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Holy Mountains National Nature Park

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Holy Mountains National Nature Park (Ukraine)

Weather…

The Holy Mountains National Nature Park was established on February 13, 1997, in the Donetsk Oblast and covers 40,589 hectares along the Seversky Donets River. It is world-renowned for its spectacular chalk cliffs that rise on the right bank of the river and host unique relic flora. A prominent cultural feature is the Sviatohirsk Lavra monastery, built into the chalk cliffs, dating back to the 11th century. The park's geography is defined by pine and oak forests on chalk soils, supporting rare species such as the chalk pine (Pinus sylvestris var. cretacea). Historically, this area was a sacred site for Slavic peoples and a strategic defensive point. Today, the park combines the protection of valuable natural ecosystems with the preservation of significant architectural and archaeological monuments. Given the industrial environment of the Donbas, this protected area is an ecological lung of inestimable value. It serves as an important research area for geology and botany.

Location: Ukraine
Nearby: Sloviansk (17 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-6	-5	1	9	16	21	24	23	17	9	2	-4
Rain mm	51	40	44	42	53	62	56	34	41	43	43	49

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Holy Mountains National Nature Park covers a large area with chalk cliffs, forests, and the Sviatohirsk Monastery. The monastery is open to visitors, and the park provides numerous hiking trails.

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Typical hours

The park is freely accessible during the day; the monastery is typically open from 8:00 to 18:00. Exact hours may vary depending on service schedule and season.

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Photography

The white chalk cliffs and the monastery offer unique photo subjects - especially in low sun. Photography inside the monastery is usually allowed without flash.

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Time needed

Plan half a day for exploring the park and visiting the monastery. If you want to go on longer hikes, allow a full day.

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Combine with

The park is near the town of Sviatohirsk, which also has a small local museum. The Donets river promenade and the chalk cliffs along the river are also worth seeing.

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Getting there

The park is accessible by car via the road from Sloviansk or Izium. Public buses run from Sloviansk to Sviatohirsk; the monastery is reachable on foot from the bus station.

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Insider tip

Visit the monastery early in the morning to experience the monks' morning prayer. The chalk cliffs are best hiked in dry weather as they become slippery when wet.

Geography

Coordinates

49.03190, 37.57140

Facts

Established on February 13, 1997, by decree No. 135/97.
The total area encompasses about 40,589 hectares of protected land.
The park is home to the rare chalk pine, an Ice Age relic.
There are over 900 plant species within the park boundaries.
Sviatohirsk Lavra in the park is one of three Lavra monasteries in Ukraine.
Over 250 vertebrate species live in the various habitats of the park.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Sviatohirsk Lavra<1 km · SWExplore →

Sloviansk17 km · WExplore →

Kramatorsk26 km · WExplore →

Lyman27 km · NExplore →

Mount Kremenets35 km · SEExplore →

Izium37 km · SExplore →

Donets Lowland38 km · NWExplore →

Kostiantynivka47 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is the park called Holy Mountains?

The name comes from the chalk cliffs and the Svyatohirsk Lavra monastery on the Donets riverbank.

Can the monastery be visited?

Yes, the active male monastery is open to visitors; modest clothing is required.

What is the Artem statue?

It is a monumental Cubist sculpture on a hilltop, visible from far away.

What natural wonders are found here?

Unique chalk cliffs with rare limestone vegetation and ancient pine forests.

Are there hiking trails in the park?

Yes, marked trails lead to viewpoints on the cliffs and through the forest.

Holy Mountains National Nature Park: where is it located?

Holy Mountains National Nature Park is located in Ukraine.

Holy Mountains National Nature Park: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Holy Mountains National Nature Park: why is it worth visiting?

The Holy Mountains National Nature Park was established on February 13, 1997, in the Donetsk Oblast and covers 40,589 hectares along the Seversky Donets River.

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