Hotels, motels and where to sleep
The Orlovskoye Polesye is a national park in the north-west of the Oryol Oblast of Russia in the territory of the Znamensky and Hotynetsky districts, in the southern part of the Oryol-Kaluga Polesie. It was formed on January 9, 1994 on the initiative of E. S. Stroev. The total area of the park is 77,745 ha. The park has two hotel complexes, a zoo-food complex, and an arboretum. The pride of the park is a herd of European bison (about 200 heads).
Orlovskoye Polesye National Park was founded in 1994 to preserve plants and animals of a unique southern Russian taiga.
The area of the park covers about
360 km2 of forest and steppes, many streams cross the forests and
there are few dozen lakes, many of them are located at the old
peateries and amidst peat bogs.
Flora and fauna
Flora
Deciduous and coniferous woods alternate with forest-steppes. There
are pines, common spruce, oaks, birches, linden, aspen, maples, ash
trees and black alder.
Fauna Typical taiga birds (wood grouse,
hazel grouse, black woodpecker) are neighbouring steppe birds &
animals like steppe polecats, partridges, steppe marmots and quails.
Red deer, elks, lynxes, roes, wild boars, wisents populate the deep
forests. Beavers, otters, minks, Russian muskrats and musquashes
live on the river banks. Wisents have been brought to the park since
1996, now they are 170 head; endemic Russian muskrats are under
preservation programme.
Sacred Spring and the Orthodox Chapel nearby. The spring comes
out of white 'boiling' sands; you may take a cold bath few metres
below. The water is believed to be sacred and curing.
The Zoo
complex at the open air
Ostrich Farm, if you have never seen an
ostrich
Holy Trinity Church in Lgov. The church was built in
1765.
Lakes are very calm and picturesque! The water is often
transparent black colour, because some lakes are located at the old
peateries.
How to get there
By car
From Orel drive along the
Naugorskoye highway towards Znamenskoye (about 40 km to the
north-west), before reaching Znamenskoye, turn left following the
sign to Orlovskoye Polesye and then follow the same signs all the
time. You will pass the village of Lgov, and then you will enter the
pine forest - this is, in fact, National Park Orlovskoye Polesye.
The total distance is about 75 km. The road is two-row, in good
condition, winds between the buckwheat fields. An alternative road
through Khotynets, but it is longer - about 110 km.
By bus
At the bus station in Orel, take the bus to Khotyntsa (3 times a
day), in Khotyntsa take a bus to Zhudra (3 times a day). Find out
the schedule in advance!
By train
From Orel, take the Orel
– Bryansk train (4 times a day), get off at Hotynets, then take the
bus to Zhudra (3 times a day). Find out the schedule in advance!
There are two small hotels located in the park, camping is also
allowed:
Dom Lesnika, ☎ +7 4862-73-59-58, +7 4862-48-75-15,
e-mail: domlesnika@mail.ru. Check-in: Noon. from US$85 double room
per night, FB +US$37 per day; Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard. edit
Located in the forest in 3 km from the Central Lake. Russian
billiards, sauna, bike, ski rental, horse riding, daily tours and
eco trekking.
Orlovskoye Polesye, ☎ +7 920-080-67-77, +7
920-811-77-71. from US$65 double room per night. Hotel &
Restaurant located on the bank of the Central Lake and surrounded by
deep forests. Boat & bike rental.
Entry and entry is
free.
The entrance to the pet food complex according to the
condition for 2015: an adult ticket - 200 rubles, a child’s ticket -
100 rubles, children under 3 years old - free of charge.