Elk Island National Park.
Initially, the park was a place for royal hunting, and now it has become a whole nature reserve. A huge area of 12,000 hectares is home to more than 200 species of birds, 48 species of mammals, including those that can no longer be found in our forests near Moscow, as well as about 1,000 species of various plants. On the territory of Losiny Island there are picturesque ponds and 3 biological stations. For those interested, the park hosts various excursions, during which visitors receive fascinating information about various natural objects and diverse ecosystems, play games environmental games, learn to distinguish animal tracks. During the excursion you can see squirrels, small rodents, great spotted woodpecker, jay, great tit, and possibly elk, wild boar, and fox. The park includes environmental centers: “Russian Life” in the forest of “Losiny Ostrov”; "Tea party in Mytishchi" in the Mytishchi forest park; "Abramtsevo" in the forest of "Losiny Ostrov"; children's environmental and educational center "Krasnaya Sosna" (Yaroslavskoe highway, 12th line of Krasnaya Sosna, 28, territory of "Losiny Ostrov"); museum complex "Ancient Russian Hunt" ("Tsar's Hunt") in Alekseevskaya Grove; Children's environmental center(Korolev, Torfopredpriyatie St., 85). Visitors to the centers will learn about the history of the park, ancient Russian hunting, the first Moscow water supply system, customs and traditions of the Russian people. After excursion walks, you can relax in the centers, drink tea from a samovar, watch films about protected areas, listen to lectures on ecology, biology, and Moscow studies. Various seasonal play programs are offered for children and adults. Horse riding routes have been developed for horse riding enthusiasts. 22:53:36
National Park Losiny Ostrov is a large national park located on the territory of Moscow and the Moscow region (Balashikha, Korolev, Mytishchi). Losiny Island is the largest forest area in Moscow. The park hosts numerous excursions and events.
The Moscow part of Losiny Ostrov is located in the eastern district of Moscow.
Excursions on Losiny Ostrov
Weekend excursion
They are held every Saturday at the environmental education center “Russian Life”.
Subject: modern nature, history of nature of the Moscow region and Losiny Ostrov. Visitors will learn what landscapes were typical for this territory before the arrival of man, how nature changed National Park at different stages of development - from the Paleolithic to beginning of the XXI century, as well as how the forests of the National Park will develop in the future under various scenarios.
Those wishing to take part in excursions must register in advance by calling:
8(916) 945–78–35 Elena Vladimirovna Tsentrova (Head of the Center);
8(903) 506–02–80 Kharitonenkov Maxim Andreevich (Tour guide).
Directions: metro station "VDNH" Buses: 172, 136, 789 and 903; troll. 76 to the stop. “Children's clinic”, further 200m. to the right from the Yaroslavl highway to the Losiny Ostrov forest area. Then 1km. along the park to the Russian Life Center.
MUSEUM COMPLEX "ANTIQUE RUSSIAN HUNTING"
The historical and archaeological complex "Ancient Russian Hunt", also called the "Tsar's Hunt", is located in the famous Alekseevskaya Grove. Within its boundaries, on the banks of the Pekhorka River, there are ancient settlements, pre-Mongol burial mounds, the remains of a palace structure, preserved in their natural surroundings.
The exposition of the Museum "Tsar's Hunt" is located in the building of the former country house of the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR N. Bulganin.
The central place in the exposition is occupied by an exhibition dedicated to hunting topics. The museum exhibits will introduce visitors to the history of Russian hunting, as well as various types hunting: falcon, hound, beast. Getting acquainted with the exhibition, tourists will learn a lot of interesting things about ceremonial royal hunting trips, weapons, and ancient cartography. A museum exhibit can be not only historical monument, but also nature itself.
On the ecological trail laid in Alekseevskaya Grove, you will see beautiful park and a pond, you will pass through old pine and spruce forests, a mowing meadow, and a floodplain swamp.
On a relatively short route you can see almost all the natural communities characteristic of central Russia. We can say that the surroundings of Alekseevsky museum complex- this is “Elk Island” in miniature.
Museum "Russian Life"
Losiny Ostrov National Park
Game program"Carnival"
(building of the museum “Russian Life”)
Costume program!
