The SMOLENSKOYE POOZERIE National Park was formed in 1992 “to preserve natural complexes for recreational, educational, scientific and cultural purposes.” In November 2002, it was awarded the status of a biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program. The name "Smolensk Poozerie" owes its name to 35 large and small glacial lakes. Each of them is beautiful and unique.
The relief of the park is mainly associated with the accumulative activity of glaciers. Devonian bedrock within the park lies at a depth of 40 to 130 m and has virtually no significant impact on the development of modern landscapes in this area. Within the park came the second stripe of terminal moraine formations of the last Valdai glaciation (Sloboda stage).
The territory is located mainly within two significantly different geomorphological regions: the Slobodskaya hilly-moraine upland and the Arzhatsk-Elshanskaya lacustrine-glacial-outwash lowland. Only in the east - in the upper reaches of the river. Sermyatki, and in the southeast - small areas of the river basin. Gobza, belong to the Dukhovshchina moraine-erosive upland. The complexes of ozake-kame formations are very attractive and unique; their areas are located between lakes Chistik and Rytoe, to the south and west of Lake Baklanovskoye, near lake. Sapsho. Slightly undulating outwash plains in this area are distributed mainly to the south of terminal moraine formations, where they occupy relatively large areas (south of lakes Sapsho, Rytoe, Chistik). Lacustrine-glacial plains gravitate mainly to large high peat bogs - Vervizhsky and Pelyshev Mosses, which arose on the site of residual glacial lakes, which originally occupied much larger areas. There is a small difference in height (from 1 to 3 m) within local watersheds, and closer to river valleys, the difference in height increases to 5-7 m, sometimes more. Morainic plains are represented mainly by gently undulating terrain, often complicated by individual, vaguely defined, but significant hills. Raised peat bogs, characterized by a flat or slightly convex surface, are widespread. The largest of them occupy large watershed areas and are of great water conservation importance.
1 landscape of the Slobodskaya moraine-outwash upland, occupying the western and central parts of the park.
A distinctive feature is the noticeably expressed complexity and diversity of the lithogenic base. Small-medium- and large-hilly plains are widespread here, with basins of various origins and troughs of glacial water runoff. In some areas of the landscape, slightly undulating, sometimes hilly outwash plains, kamas, and esker ridges are widely represented. In a number of places, the latter form complex ridge-basin complexes with lake basins. Such complexes are most pronounced near the villages of Baklanovo, the village of Nikitenki, the village. Przhevalskoe.
2 Hilly-moraine plain, where the appearance of the landscape as a whole is more monotonous and less expressive. The southern part of the landscape is dominated by outwash plains.
The landscape is characterized by a relatively high horizontal dissection of the territory (0.6-0.62 km/km2) and a noticeable predominance of slope surfaces. About 30-40% of the area of arable land here has a slope steepness of more than 2°.
The landscape is drained by the largest rivers of the park - Elsha and Polovya, connected with its main lakes, reflecting the largest Slobodskaya group of lakes in the region. The area of lakes in this group is approximately 20% of the area of all lakes in the region. The landscape is characterized by high forest cover; agricultural land remained in small quantities only near populated areas, mainly in its central part.
3 Landscape of the Elshansko-Svitskaya lacustrine-glacial and outwash-moraine lowland Occupies the main territory of the eastern part of the park.
It is also distinguished by a significant mosaic of the lithogenic base, but due to a large extent to the frequent change of lacustrine-glacial and other deposits, and only in certain places (along the Vasilevka River, near Lake Mokhan, along the sides of the Dukhovshchinskaya Upland) is the relief variegated significantly.
Its relatively lower position is facilitated by its association with a third-order tectonic structure - the Svita depression. The bedrock, represented by Devonian limestones, dolomites, and clays, is covered here by a thickness of Quaternary sediments, the thickness of which often varies from 40 to 80 m.
Within the territory under consideration, the Valdai glacier was not active, since its movement was impeded by the Dukhovshchinskaya Upland. Apparently, here it broke up into blocks of “dead” ice, which are associated with the formation of esker ridges, kames and thin moraines. The thickness of the moraine of the Valdai glacier is 2-2.5 m in places, sometimes it is completely washed away. Often the moraine is covered with a thin layer of sandy loam or sand.
4 A small area in the southeastern part of the NP territory is occupied by the landscape of the Dukhovshchina moraine-erosive upland.
The landscape is confined to a well-defined tectonic structure of the third order - the Dukhovshchinsky uplift. The last Valdai glacier could not overcome it, and therefore the main thickness of Quaternary sediments here is represented by a moraine and intermoraine sands of the Dnieper age. The soil-forming rocks are cover loams. In some places along the sides of the hill, the Dnieper moraine is covered by thin deposits of sand and sandy loam of Valdai age.
This landscape is sharply distinguished by its higher hypsometric position, the structure of the tracts, and especially the presence of ravines, gullies, and hollows. Erosion landforms are confined directly to well-defined depressions in the landscape of the Elshansko-Svitskaya lowland or to river valleys. The relative elevation in the border zones of these landscapes reaches 40-50 and sometimes more.
The landscape is characterized by a higher density of the river network; there are no lakes.
Morphologically, the landscape is simpler: it is based on plateau-like moraine plains covered with loess-like loams. a significant number of ravines and ravines; Small areas here are occupied by swamps (especially highlands), lowlands, and a different morphological structure of river valleys.
The territory of the park belongs to the river basin. Western Dvina, including all small rivers - its tributaries of 3-4 orders and their sources. Apart from R. Gobzu, which flows for a short distance in the south-eastern part of the park, has no transit rivers. The Elsha River is the main river of the park. The river basin occupies about 80% of its area. There are 35 lakes. The main part of them (about two dozen) belongs to the largest Przhevalsk group. The total area of the lakes in this group is 13 square meters. km. All of them are confined to the marginal formations of the Slobodskaya Upland glacier. The largest of these lakes are Sapsho, Baklanovskoye, Rytoe, Dgo, Petrovskoye, Loshamye. The average depth of the lakes is 5-6 m, the maximum is 29 m (lakes Baklanovskoye, Loshamye). The basins of glacial lakes have different origins. The most common basins are of thermokarst origin, usually distinguished by significant depth, uncertain shape, and uneven bottom.
The climate of the park is temperate continental with moderately warm and humid summers, moderately cold winters with stable snow cover; transition periods are well defined. The average annual air temperature in the park is 4.3 degrees. C. The average monthly air temperature in January is 8.6 degrees. C, in July it is 17.0 degrees. C. The absolute minimum air temperature is - 45.0 degrees. C, the absolute maximum reaches 35.0 degrees. C. This territory belongs to the region of the region with the highest amount of precipitation. The annual precipitation here is about 730 mm. The significant amount of precipitation is due not only to the location of this territory in the zone of the most frequent passage of cyclones. The increase in precipitation is facilitated by the presence of the Slobodskaya and Dukhovshchinskaya uplands and the high forest cover of the territory. Prevailing winds are south, south-west and west.
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Material details
Gepp A., Kolchin O., Delvin N.N.
(481-47) 26204, 26648, 26684
Additional Email
The contact person
Director: Kochergin Alexander Semenovich
Organization
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia
Location
The Smolensk Poozerye National Park is located in the northwestern part of the Smolensk region in the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts. Geographic coordinates: 55°21‘-55°46‘ N and 31°29‘ - 32°18‘ E. The national park borders: in the north with the Tver region, in the east with Prechistensky forestry (Dukhovshchinsky district), in the south and southwest with Demidovsky forestry (Demidovsky district), in the west with Velizhsky forestry (Velizhsky district). In terms of configuration, the park's territory is an almost regular rhombus. The ratio of area to perimeter is 3. The maximum distance from west to east is 55 km, from north to south - 50 km. The geographical center of the park is located in the area of the village. Przhevalskoe. The total area of the park within the boundaries approved by state acts is 146,237 hectares. The security zone is 500 m of territory adjacent to the park border. The national park office is located in resort village urban type Przhevalskoe.
How to get there
There are five road entrances to the park: two on the west side (paved) and three on the east side (unpaved).
