Buky Canyon

Buky Canyon is a protected natural site in Cherkasy Oblast, where a river winds between rock walls. The gray granite walls rise up to 30 meters above the water level and stretch along a section roughly 2.5 kilometers long.

The rock of this gorge formed more than 2 billion years ago and ranks among the oldest granite formations in Europe. Ukraine's first hydroelectric power station was built here, and remnants of the dam remain visible today near the Vyr waterfall.

The rock formation inside the canyon carries the name of a Ukrainian researcher who studied the region's stone layers in the early twentieth century. The river carved this gorge through ancient bedrock over millions of years, and water and wind continue to shape its present-day appearance.

The protected area covers about 80 hectares and offers space for climbing activities on the rock walls as well as kayaking when water levels are higher. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as paths sometimes cross uneven terrain and slippery stones.

Remains of the first dam for a hydroelectric power station in Ukraine are still visible below the Vyr waterfall. The facility marked the beginning of electricity generation from water power in this part of Europe.