Dniester Canyon National Nature Park


Dniester Canyon National Nature Park follows Dniester Canyon, the largest canyon in Ukraine, along the middle course of the Dniester River. It protects a relatively undeveloped portion of the Ukrainian forest-steppe landscape, about 75 km east of the Carpathian Mountains in western Ukraine, and about 400 km southwest of Kiev. The canyon is known for its varied geological formations, including two of the longest caves in the world. It is in the administrative districts of Borshchiv Raion, Zalishchyky Raion, Buchach Raion, and Monastyryska Raion in Ternopil Oblast.

Topography

The park's boundaries follow the Dniester River for 100 km as it flows from northwest to southeast in western Ukraine. For much of this length the park is only about 5 – 10 km wide, centered on the river. There are over 50 significant caves in park, cut in the Travertine rock. These include the Ozerna and Optymistychna caves. The largest waterfall in Ukraine - Dzhurynskyi - is in the park. As with most National Nature Parks in Ukraine, the main park includes many smaller nature reserves, local park sites, historical monuments and natural attractions open to public visits.

Climate and ecoregion

The official climate designation for the Dniester Canyon area is 'Humid continental climate - warm summer sub-type', with large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over, but no month averaging over. The park is in the southern edge of the Central European mixed forests ecoregion.

Public use

The park is sectioned into four zones: a reserved zone, a regulated recreation zone, a stationary recreation zone and a business zone. There are a number of tourist trails and much of the territory is near developed areas for services.