Ruskeal waterfalls and marble canyon in Karelia

In Sortavala district of Karelia there are four waterfalls of surprising beauty, which attract the attention of all holidaymakers. They are called Ruskeal waterfalls. Each of them is beautiful and unique in its own way.

Akhvenkoski

The most, perhaps, famous waterfall area. After all, there were shooting two famous films. In the 70s of the last century the film crew of the film "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" worked here, reconstructing the tragic events of the Great Patriotic War. And already at the beginning of this century (2005), the mystical film "The Dark World" was filmed, the plot of which was built around the existence of a parallel civilization. Until now, on the riverbank, there has been a mock-up of the hut, near which the film began to be shot.

The waterfall is located in the channel of Tohmajoki (from Finnish translates as "rabid"), a picturesque and winding river that flows from Lake Ruokojärvi and flows through forty kilometers to Lake Ladoga. This is one of its largest tributaries.

The name of the waterfall can be translated from Finnish as a "perch", and locals often refer to it as "three bridges", as the river crosses the road three times at a given place. The river is a place of pilgrimage for many extreme-rafters, and the most desperate of them risk to cross and through Akhvenkoski, the swings of which reach 3-4 m.

The color of the waterfall is of an interesting brownish color, in different shades. This is due to the compounds of iron and organic matter, which are contained in the river water from nearby marshes. In the place where the waterfall fell, a decent "Padun" was formed - a notch washed by a swift water flow. Then the depth decreases. The waterfall, despite the fact that the main current of the river freezes in December, exists until January-February, somewhat reducing its fullness.

Akhvenkoski is a waterfall, which has long been chosen by tourists. There is a convenient access to it, and therefore on the shore you can find the amenities of civilization - canopies, gazebos, toilet, equipped places for a fire, benches. In a nearby café you can have a hot tea and a snack.

Rumyakoski

The second beautiful waterfall in the channel of Tohmajoki is Rumakoski. Despite the places a bad swampy road, it's worth it to see it. The waterfall flows into a small lake with high rocky shores. Standing on such a bank, you can admire roaring water for a long time. It is one of the places of pilgrimage of extreme tourists, like other Ruskeal waterfalls. How to get to it by car if the road is heavily bogged? The answer is obvious - only on foot. For the unique beauty and shape of the rafters gave this place a romantic name "the charm of roses".

In the vicinity of the waterfall, the remains of the structures of the inactive Finnish hydropower station were preserved.

Yukankoski

It is impossible to pass by Yukankoski, visiting Ruskeal waterfalls. His photo is impressive. After all, this is the highest waterfall in Karelia. The falling flow of water from a height of nineteen meters remains the most pure and untouched of four because of its inaccessibility. The second name is the White Bridge. It is connected with the Finnish road that passed earlier over the river. It is located ten kilometers from the village of Leppäsilt. The waterfall is in the channel Kulismajoki, near it are the remains of a stone bridge. The greatest fullness reaches in the spring - in the beginning of summer.

Kivach

Kivach, which in translation means "powerful", is in fact the most powerful waterfall in Karelia and the third largest in the plains of Europe. The water of the Suna River falls down two main ledges from a height of 11 meters. At the same time, the total length of the cascades of the river reaches two hundred meters. The channel of the waterfall is divided by a rock massif into two unequal streams - one more, another smaller.

The reserve in the vicinity of the waterfall has a museum, an arboretum, a cafe and a shop. After the construction of a group of hydroelectric power stations near the waterfall, the flow decreased somewhat.

But not only sights of Karelia are Ruskeal waterfalls. The marble canyon is also attractive for tourists.

It is created by the nature and economic activity of man. From here, a lot of different marble was delivered to the capital and other cities. Water in the canyon comes from the earth's sources and the Tohmajoki River.

Ruskeal waterfalls are great for outdoor activities. Here you can raft on a stormy river and just admire the beautiful views.