The main routes of transport in the park are highways: Demidov - village. Przhevalskoe (via the village of Kholm) and the city of Demidov - village. Przhevalskoe (via the village of Baklanovo). From Smolensk to the western border of the park is about 100 km.
The main flow of visitors arrives at the park by personal vehicles along the Moscow-city highways. Minsk; Smolensk - Velikiye Luki, as well as through Train Station in Smolensk and then by bus to the village of Przhevalskoye.
In the forests of the national park there is a fairly dense network of forestry roads left over from the time of the activities of the mechanized forestry enterprise. A significant part of them - driving only in dry summer time.
Other areas in which the property is included
Dukhovshchinsky district
Date of formation
Total area (ha)
"BACK TO THE SOURCES". Walking tour along the educational trail. The trail starts from the village of Stary Dvor. You will learn the history of the settlement of the region, climb to the ancient settlement, visit the observation deck on the lake. Sapsho, get acquainted with the circumstances of the acquisition of Sloboda by N.M. Przhevalsky, learn about the relief features associated with the glacier, visit St. source of Seraphim of Sarov. Duration 3 hours. The length of the route is 4 km. Cost: adults - 120 rub. children from 9 to 14 years old - 90 rubles. children under 9 years old - free
"AROUND THE LAKE REGION". Walking tour along the ecological trail. The trail begins on the shore of the lake. Baklanovskoye, not far from the building of the administrative center "Baklanovo". The route passes through the main natural complexes characteristic of the Smolensk Poozerie National Park: lake, swamp, meadow, forest. During the excursion, you will learn about the formation and functioning of these natural complexes as ecosystems, get acquainted with the flora and fauna characteristic of each of them, and also learn about the influence of the Ice Age on the formation of modern relief. Duration 2 hours. The length of the route is 2 km. Cost: adults - 80 rub. children from 9 to 14 years old - 60 rubles. children under 9 years old - free
"SIGHTSEEING BUS TOUR". You will visit lakes Sapsho, Baklanovskoye and Chistik, get acquainted with the history of the settlement of the region by ancient people, with the construction of the palace of Prince Potemkin in the village of Pokrovskoye, with the circumstances of the acquisition of Sloboda by Przhevalsky, climb the ancient settlement, and see a number of objects associated with the Great Patriotic War. Duration 4.5 hours. The length of the route is 60 km. Cost: adults - 240 rub. children from 9 to 14 years old - 190 rubles. children under 9 years old - free
"THROUGH THE DENDROPARK". During the excursion you will visit the arboretum of the Smolensk Poozerie National Park, located near the village of Boroviki. You will learn the history of the creation of arboretums, interesting facts about the trees of our strip, see models of the Smolensk Holy Trinity Monastery and houses on a scale of 1:10, characteristic of Smolensk and the surrounding area in the 19th century, visit the exhibition “Embroidered Painting”. Finally, at the herbal center you will be offered tea brewed from herbs, flowers and plant leaves collected in the arboretum and the surrounding area. Cost: adults - 70 rub. children from 9 to 14 years old - 50 rub. children under 9 years old - free
"THE HISTORY OF SLOBODA". Walking tour of the village. Przhevalskoe. During the excursion you will get acquainted with the history of the settlement of the region by ancient people after the retreat of the Valdai Glacier, visit the burial mounds of the Krivichi Slavs, learn about the history of the construction of the Temple of the Ascension of the Lord (18th century) and its further fate, about the life in the village of Sloboda of the great Russian traveler N.M. .Przhevalsky, about the partisan movement on the land of Poozerie during the Great Patriotic War. Duration 2 hours. The length of the route is 2 km. Cost: adults - 80 rub. children from 9 to 14 years old - 60 rubles. children under 9 years old - free
“Following the footsteps of the glacier”. Walking tour. The beginning of the path from the lake. Baklanovsky. You will climb an ancient settlement, see the long Smolensk mounds, the unique terrain formed by a glacier, walk along a path along a picturesque swamp and pine forest, at the end of the path you will find tea prepared over a fire on the shore unique lake. Duration 4 hours. The length of the route is 8 km. Cost: adults - 180 rub. children from 9 to 14 years old - 140 rubles. children under 9 years old - free
"TO THE PLACES OF MILITARY GLORY". Bus excursion. On the excursion you will get acquainted with the history of the region during the Great Patriotic War, learn about the events in memory of which numerous monuments were erected on the territory of the Park, and see restored fortifications. Duration 2 hours. The length of the route is 20 km. Cost: adults - 120 rub. children from 9 to 14 years old - 100 rubles. children under 9 years old - free of charge. The cost of excursions includes transportation costs (for bus excursions) and guide services. Minimum number of people in a group (excluding children under 9 years old): 10 for a walking tour and 15 for a bus tour.
“COOL” WEEKEND TOUR“The Blue Necklace of the Smolensk Region” is the name given to the amazingly beautiful lake of glacial origin in the Smolensk Poozerie National Park. There are 35 lakes in total, 36 species of fish live in them: roach, bream, silver bream, perch, pike, ide, rudd and others. How often can you see the faces of fishermen beaming with happiness after catching a pike or bream weighing up to 8-10 kg on a fishing rod! Everyone who fishes on our lakes gets an unforgettable fishing pleasure! Lake Baklanovskoye is the most deep lake The Smolensk region has a very complex bottom topography and very convenient reaches for fishing. On the marvelous shores of Lake Dgo you can not only have excellent fishing, but also touch deep antiquity: the sacrificial stone of pagan times on the island. Well-equipped parking areas with fire pits near the lakes will allow you to comfortably arrange your vacation. Our experienced instructors will share with you not only their fishing secrets and show you the coolest places, but will also help you right here - on the shore, smoke your rich catch on alder shavings or cook real fish soup. There is nothing tastier than fish soup and tea cooked over a fire! Your family won’t be bored either: there are a lot of secrets in the natural world, interesting stories and legends. The park has developed a variety of excursions and educational programs for both adults and children. We invite you to try your fishing luck on the fish-rich lakes of the Smolensk Poozerie National Park! Tour cost: for a group of 6 people - 4500 rubles/person. - the price includes: accommodation, meals, guides, Russian bath, transfer from the b/o Baklanovo to the lake. Dgo and back. moving Moscow - Smolensk - Moscow, transfer Smolensk - b/o Baklanovo - Smolensk, live bait, hot smoked fish. Tour program Day 1 06:00 – 08:00 transfer Smolensk – Baklanovo 08:00 – 09:00 accommodation at the Baklanovo resort, breakfast 09:00 – departure to the lake. Dgo 09:40 – 13:00 fishing on the lake. Dgo with an instructor 13:00 – 14:00 lunch in the forest at the tourist parking 14:00 – 17:00 fishing 17:00 – departure to the Baklanovo village 17:40 – 18:30 free time 18:30 – 19: 30 dinner 19:30 – 23:30 Russian bath. Day 2 08:00 – 09:00 breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 fishing on the lake. Baklanovskoye with instructor 13:00 – 14:00 lunch 14:00 – 17:00 fishing on the lake. Baklanovskoe 17:00 – 18:30 free time 18:30 – 19:30 dinner 19:30 – departure to Smolensk
Protected objects
1. Lake Chistik Area 57 hectares, max. depth 21 m Natural monument within the NP
2. Lake Rytoe Area 178 hectares, max. depth 22.5 m Natural monument within the NP
3. Lake Baklanovskoye Area 221 hectares, max. depth 29 m Natural monument within the NP
4. Lake Dgo Area 234 hectares, max. depth15 m Natural monument within the NP
5. Lake Paltsevskoye Area 51 hectares, max. depth 8 m Natural monument within the NP
6. Lake Sapsho Area 304 hectares, max. depth 18.6 m Natural monument within the NP
7. Lake Vervizhskoye Area 115 hectares, max. depth 8.5 m Natural monument within the NP
8. Travelers Park Old-growth pines and burial mound of the 11th-13th centuries. Natural monument within the NP
9. Vervizhsky Moss Area 7810 ha
10. Pelyshev Mokh Area 1622 ha
11. Moss Ostrovo Area 1324 hectares
12. Ravine Devil's Ditch Interglacial deposits Natural monument within the NP
Tourist description
The territory of the Smolensk Poozerie National Park is one of the most valuable corners of the Smolensk region, where all the characteristic categories of historical and cultural monuments are represented, covering the time interval from the Mesolithic to the 20th century. Their significance lies, first of all, in cognitive and aesthetic value, in originality and uniqueness. Archaeological monuments. There are 81 objects in total. Among them: Stone Age sites (at least 14), settlements (2), ancient settlements (at least 17), settlements (at least 14), burial grounds (at least 32 mound groups and single mounds). The archaeological complex of the ancient Russian city of Verzhavsk and the burial mound (31 mounds) of the 8th-13th centuries have the status of a monument of federal significance. near the village of Anosinki (previously 8 objects). A significant influx of the Slavic population in the 10th-11th centuries, the founding of numerous villages and their unification into one socio-economic organism led to the formation in Poozerie of the second largest city in the Smolensk land, Verzhavsk. Located on the “route from the Varangians to the Greeks,” the city flourished in the 12th-14th centuries, losing its economic importance only with the extinction of the waterway. During the Polish-Lithuanian invasion it was destroyed and finally ceased to exist in the 17th century. The remains of the detinets, the town settlement and a nearby large burial mound, which can be interpreted as a pagan cemetery, have survived to this day. On the territory of the Smolensk Poozerie a number of burial