Dalekaya Bay: Banny Mole, Lighthouse and Anchorage

Dalekaya Bay is a quiet sandy bay on the western shore of Lake Ladoga, near Cape Daleky. People come here not for postcard views, but for what they come to Ladoga for in general: to stand by the water, pitch a tent and watch the lake change colour. And also for the dam — the Banny Mole, which the Finns built here in the thirties and which still stands.

Where it is

The bay lies in Zaporozhskoye rural settlement, on the western shore of Ladoga. This is south of the 'typical' Ladoga shore of Priozersky District, but the point is verified: it is within the waters of Lake Ladoga, not on an inland body of water.

Banny Mole

The main feature of the bay is a dam of giant granite boulders known as the Banny Mole. It starts at the base of the Daleky Peninsula and extends into the water for 560 metres. Built in 1930–1934 to a Finnish design — for the fishermen of Metsäpirtti parish. The cape opposite the village of Saaroynen, where the mole stands, is known as Sainasaari; at the end of the mole is a lighthouse, popularly called the Sainasaari lighthouse.

You can walk along the mole to the very end and look at the open Ladoga from the water. But you need to be careful here: the staircase at the end has no railings, the stones are slippery after rain, and the wind on the exposed section is stronger than on the shore.

What the sailing directions say

The Lake Ladoga sailing directions describe the bay as a convenient anchorage:

• **Protected by an L-shaped dam** — that is, the mole acts as a breakwater.
• **Sheltered from all winds except easterly and south-easterly.** Entry is not recommended during easterly winds.
• **Anchorage** — for vessels with a draught of up to 2.5 m.
• **Shores** — low and sandy; 100–150 m from the shoreline a sandy escarpment begins with shrubs and coniferous forest.
• **Drevny Island** — about 740 metres to the north-west of the cape, low, sandy and stony.

The same data is useful for a 'landlubber' too: the fact that the bay is covered from the west means less wave near the shore, while an easterly wind, on the contrary, makes the anchorage uncomfortable.

How to get there

The nearest residential landmark is Pyatirechye: about 4.3 km as the crow flies, which works out to roughly five and a half kilometres on foot. Then follow the shore.

• **From St Petersburg** — by suburban train on the Priozersk line to stations near Priozersk, then by local transport or on foot; a combined option that takes time.
• **By car** — to Pyatirechye along the Priozersk highway, then on dirt roads. There is no asphalt at the bay itself.
• **On foot or by bicycle** — from Pyatirechye along the shore; a bicycle is more convenient here because the dirt roads are sandy.

For the route 'From Orekhovo to Ladoga', the bay is the final point: the route comes out to the shore right here. The shortened version 'to Dalekaya Bay' is 36 km one way.

What to know in advance

• **No shops and no water.** Bring everything with you; the nearest point is Pyatirechye.
• **Mobile signal.** The western shore of Ladoga has patchy coverage; download the map and track in advance.
• **Wind and waves.** With easterly winds the bay is uncomfortable both on the water and on the shore — the sailing directions confirm this.
• **Litter.** There are many campsites on the shore, but no organised waste collection: take it away with you.

Map

• Centre of Dalekaya Bay — OSM relation 13720683
• Banny Mole and lighthouse — RuTrail point
• Cape Daleky — base of the mole
• Drevny Island — ≈740 m to the north-west
• Pyatirechye — nearest settlement

Coordinates are based on OpenStreetMap data and the Lake Ladoga sailing directions. Maps — © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Yes, the bay is shallow near the shore and covered by the mole — the wave here is smaller than on the open shore. But there are no equipped beaches or lifeguard posts.

A dam of granite boulders 560 m long, built in 1930–1934 to a Finnish design. At its end is a lighthouse; the staircase has no railings, so walk carefully.

In Pyatirechye, about 4.3 km as the crow flies. There is no infrastructure at the bay itself.

With an easterly or south-easterly wind: the bay is not protected from them, and the sailing directions explicitly do not recommend entering it in such weather.

Related

• Route 'From Orekhovo to Ladoga' — 90 km across the Karelian Isthmus: route, transport, photos
• Varyamyanselka Ridge — nature reserve, eco-trails, four official entrances
• Orekhovsky Nature Reserve — 9048 ha around the route, start at Orekhovo station
• Nikitino (69 km) — the platform where the route ends: timetable and prices
• Trip photos — 16 shots and 4 videos from the route

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim here?

Yes, the bay is shallow near the shore and covered by the mole — the wave here is smaller than on the open shore. But there are no equipped beaches or lifeguard posts.

What is the Banny Mole?

A dam of granite boulders 560 m long, built in 1930–1934 to a Finnish design. At its end is a lighthouse; the staircase has no railings, so walk carefully.

Where is the nearest shop?

In Pyatirechye, about 4.3 km as the crow flies. There is no infrastructure at the bay itself.

In what weather is it better not to go?

With an easterly or south-easterly wind: the bay is not protected from them, and the sailing directions explicitly do not recommend entering it in such weather.

Route map

1. Centre of Dalekaya Bay — OSM relation 13720683
2. Banny Mole and lighthouse — RuTrail point
3. Cape Daleky — base of the mole
4. Drevny Island — ≈740 m to the north-west
5. Pyatirechye — nearest settlement

Points are from OpenStreetMap. Maps — © OpenStreetMap contributors.