A Hidden Gem Near St. Petersburg - But Is It Safe for Swimming, Especially for Kids?

Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Sablinsky Waterfall, ReviewsI've had this itch since I was a teenager – to visit Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Despite living in St. Petersburg my whole life, I finally made it there in September 2025.Moving on to the place itself, it's super scenic and peaceful. But since I've been busy, I'll treat you to some warm weather photos at least. And who cares about the snow and chill outside, right?

Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Sablinsky Waterfall, ReviewsThe nature there is stunningly beautiful, and we were lucky with the weather. The first half of September was warm, but not hot, and it was dry. There are two eco-trails nearby both waterfalls. One is amazing, taking you to the Big Tosnensky Waterfall – it's super exciting. The other one was a bit less impressive for me, it's closer to the Sablinsky Waterfall, and it's situated near a rehab center and some trash dumps.

I've already mentioned these trails, so today I want to tell you about the waterfalls themselves.•• How to get there?

It's probably easiest to go by car, but I chose the train. The journey takes about 30 minutes, and the fare for the Obukhovo-Sablino route in 2025 was 80 rubles. You can also take the train from the Moscow Railway Station or the Kolpino Railway Station, respectively.

There are buses from the train station, but we chose to walk to the waterfalls, passing through the settlement. Part of the way is along the highway, so it's better to take the bus. I won't give you the bus number, but I know the stop is opposite the turn to the Big Tosnensky Waterfall.

Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosna and Sabolinsky Waterfall, ReviewsIt'll take you about 5 minutes to get there, and you'll get a stunning view of the Tosa River. By the way, the ruins of the Eggers-Klessmann paper mill are visible in the photo above.•• Big Tosnensky Waterfall

Tosa is the largest tributary of the Neva, but this part is unique because it's essentially a canyon. So, I have to warn you – you'll need to wear shoes that are super comfortable and provide good ankle support. Or walk carefully, because besides the overgrown green banks, the waterfall also features limestone and slabs of it. Sometimes they're not perfectly flat, and they can be loose.

The Saby Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Saby Waterfalls, Reviews I didn't need to hike down to the water to explore the canyon, but if I didn't, the hike would've been pretty limited to viewing platforms and wooden bridges. And even from up there, the views were amazing: The canyon's height reached up to ~20 meters in some spots. And I'm pretty sure the rock formations are made of limestone - it's unmistakable. Plus, there's some granite mixed in there too. The Saby Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Saby Waterfalls, Reviews To be honest, I found it both fascinating and a bit unnerving at the same time. I've always been a lucky person, and I couldn't help but think that some old rock, which had been standing there for a hundred years, was just waiting to fall on my head. But, as they say, luck was on my side. The Saby Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Saby Waterfalls, Reviews As I made my way down, I noticed some red patches on the ground. My first thought was that it was iron oxide. I'm no expert, but that's what I'm sticking with. The water in that part of the Tosna River is pretty strong, like a strong tea, but it's not as rich as the color of those 'red' lakes. The Saby Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Saby Waterfalls, Reviews After the waterfall, the water gets channeled into a white foam, which creates some amazing natural patterns. I've seen foam on rivers hundreds of times, but this one was thicker than usual. I'm guessing there might be some additives in the water, but I'm not making any claims. The Saby Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Saby Waterfalls, Reviews The Saby Waterfalls. Big Tosnensky and Saby Waterfalls, Reviews But let's be honest, it looks amazing. If I'd only seen the photos, I'd have thought it was somewhere in a completely different region of Russia. Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosna and Sabolinsky Waterfall, Reviews We were already in the middle of the day, I'm reminded. Mid-September, but despite the warm weather, people were swimming in the river at the waterfalls. Especially etched in my memory was the sound of a kid screaming:- Maamaa, I don't want to!

