Rivne Oblast: Discover Nature and Culture

• Rivne Nature Reserve covers more than 42,000 hectares in the north of the oblast and protects natural complexes of Ukrainian Polissia.
• The Antonivka–Zarichne narrow-gauge railway is 104 kilometres long and runs through forests and pine-covered sand dunes.
• Historical sites include Tarakaniv Fort, dating from the 19th century, and Ostroh Castle, dating from the 14th century.

Rivne Nature Reserve is located in Varash and Sarny districts. Its purpose is to protect the natural complexes of Ukrainian Polissia; its area of more than 42,000 hectares gives an idea of the scale of the protected area. The “Tunnel of Love” offers a different kind of landscape: branches from the trees on both sides of a railway track form a regular arch almost four kilometres long.

At Basaltove, polygonal basalt columns stand in orderly rows. The columns are three to 30 metres high, and a sculpture shaped like a basalt fan is also part of the landscape. The “Ostriv Zamok” natural monument lies on an island in the floodplain of the Plyashivka River. It covers four hectares and protects rare tree and plant species. Its location between the villages of Kozyn and Zarichne is another indication of the diversity of the landscapes described in the oblast.

Tarakaniv Fort, also known as Dubno Fort or the New Dubno Fortress, is an architectural monument dating from the 19th century. It is located near the village of Tarakaniv in Dubno district, in a landscape above the Ikva River. Dubno Castle has a different historical background: members of the Ostroh princely family founded it and made it the main residence of their estates in the early 17th century.

Ostroh Castle dates from the 14th century and houses an exhibition on local traditions and art. In Peresopnytsia, a museum offers another perspective on the region’s history: its exhibition includes more than 1,000 archaeological artefacts from the princely era of Peresopnytsia. The Peresopnytsia Gospel is also part of the history of the place; it was created in ancient Peresopnytsia more than 450 years ago. The different themes—architecture, local traditions and archaeological finds—offer several ways to include culture in your travel plans.

On the 104-kilometre Antonivka–Zarichne route, passengers travel in small carriages through forests and past pine-covered sand dunes. The journey combines a specific mode of transport with views of the landscapes of Polissia. Check the current operating status before planning a trip. The railway can be a theme in its own right, while castles and museums show another side of the oblast.

First, consider what matters most to you on your trip: nature and protected areas, a train journey or historical collections. The places mentioned here differ in landscape and theme; this provides a factual starting point for further planning without assuming a particular route. Discover more destinations: Rivne, Kolodenka, Rivne, Birok, Obariv, Kozlyn, Braniv, Klevan, Velyka Omelyana, Babyn, Moshchanytsya, Ostroh, Samostrily and Dubno.

What is the “Tunnel of Love”?

It is a regular arch almost four kilometres long, formed by branches from the trees on both sides of a railway track in Rivne Oblast.

How long is the Antonivka–Zarichne narrow-gauge railway?

The route is 104 kilometres long and runs through forests and pine-covered sand dunes. Check the current operating status before planning a trip.

What can you learn about at the museum in Peresopnytsia?

The exhibition includes more than 1,000 archaeological artefacts from the princely era of the Peresopnytsia region. The Peresopnytsia Gospel was created in ancient Peresopnytsia more than 450 years ago.

For the general travel overview: Ukraine.