mound groups have been preserved, which in most cases are burial places of rural territorial communities. Depending on the time of construction of the mounds, their rituals changed, which can be traced in the villages of Saki, Yerilovo, Rykovshchina and the village. Przhevalskoe. Since the 13th century, in connection with the consolidation of Christianity, burials of the dead were performed according to church rites in special cemeteries, where stone crosses were installed on the graves. The latter are quite rare for the Smolensk region. There are similar monuments in the Smolensk Poozerie near the village of Gorki (the so-called “French graves”) and at the site of ancient Verzhavsk near the village of Gorodishche. In the 17th century, the territory of the future park was subjected to devastating raids by Polish-Lithuanian troops. The selfless struggle of the Russian people against foreign invaders is immortalized in the names of settlements: Poboishche (in honor of the battle between Russians and Poles in 1608), Rubezh (the border between the Polish and Russian troops). Shishi (rebel settlement), Kopanevo (military earthworks). Historical monuments. At least 101 objects: memorial complexes, memorial sites (including preserved military fortifications, battle sites, burial places associated with events of Russia’s military past), architectural monuments, religious buildings. Estate ensembles. In the central part of the park until the end of the 1920s. existed palace and park ensemble Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin-Tavrichesky. In 1787, Empress Catherine II decided to travel to Crimea and inspect the newly annexed possessions. The complex efforts of organizing this voyage were undertaken by her favorite G. A. Potemkin. He tried to protect the empress from the slightest inconvenience and worry. Knowing that Catherine’s path would lie through Porechye. Grigory Alexandrovich hastily built a beautiful palace about 25 km away in the village of Pokrovskoye. For this purpose, the architect I. E. Starov was urgently requested from St. Petersburg. And no later than the autumn of 1786, the manor building was erected. The Pokrovsky Palace resembled the Tauride Palace. It was three stories high; there were no long wings extending the facade: the building was crowned by a beautiful rotunda with colonnades, from its windows a wonderful view opened up far around; in clear weather the domes of the riverside churches were clearly visible. The palace was built of large bricks and covered with iron. There were 60 rooms in it. Many of them were painted with views of Italy and Russia. Large lanterns were lit on the roof of the rotunda at dusk. Linden, lilac, acacia and jasmine were planted around the palace. The palace in the village of Pokrovskoye was included in the list of architectural monuments subject to protection for 1922. But soon a fire broke out in the house. Everything that could burn was burned. The bricks were dismantled for household needs by peasants. During the Great Patriotic War, the German defense line passed through the territory of the palace. The ruins remaining after the fire were almost completely destroyed. Currently, the territory of the palace is marked by ancient plantings of acacias, lindens and other ornamental plants. Churches and chapels. There are 5 objects in total: the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the village of Przhevalskoye, an architectural monument of the 18th century. and the Church of St. George the Victorious - b/o "Chaika" - active. Three more churches previously existed in the park, but they are now destroyed. Religious buildings. There are at least 9 object locations in total: the so-called. “sacrificial stone” on the island of Lake Dgo, “village guard” near the village of Anosinki, “holy well” near the village of Zhelyuhovo, “holy well” in the village of Boroviki, stone crosses in the cemeteries of the villages of Gorka and Gorodishche, stone tombstones in the village of Glaskovo and pities. The territory of the park is extremely rich in monuments of the Great Patriotic War. Memorial landscapes and entire trench towns have been preserved on the tops of the esker ridges, occupying a significant area within the boundaries of the park, in areas where the fortification systems of the Soviet and German armies were located opposite each other. Many of the above-mentioned monuments can be objects of excursion display. Mass graves of Soviet soldiers and memorial signs, fortification structures. There are 88 objects in total. In the Demidovsky district - 76, in Dukhovshchinsky - 12. In 2007, a number of single burials located in remote places were exhumed and the remains were reburied in mass graves. Other historical and cultural objects (memorable place where long and persistent protests of peasants against landowner despotism took place in August 1857 - October 1859, the house-museum of N.M. Przhevalsky, memorial signs in honor of the stay of the great traveler and his companion in the village. Sloboda, house of N.I. Rylenkov, etc.). There are 13 objects in total.
On the territory where the Smolensk Poozerye National Park is now located, in 1978, on an area of 124 thousand hectares, the Kurov-Borsky reserve of regional significance was created. The creation of the reserve did not lead, as originally planned, to strengthening the protection of this territory from forestry and recreational pressure, and already in the mid-1980s, debate flared up again about the prospects for preserving this unique corner of the Smolensk region. The most active advocates for the idea of creating a specially protected area of a higher rank than a nature reserve in the Smolensk region were scientists from the Smolensk Pedagogical Institute, led by Professor N.D. Kruglov and local historian V.D. Gavrilenkov. Initially, there were even proposals such as the creation of a nature reserve in the Smolensk Poozerie region. However, the presence of the local population and significant recreational pressure on the territory became a limitation for making such a decision. By the end of the 80s, Russia already had more than a dozen national parks, whose tasks combined the protection of natural complexes and the development of tourism while living in the territory of the indigenous population. The presence in our country of positive experience in the functioning of national parks as multifunctional territories became the determining factor when scientists chose protected areas of this rank in the Smolensk Poozerie region. Preparation of pre-design work for the organization of the national park, as well as the main approvals, were completed in a very short term - for 3 years, and on April 15, 1992, by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 247, a decision was made “On the creation of the state natural national park “Smolenskoe Poozerie”. The following people worked on the project “NP “Smolenskoe Poozerie””: archaeologist, professor E.A. Schmidt ; botanists-associate professors V.A. Batyreva, T.V. Bogomolova, N.V. Fedoskin; geographers-associate professors V.A. Shkalikov, A.S. Kremen, V.B. Kozlov; zoologists-associate professors V.F. Antoshchenkov , V. M. Pastukhov; Chairman of the Ecology Committee of the Demidovsky District N. I. Gavrilenkov; famous local historian V. M. Gavrilenkov; journalist S. V. Podrezov; local history teacher A. N. Strazdin and many others. The first director of the national park "Smolensk Poozerie" - Volkov S. M. (1992-2005). At the initial stage of research, the boundaries of the national park were outlined quite approximately. There was no doubt about the inclusion within the park of the most interesting natural objects, preserved unique formations, historical monuments. Initially national It was proposed to place the park only within the Demidovsky district. However, a preliminary study of numerous materials and especially the relief and geology showed that for the normal development of the park, limiting it to administrative boundaries is unacceptable. It was proposed to expand the territory of the park at the expense of some areas of the neighboring Dukhovshchinsky district, which together with part of the lands of the Demidovsky district form a single landscape, within which there are close relationships between various natural complexes. The Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was created by transferring into its composition the lands of the forest fund of the Slobodsky and Prechistensky mekhleskhozes, forests of the state farms of the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts, and areas of the water fund. Agricultural lands were also included within the boundaries of the park without removing them from economic exploitation. The Smolensk Poozerye National Park is a specially protected natural area of federal significance. In terms of the area of forest ecosystems under its use, the park exceeds many protected areas in Central Russia. _____________________________________________ April 15, 1992 - creation of a park. 1992 – international relations have been established with the Wildlife Commission of the State of North Carolina (USA). 1993 – formation of a scientific and technical council of the park. 1995 – the beginning of participation in the international action “March of the Parks”. 1997 – release of the first issue of the newspaper “Poozerye”. 1997-97 – development of the first operational management and development plan for protected areas of the Russian Federation (management plan). 1998 – the park was accepted into the Federation of Natural and National Parks of Europe. 1999 – the first annual festival of the reserved author’s song “Baklanovsky Dawns”. 1999 – the park has been accepted into the international network of key bird areas. 2002 – the national park becomes a member of the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere” program. 2002 – a representative office of the park has been opened in Smolensk. 2003 – the first annual festival “Fisherman’s Kitchen”. 2005 – the beginning of permanent eco-camps. January 2005 – the Information Center began its work at the national park office. 2008 – start of implementation, jointly with JSC NPK REKOD (Roscosmos), of the pilot project “Space Park” to introduce the results of space activities into the functioning of protected areas.
