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What Makes Kronotsky Biosphere Reserve Unique
Kronotsky State Biosphere Reserve, or Zapovednik, is the oldest, largest and most well-known nature reserve on Kamchatka.
Kronotsky is home to the infamous Valley of the Geysers. Visitors come from all over the world in order to see this corner of Kamchatka. To visit Kamchatka and not see the Valley of the Geysers – means to not have visited Kamchatka. The valley is home to innumerable hot springs, boiling mud pots, steam vents, thermal rivers, vegetation in bright, full color almost year-round, and, of course, geysers – a stunning natural miracle. The largest geyser in the valley is Velikan, which sends boiling water to a height of 30 meters, and steam to a height of 300 meters.
A natural disaster that occurred on June 3, 2007 nearly destroyed the Valley of the Geysers. But it came back to life, preserved its unique appearance and added new features, becoming even more stunning. |
Stained-glass window the Valley of the Geysers.
Photo by I.Shpilenok
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The Valley of the Geysers is just one of the wonders of Kronotsky Zapovednik; there are many others as well.
Uzon Caldera is a mystical place that formed 49,000 years ago. This crater is filled with over 1000 hot springs of various shapes and sizes, puffing mud pots, and mineral deposits. Here the colors of earth and water come together to form beautiful stained-glass images, which can captivate visitors for hours. Uzon is rightly called a geothermal wonderland.
Kronotskoye Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes on Kamchatka. When the weather is good, the lake’s mirror-like surface reflects the classical, perfectly even cone of Kronotsky Volcano. |
 The Valley of Death.
Photo by I.Shpilenok |
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Near the southern border of the reserve is a grove of Sakhalin fir trees. Scientists have still not been able to solve the riddle of the grove’s origin, as it is located far from any other coniferous forest.
The Valley of Death is hidden in a narrow opening in the upper reaches of the Geyzernaya River. Poisonous gases collect here, and animals, birds and insects that get caught in the valley will never return: they fall asleep forever, unable to fight for their lives. The valley is closed to visitors! Scientists and zapovednik staff use great caution when visiting this part of the reserve.
Waterfowl flock to Semyachiksky Estuary, which is a favorite migratory rest stop for swans, geese and ducks. Many birds also winter here or live here year-round, enjoying the beautiful views and ample amounts of food.
Mountains, glaciers, active and inactive volcanoes, rivers, lakes, islands, beaches and a rugged coastline – all this is also Kronotsky Zapovednik. |
The list of amazing places here is endless, but it’s best to come and see this beautiful region of Kamchatka with your own eyes!
The history of Kronotsky Zapovednik goes back more than 150 years. The “Kronoki” were declared a protected area by the Russian Empire in 1882, and the tradition of protecting nature in this area is still honored today.
In 1996 Kronotsky Zapovednik became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Volcanoes of Kamchatka” nomination.
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