Oleshky Sands

Almost 30 km from the city of Kherson is one of the largest deserts in Europe — the Oleshky Sands. Their area reaches almost 162000 ha. This is not a single territory, but a complex of seven zones. A military training ground used to be located here, and now it is a popular place for photo shoots in Kherson Oblast, which is partly planted with coniferous forests. Although visitors should be careful, as military ammunition still in working condition is found here to this day.

Photo from the website bls.ua

Sand dunes and mounds reach 5 m in height for months. However, no matter how much the Oleshky Sands may resemble a desert from the outside, they do not meet the criteria for one in several respects. One of them is periodic precipitation and vegetation that is atypical for deserts in places. Nevertheless, on the hottest summer days the sand temperature here can reach 75C.