed and the presence of rapids. This creates excellent opportunities for organizing a variety of water adventures: sports rafting, family rafting, recreational kayaking, kitesurfing. If you crave speed and have enough experience to overcome rapids of different difficulty levels, choose routes along the rivers Umba, Krasnenkaya, Kutsayoki, Tumcha. For calmer rafting, the Kola, Tuloma, Kolvitsa, Varzuga rivers, as well as tributaries of Lake Imandra, are suitable. The best time for such hikes is from late July to early September. Weather conditions are more or less stable, and the surrounding forests are rich in berries and mushrooms.

A trip along the Tersky Coast and to the Sredniy and Rybachy peninsulas will appeal to fans of jeeping and extreme off-road driving. Some villages on the coast look like ghosts: many houses stand without windows, there are very few local residents left, and there are even fewer tourists. This has its own advantage: you can thoroughly enjoy the endless northern expanses, colorful rocky shores and stunning scenery of the harsh ocean. There is also the opportunity to go diving. For example, in the village of Dalnie Zelentsy on the shores of the Barents Sea there is a diving school. True, getting here is again quite difficult without a reliable SUV. As an option, you can contact the school instructors in advance and arrange a transfer.

Popular options for winter adventures on the Kola Peninsula are various ski trips along frozen lakes and river valleys, as well as sports routes for experienced skiers in the mountains - to the gorges and passes of the Khibiny. The best time for ski tours on Kola is March.

You can also go on snowmobiles to Lovozero - get acquainted with the traditions of the indigenous people - the Sami - and ride a reindeer sled. And if you are attracted to places shrouded in ancient mysticism and legends, go on a hike to Seydozero. According to one legend, on the site of this lake there was once a highly developed ancient civilization of Hyperborea, destroyed as a result of some natural disaster like Atlantis. At the bottom of the lake, fragments of ancient buildings were even found, and on land - traces of the existence of an ancient observatory, which has characteristic similarities with Stonehenge. The Sami consider the lake sacred, believing that it is guarded by the giant Kuiva, a legendary character in Sami myths. His image is carved on one of the rocks surrounding the lake on all sides. For the Sami, this place inspires both fear and awe. Along the banks of Seydozero there are many so-called “places of power” - ritual structures made of stones that have special energy.

Fishing and hunting

When: throughout the year, depending on the place and purpose of fishing and hunting.

The Kola Peninsula is known throughout our country for its famous “salmon” rivers and extensive opportunities for salmon fishing, both independently and as part of specially designed tours. The Tersky coast of the White Sea is considered the most popular place: it is from here that whole schools of fresh and strong fish rise into the numerous lakes and rivers of the peninsula. The fishing season opens at the end of May and lasts until September. However, the best period for salmon fishing is considered to be from the last week of May to the 20th of June. At this time, on the rivers Kola, Varzuga, Pana, Yokanga, Indel, Tipanovka, you come across truly huge specimens, weighing from 10 to 50 kg! However, experienced fishermen claim that catching salmon requires special skill and knowledge. This is a very strong, smart and resourceful fish that is capable of jumping out of the water to great heights and always fights to the last - the more excitement the fisherman experiences from this fight. In addition to salmon, the coast of the Barents and White Seas, as well as reservoirs in the interior of the peninsula, are rich in cod, trout, grayling, pike, perch, burbot, pink salmon, whitefish and other species of fish. So you definitely won’t leave without a valuable trophy.

As for hunting, the spring season occurs in May, and the autumn-winter season opens from the second half of September and lasts until the end of February. It is allowed to hunt upland and waterfowl - partridges, ducks, geese, black grouse and wood grouse, fur-bearing animals, hare; it is prohibited to hunt lynx and otter. However, for some animals the number of licenses is limited. For example, during the season only 40 licenses are issued for bear hunting, about 50 for moose, and there are also restrictions on shooting wolves and wolverines. It should be noted that for the lack of a license or violation of hunting rules, a fine of up to 4,000 rubles will be charged.

Useful

How to get there

The Kola Peninsula is connected to the central and northwestern parts of Russia by air service, as well as a network of roads and railways. The airports are located in the cities of Murmansk and Apatity; they receive regular flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. From these same cities, as well as from Minsk and Vologda, there are direct trains to Murmansk. Railway connections with Volgograd, Anapa and Adler are added to the summer schedule.

