Modern highways and vehicles are an opportunity to get "from point A to point B" quickly and with maximum comfort. So, by car, a trip from Vologda to Novaya Ladoga along the A114 federal road, the length of which is over 500 km, takes less than 9 hours. Useful information about the route will help you reach the end point of the route without any problems. Important components of a successful trip are a well-developed roadside infrastructure and the availability of recreational facilities.
Oh dear…
Almost the entire hinterland of Russia 150-200 years ago was off-road. In those years, an ironic phrase appeared about bad roads - one of the two eternal troubles of a huge country. The author of the immortal statement could be Pushkin, but more often the authorship is attributed to Gogol. Pushkin believed: in 500 years "… the roads, it is true, will change immeasurably: the highways of Russia here and here, connecting, will cross …". This plan took less time to complete than the poet had predicted. For example, to the south of the mouth of the Volkhov River, two major federal highways of international importance are laid: Vologda - Novaya Ladoga (highway A114) and Kola (M18).
One of the most important elements of the Russian transport system
Route A114 continues the international transport corridor from Northern Europe to the Asian part of the mainland (Western China). The highway is laid on the territory of two regions of the Russian Federation - Vologda and Leningrad, connects the cities of Vologda, Sheksna, Tikhvin, Novaya Ladoga (Leningrad region) and other settlements. International, federal and regional significance of the road:
- shortens the route from Finland, St. Petersburg to Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Yaroslavl, Kirov, Perm;
- is part of the road corridor between the northwest and the Urals;
- connects the transport network of the north-east of the Russian Federation with the Leningrad region, St. Petersburg;
- gives access to the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions, Karelia;
- connects Vologda and Cherepovets, other settlements within the region.
Track Features
The first few tens of kilometers of the motorway from Vologda received the status of a "road of the first category". There are two lanes in each direction, traffic flows are separated by a metal fence for traffic safety purposes. There are two-level interchanges that have replaced dangerous intersections. The width of the road covered with asph alt concrete in the main sections is 7–8m.
The length of the motorway from Vologda to the city of Novaya Ladoga (Leningrad Region) is 531 km. This distance can be covered in 8 hours 55 minutes. The most dense movement of the main types of vehicles is present on the section between Cherepovets and Vologda. Drivers who set off on the A114 highway need to know that difficult sections are located near the village of Leontyevo and in the area of the Tikhvin ring road.
Modernization of the A114 motorway
The high economic and tourist potential of the Southern Ladoga region, the Vologda region and numerous sights attract people to these regions. The number of cars passing along the Vologda-Novaya Ladoga federal highway is increasing by about 15% annually. The motorway is undergoing reconstruction and modernization work aimed at ensuring traffic safety and improving roadside infrastructure. Until May 2017, builders plan to increase the number:
- road lanes, additional interchanges, culverts;
- sidewalks and pedestrian crossings;
- lighting fixtures;
- traffic signs;
- Parking lots for personal vehicles, stops where passengers can take buses "Novaya Ladoga - Volkhov", other route transport.
A small part of the track is already equipped with "electric shepherds" - devices to scare away moose. The devices are powered by solar panels and supply an electric charge to metal wires. Voltage does not pose a threat to human lifeand animals, but scares off the latter when trying to get on the road. In the future, the number of “electric shepherds” will increase on those sections of the Novaya Ladoga highway where the migration routes of large wild animals pass.
Track Service
The main elements of the roadside infrastructure are located on the territory of settlements, in large ones you can find auto repair and tire fitting. Probably, in search of them, you will have to go a little away from the highway. There are many organized parking lots on the section of the route, which is laid on the land of the Leningrad Region. Motels and hotels in Volkhov, Tikhvin and near Vologda have an attractive view. Gas stations and cafes are located right next to the highway and meet after 45-50 km of travel.
Natural conditions of the road Vologda - Novaya Ladoga
The freeway is laid on the northwestern outskirts of the Russian Plain, in a forest area. The relief here is determined by the alternation of lowlands with ridges and uplands. The cities of Novaya Ladoga, Volkhov, Staraya Ladoga are located on the spurs of the B altic-Ladoga ledge. The lowland plain extends 120–125 km east of St. Petersburg. The absolute height usually does not exceed 200 m. Numerous lakes, rivers and swamps are the main natural feature of the North-West region. Some reservoirs belong to the Atlantic basin, others are associated with the Arctic Ocean or the Caspian Sea. On the way from Novaya Ladoga to Vologda to the northwest, the road crosses the rivers: Sheksna, Suda, Chagoda, Syas, Volkhov and other watercourses.
Climate in the areafreeways
The temperature regime and precipitation in the regions where the route from Vologda to Novaya Ladoga is laid depend on cyclones and anticyclones coming from the Atlantic and the Arctic. The climate of the territory is temperate continental, winter is relatively mild with frequent thaws, summer is moderately warm.
The average temperature in January is from -8 to -11 °С, in July the thermometer is more often in the range from +16 to +18 °С. The absolute maximum reaches +36 °C, the absolute minimum is -52 °C. The warmest are the south-western regions of the route. During the year, a significant amount of precipitation falls here - 500–600 mm. The rainiest period is summer-autumn. Snow cover sets in the second half of November or early December, melts in the second half of April.