Mushrooms – 88 species
-lichens – 128 species
-mosses and liverworts – 145 species
-vascular plants – 953 species
-sponges – 3 types
Most of the park's territory is covered with forest - 74%. Primary forests were not preserved and were replaced by secondary forests, which also underwent significant changes. In the "Smolensk Poozerie" areas of indigenous old-growth forests with a total area of 359 hectares, rich in species diversity, have still been preserved. The indigenous forest-forming species is spruce (16% of the park's forests); complex spruce forests and broad-leaved spruce forests are typical. In some places, old-growth spruce forests have been preserved. They are characterized by undergrowth not only of spruce, but of linden, oak, maple, aspen, and undergrowth of honeysuckle, hazel, euonymus, and rowan. Ferns are abundant and varied in many spruce forests. Pine makes up about 12% of forest species in the Smolensk Poozerie. Areas of broad-leaved forests have been preserved. They are characterized by a mixed composition of the forest stand. Among small-leaved species, birch forests predominate in 38% of forests. Aspen forests -13%, black alder -6%. There are plantations of cedar pine (8 hectares) and larch (45 hectares).
Species included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation:
Cephalanthera longifolia (Hudson) Fritsch, 1753
Red pollenhead Cephalanthera rubra (Linnaeus, 1753) Richard, 1817
Cypripedium calceolus Linnaeus, 1753
Baltic fingerroot Dactylorhiza baltica (Klinge) Orlova, 1970 (Dactylorhiza longifolia (L.Neuman) Averyanov, 1984)
Traunsteiner's fingerroot Dactylorhiza traunsteineri (Sauter) Soό, 1962
Lacustica Isoëtes lacustris Linnaeus, 1753
Male orchis Orchis mascula (Linnaeus, 1753) Linnaeus, 1755
Orchis militaris Linnaeus, 1753
Orchis ustulata Linnaeus, 1753
Swertia perennis Linnaeus, 1753
Varnished polypore Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karsten, 1881
Grifola frondosa (Dickson, 1785: Fries) S.F.Gray, 1821
Lobaria pulmonaria (Linnaeus) Hoffmann, 1976
Usnea florida (Linnaeus, 1753) Weber ex Wiggers, 1780
Number of registered species:
Roundworms – 1 species
- rotifers – 9 types
-ringed worms – 13 species
-collembolas – 86 species
-molluscs – 216 species
-hydra – 1 species
-flatworms – 4 types
-arachnids – 125 species
-crustaceans – 21 species
-higher insects – 2900 species
-fish and lampreys – 37 species
-amphibians – 10 species
-reptiles – 5 species
-birds – 232 species
-mammals – 54 species
The fauna of the national park is typical of forest fauna. Invertebrate animals belonging to 11 types, 21 classes, 51 orders and 112 families live here. Doctor of Biological Sciences N.K. Kruglov was the first to register such species as Lumnea fusca and lumnea dupuei for the fauna of Russia. The terrestrial fauna of invertebrates, according to preliminary data, is represented by 6 types, 10 classes, over 30 orders, many families, genera and species. The main and most common groups of soil mesofauna are: earthworms, centipedes, larvae of lamellar beetles, weevils, ground beetles, dipterans, hymenoptera, wireworms. The vertebrate fauna is a rather complex complex of species, which in its origin is associated with the neighboring zones of taiga, western broad-leaved forests, forest-steppe and steppe. A mixture of representatives of different biocenotic zones is typical here. Wolf, fox, elk, ermine, and wild boar are widespread. Typical forest-steppe and steppe species are represented by the common vole, field mouse, common hamster, and brown hare. Typical taiga representatives are the tiny shrew, brown bear, lynx, elk, and squirrel. The park's avifauna is typical of the subzone of European coniferous-deciduous forests. Background species of forest, meadow-field and shrub-marsh habitats are chaffinch, white wagtail, tree sparrow, tree pipit, great tit, warblers (willow warbler, warbler and chiffchaff), wren, song thrush. The proportion of wetland and semi-aquatic bird species in the avifauna is very significant, partially represented by rare and endangered species, which is associated with moderate anthropogenic pressure. At the same time, the share of participation of Sinanthropus and other species that often settle near humans is small. The basis of the park's ichthyofauna is carp (53-56%). The most widespread species are roach, bream, dace, chub, rudd, bleak, as well as pike, perch, and ruff.
Hunting species
There are 35 large and small lakes of glacial origin in the park, some of which are connected by channels. The most interesting is the central group of reservoirs, located in a large pre-glacial basin and separated from each other by powerful esker ridges. These include lakes - Chistik, Sapsho, Rytoe, Mutnoe, Dgo, Baklanovskoe, Petrovskoe and others.
Fishing with a rod is permitted on lakes that are not located in protected areas closed to visitors. It is prohibited to use net fishing gear.
Every year the park hosts the regional festival “Fisherman’s Cuisine”.
The deepest lake in the park is Lake Baklanovskoye – 29 m. According to the fishery classification, all lakes located in the park can be divided into 4 types.
BREAM LAKES. This type includes lakes Sapsho, Baklanovskoye, Petrovskoye, Mutnoye, Rytoye, Dgo, Mokhan. In these lakes, conditions are favorable for all age stages of bream. The ichthyofauna is dominated by bream, roach, silver bream, and rudd. Tench can be found in well-warmed areas.
PERCH-ROOM LAKES. This type includes lakes Chistik, Petrakovskoye, Krugloye, Dolgoye, Glubokoye. These lakes are distinguished by their shallow depth and strong development of surface and submerged vegetation. These conditions are favorable for grass perch and pike, which constitute the leading group of fish in this reservoir. Perch-roach lakes are a common type of reservoir, and these include most of shallow lake plains.
PERCH LAKES. This type includes 2 small lakes - Maloe and Bolshoye Strechnye. These lakes are surrounded by sphagnum bogs and have an acidic environment. The ichthyofauna of these lakes is represented by one species - perch. The food for perch in these lakes is zooplankton, various forms of larvae and their own juveniles. These lakes are located in a protected area, visiting which is prohibited.
CARASS LAKES. Lakes of this type are scattered throughout the Park. They are distinguished by their small size, severe oxygen deficiency in winter, and therefore only crucian carp can exist in them.
1 Healing mud
Lake Mutnoe
Mud therapy is used with great success for many surgical, gynecological, otorhinolaryngological, eye and skin diseases, and for diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
2 Mineral water
Well of the sanatorium named after N.M. Przhevalsky
Drinking sulfate-calcium-magnesium water is successfully used for a number of diseases of the stomach and duodenum, gall bladder, liver, pancreas, small and large intestines.