Suburban electric trains connect the main cities and towns within the region: large railway stations are located in Apatity, Kirovsk, Olenegorsk, Kandalaksha and Kola. Cities and towns located at a distance from the Murmansk railway can be reached by bus or private car. The main federal highway M18 "St. Petersburg - Murmansk" crosses the Kola Peninsula from south to north. Regular flights depart from the Murmansk bus station to Kandalaksha, Umba, Varzuga, Teriberka, Kola and Titovka. From Olenegorsk you can take a bus to Monchegorsk, Revda and Lovozero. International bus service has also been established with Norway (Murmansk - Kirkenes bus) and Finland (Murmansk - Ivalo and Kandalaksha - Kemijärvi flights).

The state borders of Russia with Norway and Finland run along the Kola Peninsula, so there are three international road checkpoints: “Borisoglebsk” - in the village of the same name in the Pechenga region towards Norway; "Lotta" - near the village of Svetly in the Kola region and "Salla" - near the village of Alakurtti in the Kandalaksha region towards Finland.

Time

Time on the Kola Peninsula coincides with Moscow time.

In the north it is washed by the waters of the Barents Sea, in the south and east by the waters of the White Sea. The western border of the Kola Peninsula is a meridional depression running from the Kola Bay along the valley of the Kola River, Lake Imandra and the Niva River to Kandalaksha Bay. The area is about 100 thousand km².

The climate of the Kola Peninsula is very diverse; weather conditions can change dramatically at any time of the year. For example, thaws are common in winter, and unexpected frosts may occur in the summer months. Different climatic conditions are characteristic of the sea coast of the Kola Peninsula, its central part and mountainous areas. The northern coast is influenced by the Barents Sea with warm currents. The coldest month here is February, when the thermometer drops to minus 12ºС, the warmest is July (+12-13ºС). In the central part of the Kola Peninsula, the climate becomes continental, which is characterized by relatively warm weather in summer and persistent cold in winter. As you move deeper into the region, a decrease in average annual temperatures is observed. The mountainous region already has colder summers with an average temperature in July of +10ºС and a fairly mild winter (minimum temperature in January - -13 ºС), and also receives the most precipitation here. In winter, prolonged snowstorms are frequent, and in the summer-autumn period - rain, fog and strong winds (up to 45-55 m/s). Snow falls already in October and completely melts only by the end of May, and in the mountains it remains until mid-June.

Another distinctive feature of the Kola Peninsula is the long polar days and nights. In summer, the sun does not set below the horizon for almost a month and a half, and in winter you can watch the beautiful northern lights.

This peninsula is located in the north-west of the Russian Federation, it is part of the Barents Sea in the north, and the White Sea in the east and south. The western border of the peninsula is a meridional depression that stretches from along the Kola River to

Its area is 100 thousand square kilometers, the northern coast is steep and high, and the southern coast is flat and low-lying, gently sloping. In the west of the peninsula there are mountain ranges - the Khibiny and Lovozero tundras. In its center stretches the Keiva ridge.

Geographical position

The Kola Peninsula occupies seventy percent of the territory of the Murmansk region. It is located in the far north of Russia. Almost its entire territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle.

Climatic conditions

The Kola Peninsula has a very diverse climate. The warm North Atlantic Current warms it in the northwest. Here the climate is milder, subarctic, maritime. Closer to the east, center and southwest of the territory, continentality increases - here the climate becomes moderately cold. The average January temperature ranges from -10 °C in the northwest to -18 °C in the center. In July the air warms up from +8 °C to +10 °C.

The snow cover is completely established in early October, and disappears only at the end of May (in the mountains this process drags on until mid-June). Frosts and snowfall are common even in summer. Strong winds often blow on the coast (up to 55 m/s); in winter, prolonged snowstorms are a common occurrence.

Relief and nature

The Kola Peninsula is made up of terraces and depressions, plateaus and mountains. The peninsula's massifs rise above sea level by more than eight hundred meters. Swamps and numerous lakes occupy the plains.

The reservoirs are rich in various types of fish - palia and salmon, trout and whitefish, pike and grayling. In the seas washing the territory there is an abundance of flounder and cod, capelin and halibut, crab and herring.

History of the peninsula

Experts divide it into four main stages. The first began even before the Russians arrived on the Kola Peninsula. In those days, the indigenous population lived here - the Sami. They were engaged in deer hunting, berry picking, and fishing. The Sami lived in huts with a flat roof - tupas, or in huts made of reindeer skins - kuvaks.

