During the long winter months, many people dreamed of "warm spring trips, when everything outside the window is lush with greenery and flowers." For these "dreamers," we have prepared travel options... through protected Ukraine, places where pieces of wild nature and the feeling of untouched land have been preserved.
Carpathian Biosphere Reserve
Where to go: located within the Rakhiv, Tyachiv, Khust and Vynohradiv districts of the Transcarpathian region.
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What to see: first of all, enjoy the beauty and fresh air of the Carpathians, wander through ancient forests, see the Valley of Narcissus with your own eyes. If you have time, visit each of the seven sections of the reserve: Luzh-Ugolska, Svydovets-Chornohirska, Rakhiv-Kuziyska, Marmarosska, "Valley of Narcissus", "Chorna Hora" and "Yulivska Hora" - each has something to surprise and forever enter your heart and memories.
Nature Reserve "Yelanetsky Steppe"
Where to go: located on the territory of Yelanetsky and Novoodesky districts of Mykolaiv region.
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What is worth seeing: the untouched nature of the steppe. A 1.2 km long ecological trail has been created for visitors. During the walk, you will be told the history of the reserve, about the animals that live on its territory, and about the flora of the steppe.
National Nature Park "Beloberezhya Sviatoslav"
Where to go: the park is located on the territory of Ochakiv and Berezan districts of Mykolaiv region.
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What is worth seeing: the Komendantske tract, the Sagaidachnoy Kuchugury, the Bienkovy Plavni (the dream of ornithologists - a multi-species colony of herons), the Pokrovskaya Spit (borders the territory of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve), the Orchid Field (the largest number of wild orchids in Europe grows here), the Kinburnskaya Spit (the narrowest section of the Kinburnskaya Spit, known for its picturesqueness), as well as the Salt Lake tract within the Berezansky district. Also enjoy the fresh salty air, clean sea and see the inhabitants: dolphins, birds and reptiles. For history lovers - the Kinburnsky Peninsula with its fortress, archaeological sites.
National Nature Park "Buzky Gard"
Where to go: the park is located on the territory of five districts of the Mykolaiv region: Pervomaysky, Arbuzynsky, Domanivsky, Voznesensky and Bratsky.
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What is worth seeing: get to know the history of the Cossacks (Gard was located here - the administrative center of Bugo-Gardova palanka, the largest among the eight territorial units of the Zaporizhzhia Republic). For connoisseurs of antiquity: the Skarzhynsky mill and their house in the village of Trikraty. And for those who want to enjoy the beauty of nature: the Gard and Protych tracts (one of the best natural water slalom routes in Europe is located here, and the steep cliffs of the canyons attract rock climbers), the Myhiivsky canyon, the mouth of the Velyka Korabelna River, the Arbuzynsky, Aktovsky and Petropavlivsky granite massifs with canyons in the middle of the steppe, the Labyrinth tract with centuries-old oaks.
National Nature Park "Great Meadow"
Where to go: located in the Vasylivka district of Zaporizhia region.
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What is worth seeing: "traces" of peoples who passed through the territory of Ukraine - in Kuchugury there are remains of the Pecheneg city, in Basanets - burial grounds and parking lots of the 14th and 4th centuries BC, throughout the territory there are mounds of various Doru peoples, in the Shtolny tract - caves from the times of the Zaporozhian Sich, in the villages of Mayachka and Balky - Cossack winter quarters. Several ecological trails have been opened on the territory of the park: Bilozirsky estuary (length of the trail is 500 m, duration - 30 minutes. Route: Bilozirske tract, Bilozirka river valley); Steep slopes of the Kakhovka reservoir (length - 3 km, duration - 2 hours. Route: springs "Kozatske", "Grushki", coast of the Kakhovka reservoir, adits and Cossack burials); Cossack winter quarters (length – 1.5 km, duration of the excursion – 1–1.5 hours. Route: Cossack burial grounds, the coast of the Kakhovka reservoir, a 14th century burial ground); Pontic Sea (length – 1.5 km, duration – 1 hour. Route: Kakhovka reservoir). There are also tourist routes: Skelyanski adits (length – 2 km, duration – 1–1.5 hours); Seven lighthouses (length – 2 km, duration – 1.5–2 hours); Bottom of the Pontic Sea (length – 2 km, duration – 1.5 hours).
Verkhovynsky National Nature Park
Where to go: located on the territory of Holoshynska and Zelenska village councils, Verkhovyna district, Ivano-Frankivsk region.
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What is worth seeing: pristine untouched nature and animals of the Carpathians (bears, wild boars, lynxes, etc., which walk freely, not behind the fence of the zoo), architectural monuments: Lostun Dam - the largest dam with a sluice, "Stone Women" - limestone rocks that resemble Scythian women.