Brief description of the most significant historical and cultural objects located within the boundaries of the protected area:
1. Settlement (city of Verzhavsk): XI – XIII, XIV – XVII centuries. (village of Gorodishche),
2. Kurgan burial ground (31 mounds): VIII – XIII centuries. (village Anosinki)
archaeological monument; Republican category of protection
3. Stone crosses: IX – XX centuries. (Gorki village)
archaeological monument, religious monuments, local category of protection
4. House-Museum of N.M. Przhevalsky (Przhevalskoye village)
memorial monument, republican category of protection
Museums and information centers:
1 Museum of Partisan Glory
All year round
10.00 – 18.00
Closed: Monday
During World War II, this area was called a partisan republic, and the village of Sloboda (now Przhevalskoye) was its capital. On September 21, 1993, the Museum of Partisan Glory was opened here.
The exhibition, dedicated to the combat operations of partisan detachments on the territory of the Smolensk region during the war, tells about the activities of the unit under the command of the legendary N.Z. Kolyada - Bati, about the special forces of the 4th Shock and 43rd armies that liberated the Smolensk region.
2 House-Museum of N.M. Przhevalsky
All year round
10.00 – 18.00
Closed: Monday
In 1964, in honor of the 125th anniversary of the birth of N.M. Przhevalsky, the village of Sloboda was renamed Przhevalskoye and a folk museum was opened. The traveler's house, burned by the Nazis, was rebuilt and inaugurated on April 29, 1977 as a museum. In 1978, a granite bust of N.M. was installed in front of the house. Przhevalsky (sculptor G.A. Ognev).
The museum exhibit includes photographs by N.M. Przhevalsky in different periods of his life, maps of Central Asia with his personal notes, first editions of books written as a result of expeditions. Stuffed animals and skins of animals brought from Central Asia attract attention: Lopnor tiger, Tibetan bear, Orongo antelope, argali.
The traveler's office has been recreated in the house-museum.
The museum's collections contain the orders of the traveler, his personal albums with photographs of close relatives, friends and companions on the expedition.
3 Birch Bark Museum
All year round
By agreement at any convenient time
Here you can get acquainted with birch bark products, take part in master classes, and purchase a souvenir from the master.
4 Vernissage "Alone with the Tree"
All year round
Open on Sundays 12.00 – 18.00
A lover of folk traditions and souvenirs made of wood can visit the vernissage “Alone with the Tree” in the village of Boroviki, where he will also be shown an exhibition of carpentry and carpentry tools, and will be taken to the “Kunstkamera”, where there are objects associated with the terrible pages of the Great Patriotic War.
Smolensk Poozerie (Smolensk region, Russia) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.
- Last minute tours in Russia
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It’s not hard to guess why the Smolensk Poozerie National Park is called that way. Of course, it is located near Smolensk and surrounded by a large number of reservoirs. There are as many as 35 lakes of glacial origin, each of which is beautiful in its own way. The Smolensk Poozerie Park was created relatively recently - only 21 years ago. It was organized in order to preserve unique forests and study the local flora and fauna.
In the Smolensk Poozerie National Park there are as many as 35 lakes of glacial origin, each of which is beautiful in its own way.
In fact, the Smolensk Lake District is a large forest, since 80 percent of the entire territory is covered with forests. Interestingly, 55 species of plants listed in the Red Book of the Smolensk region, and 10 species listed in the Red Book of our country grow here. If you want to get to know the nature of Russia better, then you should definitely visit the Smolensk Poozerie. A variety of animals live here: wild boars, bears, foxes, wolves, stoats, hares, lynxes. There are many species of fish in lakes and rivers. The most common species are bream, chub, ruffe, pike, and perch. And, of course, there are a huge number of birds here. If you are lucky, you will be able to see a very rare bird - the black stork. By the way, the Smolensk Lake District is considered an ornithological territory of international importance.
But the Smolensk Lake District is interesting not only for its flora and fauna. It is also worth visiting the park to learn a lot about the history of our country. In the 9th-12th centuries, on the territory of modern Smolensk Poozerie, the city of Verzhavsk was located, through which a section of the waterway “From the Varangians to the Greeks” passed. In addition, there are more than 150 archaeological sites. Many of them are of great historical and cultural significance. For example, ancient settlements, burial mounds, and Neolithic sites were found in these places. In addition, in the park there are many monuments associated with the military past of the Smolensk region. It was here that the battles with the Polish-Lithuanian invaders and German fascists took place. Anyone can visit the Museum of Partisan Glory, located in the village of Przhevalskoye.
By the way, the village is named so for a reason. At the end of the 19th century, the famous Russian scientist Nikolai Przhevalsky lived and worked there. He called the largest lake in the Smolensk Lake District, Sapsho, “Baikal in miniature.” Now a house-museum has been opened in the scientist’s estate.
On the territory of the Smolensk Poozerie there is a mineral spring “Holy Well”. The water from it is considered healing and helps with many diseases. This “living” water is unique due to its bactericidal properties.
You can visit the Smolensk Poozerie at any time of the year. From June to August the weather here is wonderful, the water in lakes and rivers warms up to 22 degrees Celsius. In autumn the park is extremely beautiful and you can pick mushrooms and berries. Fans of winter activities can enjoy skiing, sledding or ice fishing. Well, in the spring in the Smolensk Poozerie everything blooms and blooms - the beauty is indescribable.
The national park hosts the Baklanovsky Dawns bard song festival and the Fisherman's Kitchen festival.
Practical information
Smolensk Poozerie is located at the address: Smolensk region, Demidovsky district, Przhevalskoye village, st. Gurevich, 19. In the national park you can visit 12 excursions. They are all different in duration and route length. Prices for excursion services start from 100 RUB per person. Visitors can stay here for a long time - there are many places to stay in the Smolensk Poozerie region. Recreation centers “Baklanovo” and “Chaika” operate for clients, guest houses on Lake Petrakovskoye and in the village of Boroviki, sanatorium named after. Przhevalsky. In addition, there are 1-4-seater trailers. Making fires and setting up tents is permitted only in specially designated areas. Such tourist sites are fully equipped for tourists. There are fire pits, firewood, benches, and toilets. There is an excellent observation deck on the shore of Lake Sapsho.
Prices on the page are as of November 2019.
We all know well that Russia is huge in size, and its nature is very diverse. Everywhere in our country you can find new landscapes that enchant the soul, which can give unforgettable experience. I have never understood why people who want to relax in the lap of nature go to other countries for this, look for inspiration in foreign lands, admire “other” lakes and forests. Sometimes I want to tell such people: stop! Look around, right under your nose is the deepest lake in the world - Baikal, and here is the largest in Europe - Ladoga, and here is the largest forest on our planet - the Siberian taiga. Just imagine, there are more than 2 million lakes in Russia, covering an area of 350 thousand square kilometers, and there are even more forests, they occupy 45% of our country. Agree, the numbers are impressive.
Today I will tell you about one thing tourist place, to which you want to return and return, and I would not exchange it for any Turkish or Egyptian beach. We will talk about the Smolensk Poozerie National Park.
A kingdom of untouched nature, a land of blue lakes, swamps and impenetrable forests - this is what tourists call “Smolensk Poozerie” after visiting it once. It's not hard to see why. This fabulously beautiful place is home to more than 35 lakes, most of which are surrounded by dense forests, where a variety of animals live and rare plants grow.
I will try to mentally guide you around the park and tell you about the most interesting and useful things.
How to get there
The Smolensk Poozerie National Park is located in the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts of the Smolensk region on a huge area (almost 1,500 square kilometers). This is an area of forests and lakes, and most of it, 80%, is occupied by dense forests.
The park has four visitor centers: in Smolensk, in the city of Demidovo, in the village of Przhevalskoye and on the shore of Lake Baklanovskoye. I would advise you to immediately contact the visitor center in the village of Przhevalskoye, on Gurevich Street, 19, only there you can get complete information about the national park. In summer, the center is open seven days a week from 09:00 to 17:00 (lunch from 13:00 to 14:00). Here you will be told about tourist, water routes, ecological trails, protected areas, they will give you a map of the area, and here you can purchase a mandatory entrance ticket to the park (I’ll talk about the entrance ticket below).
