“Beyond the Beaten Path” (Aktove Canyon, Arbuzynka Canyon & Trykraty Forest)

As everyone knows, mountains aren’t exactly part of Odesa’s landscape. And at first glance, the Mykolaiv region doesn’t seem particularly keen on becoming a mountain destination either. Steppes, fields, endless horizons… But venture off the familiar roads, and the scenery suddenly takes an unexpected turn.

Towering granite cliffs rise from the middle of the steppe, deep gorges open up beneath your feet, and somewhere far below, a river with a rather suspicious name — Mertvovod, or “Dead Water” — winds its way between enormous boulders.

And at this point, you might reasonably ask: are we really still in southern Ukraine?

“Beyond the Beaten Path” is a one-day adventure from Odesa to an extraordinary corner of the Mykolaiv region, where nature seems to have had a little fun rewriting the rules of geography. In just one day, we’ll explore two remarkably different canyons, discover the legends of the mysterious Devil’s Valley, and wander through a historic forest created in the middle of the steppe thanks to one rather extraordinary man.

Aktove Canyon — where the steppe ends without warning.

Imagine this: just moments ago, you were surrounded by ordinary fields, and suddenly an immense rocky valley opens up before you. Sheer granite cliffs, spectacular rock formations, narrow trails, and the Mertvovod River, which has spent millions of years carving its way through ancient stone.

There’s a reason Aktove Canyon is sometimes compared to America’s Grand Canyon. Of course, the scale is entirely different, but the sense of wonder is absolutely real. You’ll want to stop at every turn, admire the towering rocks, take photographs, and sometimes simply stand in silence — because nature can be more convincing than even the best tour guide.

But this landscape has another side: one wrapped in mystery and legend. Devil’s Valley, ancient tales, stories of the Scythians, and the river’s intriguing name all add a touch of the supernatural to our adventure. What’s historical fact and what’s local folklore? We’ll uncover the stories together along the way.

Arbuzynka Canyon — the little brother with a personality all its own.

If Aktove Canyon impresses with its grandeur, Arbuzynka Canyon wins you over with its fascinating details. Here, enormous granite boulders look as though a giant scattered them around while building something spectacular, then suddenly abandoned the project.

The Arbuzynka River weaves its way between rounded rocks, grasses and shrubs cling to the ancient stone, and the scenery changes with practically every step.

This is a wonderful place for anyone who enjoys leisurely walks, discovering unusual perspectives, and photographing nature just as it is — no filters or artificial scenery required. Although you might want to charge your phone beforehand, because stopping after the first ten photos is going to be a challenge!

Trykraty Forest — a green labyrinth with an aristocratic past.

After the dramatic granite landscapes, a completely different atmosphere awaits us.

Picture a beautiful, shady forest in the middle of the southern steppe. Ancient oak trees, winding pathways, little ponds, charming bridges, and peaceful green corners where checking the time feels entirely unnecessary.

And here’s the most surprising part: this forest didn’t simply appear on its own.

In the 19th century, Viktor Skarzhynsky set out to achieve something that seemed almost impossible at the time — creating an extensive woodland in the middle of the dry southern steppes. His pioneering experiments in afforestation proved so successful that today Trykraty Forest is one of the Mykolaiv region’s most unusual natural attractions.

A special highlight of our walk is the area known as the Labyrinth, where pathways and bridges were once laid out among the branches of the Arbuzynka River.

It’s the perfect place to relax, enjoy a lunch break, soak up the tranquility, and finally realize that a wonderful day out doesn’t necessarily have to involve the seaside.

And in the evening — back to Odesa!

With slightly tired legs, a hundred photographs, lungs full of fresh air, and that wonderful feeling of having visited at least three completely different worlds in a single day.

And you know what? An adventure like this is definitely worth getting up early for.

By the end of this adventure, you’ll have:

• explored two spectacular canyons that look nothing like the familiar steppe landscapes of southern Ukraine;
• discovered why the Mertvovod River bears such an unusual name and what legends surround Devil’s Valley;
• learned about the fascinating geological history of these ancient granite formations;
• visited Trykraty Forest and heard the remarkable story of its creator, Viktor Skarzhynsky;
• walked through the historic Labyrinth area;
• discovered countless beautiful spots for photography and enjoyed a refreshing day surrounded by nature, far from the noise and bustle of the city.

Travelers’ Photos

Photos capturing our guests and their unforgettable moments during the tour.