Aktov Canyon: how to get there? Aktov Canyon: excursions, trekking

The entire complex of the amazing natural Aktov canyon along with the banks of the river with the unusual name Deadvivod is located in the regional landscape park "Granitno-Stepnoye Pobuzhye", created in 1994 by the Nikolaev authorities.

The canyon is located next to another Arbuzinsky, however the first is larger in size.

The Aktov Canyon. Location

The canyon is located on the river Deadvod near the village of Aktovo, Mykolayiv region (Ukraine). The deadman is a tributary of the Southern Bug River.

The canyon starts in a kilometer from the village of Petropavlovka. Its depth is about 50 meters, and the area is more than 250 hectares.

The unique natural complex (forest and water ecosystems with rocks and granite boulders) is amazingly beautiful. It is the only one in Europe, which in miniature with surprising accuracy in terms of formation time and in its landscape resembles the famous canyons of North America.

The length of the canyon is about 5000 meters. The height of the rocks along the banks of the river is up to 50 meters. In places, steep, huge stone walls formed. In addition, on the banks of the river are huge boulders.

A bit of history

The canyon is located on one of the oldest parts of Eurasian land, formed from volcanic rocks. Once upon a time there was a sea that dried up almost 60 million years ago.

Only 100 years ago there were ships on the river. Now everything has changed. At the time of Soviet power in these areas it was decided to equip the collective farms. In this regard, the canal was blocked in many places by dams, and the banks were turned into grain fields. The result is that the current of the river has slowed down considerably, the bottom was silted. The river itself was overgrown with reeds.

Description of the canyon

The Aktov canyon is distinguished by the bizarre nature of the riverbed. A deadman (a large concentration of hydrogen sulphide in the water), steep walls of the banks, a unique majestic beauty of granite-basalt rocks (their height reaches 100 m).

All this attracts tourists from many countries of Europe. Although the rather complicated terrain does not allow rafting along the river, it is attractive for ardent fans of extreme sports - climbers and rock-climbers. Such amateurs very often visit these amazing places.

Trikratsky Forest, Aktov Canyon

The forest was planted in the seventies of the 19th century by VP Skarzhinsky (earl). Initially, this territory was an ordinary park with simple paths and numerous bridges, spanned across the fork of the river. Therefore, the park was called "Labyrinth".

In the heart of the forest and now there is a lake, which the fishermen have chosen to enjoy. Not far from the forest is the Aktov Canyon.

Trykratsky forest is a common name for all state protected forests that are located in the Voznesensky district of Ukraine (Mykolaiv region) near the village of Trikraty. There also included tracts called "Vasilieva apiary" and the same "Labyrinth".

A river Arbuzinka flows through the Trykratsky forest. The whole area of this protected vast tract is 247 hectares.

The most valuable here is the old oaks. Their age ranges from 120 to 200 years. There are more than 350 trees in all. The forest is also remarkable for the fact that the colonies of beautiful gray herons live in the "Mironovo Gardens" .

"Valley of the Devil", landscapes

The most beautiful and unusual place on the Ukrainian lands is the Aktov Canyon. "Valley of the Devil" - its second name. It is also called "Small Crimea". The Aktov Canyon and the Deadwood River enter the Bugsky Gard National Park.

On the banks towering majestic rocks. It is not clear, in what manner and why there was such a rocky structure in the middle of an even broad steppe.

It's incredibly beautiful, especially at dawn. When the first rays of the sun appear, the color of the rocks acquires an amazingly fairy-tale peach-pink shade.

In some places the river turned into a swamp. A layer of mud and mud on the river in some places reaches 5 meters. But, strangely enough, there are still small cascading cascades and waterfalls.

In these places several hundred species of various plants grow, most of which are listed in the Red Book.

Legends of the Canyon

Aktov Canyon has an amazing, not fully known history. There are legends telling about the history of the appearance of the strange gloomy name of the canyon river.

In these protected places long ago ancient tribes held many ritual ceremonies.

Also in the valley were once buried many Scythian kings. According to one of the legends, they were sent to the last way along the river Deadvod. From here and there was such terrible name.

There is another legend. At one of the Tatar raids the local residents welded a poisonous broth and poured into the river along the current over the camp of enemies. The Tatars drank water and all died.

Another legend says that this name came after the terrible tragic battle of the Zaporozhye Cossacks with the Turks, after which, because of the bodies of the dead in the river, one could not even see the water itself.

The ancient Greek historian Herodotus called this river the Greek Exampee, which means "dead water".

Hiking and hiking trips

Getting here is complicated, but it's worth doing. After all, here is one of the most beautiful and unique natural places in Ukraine.

Very remarkable in terms of tourism is the Aktov Canyon. A trip to these exotic lands will be remembered for life.

What attracts here?

Fans of landscapes can see beautiful forests, rocks, canyons and abandoned careers, rivers and lakes. Among animals and birds, foxes, hares, pheasants and herons live here. Especially for anglers there is an opportunity to do what you love in the local rich rivers and lakes. And in general, it's quiet and cozy here.

Many hikes are made to the Aktov canyon. Excursions to the villages of Trikraty, Aktovo and nearby canyons are becoming more and more popular among tourists every year.

Often travelers do not reach the canyon itself, but only go on a hike through the rocks in the village of Aktovo (although it's beautiful there). This is due to the fact that it is difficult to drive, roads from pavers and dirt roads.

Mostly to the valley get photographers, professional climbers, lovers of ecotourism and just extremals.

The road to the canyon

The path is, of course, complicated. But lovers of romance should definitely visit this amazing natural museum - Aktov Canyon. How to get to it?

From Odessa you should go through the city of Nikolaev, and then - along the river. Southern Bug, through Novaya Odessa and Voznesensk, after which on the way out of the city, in front of the church, turn right and go to the village of Trikraty. Expensive to these places is quite normal.

In the village there is an old road from a cobblestone, it is necessary to go for it about 10 minutes. On the right will appear the Arbuzinsky canyon, which must be passed by, follow from the village along the main road, turn to the left. After about 5 minutes, the field will appear. Behind him are beautiful cliffs, and the canyon itself is located upstream of the river.

But to get to those places, you need to go still on the fields and the primer. It is necessary to leave the village to the right of the tractor base, and so along the field to the very landing, through which there is a small passage. Further the road passes between the canyon and the forest. If that is not clear, you can ask the local villagers.

Conclusion

To go to these reserved places far away, the roads are bad, there are no conditions for comfortable rest (bases, hotels, shops). And yet, the fact that it is ready to give tourists the nature of these places, no doubt, is worth all the benefits of civilization.

Aktov Canyon is an untouched terrestrial corner of pristine nature. Sometimes it is worth sacrificing comfortable conditions to see unique and beautiful protected places with fairytale landscapes, clean air and amazing animals, so that for a lifetime to remember the days spent alone with nature.