If you are interested in the “Smolensk Poozerie” as a whole, that is, you decide to spend several days visiting it, and don’t just want to see just one lake, then you need to start your route from the village of Przhevalskoye. By the way, the settlement itself stands on the shores of the beautiful Lake Sapsho. I already wrote how to get to the village from Smolensk by bus and car, take a look.
Advice: rent a car in Smolensk (about rental), it will be more convenient: you will see more places, fortunately, there are roads in the park, and they are in order. I don’t recommend getting there on your own; you can, of course, move from lake to lake, but every day you’ll have to walk tens of kilometers.
Lakes of the Smolensk Lake District
The pride of the park is definitely the lakes! As I said above, there are more than 35 of them, and they are all connected by rivers to the Western Dvina basin. Do you know what's most interesting? They are all different! You will not find lakes similar to each other and will never confuse them in your life. Not only do they have different shapes, they even smell differently, not to mention the color - it is also different for them - somewhere bluish, somewhere greenish, etc. All lakes are very ancient, and each one keeps its own secret.
Of course, I won’t talk about all the reservoirs - it’s too long and tedious - I’ll describe only the most interesting of them:
You can travel from lake to lake by car without any problems. The roads are in order, but I would like to warn you: the eastern part of the park, where lakes Paltsevskoye, Vervizhskoye and Beloye are located, is strewn with swamps. On the map below the swamp area is indicated in green:
I would advise avoiding this area.
Admission ticket
Since 2016, tourists coming to the Smolensk Poozerie Nature Reserve have been charged a fee of 100 rubles per person. Disabled people of groups I and II, as well as children under 14 years old, receive a 50% discount.
You can pay for the ticket both at the visitor centers themselves and on the territory of the reserve (usually from the inspectors). For your convenience, I will write the addresses where you can purchase a ticket:
- City of Smolensk (Pamfilova St., 3b);
- Przhevalskoye village (Gurevich St., 19);
- From government inspectors patrolling the park.
This is a one-time fee. You are given a special blue ticket, which you must keep until the end of your stay in the park.
When is the best time to go?
In my opinion, you can visit the national park at any time.
Summer
In summer there is a large influx of sunbathing and swimming lovers: usually the days are sunny, the average temperature is +20-25 °C, the only thing is that it rains heavily in mid-July. In August, the water temperature is +20 °C and above.
Autumn
At this time people usually come for photographs. Particularly beautiful views open up here in mid-September, when the trees turn yellow and autumn begins to play with all its colors. This time of year is also good for hiking in the forest, picking mushrooms and berries. The weather is sunny, the air temperature averages from +13 to +15 °C.
Winter
During the cold season there are mild frosts and light snowfalls. At this time, people mainly come here to fish. Lakes Sapsho, Rytoe, and Baklanovskoe are popular among fishermen.
Spring
Not the best time to visit the park. The fact is that ice on the lakes lasts until May, and negative temperatures can remain until April.
Biosphere
The entire park is divided into four zones:
- educational tourism zone,
- specially protected
- reserved,
- economic
If a specially protected zone occupies ⅕ of the park, then educational tourism takes up half. The fauna of the “Smolensk Poozerie” is concentrated to a greater extent in the specially protected and protected areas. This territory is under the constant supervision of government inspectors and rangers; tourists are prohibited from entering there. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will be able to see, say, the same moose.
Most hiking trails, although they run through the forest, pass specifically in places where there are no animals. Of course, if you go into a wild place, encountering animals is irreversible. But it’s better not to do this: you won’t bother the animals and you yourself will remain safe.
Animals of the Smolensk Lake District
The zoo world of the reserve is very rich and is represented by more than 50 species of mammals. The most common animal is elk, but wild boars, roe deer, hares, foxes, lynxes and other animals are also found. On one of my travels, I once met a huntsman, and he told me that even wolves, bears and bison live in the park.
They live here and rare species, listed in the Red Book. For example, from the order of rodents: flying squirrels, forest dormouse, little mouse, and from predators: European mink.
Hunting in the reserve is prohibited at any time of the year.
Birds of the Smolensk Lakeland
Near Lake Dgo I saw a golden eagle, as well as two black storks who decided to drink water, this bird does not like to show itself to people, so I can be considered lucky. A little later I learned that these representatives of the fauna are listed in the Red Book of many countries of the world.
Plants of the Smolensk Lake District
As I said above, 80% of the park is forested. The most common trees are spruce, pine, maple, oak, and birch. The forests in the reserve are amazing. Here you are walking, say, through a birch forest, and after 50-100 meters you suddenly find yourself in a pine forest. Along the entire route, the forests may change several times.
On your way, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a hiking trail running through a forest or a road along a pine forest, you will often come across plants listed in the Red Book (martygum, pollenhead, etc.). We kindly ask you not to tear them or trample them. Any place should be treated with respect.
I would like to reveal a little secret: if you do not harm nature or disturb it, you will see true magic - the forest will open up to you and give you its coolness, peace, birdsong and clearings with a scattering of forest flowers!
Where is the best place to stay and what are the prices for a vacation?
About 4,500 people live in small towns and villages on the territory of the reserve. For most of this population, renting out rooms or summer houses It is the main source of income for tourists. Prices vary from 700 rubles per day per room to 5,000-10,000 for a house with a bathhouse or sauna. This is much cheaper than renting accommodation at tourist centers or hotels. When you arrive in any village or town, ask the first passerby about renting housing, and he will tell you everything and, perhaps, even show you. The main thing is not to be shy.
In almost all populated areas There are recreation centers and hotels. Prices there start from 1,600 rubles to 2,200 for a standard single room. This applies to hotels; at a tourist center it will be 30% cheaper. You can also rent a house, it will cost you 50,000-60,000 per day.
Closer to September, when the season ends, hotel apartments can be rented for 1,000 rubles.
If you come with a company, I advise you to rent a house from locals, and if you are traveling alone, it is better to stay at a recreation center or in a hotel (I cannot vouch for the amenities in the rooms offered by residents of villages and towns). It is convenient to choose and book accommodation on. You can see approximate prices for housing from local authorities, and compare the cost of hotel rooms by. I recommend:
- recreation center "Baklanovo". It is located on the very shore of Lake Baklanovskoe, right by the water. The cost of renting a double room starts from 400 rubles per person. At the recreation center you can rent a bathhouse or sauna.
- Chaika base. Located in the village of Nikitenki, between two lakes - Rytoe and Chistik. At the base you can rent a small wooden cottage for around 10,000 per day, as well as a double room with a kitchen and shower for 1,200 rubles.
- Boroviki village. Not far from Lake Sapsho (just 1 km) a house for 7 people with all amenities is rented for 6,000 rubles per day.
Food
About the food. I would advise you not to dine at local cafes, unfortunately, I had a bad experience when I was served stale food. It is better to buy food from the local population at markets and then cook the food yourself. In the village of Przhevalskoye there is a permanent market where they sell Belarusian products: milk, meat products, etc. It works from the very morning, from 6 o'clock, and I would advise visiting it before 11:00, since the local population really loves products from Belarus and quickly sorts them out.
Attractions
For me, the main attraction of the Smolensk Poozerie National Park is its untouched nature. When you look from the observation decks at the endless forests stretching the length of the lake, it takes your breath away. I want to come back here again and again.
Unfortunately, I cannot single out any special historical monuments. Many mounds have been preserved in the park, more than 10 Stone Age sites, settlements, fortifications, and trench towns from the Great Patriotic War have been found, but all this is bare land, although it preserves the shadow of the past.
The only thing I would like to draw attention to is a small hill near Lake Rzhavets, on which one of the greatest ancient Russian cities, Verzhavsk, once stood.
Excursions
What I also like about the reserve is its well-thought-out excursion system. Special tourist paths have been created on the territory of the park, cutting it lengthwise and crosswise, and there are also programs for walking and water tours.
