Hetman National Nature Park stretches along the Vorskla River across the entire Okhtyrka district of Sumy Oblast — from the border with Russia to the border with Poltava Oblast below the village of Kuzemyn. The park includes the floodplain and the river itself, supra-floodplain terraces, and in places a high right bank. Its area exceeds 23,000 hectares. Within Sumy Oblast, the Vorskla is 122 km long, and it is the main treasure of the park.
A Park for the Sake of the Vorskla
The park was established on April 27, 2009, to preserve the natural complexes of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe, primarily the Vorskla floodplain. The basis was formed by the Lytovskyi Bor tract and the Bakyrivka hydrological reserve. Out of the 23.4 thousand hectares, 11.7 thousand have been granted to the park for permanent use, while the rest is included without withdrawal from landowners and land users.
The park includes the Khukhrianskyi, Klymentivskyi, Bakyrivskyi, and Yamnyi hydrological reserves, the Lytovskyi Bor, Neskuchanska Dacha, Zaluhove, Krasne, Sumska Dibrova, and Vesele protected tracts, as well as the Kremniove and Krynychka springs.
What to See Here
The Vorskla here is winding and clean, with sandbars, oxbow lakes, and floodplain meadows. In summer, white water lilies and yellow water-lilies bloom on the quiet water. Pine forests on the terraces alternate with oak groves, and near Kuzemyn, Zamkova Hora rises above the river — an ancient hillfort with a view of the valley.
The park has suffered from the war: military operations took place here in 2022, and border areas are still subject to shelling.
How to Get There
The park administration is located in Trostianets. The most accessible areas are near Okhtyrka, the villages of Khukhra, Lytovka (Lytovskyi Bor), and Kuzemyn. From Okhtyrka to Kuzemyn, it is about 30 km to the south.
What to Keep in Mind
The northern part of the park borders Russia, and restrictions apply there. Before your trip, be sure to check the security situation, the restrictions of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration, and the visiting rules with the park administration. Do not stray from roads and trails. Nearby are the Trostianets Park and the Grotto of Nymphs.
