Buky Canyon is deservedly called the Ukrainian Switzerland. High rocks, more than 2 billion years old, form a picturesque place that attracts tourists from Ukraine and the world. Find out why Buky are interesting for tourists, what you can see and taste here, how to get there and what interesting facts you should know

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The Butsky Canyon is a picturesque natural tourist attraction that started receiving visitors in 2010. Today, it offers attractions for gastro-tourists, rural tourism enthusiasts and extreme sports enthusiasts. Butsky Canyon impresses not only with its beauty! Read more about its history, interesting places, recreational opportunities and routes to get there in the material of Visit Ukraine.

For those who want to know more about Butsky Canyon

The Butsky Canyon is located in the Uman district of Cherkasy region on the Hirsky Tikych river. It got its name from the name of the village within which it is located - Buky. The geographical landmark is 2 billion years old, as the canyon was formed on granites of the Proterozoic era.

This rocky bank is completely original, and the grey granite outcrops reach a height of 30 metres. The canyon stretches for up to 2.5 kilometres and is 80 metres wide. The dam of the former Butska HPP and the Vyr waterfall, which has the status of a hydrological monument of local significance, are located 800 metres upstream. Since May 1975, the Butsky Canyon itself has been a state complex natural monument of local significance.

For those looking for interesting facts about Buky

1. Butky Canyon represented Cherkasy region in the Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine competition.

2. Rodionov's Rock is named after the Ukrainian geographer Serhiy Rodionov, who studied breeds.

3. Visually, the canyon looks like a Scandinavian fjord.

4. In September 2019, an episode of the series ‘Cossacks. An Absolutely False Story’.

For more natural wonders of Ukraine that are worth seeing with your own eyes, follow the link.

What locations attract tourists in Buky?

1. HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATION

The hydroelectric power station started its work in the 20s of the last century. The electricity generated here supplied 4 neighbouring villages. The hydroelectric power station stopped working in the 60s of the 20th century. Nowadays, tourists often visit the hydroelectric power station for photo shoots.

2. Abandoned water mill

The water mill was built in the late 19th century. According to one version, it was owned by the Skarzhynskyi family. The location attracts mystics - it is said to be haunted.

3. Lysakova rock

The rock is shaped like a human head. According to legend, nature paid tribute to the Cossack Lysak, who died here in the fight against the Turks. The rock attracts extreme sportsmen, with a jump height of 12 metres.

4. Butsky Stonehenge

At first glance, it seems that some giant placed two huge boulders and put the third one on top. Hence the association with the English Stonehenge. However, scientists prove that the monument is completely of natural origin.

Earlier we told you what picturesque places in Ukraine you should visit in spring. Every season of the year, these places look special, and Butsky Canyon is just one of the sites on the list.

What services does Butsky Canyon offer to visitors?

Guided tours of the Butsky Canyon

Tourism in the Butsky Canyon has been actively developing since 2010, but people who come here may miss the most interesting locations if they are not accompanied by a guide. So we recommend ordering the services of a guide - some of them have been working for decades, and the locals can tell you the most interesting things about the route.

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours and covers the route from Butska HPP to Rodionova Rock, which is about 2 kilometres in total. There are no restrictions on the number of people on the route.

The cost of the tour depends on the size of the group and the experience of the guide. Of course, the general rules apply: book the tour in advance and keep in mind that the prices for excursions are lower on weekdays.

Separately, you can book an excursion to the Zhashkiv Stud Farm, where horses are trained for sports competitions (the tour is informative - you will learn absolutely everything about thoroughbred stallions), or an excursion to a private farm where dairy goats are bred (it will be interesting for gastro tourists and not only - you can taste goat cheese, learn how to feed and milk goats).

Renting boats for walks on the Gorny Tikich

At the moment, you can rent boats of the following models: ‘Lysychanka’, “Bark”, “Omega”, “Colibri”. The boat can accommodate 2 adults and 1 child. If necessary, you can book up to 10 boats, but you need to arrange in advance.

The price for civilians is 300 UAH per hour;

Price for representatives of the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine: 200 UAH per hour

Please note! You should rent a boat for the holidays in advance.

You do not need to equip the boat, the work of specialists is included in the rental price.

Excursion to the ancient ‘Butska Apiary’

The tour is an extraordinary combination of rural and gastronomic tourism and involves a visit to a family apiary in the village of Buky, which contains more than 60 modern and ancient hives.

Here you will be able to taste honey and honeycombs, listen to the stories of a beekeeper who has been doing his job for over 25 years, learn how to distinguish real honey from fake honey, get acquainted with the structure of a beehive and much more. You can also buy bee products here.

The tour usually takes 1-2 hours and depends on the number of tourists in the group: the larger the group, the longer the acquaintance with the bees.

For extreme sports enthusiasts

For thrill-seekers, Buky also has offers:

- jumping from the Lysakova rock;

- rafting

- rock climbing;

- kayaking.

What to eat in the Buky Canyon?

You can try the dishes of local craftswomen, as the spontaneous trade is booming here, or go to one of the local establishments:

- Canyon Cafe;

- Cafe Nad Vyr.

The dishes here are traditional, but very tasty!

If the tourist group is more than 10 people, you can organise lunch in the gazebos near the canyon. However, you need to arrange this before arrival.

How to get to the Butsky Canyon?

The canyon is located within the city limits, so you should take the route to Buky. There are three ways to get there: from Cherkasy, Kyiv, and Odesa (via Mankivka). Please note that the roads here are not always good, so choose roads with active traffic.

In the village itself, you can get off at two stops:

- at the bus stop near the canyon (if you are travelling from Kyiv through Zhashkiv) - tell the driver that the stop is ‘at the canyon’; in 200 m there will be a waterfall ‘dam’ - the beginning of the canyon.

- At the bus station (if you are coming from Odesa or Cherkasy) - the bus station is in the city centre, so the distance to the canyon is 1.5 km; near the Lubystok shop, turn left and walk for about a kilometre, then you can turn to the canyon paths or go further to the Hreblya waterfall.

How to get there from Kyiv?

There are two buses from Kyiv to the canyon from the Central Bus Station near the Demiivska metro station:

- 9:20 (Kyiv-Mankivka)

- 15:00 (Kyiv-Mankivka)

The ticket price is 250-300 UAH.

The best route for a motorist is the route through Zhashkiv, Pidbna, Mankivka, Popivka. It will stretch for 218 km and take about 3 hours.

You can book tickets on the Visit Ukraine portal.

You cansee the Butsky Canyon and other extraordinary locations in Central Ukraine on a special Visit Ukraine tour.

To book tickets, arrange insurance, and create an optimal route according to your physical and aesthetic needs, please contact Visit Ukraine specialists (Telegram | WhatsApp). We guarantee that your trip will be unforgettable at every stage.

Photo: Mankiv District State Administration