Oktyabrsky District: Steppe, Don and Culture

• The district’s protected areas include “Dubrava imeni V. V. Dokuchaeva,” “Zolotye gorki” and “Persianovskaya step.”
• The landscape includes pristine mixed-grass feather-grass steppe of the Azov region and sandy Don beaches near Kalinin.
• Boat trips start in Bessergenevskaya; horse-riding routes also lead to the Don.
• Historical highlights range from Orthodox architectural monuments to archaeological excursion routes.

The district includes the protected areas “Dubrava imeni V. V. Dokuchaeva,” “Zolotye gorki,” “Persianovskaya step,” “Ayutinskie sklony,” “Panskaya balka” and “Osipovskaya balka.” These areas are home to plant species listed in the Red Book of Russia and used in the pharmaceutical industry. They also support a wide variety of animals and wildlife, as well as untouched stands of the original mixed-grass feather-grass steppe of the Azov region that have never been used for economic purposes.

The “Persianovskaya step” protected area includes a plot of virgin land that has never been ploughed. Its vegetation largely preserves the steppes of the Azov region. Excursions and hikes are offered in the area; check dates and booking options in advance. “Zolotye gorki” also has a long history: the protected area was established in the late 19th century.

Boat trips and motorboat rides on the Aksay and Don rivers are organized from the stanitsa of Bessergenevskaya. Stops at so-called “green rest spots” are planned along the way. Horse-riding routes pass through the areas around the settlements of Krivyanskoye and Bessergenevskoye, as well as to the Don. The options thus vary by mode of transport and destination: on the water, the focus is on trips with stops; on horseback, on routes through the settlement areas and to the river. Check in advance which dates are available.

Sandy beaches on the Don are located near the khutor of Kalinin. They offer opportunities for active recreation with family or on your own.

The route “Svyatyni Pravoslaviya na Donu” leads to 17th-century Orthodox cultural and architectural monuments in the stanitsas of Krivyanskaya and Bessergenevskaya. Bessergenevskaya is also home to St. Alexei Church, built when the stanitsa was founded. Bessergenevskaya is one of the oldest settlements in the Lower Don region. This makes it a suitable starting point for exploring historic buildings and the history of the settlement together.

Another cultural highlight is the Cossack culture festival “Step kovylnaya,” held annually in Oktyabrsky District. Check the festival date before your trip. The educational route “Gorzhus toboy Donskoy Agrarnyy!” includes an introduction to the Don State Agrarian University (DonGAU) and its museums. It is therefore suited to travelers who want to focus on education and university history during an outing.

The archaeological excursion route “Shepot tysyacheletiy” is located in the khutor of Yagodinka. Another route, “Stoyanka pervobytnogo cheloveka,” is located in the khutor of Shevchenko. The archaeological site of the same name is on a steep slope, 250 meters from the southwestern edge of the khutor.

Discover more destinations: Zverevo, Chekhovsky District, Volgodonsk, Azovsky District, Rostov-on-Don, Neklinovsky District, Bataisk, Belokalitvinsky District.

What does the educational route “Gorzhus toboy Donskoy Agrarnyy!” include?

It includes an introduction to the Don State Agrarian University (DonGAU) and its museums.

Where is the “Shepot tysyacheletiy” route located?

The archaeological excursion route is located in the khutor of Yagodinka.

How often is the “Step kovylnaya” festival held?

The Cossack culture festival is held annually in Oktyabrsky District. Check the date before your trip.

Back to the regional travel overview: Rostov Oblast.