Perevoloki between the Usa and Volga

Perevoloki lies on a narrow isthmus between the Usa and the Volga. Its location between the two rivers gives the village a distinctive geographical setting and leads directly to one of its historical themes: transporting boats overland.

The history of a village between two rivers

Historically, one particular source of income for residents was transporting travellers’ boats from the Volga to the Usa. The origin of the name Perevoloki is also linked to this practice: one explanation, published in 2021, traces it to dragging boats overland to shorten the journey from one river to the other. The village’s history thus closely connects its geographical location, the interpretation of its name and the work once done there. Perevoloki was founded around 1680.

The ruins of the Pokrovskaya Church stand on the eastern edge of the village. They add a distinct cultural and historical feature alongside the story of the rivers. A 2004 route description also mentions a boat station on the water near Perevoloki. One historical itinerary on the “Zhigulyovskaya krugosvetka” route included a leg from Kuybyshev to the village of Perevoloki.

When choosing a holiday apartment, it may help to start with a question: would you like Perevoloki itself, with its location and history, to be the focus, or are you planning a broader exploration of Samara Oblast? The nature and cultural experiences below offer a regional perspective on Samara Oblast; they do not describe Perevoloki itself.

Nature and culture in Samara Oblast

Samarskaya Luka is a landscape formed by a bend in the Volga and the Usinsky Bay of the Kuybyshev Reservoir. It encompasses two protected areas: Samarskaya Luka National Park, covering 127,000 hectares, and the Zhiguli Nature Reserve, covering 23,000 hectares. These figures illustrate the scale and variety of the region’s natural landscape and protected areas.

Molodetsky Kurgan lies in the northwest of Samarskaya Luka. A scenic 75-kilometre ridge of the Zhiguli Mountains begins here. From the kurgan, there are views of the man-made Zhiguli Sea, the opposite bank of the Volga, Tolyatti and the village of Zhiguli. The area has two nature trails, rest areas, a car park and a picnic meadow; it is also home to more than 200 rare and endangered plant species.

Other regional nature highlights include Stepan Razin Cave, one of the largest karst caves in Samarskaya Luka, and its surroundings, which are considered a historical and natural-geological monument. Sokol Rock, also known as Petrov Kamen, is in the national park’s recreation zone. In Shiryaevo, the “Domik Repina” museum complex offers a glimpse of the way of life of 19th-century peasants and merchants.

Trails with different focuses

Trails in Samara Oblast vary in length and theme. The “LukAmorye” nature trail is less than one kilometre long and introduces visitors to the plants of Samarskaya Luka. The 1.3-kilometre “Vedmino ozero” trail starts at the entrance to Bakhilovo. Along the way, visitors learn about the village’s origins; at the lake, old Mordvin stories and legends are shared. The 14-kilometre “Gora Strelnaya” auto-hiking route passes through relict natural communities such as rocky steppes and mountain pine forests. Its walking section includes a guided tour about the history of the nature reserve, its natural environment and the formation of the Zhiguli Mountains.

For a multi-day alternative, the “Zhigulyovskiy labirint” horse-riding route passes through most of the national park. It takes seven days, covers about 140 kilometres and leads to natural and cultural attractions of Samarskaya Luka. It can also be travelled on foot or by bicycle; the season runs from May to September. The national park also organises guided hikes and offers bus-and-hiking tours. As access to the park may be subject to restrictions, check the latest visitor information before making plans.

These differences can help you choose a focus for your trip: options include a short plant trail, a route featuring village history and legends, or a longer route combining driving and walking. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether your trip will focus mainly on Perevoloki and its history, or on nature and cultural routes in Samara Oblast.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Podstepki, Yagodnoye, Tolyatti, Krivoye Ozero, Syzran, Vladimirovka, Russkaya Borkovka, Bereza.

For the wider travel overview: Samara Oblast.