Full Length of the Volga river, Russia

Trip Overview

2019, I decided to go explore the Volga river, longest european waterway ( 2 300 miles ) in Russia. I was determinated to start from the craddle, at the bottom of Valai's hills, to the death of the river in the Caspean sea, after 82 days of paddling. Such a mad and unforgettable journey. Outstanding country side, with wooden houses, monasteries and fishermen were at my start. Deep forest, lake ( Volga change quickly in a network of four consecutive lake named Sterzh, Vselug, Volgo and Peno) and already the favors of russian hospitality. https://www.adrien-clemenceau.com/ All along they way down the river, I was taken many time to stay at locals place, always for free, with ton of food and sparkles into their eyes ( not only due to vodka). In Tver or Nijni Novgorod, russian kayaking clubs welcomed me on the shores to provide me a bed and food. I could visit their gorgeous cities built on the river. In Tver I could run half a marathon among only russian citizen and in Nijni Novgorod explore the old citadelle, the red kremlin. Every time, Russians were amazed that some kind of foreigner, wearing this strange chapka hat, dare to paddle onto this huuuuuge volga. Huge, indeed, because after some time, we can easily describe Volga as a sea. The big network of hydroelectric power plants built during soviet time had for impact to flood the territory. At some point, you paddle into a huge space of water and cannot sea the skyline. No horizon, no limits, only Volga. The hydroelectric stations are built from Tver to Volgograd. They considerably changed the shape of the river and also its environment. Fish cannot go from sea to upper Volga no more, and more boats, cargo and few cruisers cross on the river. I loved to paddle into big cities and lonely spaces. I went across marvelous territoties called Tschouvachi, Tatarstan or Mari El and Kalmuki, where people have their on national pride, language and culture. They can speak Russian, but they are far away to look asme as they are the descendants of the natives leaving for centuries on these lands. To the end to Astrakhan, former city of the silk road, Volga is a gem. Very few people kayaked down this river. What I loved especially there, the soul of people. Amazing hospitality, they are the one who made my trip memorable.