Our world is full of places shrouded in mystical beliefs and unexplained phenomena. Esoteric practitioners call them places of power. Scientists conduct experiments in an effort to explain the phenomena associated with them. And ordinary travellers simply enjoy the remarkable harmony of these strangely compelling locations. Today, we will take a closer look at one of them.
This mountain lies deep in the wilderness of Karelia and bears the intriguing name of Vottovaara. Many call it the Karelian Stonehenge. Curious to know why?
The reason is a series of mysterious structures discovered by a local historian. Naturally, they drew the attention of archaeologists, who concluded that they were ceremonial sites: weathered boulders positioned in unusual ways, including enormous stones resting on several much smaller ones.
Getting to Vottovaara is not difficult by car, although you cannot drive all the way to the mountain itself. The final stretch must be covered on foot, so prepare for a hike in advance. Since this rocky ridge became popular, local guides have become available in nearby settlements. One of the advantages of travelling with a guide is hearing the captivating legends surrounding this place. Most interestingly, more of them seem to appear every year. Many people heading to this shamanic mountain stay for several days. A tent, hiking gear and a detailed map of the area will come in handy. Mobile reception is unavailable here, and some say electronic devices can malfunction. A compass and map are therefore ideal backups if GPS fails.
The last inhabited settlement on the way to the mountain is called Gimoly. The drive there is easier, but beyond it begins a succession of abandoned roads and unreliable wooden bridges. Far from larger settlements, the village depends on logging and quarrying. A good unpaved road leads there, so you can cover the fifteen kilometres from Gimoly without difficulty. However, once the quarry is behind you, the road gradually deteriorates. How far you can drive depends on your vehicle. It is best not to take risks, as help may be hard to find. The surrounding landscape is marshy, and the route to the mountain passes slender young trees and small open pools of bog water. The ascent is gentle and not difficult, though the forest becomes denser and more sombre. There is also an abandoned road around the mountain, sometimes used by travellers in capable off-road vehicles.
The summit stands at 417 metres. It is colder and windier here than at the foot of the mountain. Constant winds often give the trees on the summit unusual shapes. Adapting to the force of the elements, their branches bend and their silhouettes become twisted and distorted, creating an eerily superstitious feeling, especially at dusk. In this atmosphere, even the seid boulders can seem like something not made by human hands. Although many of them have in fact been built by tourists.
The legends surrounding this mountain are so varied in content and interpretation that there is something for every listener. Some resemble fairy tales, while others involve cosmic objects: magnetism, heavy energies, evil spirits, UFOs, portals and places of power. People seek on Vottovaara what feels meaningful to them. And apparently they find it, as many return here again and again.
It is worth mentioning that the seids are associated with the ceremonial traditions of the Sámi people, whom we discussed in an article about the animated film "Frozen". That article explored the peoples of northern Scandinavia, but the Sámi are also believed to have lived in Karelia. Their magical legend, passed down from generation to generation, is a wise tale of the struggle between good and evil. You can hear a more detailed version from a guide. Of course, evil did not win this battle. Yet it could not be destroyed either. A great force stopped it and imprisoned it within the seids, leaving them as a reminder that the desire for power over the world must not fall into the hands of those who would use it for evil.
In the forests of Vottovaara, you may encounter some rather unusual characters. Do not be surprised. Shamans performing strange rituals or people singing in unfamiliar languages are fairly common here, though they are usually harmless and intriguing. Naturally, we cannot offer any guarantees. Whether to speak with mysterious strangers you meet is up to you. Four days with overnight stays are generally enough to explore the mountain in some detail, and many hikers consider this the ideal option. If you feel like visiting this shamanic mountain, a hiking trip is the best choice. Bring your own supplies, as there are few places to buy food and the village shop offers limited choice.
The remarkable places of Russia offer an endless succession of natural beauty and mysteries. You may unravel one of them by conquering this mountain of secrets, hidden among the remote forests of Karelia.
We will show you how many fascinating places there still are in this world.