The Pillars of Lena, the imposing limestone ridge of Siberia

The Pillars of Lena are a magnificent geological formation that rise along the Lena River in the Republic of Sakha, located in the eastern part of Siberia. These spectacular pillars, which in Russian are called Lenskiye Stolby, can reach a height of 300 meters and are the result of an erosion process which started 500 million years ago.



The beauty of this stone forest has given birth to Lena Pillars Nature Park, a protected area now declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. These limestone rocks consist of marl, dolomite and slate that are displayed in all their splendor on the stretch of river banks which run 25 miles.



The area is inaccessible and wild and is characterized by temperature variations that can go from -76°F below zero in the winter to 104°F in the summer. Among these deep gorges created by the alternation of the melting and freezing of water lie the remains of prehistoric animals such as mammoths, bison and other now extinct mammals. The area is also home to modern day animals such as bears, squirrels, elk and over 100 bird species. 21 species of extremely rare plants also grow here and the river boasts over 31 species of fish.



The Lena Pillars Natural Park is located about 120 miles from Yakutsk, a port city that can be reached from Moscow with a flight of about 7 hours. Once you arrive in Yakutsk, you can admire this extraordinary natural masterpiece and rely on the numerous cruises organized along the river. All boats offer cabins with maximum comfort, but you can also choose to arrive by helicopter, a somewhat expensive option but very fast, allowing you to arrive in just an hour.

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