TOP 10 of the most picturesque panoramas in Kyiv region

Did you know that Kyiv region has mountains, seaside, canyons, submerged settlements, and even sand dunes? You just need to know where to look. We climbed the mountains, sailed to the islands, walked through byways and were rewarded by incredible panoramas of towns, villages and various landscapes we’d never known of before. So, now we share 10 locations in the region with the most beautiful views.

The Boryspil Isles landscape reserve of local significance.

The Boryspil Isles are considered the most abundant in the Kaniv Reservoir as regards landscapes and vegetation, making up the largest reserve in Kyiv region. Bald Mountain, located within its territory, offers an amazing view of:

• islands and floodplain meadows, blooming with red-listed orchid plants and irises,
• the adjoining waters where dozens of avian species roost,
• alder and broadleaf woods growing in places of old hayfields and pastures,
• the largest sand dunes in Kyiv region,
• Steep banks of the Dnipro river, and
• the Savior Transfiguration Church in the water (19th century) being the only building left from the flooded village of Husyntsi.

Tsybli

Tsybli village emerged on the shore of the eponymous river in the 17th century, and Cossacks settled here for a long time. However, the village was originally located slightly downstream from its current location. The present-day village is called New Tsybli, and it was founded in 1960s, when the old village was flooded to make the Kaniv reservoir. An old cemetery on a hill is all that is left, offering a breathtaking view over coastal marshes, reservoir, green banks of the Trakhtemyriv peninsula, and ruins of the flooded Elias Church, built in old Tsybli at the beginning of the 20th century.

Steep banks of the Dnipro river: Rzhyshchiv, Vytachiv, Mount Divych-Hora

Also referred to as Dnipro Hills, those are high slopes of the Dnipro river’s right bank. It is the birthplace of Trypillya culture, an area where ancient Rus hillforts rose, multiple strongholds and ramparts were built, river ports were founded. So, probably, it is only natural that the peaks of these slopes have now become popular observation platforms. Here are some of the most known ones:

Divych-Hora in Trypillya is the highest peak in Obukhiv district, rising 55 meters above the Dnipro waters. It is one of the Dnipro region’s Sacred hills that used to host a Zarubyntsi culture site and a pagan shrine. It offers a view of Ukrainka industrial landscapes with the region’s most powerful thermal power plant, sceneries of historical Trypillya and the boundless Dnipro.

Vytachiv is one of the oldest villages of Ukraine that a Byzantine emperor called the biggest port on the Dnipro river over a millennium ago. The Kniazhyi Shpyl hill offers the best panoramic views. Apart from amazing sceneries of Dnipro slopes and islands, you will find a wooden chapel, designed by Taras Shevchenko, a mill and an atmospheric craft bakery, Vytach.

Ivan-Hora in Rzhyshchiv is the location of the annalistic Ivan-Horod city, from where princes, led by Iziaslav II Mstislavich, departed for the campaign against Yuri Dolgorukiy. On its top, you can expect a stunning view of the Dnipro river, its lush slopes, the Boryspil Isles landscape reserve and the flooded Savior Transfiguration Church.

The observation platform by Stozhary cottage town

The hill in the outskirts of Obukhiv city is an ideal place to meet the sunset and to admire the scenery of the tract through which the Stuhna river runs, urban outlines of Trypillya, Ukrainka and Kyiv, green slopes and Holosiiv woods, as well as Neshcheriv Transfiguration Friary that was founded in late 18th century.

Liutizh

Liutish village is known as an evolution centre of Zarubyntsi culture and Scythian culture as well as an important WWII bridgehead. It lies among never-ending woods shore of the Kyiv reservoir. Panoramic view from the observation platform on the northern outskirts of Liutizh combines abrupt banks, covered with tall pine trees, an endless surface of the Kyiv reservoir and sandy beaches. Meeting the sunrise here is an especially amazing experience.

Vyshhora

From the observation platform on the top of the hill near the Prince’s residence town of Vyshhorod, one can spend hours enjoying incredible views of:

• the Kyiv Sea,
• slopes and cliffs where Scythians and Sarmatians used to settle, and medieval princes used to found their hillforts,
• present-day Vyshhorod and outlines of Kyiv,
• an abandoned bobsleigh track, considered one of the best in the Soviet Union,
• a mighty dam of the Kyiv reservoir,
• the lighthouse towering over the PSPP spit.

Glider Hill

Another cool spot to meet the sunset and admire the beauty of our home region once again is the 157 meter high Glider Hill in Khodosivka. A kaleidoscope of interests sceneries for every taste awaits you here, like Kyiv skyscrapers, nearby cottage towns, north European architecture of the Manufactura Outlet Village, Chernechy and Holosiiv woods, surrounding gullies and hills. These sceneries quite often become backgrounds for people who conquer the sky using gliders, paragliders and other aviation structures. It looks really exciting and romantic.

Revyna Hora

The hill over the Chervona river opposite Hermanivka village has been known since the times of Kyivan Rus. It is the place where, according to the chronicles, the ancient hillfort of Hermanych was located. According to legends, it was founded by Prince Volodymyr the Great. Today its thousand-year history is reminded of by a 12-meter high memorial cross on the top of the hill. There is also a chapel and a gazebo named after the Intercession of the Theotokos that offers a marvellous view of the surrounding floodplains and Hermanivka village. You can also visit a Bread Museum located in a windmill nearby.

Following up on the gastronomic topic, we suggest combining tours around Kyiv region with gastronomic pleasures by choosing a tour to your liking from the Roads of Wine and Taste.

Vasylkivski Karpaty

The Vasylkivski Karpaty Landscape Park is an amazing location, absolutely worth visiting to see some unique landscapes of Kyiv region, such as ravines covered with steppe vegetation, pine groves and deciduous forests, canyons and low mountains, covered with fragrant herbs and colourful flowers. Besides, the park is inhabited by over 30 different species of birds. Vasylkivski Karpaty is a top location for picnics, photo shootings, and unifying with nature.

Ostrytsia Mountain

The mountain is located in the Kopachiv Slopes Landscape Reserve and is the highest site on the right bank of the Stuhna river. Its summit, also referred to as the Spire, offers incredible sceneries of the river, Obukhiv Woods, meadowy slopes with small terraces and nearby villages.

Visiting these locations will definitely help you realize just how plentiful, diverse and beautiful our region is. We encourage you to see it for yourself.