At the sacred sites of “Tomskaya Pisanitsa,” people left behind 300 rock images; the oldest depictions are 4,000 years old. The museum-reserve is one of the best-known and most significant rock art sites in Western Siberia, and a cultural monument of federal significance. In Kemerovo Oblast, discoveries like these lead from millennia-old images to historic buildings, river routes and striking rock formations.
Rock Art, a Fortress and History
“Tomskaya Pisanitsa” is set on 156 hectares of pine forest along the scenic banks of the Tom River. Since its early years, the site has hosted historical, ethnographic and folkloric events and festivals. The “Shorskiy ulus Kezek” complex offers a glimpse into Shor history: the homestead of a wealthy Shor has been reconstructed there, with buildings that are original structures from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At the “Selskiy dvorik” petting zoo, visitors can feed domestic goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, geese and ducks.
In Novokuznetsk stands “Kuznetskaya krepost,” a federal monument to history, military engineering and architecture. Its permanent archaeological exhibition focuses on the region’s early history, and the fortress also has halls for temporary exhibitions. If you plan to visit, check the current visitor regulations beforehand. The fortress offers a different chapter of regional history to complement the prehistoric rock art.
Rivers and Trails in Shorsky National Park
Shorsky National Park lies in the south of Kemerovo Oblast. Visitors can raft on mountain rivers, take motorboat trips and hike along ecological trails. The “Srednyaya Mrassu” rafting route also comes with specific planning details: it runs from Ust-Kabyrza to Ust-Anzas, takes at least three days depending on the weather, is classified as difficulty category I and is open to all age groups. Check the current park rules and route conditions before setting out.
A second route, “Verkhnyaya Mrassu,” features small rapids and riffles in difficulty categories I and II. Its duration and water conditions depend on participants’ experience and the water level. The available planning information also differs: a weather-dependent minimum duration is given for “Srednyaya Mrassu,” while “Verkhnyaya Mrassu” depends on participants’ experience and the water level.
The park also has information about places to take a break and stay overnight: it has more than 30 tourist rest and picnic areas, along with three equipped bases with a combined capacity of up to 54 people. The bases operated for visitors include “Mednaya,” “Karchit” and “Kabuk.” They offer tourist accommodation and glamping sites for groups of three to fourteen people, as well as bathhouses, gazebos and fire pits for cooking. Check current availability before your trip.
Sheregesh: Slopes and Rock Formations
At the “Sheregesh” ski resort, ski runs range from 350 to 3,800 metres in length. The “Verbljudy” rocks are rock spires on the slope of Mount “Kurgan.” A visit brings two different scales into focus: the lengths of the ski runs and a striking geological formation. As resort facilities can change, it’s a good idea to check the resort’s latest information before your trip.
Three land art installations, a “dancing forest,” “living stones,” boulder fields and the ancient “Verbljudy” rocks are found along the eco-trails of “Sheregesh.” Information video guides featuring interviews with Professor Nikolai Skalon are installed along the route; in them, he talks about local sights. The rocks are therefore both a landscape feature on Mount “Kurgan” and a stop along the eco-trails. You can combine an interest in rock formations with a walk along the described trail features; check the conditions on site before setting out.
More to Discover
In the “Kuznetskiy Alatau” nature reserve, excursions and tourism activities are based at the eco-centre, designated as the information and education centre of Kuzbass. Together with the river routes, rock art and fortress, this stop showcases the range of themes you can build a trip around in Kemerovo Oblast.
Discover more destinations:
Novokuznetsk, Sheregesh, Kemerovo, Sosnovka, Novokuznetsk, Tashtagolsky District, Prigorodnyy, Promyshlennovsky District, Zhuravlevo, Yurga, Prokopyevsk, Tashtagol, Myski, Mezhdurechensk, Andreevka, Denisovo, Osinniki, Silino, Novorossiyka, Belovo, Kalinkino, Bedarevo, Kemerovo District, Belovo District, Promyshlennovsky District, Novokuznetsky District, Leninsk-Kuznetsky urban district, Tashtagolsky District, Anzhero-Sudzhensk urban district, Yashkinsky District, Yaysky District.
For the broader travel overview: Russia.
