TOP-8 Scenic Roads in Russia for a Car Trip
Do you think now is a good time to travel by car? We think so! While most Russians are relaxing at our seaside resorts, you can travel around the country to your heart's content. We've gathered picturesque routes for you to ensure you have beautiful photos and unforgettable memories.
From Dzhubga to Adler along the A-147 Highway
One of the most beautiful roads in the Caucasus, 217 km long, starts in Dzhubga and ends at the borders of Abkhazia. Along the way, from your car window, you will definitely see Tuapse, Lazarevskoye, Sochi; the entire road runs along the Black Sea coast.
An exciting journey awaits you through mountain peaks, serpentine roads, vineyards, mines, and beaches. And through the Zubova Shchel gorge, you will drive across Russia's most beautiful and highest viaduct.
Karelia along the “Sortavala” Highway
How about the idea of driving along the shore of Lake Ladoga? We suggest a route from Olonets to Sortavala, 194 km long. Along the way, there will be many coves with sandy beaches. This same route offers good views on the other side of the lake – towards Priozersk.
North along the “Kola” Highway R-21
Another option for a northern journey, but this road stretches far beyond Karelia. The “Kola” highway will lead you directly to the borders of Norway through Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk, Kandalaksha, Monchegorsk, Murmansk, and Pechenga. Over 1,592 km, there will be serpentine roads and mirror-like lakes, and even the peaks of Khibiny will appear. In winter, you can drive along this route to the Arctic Circle and try to catch the Northern Lights.
From Prokhladny to Elbrus along the R-289 and A-158 Highways
All routes in the Caucasus are beautiful, and choosing just a few of the very best is very difficult. But the road to Elbrus is definitely a winning option. Here, the scenery is beautiful, and the destination is excellent. You can take the funicular up to the “Mir” station, which is 3,500 meters above sea level!
The Prokhladny – Baksan – Elbrus route stretches for 150 km. First, it's the Kabardian Valley, and the second part of the journey runs along the Main Caucasian Ridge. Just imagine: along the road, waterfalls, sheer limestone cliffs, and the distant peaks of Elbrus and Cheget.
From Cherkessk to Dombay along the A-155 Highway
If you're going to the Caucasus, not seeing Dombay would be a big miss. Karachay-Cherkessia is also an incredibly beautiful mountainous region – from photos, you wouldn't distinguish it from Switzerland!
From Cherkessk to Dombay is only 123 km; the road is good, without potholes, but there are sharp turns and serpentine sections. You can drive any month except November.
Chuya Highway along the R-256 Route
The Chuya Highway stretches quite far – from Novosibirsk to the Mongolian border, a full 968 km. You will pass through Novosibirsk Oblast, as well as the Altai Krai. But you can also drive along the historical Chuya Highway, which is shorter – 630 km (from Biysk to the Mongolian border).
Driving along the Great Silk Road, you will encounter alpine meadows, altitude changes of approximately 2,000 meters, rivers, gorges, springs, caves, and mountain landscapes. But there's another surprise: turn off at kilometer 864 and you'll see the famous “Martian landscapes” of Kyzyl-Chin. The best time for a road trip is from June to September.
Tunkinsky Tract along the A-333 Highway
Baikal and Irkutsk Oblast never cease to amaze. If you're heading to the lake, be sure to rent a car and drive along Genghis Khan's Road. It starts in the village of Kultuk, on the southern border of the lake, and ends near the village of Mondy, near the Mongolian border.
Along the 216 km route, it's nothing but splendor: several hundred mineral springs, mountain ranges, Buddhist temples, river rapids, Tunka National Park, and good infrastructure.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Ust-Kamchatsk along the R-474 Highway
For residents of some regions of the country, the chance to visit Kamchatka comes once in a lifetime, at best. Tickets there don't always please the wallet, and in the region itself, you can spend a lot of money if you look at it from above, as most places are inaccessible by road. We recommend taking an SUV and driving yourself along the main highway that leads past volcanoes and geysers.
From Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, head to the village of Klyuchi, and from there to Ust-Kamchatsk. In total, approximately 710 km await you, and there will certainly be no shortage of views. Besides volcanoes, geysers, and hills, there will be dense forests, lakes, rivers, and even bears and moose. Be sure to stop in the village of Klyuchi – it's the most picturesque spot, with the towering Klyuchevskaya and Shiveluch volcanoes nearby. The best time to travel is from the second half of July to mid-September.
