Rocks 20–25 metres high in the canyon-like valley of the Vorgol river — the 'Vorgolskoye' section of the Galichya Gora reserve with rare flora and a climbing crag ten kilometres from Yelets.
Vorgol Rocks
The Vorgol Rocks are the most 'alpine' spot of Lipetsk Oblast: in the narrow valley of the Vorgol river, limestone massifs rise 20–25 metres, forming a real canyon amid the Central Russian Upland. This is the 'Vorgolskoye' section of the Galichya Gora reserve — a 31-hectare nature monument protected since 1963. The uniqueness is in the rare flora: mountain ferns and the relic Podolian shivereckia grow on the limestones; bullhead lives in the cold water of the Vorgol, and the death's-head hawkmoth is found on the banks. Two Old Russian hillforts stand near the rocks. For active travellers there is a climbing crag: 19 routes graded from 5a to 8a run up the Zvonari and Kopchyony Kamen massifs. The rocks are ten kilometres from Yelets, whose church domes already come into view on the way.
How to get there
About 10 km from Yelets along the road to the villages of Nizhny Vorgol and Argamach-Palna; a trail leads to the rocks from the village edge.
Best season
April to October; the canyon is full of water in spring, summer is the climbing season.
Travel tips & stories
This is reserve territory: climb only on the permitted massifs and never pick the flowers.
Wear grippy shoes — the trails are stony.
A couple of hours in the canyon pairs easily with a trip to Yelets.
To sync favorites and plans across devices,
Local guides
- TR
TrueRussia administrator
Added by administrator