But mom was determined. And then I went into the water, just to wet my feet, and I was shocked. The water was FREEZING! The powerful current made it hard for me to take a step, especially as a woman weighing over 70 kg at the time. The limestone plates underfoot were slippery from the algae, and sharp to boot. One wrong move in the dark water, and I'd have a foot wedged between two plates (I didn't enjoy that thrill ride), and then there were kids being dragged into that mess.

Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosna and Sabolinsky Waterfall, ReviewsBut I wouldn't have gone swimming there even in the summer heat, and especially not when kids are involved. Above the waterfalls is a large corporation that produces household chemicals. I'm not 100% sure nothing enters the water.

Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosna and Sabolinsky Waterfall, ReviewsThe waterfall, on the other hand, is a fairy tale! You can't look away from its grandeur. The sound of the water is like the most powerful anti-stress remedy.

Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosna and Sabolinsky Waterfall, ReviewsWe visited at a time when the Tosna River wasn't at its peak. I can only imagine the power it holds in the beginning of summer! And it's an exhilarating sight, I stood there for a few minutes, frozen in awe, when I first saw it.

I was incredibly happy and thrilled to have seen this waterfall. Of course, I wanted to spend more time there, but I also wanted to see the other waterfall, Sabolinsky. But as I soon found out, it's just as popular.

Sabolinsky Waterfalls. Big Tosna and Sabolinsky Waterfall, Reviews•• Sabolinsky WaterfallSabolinsky Waterfall is located on the Sablinka River, and the scenery isn't as vast as it is at Big Tosna Waterfall, but there's a ton of trash and broken bridges on the eco-trail. I wrote about that in a separate review.

The flora around here is pretty bland. There's some weird stuff growing that looks like a mix of giant hogweed and thistle. And then there's this gorgeous leaning pine tree. It looks like it's about to collapse, since half of its roots are just hanging in mid-air. Of course, it's still standing strong, thanks to all the years it's been around (according to the reviews). By the time we got there, there was barely any water left from the river. It's not very deep to begin with, and then you add the autumn season. As a result, the waterfall is way less impressive, but it's still there. I didn't exactly get a thrill from visiting the Sablino Waterfall, though. I'd rather spend more time at the Big Tosnenskoye Waterfall. Sablino Waterfalls. Big Tosnenskoye and Sablino Waterfalls, reviews That being said, I'm sure it looks way more appealing in the beginning of summer. Sablino Waterfalls. Big Tosnenskoye and Sablino Waterfalls, reviews There's a tree right at the beginning of the waterfall, and I thought it would make for some great photos. But I chickened out on climbing it, since it's basically a death wish if I were to fall – the current is almost non-existent, and I'd definitely not drown (there's only a few inches of water), but I didn't want to trudge back to St. Petersburg on foot without a car. •• In conclusionLet's get straight to the point. The places are super picturesque and inspiring. If you're tired of the usual vacation or want to spark some creativity, it's worth checking out the Leningrad Waterfalls. Of course, you won't see anything like Niagara, but I was really happy with my weekend getaway.

I highly recommend visiting, and I'm giving it a well-deserved five-star rating!

That's it for me, thanks for reading!

•• Check out my reviews for nearby eco-routes:

"I've spent hours driving from St. Petersburg and suddenly you're on the Sablinskii ecomarshrut with breathtaking natural views. My September visit to the waterfall and lookout points was a real treat. I'll share my first-hand experience of this eco trail

Imagine getting lost on a trail that takes you through mountains of trash to a rehab center. The second ecomarshrut in Sablino is a total letdown when it comes to beauty and safety

•• Other must-see spots:

I'm not a fan, but the Summer Garden in St. Petersburg is a hidden gem with a rich history

The Wooden Architecture Museum under the open sky is a must-visit. The stunning church with 25 domes deserves its unofficial nickname - the 'Petersburgian Kiжи'. It's a great place to learn about 16th-century life and take a leisurely stroll

If you're looking for free things to do in St. Petersburg, head to the New Holland Island. It's got unique islands, beautiful architecture, and plenty of engaging spots to explore. I'll share my experience from a fall visit, along with some amazing photos

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