The eastern sector of the Central Black Earth Reserve on the Oskol–Kshnya divide — forest-steppe oak woods and steppe islets.

Region: Kursk OblastCoordinates: 51°30′N 37°18′E

Bukreevy Barmy

The Bukreevy Barmy sector is one of six parts of the Central Black Earth Reserve in eastern Kursk Oblast, Gorshechensky District. It lies on the Oskol–Kshnya divide at 163–238 m. The landscape mixes forest-steppe oak woods, meadow steppe and flood meadows. The reserve was founded in 1935 to preserve “living fossils” of the Chernozem zone — virgin steppe and old-growth forest. Access follows reserve rules: unauthorised routes are forbidden. Tours are arranged with administration; forestry blocks and cordons serve the site. Bukreevy Barmy is the opposite of Kursk's tourist centre: quiet, field roads, bird and plant watching. Allow a full day and contact the reserve in advance. Bukreevy Barmy is the reserve's eastern pole: over 100 km from Streletskaya Steppe near Kursk, but fewer visitors and stronger virgin forest-steppe feel. Weak signal at cordons — agree route and timing before leaving Kursk.

How to get there

Gorshechensky District, CBER Bukreevy Barmy sector; ~70 km east of Kursk.

Best season

May–September; reserve approval required

Travel tips & stories

  • No access without reserve approval.

  • Ticks in forest-steppe — repellent and light clothing.

  • Field roads wash out after rain.

  • Weak signal — download offline maps.

  • Combine with Streletskaya Steppe (another CBER sector).

reserveforest-steppeCentral Black EarthGorshechensky district

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