The second historical period begins in the eleventh century, with the appearance of the first Pomeranian settlements. Their inhabitants did the same things as the Sami, but, unlike them, they rarely went hunting.

They lived in ordinary Russian huts, but with very narrow windows. They were necessary to retain heat as much as possible. Solid pieces of ice were installed in these narrow windows. When it thawed, a strong connection with the tree was formed.

The third historical period of the Kola Peninsula can be considered wars against invaders. The indigenous population has been interfered with by the Norwegians since ancient times. Since ancient times they have laid claim to the lands of the Sami. They had to fight them to defend their territory. The British began to lay claim to the peninsula after the Norwegians. In the 17th and 18th centuries, they burned Kola, a fortress built at the mouth of the river of the same name.

The fourth stage in the history of the peninsula is entirely connected with the emergence of the city of Murmansk. The first prospectors appeared in these places in 1912. Today it is the largest port in the Arctic.

Cities of the Kola Peninsula

The first settlement of Pomors, which appeared on the territory of the present city of Kola, appeared in 1264. It is mentioned in the notes of Simon van Salingen, a merchant from Holland in the 16th century.

At this time, the Pomors began active trade with the Norwegians, Swedes, British, and Danes, who arrived by ship on the Kola Peninsula. The city of Kola became the administrative center. Its population was engaged in fishing, poultry and cattle breeding.

In 1814, the first stone church on the peninsula was built here. The townspeople became famous for fearlessly repelling the attacks of the Swedes and the British.

Murmansk

This largest city in the Arctic is located on the Kola Peninsula. It was founded in October 1916. At first it was called Romanov-on-Murman. The city bore this name until April 1917. It is located on the shores of the Kola Bay, 50 kilometers from the Barents Sea. It is surrounded by numerous hills.

Its area is 15,055 hectares (including the area of ​​the Kola Bay - 1,357 hectares). The city consists of three administrative districts - Oktyabrsky, Leninsky and Pervomaisky.

Murmansk cannot be considered one of the largest cities in our country, but it is the largest city in the world located above the Arctic Circle.

In May 1985, he received the high title of “Hero City”, and in February 1971 he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

Apatity

The Kola Peninsula, photos of which can often be seen on the pages of publications for travelers, does not have many large cities on its territory. One of them is Apatity, with the territory under its jurisdiction, which includes the Khibiny station and the village of Tik-Guba.

The city is located between and on the banks of the Belaya River. Population - 57905 people.

In 1916, a railway station appeared on the site of the current city, in connection with the start of road construction. In 1930, the state farm “Industry” was organized here.

The foundation of the city took place in 1951, and three years later the construction of the academic campus began. Due to the death of Stalin, work was suspended until 1956. Then the city began construction of the Kirov State District Power Plant. In 1956, the first residential building was put into operation.

In 1966 the city was reorganized. It included the village of Molodezhny.

Winter on the Kola Peninsula

This is the longest season in these parts. Winter lasts up to eight months. Snow cover appears in October, and in May lakes and rivers are still frozen. And at the same time, in winter the Kola Peninsula (you see the photo in our article) is a unique, fairy-tale world. Despite the fact that the temperature can drop below 40 degrees, the cold is completely unfettered and practically unnoticeable due to the low level of humidity.

polar night

Due to the fact that the Kola Peninsula is located beyond the Arctic Circle, the polar night reigns here from the end of November to the end of January.

The black sky is strewn with bright stars, the cities are illuminated by electric lanterns. At noon, the sky brightens a little, with purple, dark blue and even pink hues appearing on it. Thus two short hours of twilight pass. Then the sky darkens again.

Northern lights

Few residents of the European part of our country have had the opportunity to see this extraordinary spectacle that adorns the Kola Peninsula in winter. The black sky suddenly blooms with tongues of fiery shades - from crimson to blue-green. It's like a laser show, you can't take your eyes off it. It can be observed from September to April. Until now, the northern lights are considered a mysterious phenomenon, which even residents of the Arctic cannot get used to.

Rivers of the peninsula

The reservoirs of this land are mainly fed by melt water (up to 60% of the flow). The rivers of the Kola Peninsula are deep for 2 months a year (May-June), and then they become significantly shallower. The water level in them largely depends on summer rains.

Their length exceeds 50 thousand km. They belong to the basin of two northern seas - the Barents and White. Some of them are more than 200 km long - Varzuga, Ponoy, Tuloma. They occupy 70% of the total area of ​​the basins of the Murmansk region. Almost all rivers have a meridional flow direction; only the Ponoi River has a latitudinal flow.

