Kumysnaya Polyana

Kumysnaya Polyana is a nature park and a regionally protected natural area on the western edge of Saratov, Russia. Established in 1991 to preserve a suburban forest tract and provide recreation space for city residents, it covers 4,417 hectares, mostly across the Lysogorskoye Plateau and its slopes.

History

The name dates back to the 19th century, when local Tatars rented the land to graze horses and sell kumys, a fermented mare's-milk drink popular among Saratov residents. A tram line connected the park to the city in 1910, after which Kumysnaya Polyana became a popular recreation spot; dachas, roads and recreational facilities followed. By the mid-20th century the area had about 30 sanatoriums and rest homes and 25 children's camps.

Nature

The Lysogorskoye Plateau, on which the park sits, rises to 282 metres. Broadleaf forest dominates — oak, maple, linden, birch and aspen. The park is home to hares, foxes, moose, roe deer and wild boar, along with many insects, reptiles and forest birds, including owls. Forestry work in the park includes reforesting steep slopes, planting new trees, clearing dead wood and maintaining natural springs.

What to See

Lysaya Gora (Bald Mountain), the highest point in Saratov, overlooks the whole city and the Volga River. Pik Pionerov offers views of the Polivanovka district and the Savelyevskie Hills, while Vishnyovaya Gora serves as a ski slope in winter. Bicycle rental is available at the park entrance on Novouzenskaya Street and on 1st and 5th Dachnaya Streets.

Getting There

Take tram No. 3 to the "6th Dachnaya" stop, then transfer to tram No. 4 to "10th Dachnaya". Several sanatoriums, rest homes, children's camps and ski bases still operate within the park today.