Povorinsky District: Khoper, Ilmen Lake and Culture

• The “Peskovskiy” Nature Reserve encompasses a 23.8-kilometer stretch of the Khoper and its water protection zone.
• Forests cover 90% of the protected area; the rest consists of clearings, meadows, marshes, logged areas and bodies of water.
• Ilmen Lake borders the nature reserve to the west. Deryuzhkino is a raised bog, a type of wetland that is very rare in Voronezh Oblast.
• The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Samodurovka was built and consecrated in 1827.

The stretch along the Khoper, together with its water protection zone, is part of the “Peskovskiy” Nature Reserve. The protected area runs along both banks of the river and includes a forest section of the Peskovskoye forestry. Forests account for 90% of its area. The remaining land consists of clearings, meadows, marshes, logged areas and bodies of water.

The shores of Ilmen Lake are densely overgrown with sedges and reeds. Many species of waterbirds live on the lake, including swans and herons; it is also rich in fish. Deryuzhkino is a raised bog, a type of wetland that is very rare in Voronezh Oblast. The main difference is the type of landscape: forest and a river stretch in the nature reserve, densely overgrown lake shores and a rare bog.

The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Samodurovka is a cultural attraction in its own right. It was built and consecrated in 1827. This date places the church’s construction in the first half of the 19th century.

In the wider destination of Voronezh Oblast, the Khoper Nature Reserve spans the Novokhopersky, Povorinsky and Gribanovsky districts. The “Legendy Khopra” walking excursion in the reserve is 5 km long and takes three hours; it is closed during the spring floods. The “Tur de Khopyor” bike tour is 26 km long and takes four hours. The bike route is 21 km longer, while its stated duration is only one hour longer. When planning the walking excursion, take into account that it is closed during the spring floods.

The nature museum in the Khoper Reserve complements the region’s nature attractions. Check the museum’s visitor rules before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Anninsky District, Pavlovsky District, Novousmansky District, Kantemirovsky District, Verkhnekhavsky District, Nizhnedevitsky District, Novousmansky District, Bobrovsky District.

What waterbirds live at Ilmen Lake?

The many waterbird species at Ilmen Lake include swans and herons.

When was the church in Samodurovka built and consecrated?

Both took place in 1827.

What does the nature museum in the Khoper Reserve display?

In the wider destination of Voronezh Oblast, the museum’s two halls showcase the reserve’s wildlife and its habitats. Exhibits include beavers, Russian desmans, aquatic and predatory birds, as well as wild boar, elk, fallow deer and red deer. There is also a large relief map of the reserve.

Go to the wider travel overview: Voronezh Oblast.