What makes landscape parks good is the ability to touch the amazing beauties of nature while remaining in the zone of comfortable relaxation. Founded in places where civilization left a minimal destructive mark, they preserve the pristine landscape, populations of flora and fauna, and help people understand the fragility of the environment. Landscape Park "Zuevsky" surprises with its beauty, a collection of attractions, unique plants and opportunities for outdoor activities.
General information
The landscape park "Zuevsky" covers an area of more than 1200 hectares, located near the village of Zuevka, Khartsyzsky district of Donetsk region. The year of foundation is the 2002th. The park area includes:
- The tract "Linden Forest".
- Zuevsky climbing wall.
- Part of the valleys of the Krynka and Olkhovka rivers.
- Khanzhonkovskoe reservoir.
- Olkhovskoe Reservoir.
- Zui mountain.
- Arrays of Makeevka forestry.
- The beam of the village of Medvezhye.
The main part of the territory belongs to the Zuevsky village council. Archaeological excavations give an idea of the antiquity of the area. Scythian settlements, numerous stone women were found here, the nomadic paths of the Pechenegs, Khazars, and Mongol-Tatars are traced. The local lands have a rich history, exploring which, you can trace the parallels with modernity.
Zui, Saur and General Ilovaysky
The folk legend says that in 1775 two chieftains Zuy and Saur founded a robbery freemen, located on two neighboring hills. They traded by robbing passing caravans, while they never came across the authorities. The reason for this was a well-thought-out defense system and coordinated actions in the robberies. Being quite far from each other, they gave signals in case of danger or when caravans approached: they lit a tar barrel at the top of the hill. They gave a worthy reward for the capture of the robbers, but they were elusive, until in 1777 a general, a Don Cossack Dmitry Ilovaysky, appeared in the same places.
Dmitry Ilovaysky decided to take the robbers using a cunning plan: he launched a caravan of alcohol, which was captured by the robbers, and immediately the feast began. After waiting for the hops to dump the robbers, the general at the head of the army seized the gang. They did not have time to call for help from a nearby hill with the help of a burning barrel, so the first Ilovaysky cauldron was formed. For the brilliantly conducted operation, the general received financial rewards and lands previously owned by the robbers. In honor of one of them, a village is named - Zuevka, and there is also Zui-gora and Saur-Mogila.
Creation goals
Zuevsky Regional Landscape Park is a biosphere reserve. The main task is to preserve the unique natural landscape, rare species of vegetation and representatives of the animal world. Over 500 rare species of flora grow on the reserve’s area, two of which are listed on the World Red List, and twelve are listed in the regional Red Book. At the foot of the Zui Mountain and in the Linden tract stretch oak groves, among the huge trees there are relict species. Also in the area you can find rare species of ferns.
The fauna of the park is also diverse. Here there are gophers, foxes, hedgehogs, badgers, martens, you can meet wolves. Birds are not so afraid of people that you can get very close and see how black grouse flow, and squirrels can take food directly from their hands.
Every year, traditional events are held in the park. Many tourists come to the crowded ecological festivals "Student's Republic", "Zelenograi", "Youth Quest". International mountaineering and climbing competitions are held here.
Climbing magnet
The landscape park "Zuevsky" attracts not only lovers of nature and outdoor recreation, but also conquerors of rocks. Along the course of the Olkhovka River, between two reservoirs - Olkhovsky and Khanzhonkovsky - vertical rocks flaunt, a rare occurrence in the Donetsk region. Education has a height in some places up to 20 meters and a length of more than 300 meters. Zuevsky climbing wall is interesting for professional climbers, there are always a lot of them at any time of the year.
It is believed that this is a natural formation that unexpectedly arose in the Donetsk steppe. But the guides argue that the rocky ledges appeared as a result of demolition work during the construction of the Olkhov Reservoir. Rumor has it that in the last century many birds huddled in the rocks. Now they are gone, but rich vegetation has been preserved. Both beginners and professionals can climb routes. On the training trails of the climbing wall, children from 6 years old try their hand. If there are suitable shoes, then anyone can start a career as a conqueror of rocks.