Meets children near the museum fairy tale character- "Forest Raven". He greets them, tells them about himself and the upcoming Maslenitsa holiday, and then invites them to play various games with him. active games. After the games, “Raven” invites everyone to the hut to taste hot sweet tea with pancakes. During the tea party, the guides of “Russian Life” will tell the children a lot of interesting things about Maslenitsa traditions and the custom of seeing off the holiday. The event ends with the burning of an effigy of Maslenitsa in the museum courtyard.
Game program “Yuletide Evenings”
The main action takes place in an old Russian hut
Costume program!
The owner of the hut cordially welcomes guests in her house on the eve of “Epiphany”. He seats everyone at the table, treats them to sweet tea, and starts telling stories about history. Yuletide fortune telling, about Russian traditions, all the evil spirits rampant at this time. Then she offers to tell fortunes a little in ancient Slavic ways (by logs, on wax, straw, etc.). After some time, the fortune telling is interrupted by a knock on the door. It was a gypsy who came to visit the guests. She brings confusion into the house and tries to interfere with the holiday, but soon she herself offers to continue the evening - to the ancients gypsy fortune telling on the maps. The event ends in the museum courtyard, where guests will be offered several more views street fortune telling. For example, throwing a shoe over a fence to find out which side to wait for your betrothed or betrothed.
Game program "In Search of Treasure"
next to the building of the Russian Life Museum.
Costume program!
This is the most popular program for spring and autumn. Our guides meet children near the entrance to the park at 54 Yaroslavskoye Shosse (Nash hypermarket) and lead them along a forest path to the Russian Life Museum. Along the way, they talk about the forest inhabitants, their life, the local plants and trees, their medicinal and mystical properties. Suddenly, a costumed character - Kikimora or Indian - comes out to confront the group and invites the children to find a real treasure in the forest! (the treasure can be anything: you can bring something with you or purchase park souvenirs from us in advance). But to find out where the treasure is, you need to get a number of clues from Kikimora or the Indian. And their character gives only for playing with him. Thus, children spend an hour in interactive games approaching the museum. When the treasure is discovered, its owner is waiting for the children in the hut. She will give them sweet tea and invite them to play relaxing indoor games.
Game program "Visiting Aunt Lukerya"
Duration 2 hours. Designed for any age.
The main action takes place in an old Russian hut
(building of the museum “Russian Life”).
Costume program!
Aunt Lukerya meets guests in the museum courtyard and plays traditional Russian games with them, dances with them, sings ditties with the guests. Then she invites everyone present to go into the hut to taste sweet tea made from medicinal herbs. While the guests are having tea, Aunt Lukerya entertains them with stories about folk legends and traditions, and after the meal he gives them a tour of the Russian Life Museum.
Game program "New Year's Adventure"
The main actions take place in two places: in the Losiny Ostrov park
and in an old Russian hut (building of the Russian Life Museum).
Costume program!
The Snow Maiden meets the children at the museum gate. She greets them, tells them what a magical place they find themselves in, and how Santa Claus will be delighted with the guests. But bad luck, Santa Claus left in the morning to decorate the forest with snow, ice, and frost and has not returned yet. No problem! The Snow Maiden knows which path Father Frost takes to return home and she invites the children to hurry to meet him. Together they go into the forest, where they soon meet Baba Yaga. At first, she does her best to prevent the children from continuing their journey, but in the end, she helps them find Santa Claus. In turn, Santa Claus invites children to play with him a little (about 40 minutes) fresh air, and then goes with the guests to the hut to drink sweet tea. But the program doesn't end there! In the hut, children also play many games, solve riddles, and, of course, get New Year's gifts from Father Frost and Snow Maiden. The conclusion of the program is a round dance around the Christmas tree and shared memorable photographs (bring cameras with you).
The distance from the city, games in the snowy forest, the atmosphere of a Russian hut will remain in the memory of children for the rest of their lives!
Excursion along the ecological trail "Such a familiar forest"
The main action takes place in the Losiny Ostrov park.
