“Lena Pillars” is a geological formation and a national park located on the banks of the Lena River in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), about 170 km south-west of Yakutsk. Lena Pillars are a complex of vertically elongated rocks up to 220 meters high stretching for many kilometers along the Lena River bank.

In 2012, this natural monument received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the language of the locals, the pillars are called “Turuuk Hayalara” (“Mountains of Rising Gods”). The main objective of the park is the development of ecological tourism. Lena Pillars on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

fly over magnificent stone pillars

Tags: Sakha Republic · Yakutsk city

Sulak Canyon, one of the most picturesque natural sights of the Republic of Dagestan, is the deepest canyon in Europe and one of the deepest in the world. The length of the canyon is 53 kilometers, the depth reaches 1,920 meters, which is about 60 meters deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in the US.

This is one of the most visited tourist sites in Dagestan. However, it is also one of the most dangerous places: high cliffs, sharp rocks, strong winds, the absence of any railings along the canyon. Sulak Canyon on Google Maps. Photos by: Murad Magomedov.

amazing natural landmark

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Makhachkala city

Aygir is a small village located in the mountains of the Southern Urals in the Republic of Bashkiria, about 190 km southeast of Ufa. This area, one of the most inaccessible sights of Bashkiria, is very popular with tourists going to conquer the Ural peaks with backpacks on their shoulders.

From here you can enjoy picturesque views of Mount Maly Yamantau and the rocky peak of the Karatash Range. Aygir on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Lyapin.

amazing morning landscapes

Tags: Bashkortostan Republic · Ufa city

These picturesque photos were taken on one hot summer evening in the Volga River delta somewhere in the Astrakhan region. The delta of the Volga is the largest river delta in Europe and the 8th in the world.

Due to the lowering of the level of the Caspian Sea, the delta area has increased ninefold over the past 130 years. The unique flora and fauna of the delta (sturgeon, lotus, flamingo, Siberian cranes, pelicans) are under state protection as the Astrakhan Nature Reserve. Photos by: Fedor Lashkov.

beautiful nature scenery

Tags: Astrakhan oblast

The Bermamyt Plateau is an amazingly beautiful place, one of the best panoramic sites of the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. It is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, about 30 km south-west of Kislovodsk in the Malokarachayevsky district of the republic.

The main part of the plateau – Bolshoy (Big) Bermamyt – reaches a height of 2,591 m. Nearby there is a southern rocky ledge – Malyy (Small) Bermamyt (2,643 m). In clear weather, you can enjoy scenic views of the snow-covered peaks of the Greater Caucasus and Mount Elbrus. The Bermamyt Plateau on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrey Vasiliskov.

amazingly picturesque place

Tags: Karachay-Cherkessia Republic

Elton is a picturesque salt lake located in the Pallasovskiy district of the Volgograd region, not far from the border with Kazakhstan, 206 km east of Volgograd.

It is not only the largest lake in the Volgograd region, but also the largest mineral lake in Europe and one of the most mineralized lakes in the world. Lake Elton on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

the realm of salt

Tags: Volgograd oblast

The cliff of Bolshiye Pritesy, located in the west of the Chelyabinsk region, is one of the most famous and popular sights of the Ay River. The height of this steep rocky wall is up to 100 meters.

The Ay River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Urals. In the Bashkir language its name means “Moon” or “Moon River”. It flows through the territory of the Chelyabinsk region and the Republic of Bashkiria. The length of the river is 549 kilometers. It has a lot of picturesque cliffs, rocks, caves.

very picturesque cliff

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast

In the Caucasus there are a lot of interesting and beautiful places and one of them is Digoria located in the western part of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, on the northern slope of the Main Caucasian ridge.

Digoria, named after the local ethnic group of Ossetians-Digorians, is located on the territory of the Digorsky and Irafsky districts of North Ossetia. The mountainous part of Digoria is the most popular among travelers. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

beautiful mountain scenery

Tags: North Ossetia Republic

Taganay is a national park located in the Southern Urals, in the western part of the Chelyabinsk region, 130 km from Chelyabinsk. The territorial center of the park is the city of Zlatoust.

The total area of the park is 568 sq. km. The following photos were taken in the area of the Meteorological Station “Taganay-Gora” – the most remote shelter of the national park located on a picturesque mountain plateau. Air temperature – minus 30 degrees Celsius. Taganay National Park on Google Maps. Photos by: Andrei Kireev.

beautiful dawn in the harsh winter conditions

Tags: Chelyabinsk oblast · Zlatoust city

The Sinyaya River is a 597 km long river running through the territory of the Republic of Yakutia, the left tributary of the Lena River.

In the lower reaches of the river, not far from the confluence with the Lena and relatively close to Yakutsk, there is an amazing natural monument called Sinskiye Stolby (Pillars). Sinskiye Stolby on Google Maps. Photos by: Petr Ushanov.

amazing monument of nature

Tags: Sakha Republic · Yakutsk city