The project Developing Ecotourism Net in Black Sea region ECOTOUR-NET (BSB79) is proposing to develop eco-tourism activities in 5 regions from Turkey, Ukraine, Greece, Georgia and Bulgaria introducing 18 routes (10 cycling, 6 hiking, 2 educational tour routes) and 48 locations (4 bird watching and 32 recreational location, 10 photobank and 2 local products selling locations).
In Ukraine, the target region is Zaporizhzhya, one of the main centers for development of the economic, industrial, technological and intellectual potential with a long history and rich multicultural heritage. Regional Development Agency of Zaporizhzhya region explored the region potential for tourism, seeking to improve the visitor experience through establishment of ecotourism infrastructure which shall lead to higher visitor satisfaction, benefit the local community and conservation of nature values/resources.
The tracks, routes and locations introduced in the eco-tourism circuit by the Ukrainian project partner are:
Cycling track: 2 days cycling tour Perlyny_stepovoyi_Ukrayiny starting point – Zaporizhzhya (multicultural centre The House of Max Grant); finishing point Gelendgik village
It is possible to trace several cycling routes.
Day One
Perlyny_stepovoyi_Ukrayiny-1 “green”
The route runs from Yantseve station, along the banks of the Mokra Moskovka River, visiting waterfalls, through the village of Mykhailo-Lukasheve to the Helendzhyk village. The destination of the first day is the Dyvosvit Country Estate. The length of the route is 58.9 km.
Perlyny_stepovoyi_Ukrayiny-2 “light blue”
The route also runs from Yantseve station, along the banks of the Mokra Moskovka River, visiting waterfalls, through the village of Mykhailo-Lukasheve to Helendzhyk village. The destination of the first day is the Dyvosvit Country Estate. The difference from the “blue” route is as follows: after Mykhailo-Lukasheve village, the route was mapped through Antonivka and Volodymyrivka villages. This route makes it possible to visit the greenhouse. It is recommended to choose this option in late spring and in the first half of summer when the flowers in the greenhouses are the brightest. The length of the route is 60.2 km.
Perlyny_stepovoyi_Ukrayiny-3 “grey”
Additional excursion to a paid pond – a route from the Dyvosvit Country estate to the pond, where you can fish or taste a fish soup. One-way distance is 15.3 km.
Perlyny_stepovoyi_Ukrayiny-4 “pink”
Additional excursion to a free pond – a route from the Dyvosvit Country estate to the pond, where you can fish and watch the swans. One-way distance is 5 km.
Day Two
Perlyny_stepovoyi_Ukrayiny-5 “yellow”
The route from the Dyvosvit Country estate (Helendzhyk village), visiting the Apiary and the Stud Farm. The route is mapped along the country roads. The length of the route is 29.8 km.
Cycling track: 1 day cycling tour Sakralʹna_Khortytsya starting point – Zaporizhzhya (Multicultural Centre The House of Max Grant) to Khortytsia Island
There are several cycling routes.
Sakral’na-Khortytsya-1- “light blue”
The length of the route is 41.3 km. The route is mapped along the Dnipro River. The route runs along paved roads, as well as country roads, paths and beaches. The route provides arms from the main route to some interesting places.
Sakral’na-Khortytsya-2 “yellow”
The length of the route is 36.9 km. The route passes some places on the beaches and paths, which can cause difficulties in unfavorable season.
Sakral’na-Khortytsya-3 “green”
The length of the route is 36.3 km. The route makes the most of the paved roads and can be used not only for bicycles but also for other small electric vehicles.
12 recreation locations equipped with outdoor furniture: Multicultural Centre The House of Max Grant, Rehabilitation Park of National Academy Khortytsia Island, Open Air Khortytsia Museum Zaporizhzhia Sich, Zaporizhzhia Cossacs History Museum, Memorial Tourist Complex, Horsemen Theater, Memorial And Tourist Complex, Mykhailo-Lukasheve Village, Dyvosvit Country Estate, Ecopark In Helendzhyk Village, Waterfalls, Apiary – A Sweet Stop In Veselyi Hai Village and Stud Farm Novomykolaivsky region
50 signboards along the routes
For detailed information regarding the eco-tourism in Ukraine, visit the project website, section dedicated to Ukraine: https://ecotournet.net/.