Asafovy Gory, Protected archipelago in Ivanovo Oblast, Russia
Asafovy Gory is a protected archipelago with several islands and elevated ridges rising from the Volga River reservoir, covered with dense pine forests. The wooded islands offer varied terrain and natural formations that stand out distinctly from the surrounding water.
Before the Gorky Reservoir was created in the 1950s, this area contained a monastery, a timber mill, and residential buildings. When the reservoir was constructed, these structures sank underwater, leaving only the elevated islands and forested areas visible today.
Submerged villages beneath the water tell the story of communities that once thrived here before the reservoir was created. Visitors can sense the presence of these former settlements while exploring the remaining shoreline and islands.
The islands are most easily reached from nearby towns in Ivanovo Oblast, where visitors can arrange boat access and begin exploring the trails. Access to the islands works best during warmer months when water conditions are more stable for travel.
The sand dunes in this area create a rare landscape formation that stands out among the forested regions of the Volga area. This dune pattern often goes unnoticed by visitors, even though it makes the geology and shape of the landscape particularly interesting.
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