Chalk cliffs, oak forests and river terraces along the Donets in eastern Ukraine
Access: currently not possible. This area has been affected by the war in Ukraine, and conditions may differ from the description.
Chalk hills rise 120–130 metres above the Donets, while the flood terraces of the left bank hold lakes, spring-fed streams and 90–110 year-old oak forests. Up to 91% of the park is forested, unusual for a steppe zone, and the Sviatohirsk Lavra monastery stands within it.
1Sviatohirsk LavraMonastery among the park's archaeological, natural and historical sites on the Donets.2Chalk cliffs of the DonetsRight-bank chalk hills rising 120–130 metres above the river.3Left-bank flood terracesLakes, spring-fed streams and old oak forest along the river.
Ukraine · Eastern UkraineEst. 1997Size 406 km²Protected area category: IUCN II