The path "from the Varangians to the Bulgars"
The Novaya Ladoga highway is the shortest road from St. Petersburg to Vologda, Arkhangelsk, Yaroslavl. In the Leningrad region, the motorway comes to the mouth of the Volkhov River. The place where it flows into Lake Ladoga is located in the center of the coastline of the Southern Ladoga region between the deltas of the Neva and Svir (distance 100 km). The history of this land is inextricably linked with the past, present and future of Russia.
Through Staraya Ladoga, 15 km up from the mouth of the Volkhov River, in ancient times the Volga-B altic river route passed - “from the Varangians to the Bulgars and Khazars”. A lively international exchange has been going on since the second half of the 9th century. The trade route was used by Russia, Volga Bulgaria and the Khazar Khaganate. Muchlater, canals were laid not far from the coast, connecting the Volkhov with the Neva. The lake-river and swampy region was not very suitable for the construction of land roads. The history of the highway in this area dates back to the creation of monasteries in Tikhvin, Novaya Ladoga, Dymy, which were visited by Russian tsars.
How to get to South Ladoga Region
If you plan to get to Novaya Ladoga by car, then from St. Petersburg you can drive along the Murmansk highway to the Volkhov bridge. Before the bridge, there is a turn onto the highway A 115, which leads to Staraya Ladoga and Volkhov. To Novaya Ladoga - turn to the regional road.
A convenient way to travel by public transport is through the regional center - Volkhov. Electric trains from St. Petersburg come to the city's stations located on different banks of the river of the same name. Trains from Moscow also stop here, going in a northerly direction (to Petrozavodsk and Murmansk). By train from St. Petersburg can be reached in 2.5-3 hours, from Moscow - in 8.5 hours.
Buses and minibus No. 23 depart from the Volkhovstroy-1 station to Novaya Ladoga. This transport goes along the left bank of the river. Regular bus "Volkhov - Novaya Ladoga" No. 24 goes in the same direction, but along the right bank. Public transport interval: buses run every 1 hour, minibuses depart more often.
City of Novaya Ladoga
During the Northern War, Peter I ordered the inhabitants of Tikhvin and Ladoga to move to the vicinity of the ancient Nikolo-Medvedovsky Monastery, located at the mouth of the Volkhov River sovereignconsidered convenient for commerce and shipbuilding. The proximity to St. Petersburg (120 km) and Shlisselburg was also taken into account. For Novaya Ladoga was a turning point in 1704, when the shipyard was laid. After 6 years, the first warships equipped with guns left the slipways.
Ancient Ladoga began to be called "Old", and the new city quickly grew and developed. On its territory, some buildings from the complex of the Nikolo-Medvedsky Monastery have been preserved, a significant part of it was destroyed by the German knights in 1538. In total, there are 19 cultural, historical and architectural monuments on the territory of the city of Novaya Ladoga (Leningrad region). Among them are buildings of the 18th century: Klementovskaya Church and the officers' club of the Suzdal regiment.
Recreation center at the mouth of the river. Volkhov
The well-maintained base "Novaya Ladoga" is located in the city of the same name in the Leningrad region. The complex is located on the shores of Lake Ladoga, its diverse number of rooms is designed for people with different financial capabilities. Summer houses, 1-, 2-, 3-bed rooms, campsites are offered. The highlight of the recreation center is the luxury halls in the style of knightly times (with a fireplace).
The infrastructure of the complex includes parking for cars, a small restaurant, barbecue areas, cozy gazebos, a real Russian bath, sports grounds, billiards, a rental shop. From entertainment, rowing trips on boats and catamarans, cycling trips through the ecologically clean territory of Maryina Roshcha are available. Interesting and informative excursions are organized in the OldLadoga and Volkhov.
Rurik's Residence
Staraya Ladoga is the oldest known East Slavic city in Russia. This large settlement during the time of the Varangian Rurik became the territory, "where the Russian land came from." Ladoga was founded no later than 753, the name of the settlement was given in the Scandinavian language - Aldoga, which means "old river" in translation. The advantageous position at the beginning of the journey from the northern countries to the south and east contributed to the flourishing of the city. In 862, it was headed by the Varangian Rurik called to Russia, who after some time transferred his residence to the sources of the Volkhov River - to Novgorod. Another legendary prince Prophetic Oleg died in Ladoga.
The city-fortress flourished before the invasion of the Swedes in 1313, who came across Lake Ladoga on ships. The remains of ancient buildings were found in 1702 by Peter I, who decided to resettle the Old Ladoga residents closer to the coast. Archaeological excavations on the territory of the ancient fortress have been going on for more than 130 years. The rarities and artifacts found have taken a worthy place in the exposition of the Staraya Ladoga Archaeological Museum-Reserve. Churches of the pre-Mongolian era, other temples and monasteries, ancient burial mounds and a settlement have been preserved on the territory of the village.
Volkhov - a city on ancient trade routes
On the banks of the river. Volkhov, archaeologists have found numerous evidence that it was here that the Volga-B altic route passed, and local residents escorted merchant ships through the river rapids. In 1918, the builders of one of the first-bornGOELRO plan - Volkhovskaya HPP, sights of the city.
The bus route "Volkhov - Novaya Ladoga" passes through the village of Staraya Ladoga. Only 10 km separate the industrial city from the Staraya Ladoga Museum-Reserve. Having traveled about 30 km to the southeast to Zelenets station, you can see the ensemble of the Trinity Monastery, built in the late Middle Ages. There is one hotel in Staraya Ladoga, and 4 hotels in Volkhov where you can stay and relax.
