Smolensk walking route: fortress wall to the Belarus border
The route is 15.8 km long in Smolensk and its environs, covering the historical center with a fortress wall, lakes and forests of the Smolensk Lake District. The path demonstrates the contrast between the architectural heritage of the key city and modern life inside the ancient fortifications.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Smolensk
- End
- Belarus Border
- Stops
- 3
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Smolensk — Historic fortress city on the Dnieper River, known as Russia's key city and shield, featuring a famous 16th-century defensive wall encircling the downtown area.
- Smolensk Fortress Wall — Iconic 16th-century defensive fortification with towers and walls still integrated into the living city, serving as the spiritual soul of Smolensk.
- Belarus Border — International frontier situated only 70 kilometers southwest of Smolensk, historically significant for the city's defensive and geopolitical role.
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- From Moscow to Smolensk: the train "Lastochka" from the Belorussky Railway Station takes about 4 hours, the ticket costs a little more than 1000 rubles, or a car along the M1 highway - 400 km in 4 hours.
- Avoid
- From St. Petersburg, avoid toll roads through the Pskov region (barriers charge ~200 rubles for 60 km of dead road). It is better to go for free through Velikiye Luki.
- Where to stay
- If you are coming from St. Petersburg, spend the night in Velikiye Luki - this is a good place to stop before the long journey to Smolensk.
- Tip
- As of July 2024, GPS and navigator in Smolensk do not work. Navigate maps or paper maps of the city.
- Timing
- It is better to visit the Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park for at least 2 days, but even one day will allow you to appreciate the lakes, forests and swamps.
- Save money
- A ticket to the Smolensk Lakeland National Park costs 300 rubles and is valid for 7 days. It is issued online on the website of the reserve.
- Transport
- Smolensk is located 70 km from the border with Belarus. There is no operating civil airport in the city - get there by car or train.
- Tip
- In the village of Prizhevalskaya (national park) you can see and feed Prizhevalsky's horses - the last wild horses in nature. They love apples.
- Tip
- The national park has eco-trails of varying complexity: from simple walks to long routes through forests, lakes and swamps.
- Tip
- The Smolensk Lake District contains 35 lakes of glacial origin with clear clear water, the bottom is visible. The largest lake is Sapsho.