The synthesis of comfort and nature
The Zuevsky landscape park gives everyone the opportunity to realize all the possibilities of green tourism - to fish, swim on the river on rafts, conquer rocky peaks or just lie on the shore. The park zone is at the complete disposal of vacationers, but there is a small fee for visiting the park - it is only 30 rubles per day per person. This is an environmental tax, which is then spent on cleaning and landscaping.
The reserve has created conditions for hang gliding, equipped paragliding areas, rivers have the opportunity to go kayaking and motor boats, lovers of cycling are provided with the entire park, there are areas of increased complexity - they will appeal to those who prefer to try their hand at mountain biking sports.
You can come for one day, but rest for several days brings more benefits and impressions. Visitors note that for a week it is impossible to explore all the reserved places that Zuevsky landscape park is famous for. Rest here helps to completely break away from the hustle and bustle of civilization, especially if you turn off your mobile phone and do not connect to the Internet. Communication in the park area is excellent, but experts recommend using it only as a last resort.
The administration of the landscape park provides only the territory for rest, it is necessary to take care of the lodging for yourself. You should take a tent with you, for its accommodation you also need to pay 30 rubles per person per day. All other attributes of forest recreation - a bowler hat, dishes, etc. - you also need to take with you. On the territory there are barbecue areas with minimal equipment in the form of a table and benches. There are no hotels, cottages in the park who are not ready to spend the night in nature, can contact the locals of the village Zuevki. The minimum cost of living here starts from 100 rubles, often even manage to agree on a rustic breakfast.
The landscape park "Zuevsky" has its own security unit, which guarantees the safety of a vacation. There is always the opportunity to contact the local precinct, but such cases are extremely rare. The director of the park claims that over the years of her work unpleasant incidents did not happen, all conflicts, if any, were resolved peacefully.
In light of the military conflict
In 2014, military operations in the Donbass came close to Zuevsky Park, but trouble escaped him. Elena Zubkova, director of the park, on this occasion said: “Our guests can be calm: they will not see stretch marks and mines here. The territory of the park was carefully examined by the teams of the Ministry of Emergencies and local environmental volunteers. Everything is clean in the recreation areas. ”
Check in to the park does not require prior arrangements. Arriving at any moment, every tourist will meet cordiality and a warm welcome. If desired, you can book a tour with an experienced guide. Without fail, all guests undergo safety training and advice on parking. Judging by the reviews, having come to rest one day, you will want to visit Zuevsky landscape park more than once. Photos of landscapes, numerous sculptures scattered throughout the reserve, the happy faces of friends - all this is evidence of a peaceful life, a happy time.
Reviews
Judging by the feedback from visitors, it’s worth going to Zuevsky Park more than once — you won’t be able to see all the beauties in a short time. Almost everyone who wanted to rest passed through the village of Zuevka, where a unique mollusk Museum operates in a rural school. It contains more than 9 tons of various shells, from the simplest, most common forms to rare exotic species. For many, the collection is very impressive, especially children like it. As many say, the museum must be called on the way to the Zuevsky landscape park.
Reviews of the protected area are the most enthusiastic. Almost everyone advises visiting the spillways of both reservoirs. One of them is step-like, reminiscent of a waterfall of an old abandoned castle, along the second water rushes along a curved slope.
Many descriptions of the park’s beauties and positive reviews were left in favor of the Linden Forest tract, tourists talk about the incredible picturesque location. Climbing enthusiasts, professionals and beginners, recommend visiting the climbing wall on Zueva Gora for training. According to them, the paths there are not very well-groomed, and there is always the possibility of new discoveries, complications for the pros, and for beginners, roads are laid here that will help to quickly acquire primary skills.
How to get there
GPS coordinates: 48 ° 4 '14.87 "N 38 ° 16' 2.17" E. The management of the reserve is located in the city of Khartsyzsk, Donetsk region, at the address: Matrosova street, 1. It is almost next to the place where the Zuevsky landscape park is located.
How to get there: from Donetsk go along the highway towards the city of Shakhtersk (Torezu, Snezhnoye), get to the village. Zuevka. Then he will go straight to the park administration. If during the stay visitors intend to make a fire, spend the night in a tent and live on the territory for several days, then you should pay the fee.