DNIESTER CANYON National Park

Dniester Canyon National Park was created on February 3, 2010. The park got its name from the canyon of the same name, being the largest one in Ukraine. It is located on the territories of Borshchiv, Buchach, Zalishchyky and Monastyrska districts of Ternopil region.

Relief of the canyon, particularly, of the National Park, is considered to be unique due to the variety of rocks, being geological monuments. For instance, travertine rocks are of great interest — young geological formations with unusual shapes, caves, grottos and waterfalls. There are more than 50 large and small caves on the territory of the National Park. The most famous are the following: Optymistychna (240,5 km) and Ozerna (134 km) caves.

The slopes of the canyon are rich in springs of clear water that flood Dniester, Strypa and Dzhuryn. It is worth noting, that the highest plain waterfall in Ukraine is located in Dzhuryn — 16-meter Chervonohorodsky (Dzhuryn) waterfall, coming in three stages.

Peculiar climate of the park is formed due to its geographical location — the territory is surrounded by steep slopes from all sides. Winter is mild here, spring is early, summer is moderate.

Flora of the National Park is diverse and it is superior to the flora of Kremenets Mountains and Podilski Tovtry. Adonis, Greater Pasque Flower, feather grass, primrose, burning bush, Dwarf Russian Almond, chamomile are growing here. Numerous local plants are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Fauna of the Dniester Canyon National Park is as interesting as its flora. Such animals as deer, hare, badger, fox, boar, squirrel inhabit the forests of the National Park. Also, there are such spesies as: lizard, smooth snake, adder. Among dozens of bird species, there are: cuckoo, nightingale, woodpecker, swallow, mallard, greylag goose, larus, grey heron, common egret, black stork, raven, hawk, etc. There are 40 fish species here, for example: carp, common nase, perch, (European) catfish, barbus, bream, pike perch, pike, common bleak. There are many frogs and crayfish here. Caves are inhabited by bats.

One of the most interesting tourist ecological paths here is 'Farykova krynychka', laid across Hlody tract (near the village of Kolodribka). On the route of the path '#001 Ustechko—Chervone—Nyrkiv' one can find out the history of the old bridge (over Dniester), see Amur cork tree and other rare plants. In Pustelnia tract there is healing water, also one can swim under the flow of Maiden tears Waterfall. The following sights are worth seeing in Chervone tract: Ruins of Chervonohorodsky Castle, Ruins of the Church of the Holy Ascension, Ruins of the Poninski Chapel and Dzhuryn Waterfall.