In Khvoyninskiy District, striking karst formations meet traces of partisan history and wooden architecture. When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: would you like to explore marshes and lakes, plan excursion routes, or visit historic sites? The destinations cover a range of themes—from protected areas to memorial sites in Khvoynaya and historic buildings in Zaozerye and Vnuto.
Karst Lakes, Marshlands and Underground Water
The «Igorevskiye mkhi» Nature Reserve protects a large marsh system with different types of marshes and lakes. The area also includes pine forests and the karst lake Paducheye. The species listed there are also of interest to nature lovers: the Red Book includes eight bird species and three plant species from the area.
The karst lakes show how closely the landscape is connected to water. Three lakes in the «Karstovye ozyora» Nature Reserve are located in Borovichskiy Municipal District, Khvoyninskiy Municipal District and Lyubytinskiy District. They formed through the dissolution of dolomite and limestone; some have hydrogen sulfide springs that are rare in the region. Water levels fluctuate, and sometimes the water disappears into underground cavities. These processes give the reserve a character distinct from the marshland of «Igorevskiye mkhi».
The «Ozero Zhelezo» route also brings together several geological and historical themes: it includes the «Izvestkovye yamy» limestone outcrop and the valley of the Belenkaya River, which disappears underground. The «Ozero Zhelezo» natural monument of the same name also includes sites where bog iron ore was formerly mined, as well as pits. A nature trip here therefore takes in rock formations and underground waterways, as well as traces of human use.
Excursion Routes and Nature Trails
The 2 km excursion route «Strana ukhodyashchikh ozyor» passes through the «Karstovye ozyora» Nature Reserve and leads to the «Provaluchaya yama» karst sinkhole. Its length and named destination make it a clearly defined route option within the diverse karst landscape. The «Igorevskiye mkhi» Nature Reserve also has the «Ozero Igor. Ingvarr» ecological nature trail. It is listed as open for 2026; check whether it is operating before your trip.
Another option is the «Khramy zemli Khvoyninskoy» excursion routes: the offering comprises two separate routes to different locations in Khvoyninskoye blagochiniye. If you plan this excursion, coordinate the arrangements with the tour operator. This lets you distinguish between a nature trail, a route through the karst area, and the two separate church excursion routes.
Partisan History and Wooden Architecture
In Khvoynaya, a stele on the left bank of the Pes, beyond the Skuratovskiy Bridge, commemorates a partisan base. At the end of 1941, a partisan training camp was established in the forest beyond the bridge. Across the Pes, a partisan printing press and editorial office operated, publishing the newspapers «Leningradskiy partizan» and «Za sovetskuyu Rodinu». The Khvoyninskiy Local History Museum adds to this historical focus: its collections document the history and nature of Khvoyninskiy Municipal District; it also preserves documents and veterans’ recollections about participants in the Second World War.
Historic buildings include the Peter and Paul Chapel in Zaozerye and the wooden Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Vnuto. The chapel is a historic and cultural monument of regional significance, as well as an example of traditional 19th-century wooden architecture. The church in Vnuto was built in 1864. These two buildings offer a distinct perspective on the cultural history of the district, while the museum and partisan sites explore other historical themes.
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can base your priorities on these differences: karst and marshes, partisan history, or historic buildings. This way, you can begin your search with the purpose of your trip and the themes you want to set aside time for.
Discover more destinations:
Novgorodsky District, Malovishersky District, Okulovskiy rayon, Demyanskiy rayon, Soletsky District, Starorusskiy rayon, Valdayskiy rayon, Novgorodskiy rayon
Go to the main travel overview: Novgorod Oblast.