Many Voronya, Umba, etc.) flow from large lakes. The water in them is usually greenish-blue and clear. During floods, rivers carry large amounts of silt, sand, and fallen leaves. The Kola Peninsula is characterized by long-term ice cover - 7 months, ice cover remains up to 210 days a year. The rivers open in May.

Hydro resources

On Niva, Kovda, Voronya there are hydroelectric power stations and reservoirs built. Unlike the lowland southern rivers, in the northern ones, due to the cooling of water on the rapids during the cold season, bottom ice forms.

The rivers of the Kola Peninsula are conventionally divided into four groups:

• semi-plain (Varzuga, Ponoy, Strelna);
• river-canals (Varzina, Niva, Kolvitsa);
• lake type (Umba, Drozdovka, Rynda);
• mountain type (Kuna, Malaya Belaya).

Fishing

The Kola Peninsula today is one of the most interesting places for true connoisseurs of trout and salmon fishing. It is well known all over the world as the best place for catching “noble fish”. Conventionally, fishermen divide the rivers of the peninsula into those that flow into the cold Barents Sea, and those that carry their waters to the White Sea.

Fishing on the Kola Peninsula is a pleasure not only for beginners, but also for experienced lovers of this activity. In July, a large number of not very large salmon - “tinda” - enter the rivers of the peninsula, and the August stocks contain medium-sized salmon.

This harsh region left its mark on the inhabitants of reservoirs. In many rivers there are no grayling, here they are replaced by Arctic char and whitefish.

River trout here grows to a very respectable size of five and sometimes seven kilograms, and brown trout does not exceed 2 kilograms.

The most famous rivers that attract fishermen from all over the country and from abroad to the Kola Peninsula (Russia), belonging to the northern shore, are Yokanga, Kola, Rynda, Kharlovka, Varzina, Vostochnaya Litsa. It is here that the best wild fishing on the Kola Peninsula is organized.

Kharlovka River

This amazing river is well known to experienced salmon fishermen. In addition, travelers who appreciate the extraordinary northern nature often come here. They are attracted by the beautiful waterfall. Huge masses of water can lead to indescribable delight a person who has seen this stunning spectacle at least once.

Kharlovka is famous for its particularly large salmon and equally large trout. True, fish can pass through waterfall streams only if the water level in the river is appropriate. Sometimes anglers give up fishing and watch the salmon try to overcome this obstacle. In the white foam of water, the fish jumps out of the water. At the top of the waterfall there is a natural slab from which this process can be captured on film. Residents of the Kola Peninsula have long been no longer surprised by unique footage in which a huge fish seems to be flying into the camera lens.

Kharlovka has excellent fishing, which is why not only “savage” fishermen come here, but also high-quality organized tours are organized.

Bell

This river attracts with its combination of excellent fishing and natural beauty. Three large multi-stage waterfalls, a huge number of trout and salmon make this place extremely attractive.

Fishing on the Kola Peninsula on the Rynda River has many fans. Some of them have been coming to these places on fishing tours for 17-18 years.

Tersky coast

The rivers that are located on the southern Terek coast are very popular among wide circles of fishermen around the world.

This is the magnificent Umba River, the rapids and free-flowing Varzuga with its tributaries, the Kitsa and Pana, inhabited by numerous salmon herds, and the famous Terek rivers Strelna, Chapoma, Chavanga, Pyalitsa.

It should be noted that the rivers of the Tersky coast are distinguished by a very wide list of living fish. Schools of pink salmon, salmon, and sea trout come into them to spawn.

Brook trout, brown trout, grayling and whitefish live in these rivers.

Carp species include roach and ide. And predators are represented by perch, pike, burbot.

From Moscow and St. Petersburg, the most convenient way to arrive on the Kola Peninsula is by landing at Murmansk Airport. At least 5 flights depart daily from three Moscow airports to Murmansk; The route is served by UTair, Aeroflot, Nordavia, and S7 airlines. Travel time is 2.5 hours. There are even more flights from the northern capital - up to 10 per day. St. Petersburg residents will spend less than 2 hours on the road. The carriers are the same, plus Rossiya Airlines.

In winter, there are direct flights to Apatity, on which skiers arrive on the slopes of the Khibiny.

