The causes and conditions of the ancient water-drag routes in which the settlement of ethnic groups occurred in the north of European Russia are discussed. The main route in the historical past over the forest zone at any time of year was by river. The great water-portage path from lake Ilmen and R. Sheksna over the Ural mountains to R. Ob was used, apparently, in the process of historical development of geographical space by diff erent peoples. The direction of movement of ethnic groups was changed in the process of its development and use. Wading through rivers, laying between their headwaters or tributaries portages, and sometimes even building channels, explorers gradually mastered the vast territory of the North of European Russia, crossed the Ural Stone and went to the great rivers of Siberia, the Northern and Eastern seas. Modern development of recreational use of nature and interests of the tourist development of the internal regions of Russia have prompted interest in the study of ancient water and water-portage paths, which are the objects of natural and cultural heritage. Refs 21. Figs 2.