Bohuslav in the south of Kyiv Oblast stands right on granite bedrock: in the town center, the Ros River has carved a 1.5-kilometer canyon with cliffs, rapids, and stone potholes. This part of the town is the Bohuslavl Regional Landscape Park. There is no marked trail here, but a walk from the bus station across the island and along the canyon to the Holy St. Nicholas Monastery is the best way to see the town. It covers about 3 km and takes two hours at a leisurely pace.
Marusia Bohuslavka and the Island
The route starts near the bus station on Ostriv Street. Behind it lie scattered boulders, and nearby stands a monument to Marusia Bohuslavka—the heroine of a folk epic ballad who freed Cossacks from Turkish captivity. In the 17th century, Pokrovska Church stood on this spot.
Next, the route leads to an island between the Ros and an artificial canal. Here lies the central town park—3.5 hectares that form part of the Bohuslavl park. The island offers a view of the old town and Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The Ros Canyon
The most interesting part is the "Outcrop of Bohuslav Granites" geological monument, covering 4 hectares and designated in 1994. Light-gray granites emerge on both banks and in the riverbed of the Ros, forming cliffs 10–12 m high; scientists estimate their age at around two billion years. Geologists call these rocks a stratotype—a reference site used to describe Bohuslav granites; large feldspar crystals and pegmatite veins are visible in the stone.
Between the rocks, the water has carved out stone potholes. The locals call the largest one "Yama" (The Pit); nearby are two smaller ones, small waterfalls, and rapids where the water rushes loudly in spring. Many consider this site a "place of power."
Bridge of Love and the Monastery
A pedestrian suspension bridge, the "Bridge of Love," stretches over the canyon—the best viewpoint for taking in the cliffs and the Ros River. From there, the route continues along the granite banks to the Holy St. Nicholas Monastery for men on Ozerna Street.
Tips
The granite near the water is slippery, especially after rain, so shoes with good tread are required; be careful with children near the rapids. It is most beautiful here in spring, when the Ros is full of water, and in autumn. The Bohuslavl Regional Landscape Park was created in 2008 and covers a total area of 7.5 hectares. Admission is free.
How to Get There
Bohuslav is located about 130 km from Kyiv; buses run from Kyiv and Bila Tserkva to the bus station, which is where the walk begins. The timetable can be found on the Bohuslav buses page.