Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 1
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 2
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo).3
Mysterious Forest Art ParkThere are places where you arrive without any special expectations, and leave with the feeling that you have been in a real winter fairy tale. For me, the Mysterious Forest Art Park in the Murmansk Region has become such a place. There are no noisy attractions or huge entertainment complexes. Instead, there is a snow—covered northern forest, soft lighting, unusual art objects and an atmosphere that you quickly immerse yourself in.
If you are going to relax in Kirovsk or ride on the slopes of the Bolshoy Woodyavr, I strongly advise you to set aside a few hours for a walk around this place. Especially in the evening, when the forest is completely transformed.
Where is the Mysterious Forest Art Park located
The park is located in the Murmansk region, about 12 kilometers from the center of Kirovsk, near the southern slope of the Bolshoy Woodyavr ski complex.
The territory covers about 3 hectares, and the total length of the hiking trails is about 1.2 kilometers. Despite the relatively small area, the walk turns out to be unhurried, because in almost every area you want to stop and consider the details.
What is the park
The Mysterious Forest opened in 2018 and has been getting more interesting every season since then. Every year, the project team updates the exhibition, adds new art objects, light installations and decorative elements.
The park is open only in winter, usually from December to April. The area is closed to visitors during the warmer months. That’s when preparations for the new season are underway: decorations are being restored, new lighting is being installed and new surprises are being created for the guests.
I liked that they tried not to turn the forest into an ordinary amusement park. On the contrary, everything looks very natural. The lighting is neatly inserted between the trees, and the installations do not disturb the feeling of a real northern forest.
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 4
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 5
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo).6
What to see
The main feature of the “Mysterious Forest” is its atmosphere.
Narrow snow-covered paths pass through tall trees, and along the way there are glowing figures, snow sculptures, unusual art objects and installations. In the evening, all this is illuminated by hundreds of lights, and soft music only enhances the feeling that you have come to some fabulous place.
The route passes through a natural forest, so in places there are stairs, small ascents and descents. This is what makes the walk more interesting — new angles and unexpected compositions are constantly opening up.
If you like to take pictures, get ready to stop literally every few minutes. There are really a lot of beautiful shots here.
Entertainment for the whole family
In addition to walking, there are several nice additions to the park.
There is a tubing slide for outdoor enthusiasts. Cheesecake riding is already included in the price of the entrance ticket, so you do not need to pay extra.
After a walk, you can stop at a local cafe to warm up with hot tea or coffee. They also sell homemade pancakes, pies and other simple but very appropriate dishes after frost.
If you want to take something away as a souvenir, there are souvenir shops nearby.
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 7
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 8
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 9
When is the best time to come
In my opinion, the best time to visit is in the evening.
It is after dark that the park fully reveals its atmosphere. The lighting becomes brighter, the snow figures look even more spectacular, and the walk takes on a completely different mood.
It is better to immediately set aside at least two hours for a visit. Although the average walking time is from one and a half to three hours, many stay longer, especially if they like to take pictures.
What to bring
Despite the fact that the route is equipped and convenient enough, it is worth preparing for a walk.
Be sure to wear warm clothes and comfortable winter shoes without heels. Almost the entire walk takes place in the snow, and the temperature in Kirovsk can be quite low in winter.
Another tip is to take an external battery pack with you. Phones run out much faster than usual in the cold, and you’ll want to take a lot of photos here.
Working hours and cost of visit
The park welcomes guests during the winter season.
Opening hours:
- from 15:00 to 22:00 — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday;
- from 15:00 to 23:00 — Friday and Saturday.
Ticket price:
- adult ticket — 600 rubles;
- children from 5 to 14 years old and pensioners — 300 rubles;
- children under 5 years old visit the park for free.
Before traveling, I recommend checking the current schedule and ticket prices, as they may vary from season to season.
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 10
Art Park “Mysterious Forest” (photo). 11
Is it worth going?
It seems to me that the “Mysterious Forest” is exactly the case when the impression is created not by the scale and quantity of entertainment, but by the atmosphere. It’s nice to just walk along a snow-covered path, watch the light fall softly on the trees, listen to calm music and stop from time to time to take another photo.
If you find yourself in Kirovsk in winter, especially for skiing or snowboarding, be sure to come here at least for one evening. After an active day in the mountains, such a walk is a great way to end a trip and leaves completely different memories of the Russian North.
