Официальный информационно–туристский портал Архангельской области
Caves of Pinega
Pinezhsky caves — one of the most famous and mysterious spots of the Arkhangelsk region. Halls created by groundwater, bizarre bends of karst corridors, disappearing lakes and streams, mysteriously sparkling ice crystals in cool dark attract tourists both in winter and summer.
photo: Nikolay Gernet
In the middle course of the Pinega River, a large part of all the caves found in the Arkhangelsk region is located. Pinezhsky caves are laid on cracks of karst rocks, whose age exceeds hundreds of millions of years. Karst processes are actively transforming the surface of the earth and its depths — caves of Pinega offer a rare opportunity to observe the natural changes in forms and relief during the course of life. New corridors are discovered annually, entrances open and close, gaps and bizarre-shaped inselbergs occur.
The study of karst and caves of Pinega began in the 60s of the twentieth century. The caves are shallow, but very long. The Kulagorskaya — Troy system is the largest plaster cave in the European North. Its length is more than 17 kilometers. Most of the significant caves are inaccessible and unsafe, so only experienced speleologists can go down there.
photo: Nikolay Gernet
The most popular and most accessible is the Golubinskiy cave. One can go underground only with the excursion group with a safety helmet on and flashlights. One shall take care of warm clothes beforehand, even in summer the temperature in the cave rarely rises above zero, the walls are covered with ice and snow right at the entrance of the cave. Although only a part of 1,600 meters of the Golubinskiy Cave is available for the visit, the walk impresses a lot, winding crossovers, turns and manholes, where one should bend down, see the underground waters and the cave bats.
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photo: Ivav Popov
In 1974 State Natural Park «Pinezhsky» was established to study and preserve the caves. At the Karst Museum in the village of Pinega, you can hold in your hands samples of fossil fauna, admire the minerals shimmering in the rays of light and take a picture with a speleologist. The visit includes the excursion to the «Singing Hall» cave, Bereznikovskie caves, Krasnogorsky Monastery as well as the eco trial in taiga.
The intricate and diverse Pinezhsky caves are ready to reveal their secrets at any time of the year. However, they look most impressive from January to March — arches sparkling with frost, textured karst bends and intricate icing annually create a new unique interior of the Pinega underground kingdom.
photo: Natalia Bochkareva
photo in the upper block: Nikolay Gernet, Ivan Popov, Natalya Bushueva, Svetlana Averyanova, Olga Baturova, Maria Kapshina
Tips
Karst caves can be unpredictable — fragile rocks, melting ice and groundwater. It should be visited only as part of an organized group!
To visit the caves, think about special clothes and comfortable shoes. The temperature underground even in summer rarely rises above zero, and karst surfaces can be sharp and dirty. You should also be aware of possible humidity and groundwater.