Lovers of adventure and beautiful scenery can reach the Kola Peninsula by train, also arriving in Murmansk. Muscovites will have to spend at least 30 hours on the road (ticket price from 3,200 RUB), St. Petersburg residents - about 25 hours (from 3,000 RUB). Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

By car, residents of both Russian capitals reach the capital of the peninsula along the M18 federal highway.

The main thing that attracts tourists to the Kola Peninsula is the incredibly beautiful, harsh and solemn nature, practically untouched by man.

A little geography

The Kola Peninsula is a battlefield of primeval nature, pushing, grinding and piling up tectonic plates. Therefore, the landscape here is remarkably diverse: the Khibiny mountain ranges, rising to 1200 m, and high-mountain plateaus covered with coniferous forests, the Lovozero tundra with unique circuses - glacial bowls several kilometers long and up to 200 m high, depressions and lowlands, rivers, lakes, swamps, tundra and taiga... It contains more than a thousand varieties of minerals - a third of all known on the planet, of which 150 are not found anywhere else on Earth.

Russia's border with Finland and Norway runs along the Kola Peninsula, thanks to which there are three international vehicle checkpoints. So, if you have a Schengen visa, you can easily go to our closest northern neighbors for a few days.

Weather on the Kola Peninsula

The cold breath of the north leaves its mark on the climate of the Kola Peninsula throughout the year: weather conditions change as if by magic: morning frosts are possible in summer, and prolonged snowstorms in winter. However, the warm current of the North Atlantic has rewarded the north-west of the peninsula with a moderately mild subarctic maritime climate: in particular, in Murmansk and Severomorsk the average January temperature is only −8 °C. In Apatity and Kirovsk it is noticeably colder in winter - up to −15 °C, and on the slopes of Khibiny there is “working” ski snow until May.

Polar days and nights, as well as the northern lights, are the main spectacular features of the peninsula. You can admire the sun not setting over the horizon in June-July, and plunge into the darkness of the night in December-January (then it is worth hunting for the aurora).

Popular hotels in the Kola Peninsula

Entertainment and attractions

The main thing that attracts tourists to the Kola Peninsula (among whom the majority are foreigners) is the incredibly beautiful, harsh and solemn nature, practically untouched by man. Among all the natural heritage, the Khibiny Mountains are a favorite: in winter people come here to ski, in summer they go hiking, rafting down mountain rivers and relaxing at lake resorts. In addition, in Khibiny you should definitely go on an excursion to mining enterprises and visit the Apatite museum and exhibition center in Kirovsk with an interesting exhibition telling about mining.

The Tersky Coast and the Kuzomensky Sands are two amazing natural areas of the peninsula. The first is unanimously recognized as the most picturesque: the deserted coast of the White Sea is strewn with sparkling treasures - rock fragments, including real amethysts.

Kuzomenskie sands are a mini-desert in northern latitudes: dunes of multi-colored sand stretch for almost 13 km along the sea coast.

The largest and most picturesque lakes of the Kola Peninsula are Imandra, Lovozero and Umbozero. Imandra is ideal for a relaxed, no-frills holiday surrounded by stunningly diverse nature: pebble beaches give way to sharp rocks, sandbanks alternate with piles of boulders. Fishing and hiking through forests and valleys are the most popular leisure activities. Lovozero, with an area of ​​almost 200 km, is surrounded by low mountains under the unobvious name of the Lovozero tundra. Seasonal camp sites operate on the lake, and ascents are organized in the tundra.

Umbozero is the deepest on the peninsula: its depth reaches 100 m. It is notable not only for its picturesque shores, but also for several islands where you can feel like 100% Robinson.

Teriberka is a recent cinematic star of the Kola Peninsula. After the release of the film “Leviathan,” the village, forgotten by God and people, received a rebirth: people come here for specific impressions of the abandonment and ruin of a once prosperous settlement. In Teriberka, you can stand on the coast of the Barents Sea, see the skeletons of ships and the remains of military batteries, wander along deserted beaches strewn with boulders, and look into houses abandoned by residents.

The most interesting nature reserves of the peninsula are Lapland, Kandalaksha and Russian-Norwegian Pasvik. The first is home to relict forests up to 10 thousand years old with 400-600-year-old trees, reindeer, moose, bears, wolves and many other animals. On the shore of Lake Chuna there is another residence of Father Frost - this time Lapland. The Kandalaksha Nature Reserve borders the tundra and northern taiga, where 67 species of mammals and 250 species of birds live. And in Pasvik, tourists can admire pine forests and glacial lakes and see numerous waterfowl.