Kerzhenets is one of the finest rivers in the central belt of Russia, and the most mysterious river in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The river rises in the dense forests of northern Nizhny Novgorod Region and flows into the Volga River at the walls of the renowned Makaryev Monastery.
Tourism
The Kerzhenets River is a well-known destination among tourists, located in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and flowing through its southeastern part. It is a river that embodies all the hallmarks of Russia's central-belt rafting rivers. The banks of the Kerzhenets are mysterious and shaded. At times they form an unbroken spruce forest, yet may suddenly give way to a sun-drenched sandy beach of remarkable purity at the edge of a pine grove. Tour operators attract visitors in large numbers with the area's strikingly beautiful scenery, crystal-clear water, stunning beaches, and vast oak and pine forests. There are also historical monuments and Old Believer heritage sites to be discovered here.
The Kerzhensky Nature Reserve, in which one can easily get lost after straying just a short distance from the riverbank, lies along the middle course of the river. The Kerzhenets is an ideal spot for kayaking. The magnificent pine forests that cover much of the reserve combine beautifully with the river, which is home to more than 18 species of fish. The reserve is inhabited by brown bears, minks, ermines, polecats, martens, wolves, lynx, beavers, black grouse, and capercaillie. Rare representatives of the animal world can also be found here, including the black stork and the Russian desman.
While taking a leisurely float down the Kerzhenets, tourists can enjoy the beauty of the nature reserve, visit abandoned Old Believer villages, and stop at the active Makaryev Monastery (a women's convent). The journey will also be filled with sporting games, berry-picking, swimming in the Kerzhenets, mushroom hunting, and fishing. Such a holiday will leave you with an extraordinary store of energy and inspiration.
Websites
- Photographs of the natural landscapes of the Kerzhenets Nature Reserve (Nizhny Novgorod Region, southern taiga) (archive)