Rowan Island is located in the middle of Lake Valdai, which was formed after the melting of the glacier moraines of the Last Glacial Epoch, which ended 20 thousand years ago. The lake has a rugged coastline and Rowan Island repeats this relief. The island is an "ozovaya ridge" - an elevation remaining between the moraines of the glacier.
Rowan Island is the largest, but not the only one on Lake Valdai. Selvitsky Island is located next to it. In 1682, Patriarch Nikon built the Iversky Valdai Monastery on it, which became one of the spiritual centers of Russian Orthodoxy. These two islands are connected to the shore by a causeway, which can be driven by car. To the north of Selvitsky Island is Ant Island and five other small islands.
The second name of Rowan Island is Rudnev. Some tourists, as well as residents of Valdai and surrounding villages, stop here with tents to go fishing or relax in nature. There are several paths here, but they are unlikely to attract the beauty of nature. Despite the name "Rowan", there is almost no rowan growing here. Most of the island is overgrown with dense spruce forests.