The “Such a Familiar Forest” trail passes through an almost untouched part of “Elk Island”, which adds mystery to the journey for both children and adults. The guide will tell you about the nature and history of the unique forest area, located near the metropolis and at the same time preserving its natural beauty. In addition, on the route you will be able to see not only the beauty of the forest, but also meet forest inhabitants: tits, wild ducks, jays, woodpeckers, snakes, hedgehogs, squirrels and other living creatures. Or maybe you will even be lucky enough to see with your own eyes the king of “Elk Island” - a real moose, because these animals live free in the reserve!
The tour emphasizes the importance of conservation natural wealth, its strength, and the vulnerability of the forest to people.
The event ends with a tea party at the Russian Life Museum.
Excursion "The Vyatichi Path"
Duration 2-2.5 hours. Designed for any age.
The main action takes place in the Losiny Ostrov park.
not far from the building of the “Russian Life” museum.
This excursion is the pearl of “Elk Island”! By visiting it, you will learn a lot about the Vyatichi tribes who once lived here, their way of life, way of life and beliefs, and also visit their burial mounds (burials of the 10th-12th centuries). At the end of the event, you will have tea at the Russian Life Museum.
Attention! All of the above programs can additionally includemaster classes :
* Coloring wooden figures moose. Interesting for both adults and children. They can also be put in Santa Claus's bag as gifts or in a treasure chest. The moose will remain a memorable souvenir of your trip to Losiny Island.
* Manufacturing ritual doll. Ritual dolls have been created in Rus' from time immemorial. Moreover, both young and old, women and men, did this. We will teach you how to make one of these dolls without using needles, we will tell you about its meaning, and the significance of many other dolls for our ancestors.
Text: Sasha Zaitseva
Losiny Island became the first National Park in Russia - a huge forest area in the North-East of the Moscow region received this status about 30 years ago. Only a quarter of the park is open to the public, another small part is open for walks along clearly established routes, and the rest of the territory of Losiny Island is not accessible to people. Nevertheless, this is one of the most interesting parks in the metropolitan region - especially for those who appreciate nature in its “unkempt” form.
Illustration: Alexey Stepikin
Seven good things in Losiny Ostrov Park
- Real forests (pine, birch, mixed...), protected swamps and many reservoirs. Here the sense of proximity to the city is very quickly lost - the dense thickets of fir trees are so convincing that it is difficult to imagine that you are only 15 kilometers from the Kremlin.
- Moose, deer, hares and wild boars that roam freely around the park. According to park biologists, at least 27 moose live here, and 60-85 deer regularly come to the biological station for feeding. It’s difficult to meet them during a regular walk, but it’s possible.
- Interesting excursions. Park workers regularly conduct themed walks– “Such a Familiar Forest”, “The Path of the Vyatichi”, “Mytishchi Plavni” and others, designed for children and adults. The program of such walks has not changed for years, but its value is that you can learn about the flora and fauna of the Moscow region from the lips of a professional ecologist or biologist, and not from an ordinary tour guide.
- Elk biological station. The “laboratory”, famous throughout Russia, is home to 25 adult and small moose. Here you can feed them, and some even pet them. In addition, if you are lucky, you can meet a herd of sika deer that has come to dine at the expense of the state budget - the animals are specially fed. Tours of the biological station are conducted by appointment and only in winter and summer do moose and deer go into the wild areas of the park.
- Museum "Russian Life", where you can take part in master classes on creating a Russian national rag doll or a real clay pot, listen to a lecture on ancient traditions or take the children to Christmas festivities, which are organized according to all the rules of reconstruction, with dancing, costumes and music.
- Horseback riding: in summer - in a tarantass, in winter - in a sleigh with a bell.
- Long walking ski and bike routes that run through real forest.
Elk Island is huge science center Therefore, research, nature observations and educational projects such as ecological trails and popular science lectures are constantly carried out here. One of the features of the park is the lack of trash cans (they are not located everywhere, but only along the main routes), which ultimately does not in the best possible way affects the ecological state of Losiny Island. Advice to visitors is to carry an extra garbage bag with you and under no circumstances leave anything unnecessary in the forest - the vast areas of the park do not allow for regular cleaning. Environmental actions are carried out, but new landfills arise spontaneously from time to time.
Elk Island, by by and large, is not a park, but a nature reserve You can't walk in most of it. However, even those 45% that are available ordinary people, more than enough for active recreation.