Vyzhnytskyi National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Vyzhnytsia district of the Chernivtsi region.
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What is worth seeing: the relict Bagna Valley of the ancient Cheremosh, underground cavities-caves formed from tectonic cracks, a 10-meter stone bridge in Sokolyna Rock, Dovbusha Cave, religious buildings: a wooden church built in 1792 (inscriptions with the duties of serfs have been preserved in the chapel), the Vyzhnytsia Synagogue (one of the Hasidic shrines), a pagan temple near the village of Bagna, etc. Tourists are offered two interesting routes: "Along the Volotiv Range": the village of Vyzhenka - Mount Krugla - Mount Vyzhenka - Mount Kamyana - Volotiv meadow - the village of Berehomet. Length 17 km, duration 7–9 hours with four stops; "Stone Ring of the Park": Nimchych Pass - Birch Range - Falcon Stone Rock - Protyate Kaminnia Rocks - Waterfalls and Stone Gates of the Vyzhenka River - Rocks of the Luzhky Tract - Vyzhenka Village. Length 15 km, duration 7–9 hours with four stops.
Hetmansky National Nature Park
Where to go: located on the territory of Velykopysarivskyi, Trostyanetsk and Okhtyrskyi districts of Sumy region.
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What is worth seeing: historical monuments, in particular, from the Scythian era (barrows near the town of Trostyanets), Ukrainian Baroque architecture (Blagovishchenska Church), religious buildings in the town of Okhtyrka (Church of Archangel Michael, Pokrovsky Cathedral, Church of St. George the Victorious); picturesque landscapes of the Left Bank forest-steppe.
National Nature Park "Hutsulshchyna"
Where to go: the park is located in the Kosiv district of the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
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What is worth seeing: rivers and streams that the park is famous for; waterfalls, rapids and "guky"; landscapes of the Carpathians and the nature of the Hutsul region; visit the Kosiv market and look at the embroidery to your taste; the "visiting card" of the park - the wooden Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1623; get to know the history of the Opryshki movement and its leader Oleksa Dovbush; visit the estate of St. Nicholas. Numerous tourist routes have been created for visitors: "To the Cliff Mountain", "To the Rokyta", "To the Mykhalkova Mountain", "To the Kamenysty Ridge", "To the Brusny Ridge", "Dubina", etc.
Dvorichansky National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Dvorichansky district of the Kharkiv region.
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What is worth seeing: the chalk slopes of Oskol, covered with steppe grasses; the Forest and Steppe ecological trails and getting to know the unique nature of the protected areas; how a light breeze sways the steppe grasses, creating the illusion of a green sea.
Dermansko-Ostroz National Nature Park
Where to go: it is located on the territory of the Ostroh and Zdolbuniv districts of the Rivne region.
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What is worth seeing: historical monuments of the surrounding cities (Ostroh, Mezhyrichchya, Novomalyna, Dermani); archaeological monuments of the Trypillia, Gorodok-Zdovbych, Tishnetsk-Komariv cultures, remains of settlements of the Bronze and Iron Ages; picturesque nature of Polissya.
Desniansko-Starohutsky National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Seredino-Budsky district of Sumy region.
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What to see: walk along the ecological trails "Vizitivka Desna" and "Grafivska" and get acquainted with the nature of Sumy region; visit the museum of the partisan movement in the village of Stara Huta; explore the site of the late and middle Neolithic and early Slavic periods.
National Nature Park "Dniester Canyon"
Where to go: located on the territory of Borshchiv, Buchach, Zalishchytsky and Monastyryshy districts of Ternopil region.
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What is worth seeing: a place of growth of rare species; hiding places for animals and birds; full-flowing springs; secret paths; bizarrely shaped rocks; underground labyrinths. Wander through gypsum caves (Optimistichna and Ozernaya) and see the pride of the park: travertine rocks (geological formations with mysterious caves and grottoes). You can also admire the Rusylivka, Sokilsky, Skomorosh cascades of waterfalls.
National Nature Park "Karmelyukovo Podillia"
Where to go: located on the territory of Chechelnytskyi and Trostyanetsk districts of Vinnytsia region.
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What is worth seeing: archaeological sites and museums of Vinnytsia region; the beauty and picturesqueness of the park's corners, the unique nature of the region and rare plants that grow only here; travel along the Savranka River basin.
National Nature Park "Kremenetsk Mountains"
Where to go: located in the Kremenets district of the Ternopil region.
