Bolshekhekhtsirsky Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia

Bolshekhekhtsirsky Nature Reserve protects the Big Khekhtsir Ridge, a forested island ridge about 30 km long and up to 950 m high, surrounded by floodplains of the Amur, Ussuri and Chirka rivers. Granite and gneiss foothills descend to meadows; fir and spruce grow at the highest elevations, mixed oak and aspen in the middle, and larch with sedge meadows on the floodplains.

In 1935 the Khekhtsir ridge became a local nature zakaznik, upgraded to republican status in 1959. The reserve itself was created by decree of the RSFSR Council of Ministers on 3 October 1963 over 46,000 ha. A. S. Khomentovsky, writer V. P. Sysoev and game manager N. V. Mikhailov pushed for the protected status. The area was 44,928 ha by 1985 and 45,340 ha after boundary surveying in 2009.

The reserve takes its name from the Bolshoi Khekhtsir mountain range, which locals connect to regional folklore and traditions about the surrounding lands. This connection to the landscape shapes how people in the area view the protected territory.

The reserve offers marked hiking routes through different zones open to visitors, with a natural history museum showcasing local ecosystems. Plan your visit during warmer months when trails are more accessible, and wear appropriate clothing for forest and wetland conditions.

The reserve is home to a small population of Amur tigers that maintain permanent residence in the protected zone despite its closeness to an urban area. This presence demonstrates how large predators can thrive in forest habitats near human settlements when they have sufficient protected space.