Anyone can contact the park administration and choose a suitable route of any length, from 1 to 10 kilometers. I'll tell you about the most interesting of them:
- "Reserved paths". The tour takes approximately 8 hours and is only possible in winter. First, they will tell you about the history of the park, its lakes and its inhabitants, then they will feed you a hot lunch, and then they will take you to the enclosure to look at the bison.
- "Into the history of Sloboda". This route will be of interest to people interested in history. In two hours you will be taken through the burial mounds, told about the ancient people who inhabited these places, shown the Przhevalsky house-museum and told about the life of the Russian traveler.
- "Sloboda Legends". The excursion takes about 8 hours and takes place in the village of Przhevalskoye. Here you will be told in detail about the Russian traveler, shown where he lived, and also introduced to the rituals of our distant ancestors: you will learn how they had fun and how they attracted good luck.
- "To the Dead Lake". I will say right away that this is one of the longest routes - 10 kilometers await you. The tour begins on the shore of Lake Baklanovskoye in the Baklanovo eco-center and through the hills and forest goes to a small lake, which is popularly nicknamed “Dead” due to the lack of fish in it.
- "Water route". Canoeing on 4 lakes. This tour requires a group of 10 people, the start begins on Lake Glubokoe, and then you will follow the channels through lakes Chistik, Krugloye, and Dolgoye. The excursion takes 4 hours.
What to bring
From every trip I try to bring with me an object that would remind me of my place of stay. It could even be an ordinary magnet. Fortunately, there are no problems with this in the national reserve. In any information center (in Przhevalskoye, Baklanovo), a souvenir kiosk in a village or town, at fairs you can buy a T-shirt, magnets, badges with the symbols of the park, and in the villages of Boroviki, Stary Dvor, Anosinki, products of local craftsmen made from birch bark.
What to see in one day
I think it’s pointless to go to the Smolensk Poozerie park for one day, unless, of course, your goal is simply to sunbathe or swim. But let’s say you decide to come for the day and don’t plan to lie in the sun. Here's what I recommend. Let's assume you get from Smolensk by bus:
- at 07:20 we take the bus at the Central Bus Station of Smolensk and go to Przhevalskoye. The journey takes about 3 hours. Ticket price is about 300 rubles.
- We're visiting. We admire the lake, walk along its shores and go to the Przhevalsky Museum (Sovetskaya St., 49). It will take you about 2 hours to walk and visit the museum. A ticket for adults will cost 80 rubles, for schoolchildren - 20 rubles, for students - 30.
- After the museum we go to the market in the village and buy Belarusian products and have lunch. It will take about 30 minutes.
- We go to the visitor center of the park (Gurevich St., 19) and try to find out if the excursion to Lake Dgo to the pagan boulder is taking place. The cost of such a tour will be about 1,000 rubles. If the group is not large enough, we ask the locals if they can take us to the lake and then bring us back. You will pay about 300-500 rubles for the journey. The journey by car will take 30 minutes.
- We come to the lakes, rent a boat (rental is available at all tourist stops) and sail to the island of Roda. Here we walk, look at the surroundings and the pagan stone. We return to the village of Przhevalskoye. This route will take you about 3-4 hours.
- There was an hour left until the last bus to Smolensk. We can take a short walk in the vicinity of Lake Sapsho. At 18:50 we return to the city.
I'll give you some tips that I think will be useful to you:
- In the northern and eastern parts of the park, communication is poor, be careful. I have Tele 2 and there was no signal at all.
- If you need to withdraw money, there is a Sberbank ATM in the village of Przhevalskoye (Gurevich St., 19).
- Almost all villages and towns have paramedic stations where you can receive medical care, but if you are traveling long distances, it is better to take a first aid kit with you or at least have a small supply of the necessary medications.
- There are a lot of ticks in the park from May to early July, so make sure to take insect repellent with you.
Conclusion
Holidays in the “Smolensk Poozerie” are a real pleasure for body and soul. When you get to the park, it’s like a new universe opens up in front of you with numerous lakes and dense forests, which you have never seen before. This reserve is a great place to be alone with the world of wildlife and escape from the bustle of the city.
History of the national park
People have settled on the territory of Poozerie since time immemorial. The cult red boulders on one of the islands of Lake Dgo, the mounds of the Balts and Krivichs have been preserved from the ancient pagans. The park was created in 1992 in order to preserve broad-leaved forests with unique flora and fauna, lakes and clean rivers of the Western Dvina basin. In 2002, the project received international recognition: the Smolensk Lake District was included in the UNESCO list of biosphere reserves. In 2014, the park joined the Belarusian program to restore the bison population in the central part of the country. The infrastructure over these decades has slowly but surely developed, although even now the conditions for recreation on the shores of the Smolensk lakes are far from ideal: there are problems with communications, ATMs, medical care and food.
Lakes of the national park
The main recreational areas of the park are located next to glacial hollow lakes. Baklanovskoye Lake is the deepest - up to 28 m, and the most beautiful is Sapsho: it is often compared to Lake Baikal. There are 6 islands with ancient burial sites. The estates adjacent to the western part of the lake famous traveler Przhevalsky. In the northern part there is a shallow spit where you can walk for a long time in waist-deep water. You can swim in the lake in mid-summer - from late June to early August, but in other seasons the nature of Poozerie is very spectacular. Crimson Island is especially beautiful in autumn, when the deciduous forests turn red. Near the Island of Love, or Gorokhov, there is a boat station where you can rent boats and catamarans. The most unusual lake reserve - Dead: in the reservoir located right in the forest, there are absolutely no fish.
Recovery in Smolensk Poozerie
In the village of Przhevalsky, the administrative center of the park, a sanatorium was built for the treatment of diseases of the stomach, liver, and endocrine system based on local mineral waters. For disorders of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system, brines and mud from Lake Mutnoye help. Rest, treatment and beauty services in Przhevalsky are not too expensive. Guests are accommodated in the building or guest houses and are provided with meals in the dining room. They will have to wear identification bracelets throughout their stay on the territory of the sanatorium, and guests can only be admitted for a fee of 100 rubles per person.
Fauna and flora of the reserve
At the end of March, the snow melts in the Smolensk Lake District and vipers crawl out of their shelters along with frogs. At the beginning of April, hedgehogs wake up, storks and gray cranes arrive. Full spring comes to the reserve at the end of April, when the leaves of the linden and hazel trees unfurl and the first mushrooms appear - strings and morels. At the same time, vigilant tourists need to worry about protection from ticks. You can watch bison all year round. Their enclosure is located near the village of Gorodishche. Four adult individuals were brought from Belarus, and two more bison were born in the reserve. At normal times they avoid people, but are guaranteed to go to the feeders at 10 and 18 o'clock.
Fishing and other activities
Until June 10, people in Poozerie fish only from the shore with a fishing rod; after this period, spearfishing, spinning fishing and fishing from a rowing boat are allowed. Crayfish are caught from July 1, after molting, using crayfish traps. Based on the type of catch, lakes are divided into 4 groups. Bream is found in Sapsho, Baklanovsky, Dgo, crucian carp - in small lakes, only perch - in Strechnoye, perch with roach and pike - in Petrakovsky. The most diverse aquatic fauna is on Lake Dgo; bream, perch, and pike are especially well caught there. There are a lot of bream and rudd on Lake Rytom. Lake Chistik with clear water is perfectly suited for underwater hunting. From May to September there is a canoe route on 4 lakes, and diving tours are organized on weekends.
Tourist Information
Weather conditions in the Smolensk Lake District are unstable: in winter you can expect Siberian frosts and hints of a thaw. In summer it is either hot or rainy and cool; thunderstorms begin as early as April, and the wind direction often changes. There are especially many ticks from May to July. For most guests, parking of personal vehicles is paid, from 150 per day, but if you register on the territory of the reserve, you can leave your car for free. Communication from the country's leading mobile operators is provided intermittently. Medical care can be found in larger towns if a paramedic is on site. The nearest hospital is in the city of Demidov.
