Discover Sumy Oblast

882.9 hectares of pristine steppe define the Mykhailivska Tsilyna Nature Reserve—the only nature reserve in Sumy Oblast. It is a distinctive natural landmark for a trip to the region, while visits are subject to clear conditions. The area also has other protected sites and historic cultural landmarks. This lets you plan your trip around different interests: landscapes, nature conservation, or cultural history.

Steppe and regulated access

The Mykhailivska Tsilyna Nature Reserve is located in Lebedyn and Nedryhailiv districts, on the watershed between the Hrun and Sula rivers. Its 882.9 hectares of pristine steppe make it a specific destination for anyone interested in steppe landscapes. The fact that it is the oblast’s only nature reserve also distinguishes it from the region’s other protected natural areas.

Visits are permitted only with authorization from the administration. Visitors are generally accompanied by staff and may travel only along the ecological educational trails. These trails are also used for guided tours. If you would like to include the reserve in your plans, check the visiting arrangements with the administration in advance. Authorization, an escort, and the restriction to the trails go together; visits without these conditions are not permitted.

Other natural and cultural landmarks

The Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park has a different relationship to protected areas: it forms the core of the Desnianskyi Biosphere Reserve. Together with the pristine steppe of Mykhailivska Tsilyna, this offers a view of different natural themes in the region—on the one hand, a protected area of steppe; on the other, a national park at the core of a biosphere reserve. These names refer to different protected areas and should not be conflated into a single place when planning your trip.

Geological and cultural-historical themes also complement the natural landmarks. Near Romny is Hora Zolotukha, a geological and tectonic natural heritage site and a geological salt dome. The Hlukhiv National Historical and Architectural Reserve is a cultural landmark in Sumy Oblast. Landscapes, geological features, and historical and architectural heritage appeal to different interests and offer several ways to get to know the region.

Cultural context in Ukraine

Beyond the oblast, Ukraine has other cultural and historical landmarks. The Struve Geodetic Arc includes four of its original survey points in Ukraine, established between 1816 and 1851. This is a nationwide connection to the history of surveying and adds another point of interest to the region’s natural and cultural themes.

Ukrainian pysanka egg decorating includes a distinctive wax-resist technique: patterns and symbols are applied to the egg with wax, then it is dyed. The process is repeated until the desired pattern and colors are achieved. The Ukrainian tradition of cooking borscht has also been passed down within families for centuries, with children taking part in its preparation. This tradition is in need of urgent safeguarding. Both examples offer insight into Ukraine’s living cultural traditions, without equating them with Sumy Oblast’s protected areas or cultural sites.

Travel planning and finding a hotel

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Sumy Oblast, first consider whether nature and protected areas or cultural and historical themes will be your main focus. Visiting the Mykhailivska Tsilyna Nature Reserve requires authorization from the administration; visitors are generally accompanied by staff and may travel only along the ecological educational trails. Take these access requirements into account when planning. Cultural sites and natural areas offer different starting points for planning your trip. This distinction can help you clarify your interests before choosing accommodation.

Discover more destinations

Okhtyrka, Konotop, Shostka, Krasnopillya, Romny, Kosivshchyna, Zhovtneve, Nesterenky, Voronivka, Sokolyne, Sumy

For the main travel overview: Ukraine.