Two hills of hard rock, rising 40 to 60 metres, define the Ushi Hills in Kamyshinsky District. The hills feature caves and rock formations; blocks of silicified sandstone bear impressions of ancient plants. This natural monument thus brings together striking landforms and traces of plant life from ages past. Since 1980, the Ushi Hills have been natural monuments of republican significance. The height gives the two hills a concrete scale, while the plant impressions in the sandstone offer a very different perspective on the landscape.
Rock Formations, Ravines and River Landscapes
Another natural area lies in the central part of Shcherbakovsky Nature Park: a ravine runs through it, with the Shcherbakovka River flowing along its course. Here, the ravine and river together shape the landscape. This is a different setting from the Ushi Hills, where the focus is on elevations, caves and rock. Exploring the district’s natural environment reveals a range of features: the hills’ relief and the river winding through the ravine.
The Shcherbakovskaya Bend of the Volga is another distinctive feature. It has the status of an international key bird area. This designation makes ornithology a special focus of the river landscape and sets it apart from the geological features of the Ushi Hills. The Stolbichi rock formations are another local attraction in Kamyshinsky District. Together, these names show the variety of natural features in the region: the river bend, rock formations and ravine each offer a different perspective.
Enjoy Nature and Find Out About Excursions
Enjoying nature and environmental education are among the activities described at Shcherbakovsky Nature Park. During the 2023 tourist season, staff set up ecological trails and green rest areas and organised environmental education events, eco-tours and excursions. The options cater to different interests: trails and rest areas provide ways to spend time in nature, while events focus on environmental education. Eco-tours and excursions add further opportunities to learn about the surroundings.
A 2025 report describes excursions organised by the Shcherbakovskaya izlyuchina Volgi visitor centre for guests of Kamyshinsky District. Destinations on offer included Urakov Hill, Danilovsky Canyon and Shcherbakovskaya Balka. This makes it possible to distinguish the trips by specific locations rather than looking only for a general nature tour. If you would like to plan one of these excursions, please check the current dates and whether the particular option is available.
Natural and Architectural Monuments
Urakov Hill is a natural and historical monument. Its designation brings both aspects together and gives the site a different character from the geological features of the Ushi Hills or the ornithological designation of the Volga bend. Architectural heritage is also among the district’s attractions: in the village of Nizhnyaya Dobrinka, the German church received the status of an architectural monument of regional significance in 1996. The different types of monument provide a clear guide to your interests: Urakov Hill combines natural and historical significance, while the church is notable as an architectural monument.
Discover more destinations: Kalachyovsky District, Kalachevskiy rayon, Sokolskiy rayon, Gorodishchenskiy rayon, Dubovsky District, Kotovsky Rajon, Mikhaylovka Rajon, Svetloyarskiy rayon.
For the broader travel overview: Volgograd Oblast.