Park tickets
Visiting the park is paid - 100 rubles per person, a 50% discount is provided to residents of the Smolensk region, pensioners and disabled people of group III. Children under 14 years of age, disabled people of groups I and II with accompanying persons, residents of villages in the nearest region, large families, and research scientists are admitted free of charge. Purchasing a ticket is a mandatory event even for beneficiaries; they can check it at any time. The ticket offices are located in the village of Przhevalsky in the directorate, in Smolensk in the park's representative office on Pamfilova Street. Souvenirs made of wood and birch bark are also sold here.
How to get there
From Smolensk to Przhevalsky, the center of the reserve, about 120 km. From the local bus station through the city of Demidov departs 3-4 times a day regular bus. For travelers who prefer a personal car, it is more convenient to get there through Smolensk and Demidov. The reserve's staff warns that guests from Moscow trying to turn towards Smolensk to Dukhovshchina risk getting stuck in the swamps. The only passable road is through Demidov, located 40 km southwest of Przhevalsky.
Where to stay
On the shore of Lake Baklanovskoe, a two-story Environmental Education Center was built with 3-4-bed rooms and amenities on the floor, designed for 80 guests at a time. The cost of living is 400-500 rubles per day, in a high-demand double room with toilet and shower – 1000 rubles. The sauna is heated for an additional fee. The dining room is open by prior arrangement only. Guests can rent barbecues, boats, bicycles, and skis.
You can rent a trailer at the summer camp on Baklanovsky. Children under 7 years old stay in the camp for free. In the village of Petrakovo, a guest house for 10 people is rented for 3,000 rubles per day. In Przhevalsky itself there is a hotel "Rodnik" with amenities in the room for 1,600 rubles per night with breakfast and free parking. Owners of private houses willingly provide rooms for rent.
Camping
Spontaneous recreation in the recreational area is strictly prohibited; cooking and setting up tents is only possible in specially designated areas. Use of picnic areas with toilets, rain shelters, benches, barbecues and waste collection areas will cost 150 rubles. Venues are in demand; they are often rented for 1-2 days or several weeks for corporate events and professional camps. Vacationers should familiarize themselves in advance with the rental schedule posted on the park’s website, since outsiders are not allowed on picnics at this time.
Proximity to the reserve dictates its own rules for recreation. Firewood is purchased on site, fish is caught at limited times by law, and dogs are walked on a leash. They collect berries and mushrooms only for themselves, not for sale. Hunting, the use of motor boats, and entry into the protected area are prohibited.
Excursions around the Smolensk Poozerie
Main view sports recreation in the reserve - walks along walking eco-paths with a length of 1.5 to 4 km. The longest route “To the Origins,” which tells the story of the Slavic Krivichi tribe, begins in the village of Stary Dvor and ends at the observation deck on Sapsho Island. The trails “In the Kingdom of the Brown Bear” and “Visiting the Beavers” are dedicated to the habits of local animals. The latter runs from the village of Boroviki and the Chaika tourist center to the muddy Rotten Lake, where you can see beaver lodges and dams. An independent walk along the trails is free, with a guide - from 100 rubles per person. Multi-hour excursions are booked by organized groups: a 5-hour tour of the reserve or a 7-hour route “Along the Front Line” costs from 3-5 thousand rubles. Snowshoe hiking is possible in winter.
Cultural and sports entertainment in the park and surrounding area
In addition to fishing and swimming, guests of the Smolensk Lake District will be invited to visit the rope park and equestrian yard in Przhevalskoye. Here you can not only ride horses, but also learn to ride like real riders. In the village of Anosinka, the Birch Bark Museum was created by local enthusiasts. In mid-July, the park hosts the Sloboda Partizanskaya re-enactors festival. The Baklanovo Center for Environmental Education displays the “Wetlands” exposition. Ticket price is 100 rubles.
The Smolensk Poozerye National Park was created. Its total area reaches 146,237 hectares. The vast territory contains many lakes, rivers, broad-leaved and dark-coniferous forests. The regulations on the Smolensk Poozerie National Park show that this organization is obliged to preserve these virgin lands, flora, fauna and endangered species of the area.
Administration location
Since its foundation, the park administration has been located in the village of Podosinki. But in 2002, the organization was registered at a new address: the village. Przhevalsky, st. Gurevich, 19. Full legal name: Federal State Budgetary Institution "National Park "Smolensk Poozerie"".
Guest Information
In the vicinity of the village, the park administration has organized several tourist routes. Festivals and other cultural events are also regularly held here with the aim of environmental education of schoolchildren and the population. Park employees continue to improve the territory, which allows them to invite tourists to these places and at the same time preserve the local nature. Parking lots were organized for tourists and observation decks, mainly in the park's domain there are regular youth and children's camps.
The territory is rich archaeological sites. There are 77 of them in total. Such monuments include ancient Russian settlements, settlements, fortifications, sites left over from the Stone Age, and burial grounds.
The park has 93 historical monument. These are memorial sites and architectural remains. There are several museums and two churches here. Several ruins of temples and baths have been preserved.
The national park has its own information center, which regularly hosts exhibitions with a historical focus.
When visiting the park, in your free time from excursions, you can ride horses, go fishing or go for a walk, admiring the picturesque and primitive nature. Also in the winter season there is an opportunity to learn how to ski or snowmobile.
Large bodies of water
The Smolensk Poozerie National Park received this name due to the many lakes and rivers located on its territory. There are about 35 lakes in total, but the largest of them include:
- Sapsho (304 ha);
- Dgo (234 ha);
- Rytoe (178 ha);
- Baklanovskoye (the deepest place of the lake is 33 meters).
The major rivers of the park include (the length is indicated within the area):
- R. Elsha (59 km);
- R. Gobza (59 km);
- R. Polovya (36 km);
- R. Kasplya (27 km).
There are also 63 peat bogs on the territory.
Park climate
The Smolensk Poozerie National Park has a temperate continental climate. The transition of seasons is clearly expressed here. Summers are hot, and in winter there is a strong cooling. Sometimes cyclones come from the Atlantic, which in the summer cause rain and a drop in temperature, and in the winter - snowfalls and a decrease in frost.
Fauna of the park
Hoping to see animals in the wild, many travelers come to the Smolensk Poozerie National Park. The animals living here are represented in a wide variety. So, there are 57 species of mammals, 10 amphibians and 5 reptiles. These forests are considered the bird kingdom. There are 205 species of birds here.
Background bird species include the chaffinch, great tit, black-headed chickadee, rattler, garden warbler, gray flycatcher, tree pipit, common pipit and many others.
Waterborne representatives include the black tern, mallard, gray heron, goldeneye, snipe, great grebe, great bittern, coot and other species. During bird migrations, you can spot species that usually live in the tundra and northern taiga.
The Smolensk Poozerie National Park shelters such mammals as ermine, weasel, fox, bear, elk, wolf, lynx and wild boar.
Lakes and rivers are also rich underwater inhabitants. The most common species are roach, ruffe, bleak, chub, pike, bream, dace and rudd.
Some representatives of the fauna are listed in the local Red Book, and it was also discovered that 18 species of birds living in the park are registered in the Red Book of Russia. Among them are the black stork, greater spotted eagle, osprey, brown trout, short-eared snake eagle, common woodpecker and other birds.
The territory is home to the hazel dormouse, flying squirrel, river beaver, brown long-eared bat, corncrake, great snipe, white-tailed eagle, puskulka and other species listed in the International Book of Nature Conservation.
Park vegetation
As already noted, in order to preserve old-growth forests, the Smolensk Poozerie National Park was created. The photos presented in this article clearly show that the territory is dominated by spruce-broadleaf forests (spruce, oak, maple, alder, aspen and linden). There are also birch forests in the park. 74% of the entire park territory is covered with forests.
Within the Smolensk Poozerie, 880 species of vascular plants have been registered. There are 10 plants in the country's Red Book that grow in this park.
In the protected area, the following rare species have been recorded and taken under protection: water chestnut, lake grass, lady's slipper, helmeted, burnt and male orchis, Baltic and Traunsteiner's fingerroot, long-leaved pollenhead, perennial swertia.
Considering such diversity makes a great contribution to the scientific field. Scientists working on the territory of the Smolensk Poozerie cooperate with several universities in the country.
