Sokolovskiye Klyuchi Spring

Sokolovskiye Klyuchi (Соколовские ключи) is a consecrated spring in the Bor tract of Valdai National Park, in the Valdaysky District of Novgorod Oblast, Russia. It lies about 700 metres north of the village of Dolgiye Borody, not far from the settlement of Roshchino, and is part of the Forest Secrets ecological trail.

History

The spring was found in the 1970s by Yakov Yakovlevich Sokolov, a resident of Roshchino, and it was named after him. Sokolov was the first to make the water easy to reach: he laid a path with steps and handrails, built a small footbridge and hung ladles and dippers by the water. Thanks to him, both locals and visitors began coming here for water.

In 2008 the national park staff improved the site: they built a spring catchment and a gazebo and put up a sign on the road. At the same time the spring was added to the Forest Secrets ecological trail and consecrated.

What to see

The water comes out from under a hill covered with large pines: several springs merge into one stream that flows towards Lake Valdayskoye. There is a gazebo by the catchment, and steps with handrails lead down to the water.

According to local sources, the water has an increased content of silver, sodium, magnesium and calcium and keeps fresh for a long time, so many visitors fill bottles to take home.

The spring is on the circular Forest Secrets ecological trail, about 1.8 km long. The trail introduces the Valdai forest, its bogs, plants and animals, and its information boards tell local forest legends and true stories. There are two consecrated springs on the route: Sokolovskiye Klyuchi and the Tekunok spring.

Getting there

Drive along the Okulovka road towards Roshchino as far as the 12 km post, where a sign points to the spring. The turn-off to the trail is easy to miss, so watch for the signs. From the road it is about a five-minute walk along a well-trodden forest path.

Coordinates of the spring: 58.035896, 33.303911.

Good to know

The spring is on the protected territory of Valdai National Park, so a fee may be charged for the ecological trail; it is best to check the conditions with the park in advance.