Lena Stone “Forest” is one of the extremely strange areas in Russia with thousands of vertical stone columns 150 – 300m high formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

“Lena Stone Forest” is the name given to an area of natural stone columns growing around the banks of the Lena River in far eastern Siberia, Russia. The 150 – 300m high stone columns were formed hundreds of millions of years ago and stretch about 80km around the riverbank. The density of stone pillars is greatest between the villages of Petrovskoye and Tit-Ary. Lena Pillars Natural Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2012.

“Stone Forest” Lena is famous in Russia.

These strange stone columns were formed during the Cambrian period about 500 million years ago and are made up of alternating layers of limestone, marlstone, dolomite and shale.

Hundreds of millions of years passed, under the influence of tectonic processes, the Siberian continental shelf slowly rose 200 m, leading to a deep incision of the Lena River valley. The area’s harsh climate and moisture from the river create extreme temperature swings, from 40⁰C in summer to -60⁰C in winter. Faults and valleys arising along with corrosive weathering have created such peculiar and diverse rock pillars consisting of carbonate rocks.

In ancient times, this place was considered a sacred area. Ordinary people are not allowed to go near the stone pillar, otherwise they may be punished by God. Visit sacred places with only elders and shamans. Those who have the power to speak with the spirits of the rock.

Many fossils of ancient creatures were found here.

Lena Pillars contains outstanding evidence of the development of the earth. Many fossils of ancient creatures found here are evidence proving the existence of a very important period in history. In the Lena Pillars natural park area, people have found fossils of mammoths, bison, Lena horses, reindeer…