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What is worth seeing: the uniqueness of the landscape, the diversity of natural resources; get acquainted with archaeological sites: the ruins of the Kremenets Castle, the complex of buildings of the Epiphany Monastery, the Jesuit Collegium, etc. Tourist routes to Bozh Mountain, Zamkova and Chercha Mountains, Unias Mountain and Danilova Mountain have been organized for tourists.
Mezina National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Koropsky district of Chernihiv region.
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What is worth seeing: sites from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age; ancient settlements from the times of Kyivan Rus; the picturesque nature of Chernihiv region and rural life; hear the "correct Ukrainian" that our ancestors once spoke.
National Nature Park "Oleshkivski Pisky"
Where to go: the park is located on the territory of Kakhovsky, Oleshkivskyi and Holoprystanskyi districts of the Kherson region.
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What to see: visit the largest European desert (which is not a desert); animal and plant diversity and contrasts (sands and "oases" with orchids and birches); feel like a traveler walking through the Sahara for N days through the dunes.
Lower Sul National Nature Park
Where to go: located on the territory of Globynskyi, Orzhytskyi and Semenivskyi districts of Poltava region, Chornobaivskyi district of Cherkasy region.
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What is worth seeing: wetlands of the lower reaches of the Sula River, forested islands, meadow-steppe and steppe areas; Red Book animals and plants that remain only in the park; take a walk in silence.
National Nature Park "Podilski Tovtry"
Where to go: the park is located in the Horodotskyi, Kamianets-Podilskyi and Chemerovets districts of the Khmelnytskyi region.
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What is worth seeing: the nature of Podillia and the beauty of Tovtry; numerous architectural and historical-architectural monuments: the National Historical and Architectural Reserve of Kamianets, the Bakotsky Rock Monastery, the Kamianets-Podilsky and Satanivsky fortresses, the Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, the Cathedral Church, the Peter and Paul Church, etc.; taste the healing water in Sataniv (Naftusya) and Myrhorod (Myrhorodska).
Pripyat-Stokhid National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Lyubeshiv district of the Volyn region.
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What is worth seeing: the nature of Western Polissya (a land of forests, swamps and lakes); the beds of the Stokhid and Pripyat rivers with their branches, backwaters, old houses and swampy and sandy islands; visit Svalovichi and touch the history of the region (old Polissya huts with reed roofs, vine fences and ancient household items have been preserved here). Several water routes have been created for tourists: along the Stokhid River ("The Magic World of Polissya") and along the Pripyat River ("Pripyat Journeys").
Synevyr National Nature Park
Where to go: located in the territory of Mizhhirsky district of the Transcarpathian region.
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What is worth seeing: mountain landscapes, forested mountains, green meadows; enjoy berries and nuts while traveling through the mountains and meadows; admire the lakes Synevyr and Ozirets; visit the Forest and Rafting Museum, the ancient church in the village of Kolochava-Gorb, the Historical and Ethnographic Museum of Olbracht.
Slobozhansky National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Krasnokutsky district of the Kharkiv region.
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What is worth seeing: sedge-sphagnum and hypno-sphagnum bogs with their plant diversity; the pearl of the park is Lake Vilshanka; historical and architectural objects in the park and its surroundings: the palace and park ensemble "Nataliievsky", the Krasnokutsky arboretum, the park-monument of landscape art "Sharivka". It is also worth seeing Scythian and Slavic settlements, the remains of fortifications from the war with the Swedes, etc.
Uzhansky National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Velykoberezny district of the Transcarpathian region.
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What is worth seeing: centers of Lemko culture; examples of wooden architecture (churches in the villages of Uzhok, Sil, Kostryna, Sukhyi, Husnyi, Vyshka); visit the place where the Knyahynyansky meteorite fell; visit the border of three states (Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia) on Mount Kremenets; admire the ancient beech forests, which are included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.
Cheremosky National Nature Park
Where to go: located in the Putyl district of Chernivtsi region.
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What to see: admire the picturesque Carpathian landscapes: mountain playas, kicheras, covered with spruce forests, beskydys, etc. Take a deep breath of mountain air and feel like a grain of sand among the majestic beauty with an ancient history.
Yavoriv National Nature Park
Where to go: the park is located in the Yavoriv district of the Lviv region.
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What is worth seeing: archaeological and historical and cultural monuments: ancient man's sites and princely-era settlements; the Basilian Monastery of St. Nicholas in Krekhiv, the Trinity Church with a bell tower, the Assumption Church, the cave on Stradecka Mountain, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For tourists, 4 hiking ecological and educational trails have been created ("Ivan Franko Trail", "Lelekhivka", "Vereshchytsia", "Goluby") and 4 complex bus and hiking routes ("Stradch - Chorniozera", "From Yanov to Krekhiv", "Confession of Time" (Sheptytsky family nest), "Yavoriv Polygon - Past and Present").
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