One of the most beautiful rivers of the Ulyanovsk region, the Sura, begins in the area of Surskaya Shishki. This hill, giving rise to a turbulent river, is declared a natural monument. A little lower than Surskaya Shishka, the Sura River crosses the eastern part of the Penza region, and then, after a sharp bend near the village of Sursky Ostrog, again
returns to the Ulyanovsk region. Flowing along a trapezoidal valley, Sura gives life to eleven tributaries, including the large Barysh, and flows into the mighty Volga.
Sura is a stormy river. It is famous for its rapid current, sharp turns of the channel, long sandy spits and steep banks. Thawed snow, numerous shallow springs and groundwater feed the river . Thanks to this, the water at the head of the Sura is very clean and cold. The banks of the river are overgrown with tall golden pines, and in its floodplain and near the watersheds many small lakes and forest swamps have formed. In spring, the Sura leaves its shores and spills over two kilometers or more.
Before the revolution, this river was famous for its fish - it was very tasty and much more valued than fish from the Volga. In those days, huge catfish, pike, chubs, sterlet and smaller species such as roaches were found in the river. Barbaric and uncontrolled capture drained her wealth. Now the blue Sura is interesting mainly for tourists and athletes, because it is along it that one of the most picturesque kayaking routes in Russia runs. In spring, in floods, the river is “conquered” mainly by professional athletes, and novice tourists pay a visit to Sura in the summer, when the river calms down a bit
I.
The route begins in the village of Tyukhmenevo, passes by Chaadayevka, Penza, Alatyr and Shumerl, and ends in Vasilsursk. The length of the Sura from Tyukhmenevo to Vasilsursk is 850 kilometers. The beginning of the route is always difficult, because the source of the Sura River is especially obstinate. Brave men who decided to go the route in early spring will have to go kayaking through the flooded bushes. The river returns to its permanent channel after the May holidays.
At the source, the river bed is very narrow, in places its width does not exceed three meters. The Sura River becomes much wider after the influx of Truev flows into it. The river calms down, its course becomes slower, and the banks are covered with pine forests. However, the bends of the Sura are still steep and make the route difficult. They become larger and smoother after the place where Teshnyar flows into the river. Further, the Sura becomes even wider, and small sand appears on its shores
any beaches.
The twenty-kilometer Penza reservoir fed by Sura begins beyond Kanaevka, and numerous obstacles await tourists in front of Penza - sand spits, islands and shallows. Behind Penza, the banks of the river become gentle, and the Sura flows smoothly and calmly. Sura is especially good in the spring, near the village of Prokazna. There the flowering gardens surround the river, and near Alexandrovka it adorns itself with impressive limestone and chalk cliffs. Below the river is surrounded by rocky shores, it becomes deep and navigable. In the lower reaches the river is calm, but fast.
Each flood changes the appearance of the river. She "grows" with new shallows, scythes and old women. Thanks to such changes, the route is not boring. Constantly updated, the Sura River gives tourists new experiences every year.