The Lena Pillars are a complex of vertically elongated rocks stretching for many kilometers, fancifully piling up along the Lena River in far eastern Siberia, a deep valley cutting through the Prilenskoe plateau. located in the Republic of Sakha, one of the subjects of the Russian Federation.
The site is marked by spectacular natural stone columns about 100 m high, along part of the course of the Lena River in Yakutia.The columns were formed by a phenomenon of erosion – called cryoclasty – because of the hypercontinental climate and its enormous thermal amplitudes (around 100 ° C) between winter and summer. Under the action of freezing and thawing, the water which penetrates from the surface digs deep gullies which have gradually isolated the harder parts of the rock, thus forming these “columns”
Natural Park :
The natural park “Lena Pillars” was established by a decree of the President of Yakutia on August 16, 1994. It includes two branches – Stolbove and Sinski. It has an area of 485 thousand hectares. The main goal of the park is the development of ecotourism. In addition to the Lenski Pillars, the park is home to sand massifs (tuculans), Neolithic stone tools, unique ecosystems of permafrost, remains of mammoths, bison and woolly rhinos.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, since August 6, 2018, the Lena Pillars acquired the status of a national park of Russia.The Lena Pillars National Nature Reserve was established in 1995 and since then has attracted the attention of not only tourists, many of whom are foreigners, but also scientists. Visitors can have the opportunity to see these columns on the river when contacting any tour company located in the city of Yakutsk.
Natural Park :
The natural park “Lena Pillars” was established by a decree of the President of Yakutia on August 16, 1994. It includes two branches – Stolbove and Sinski. It has an area of 485 thousand hectares. The main goal of the park is the development of ecotourism. In addition to the Lenski Pillars, the park is home to sand massifs (tuculans), Neolithic stone tools, unique ecosystems of permafrost, remains of mammoths, bison and woolly rhinos.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, since August 6, 2018, the Lena Pillars acquired the status of a national park of Russia.The Lena Pillars National Nature Reserve was established in 1995 and since then has attracted the attention of not only tourists, many of whom are foreigners, but also scientists. Visitors can have the opportunity to see these columns on the river when contacting any tour company located in the city of Yakutsk.
Access : Coordinates: 61.14619, 127.58471 / Location :
The natural park “Lena Pillars” is located on the banks of the Lena River, in the Khangalassky and Olekminsky districts (ulus), in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), in the north-east of Russia / The natural park “Lena Pillars” can be reached in summer by motor ships, motor boats and speed boats, and in winter by car and snowmobiles (the distance to Yakutsk is 220 kilometers).
Highlights :
- The natural park “Lena Pillars” was organized on the basis of the decree of the President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) of August 16, 1994.
- The area of the park is 1353 thousand hectares , the park consists of two branches – “Stolby” and “Sinsky”. The main task of the park is considered to be the development of ecological tourism.
- On the territory of the Tukulan site, scientists have discovered the remains of a mammoth, an ancient bison and an ancient rhinoceros.
- For a long time this place was sacred for Yakuts and Evenks. Ordinary people were ordered to go there. They feared the wrath of the rock spirits. Many believed that the pillars are frozen statues of people created by unknown otherworldly forces. Only a select few, elders or all-powerful shamans, dared to approach these mysterious rocks.
- On the rocks along the banks of the Lena and Sinyaya rivers, numerous petroglyphs were discovered – rock paintings made with yellow mineral paint by the ancient inhabitants of these places.
Activities : photo opportunities / excursion walks in Tuculana / Accommodation at camp sites / Guided tours to the Lena Pillars can be purchased at any travel agency in Yakutsk. / In summer months, rafting on the Buotama and Sinyaya rivers is possible.
Go next :An Ancient Paleolithic Man Site : Deering-Yuryakh / sand dunes “Tukulan” / the Elanka rocks, Nozdrevataya cave /
/ Yakutsk is the capital city of the Sakha Republic, Russia, located about 450 kilometers (280 mi) south of the Arctic Circle.