The steppe reveals a distinctive natural feature in Oktyabrsky District: a plot of virgin land that has never been ploughed preserves much of the steppe vegetation of the Sea of Azov region. Nearby, historic Cossack settlements, Orthodox architecture, archaeological routes and excursions on the water offer a glimpse of other sides of the district. Nature enthusiasts can explore the protected areas, while those interested in culture can follow routes to churches, monuments and museums.
Steppe landscape and protected areas
The district’s protected areas include “Dubrava imeni V. V. Dokuchaeva”, “Zolotye gorki” and “Persianovskaya step”, as well as “Ayutinskie sklony”, “Panskaya balka” and “Osipovskaya balka”. Excursions and hiking trips are offered in the “Persianovskaya step” area. The vegetation there preserves much of the steppe of the Sea of Azov region.
These areas are home to plant species listed in the Red Book of Russia and used in the pharmaceutical industry. They also host diverse wildlife and game, as well as untouched stands of the original mixed-grass and feather-grass steppe of the Sea of Azov region that have never been used for economic purposes. The “Zolotye gorki” protected area also has a historical connection: it was established in the late 19th century.
Cossack settlements, churches and archaeological sites
Bessergenevskaya is one of the oldest settlements in the Lower Don region. In terms of age, the stanitsa is considered equal to the stanitsas of Razdorskaya and Starocherkasskaya, as well as the towns of Aksay and Azov. St. Alexei’s Church in Bessergenevskaya was built when the stanitsa was founded.
If you are interested in Orthodox architecture, the “Svyatyni Pravoslaviya na Donu” route leads to 17th-century cultural and architectural monuments in the stanitsas of Krivyanskaya and Bessergenevskaya. The educational route “Gorzhus toboy Donskoy Agrarnyy!” has a different focus: it includes an introduction to the Don State Agrarian University (DonGAU) and its museums.
The district also offers archaeological excursion routes. “Shepot tysyacheletiy” is in the hamlet of Yagodinka. The “Stoyanka pervobytnogo cheloveka” route is in the hamlet of Shevchenko. The archaeological site of the same name lies on a steep slope, 250 metres from the hamlet’s southwestern edge. The place name and location help visitors pinpoint both the route and the site.
Routes on land and water
Horse-riding routes run through the areas of the Krivyanskoye and Bessergenevskoye settlements and lead to the Don. Boat trips and motorboat rides on the Aksay and Don rivers are organised from the stanitsa of Bessergenevskaya, with stops at “green rest spots” along the way. Horse rides and water excursions offer two different ways to explore the area.
On the Don near the hamlet of Kalinin, sandy beaches offer opportunities for active recreation with family or on your own. Together with hikes in the “Persianovskaya step”, these riverside spots complement the cultural and historical attractions with outdoor activities. The experiences vary in focus, from the steppe and hiking to horse-riding routes and trips on two rivers.
Cossack culture and education
Another cultural highlight of the district is the “Step Kovylnaya” Cossack culture festival, held annually in Oktyabrsky District. Alongside the educational route to the agrarian university, the churches and the archaeological excursion routes, it shows the diversity of cultural attractions beyond the steppe landscape.
Discover more destinations: Semikarakorskiy rayon, gorod Zverevo, Sholokhovskiy rayon, Millerovsky Rajon, Proletarskiy rayon, Azovsky District, Belokalitvinsky Rajon, Aksayskiy rayon.
See the overview of the wider region: Rostov Oblast.
