Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Russia - off the beaten track - ideas please? Russia - off the beaten track - ideas please?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By motoreiter

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 Feb 2017
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Nieder-Olm, Germany
Posts: 144
Russia - off the beaten track - ideas please?
Hi y´all,

we´re planning to travel about 14 days on motorcyles (1190R and Transalp) in the European part of Russia (i.e. west of the Ural) (plus another 10 days or so travel to and from Germany).

Where to go within that area between Baltic and the Caspian Sea will heavily depend on what we need to see. We´re not too keen on St Petersburg, will in any case do one day in Moscow (but not more, as we´d rather go back into the open range) and will certainly visit one or the other of the Golden Ring cities.
From you guys wer´re more interested in your personal experience; where did you stop, what did you discover along the way (such as a nuclear warhead missile station from the cold war which we once found to be accessible in the Ukraine), any local bike meets etc.
Thanks and best regards
Chris
__________________
Need to fix your Africa Twin? Check out my step-by-step frame strip pictures at
Google+ album: http://tinyurl.com/6u93yv2
Dropbox with zip-File: http://tinyurl.com/czj8qgw
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Feb 2017
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,185
Explore the republic of Karelia (north of St Petersburg) and stay in the capital city of Petrozavodsk ( a very pleasant city) set by the edge of lake Onega. Take a day trip there to the Island of Kizhi. It is well worth the day trip. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizhi_Island

From there I had originally planned to get up to Kem (toward Murmansk peninsula) and take a trip to the Soloveski islands (world heritage list) .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solovetsky_Islands

Again, a worth while trip. However, last year was so cold and wet, we had so many storms, that we continued East instead.

If you continue East, via the north roads, note that you cannot visit Plesetsk without a FSB permit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plesetsk_Cosmodrome
Despite reading in Moscow Times last year that the Russian government was thinking about opening it up to visitors, it is still NIET /forbidden place for tourists, as far as I know. (see my trip reports for details on this – 2016 – on my website).

If you cross via the Baltic states, the city of Pskov has a really nice Kremlin. And lots of hotels.

For details of our explorations of Russia see my website and trips in 2014 and 2016. 2015 was Siberia and is too far for you.

Murmansk Peninsula could be a nice place to explore depending on weather. If you are on a car it should be ok, on a bike, it could be extremely cold and wet if unlucky.

Any questions feel free to send me an email or PM.
Load the app Yandex for routing, itinerary, hotels and everything else. Its Satellite view is very good also to have an idea of the state of the road, when zooming (note that the satellite view are not using the same pictures than in Google). Yandex is the Russian version of google and is perfect for Russia. Along with Maps.me.

Cheers,
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 950
14 days is very little time to see anything in Russia, but here are some suggestions in the Moscow area... you could try one of two of the following:

- Golden Ring Cities; I think Vladimir is nicest, but Yaroslavl and Kostroma are also nice. Suzdal / Bogolyubovo have some very picturesque churches. Rostov is also worth seeing.

- A bit north; Novgorod is nice, Vologda is nothing special but close to beautiful Ozero Beloye / Belozersk, Kirillov Monastery and Ferapontov Monastery, the latter of which has amazing frescoes.

- Staying west, Pskov and Smolensk are both lovely cities, nearby is Pushkin's estate / museum.

- To the south there is very little of interest (Yelets is nice) until you reach Kalmykia and the Caucasus, but these are much too far away with your time frame

- A bit east; Kazan is a historical city well worth seeing, but there is not much else around, though the Volga is nice. I really liked Samara but to a first-time visitor it will probably have little appeal.

I have a lot of travel reports from all over Russia on my website, maybe you can get some ideas: https://eurasiaoverland.com/category/russia/

EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Feb 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
Whew, where to start? Honestly, just stay off the main highways and you'll find all of the "off the beaten track" places you'll need.

While I understand you desire not to spend too much time in Moscow, one day is really not enough...at least two days are a must! Stay in an area called Kitai Gorod, it is right in the center and there are plenty of small hotels, hostels, bars, restaurants in the area.

For smaller cities...Yaroslavl is great, as are Samara, Volgograd, Pskov, Nizhni Novgorod, Kazan. Up near the Latvian border is a small town called Sebezh, very nice.

On the other fan, not a big fan of Orel, Velikiye Luki, Saransk, Ryazan.

If it is your first time, just ride the small roads and you're pretty much sure to find something interesting. I advise using a GPS because a lot of these small roads have poor signage and it is easy to get lost otherwise. Have fun.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Feb 2017
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Nieder-Olm, Germany
Posts: 144
Thanks guys, this is a great list to consider and start planning!

Best regards
Chris
__________________
Need to fix your Africa Twin? Check out my step-by-step frame strip pictures at
Google+ album: http://tinyurl.com/6u93yv2
Dropbox with zip-File: http://tinyurl.com/czj8qgw
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Feb 2017
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bromley kent
Posts: 105
"nuclear warhead missile station from the cold war which we once found to be accessible in the Ukraine"

Any more info available?

John
__________________
A big boy did it and ran away.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Where to buy 4x4 tyres in Russia eurasiaoverland Northern and Central Asia 2 18 Aug 2016 12:43
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 08:38
Rode Russia 2014 checkerdd Northern and Central Asia 2 20 Nov 2014 04:32
Real Russia visa agency. Beware, be very aware... chris Trip Paperwork 13 12 Apr 2014 17:12
SIM cards in Russia for Travellers colebatch Northern and Central Asia 1 14 Jun 2012 17:30

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:59.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top