Cherdakly: Discover the Marsh and Museum

On the western edge of Cherdakly lies the Kotschkar Marsh, a natural monument. Rolling marshland, pools, boggy hollows and vegetation typical of fens give the landscape a distinctly water-rich character. The marsh was declared a natural monument on 4 June 1991 by Resolution No. 223 of the Executive Committee of Ulyanovsk Oblast.

Marshland and gull colony

The marsh is a nesting site for gulls and is home to the largest gull colony in Ulyanovsk Oblast. The colony must not be visited during the breeding season.

Hiking around Kotschkar

The “Tropami bolota Kotschkar” hiking route starts in Cherdakly and runs for about 3 km on foot around the marsh. It then continues for 5 km to Lake Peschanoje, around which there is a 2 km excursion. The one-day hiking route is listed as taking three hours and covering 5 km; spring, summer and autumn are given as the seasons.

Target groups include organised groups of learners from educational institutions aged seven and over, family groups and small groups. Check the current route status before planning.

Museum and creative activity

The Vasily Zuev Museum in Cherdakly is dedicated to the work of the artist Vasily Zuev and the jeweller Fabergé. The itinerary “Imena poteryannye i obretennye” includes a visit to the museum of miniaturist V. I. Zuev; the exhibition is dedicated to his life and work.

The itinerary also includes a workshop after the guided tour: young guests paint a small piece of jewellery in the Fabergé style and can take it home as a souvenir. If you plan to visit the museum or take part in the workshop, enquire in advance about current visiting options.

Cherdakly as a base for your trip

If the marsh route and the museum are among your priorities, Cherdakly is a natural place to look for a holiday apartment: the hiking route starts in the town, and the museum is also located in Cherdakly. This lets you choose your base around two specific travel interests—nature and culture. You can decide which one will shape your day more, based on the kind of trip you want.

In Ulyanovsk Oblast: the Great Ecological Trail

The Great Ecological Trail of Ulyanovsk Oblast is about 100 km long and runs in a large semicircle through Sengileyevsky District. It consists of eight consecutive sections. Each section is a standalone walking route lasting four to ten hours, with varying levels of difficulty. Signposts along the trail point to springs and campsites. These time estimates differ considerably from the three hours given for the hiking route at the marsh. If you include the regional trail in your plans, check the current route status before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Leninskiy, Pavlovka, Dimitrovgrad, Primorskoye, Kadyshevo, Ulyanovsk, Barysh, Gavrilovka

Back to the regional travel overview: Ulyanovsk Oblast.