The Mezen river is a river in Udorsky District of the Komi Republic. Mezen is one of the biggest rivers of European Russia. It is 857 kilometres (533 mi) long, and the area of its basin 78,000 square kilometres. The principal tributaries of the Mezen are the Bolshaya Loptyuga River (left), the Pyssa River (left), the Mezenskaya Pizhma River (right), the Sula River (right), the Kyma River (right), the Vashka River (left), the Kimzha River (left), and the Pyoza River (right).

The town of Mezen, the urban type settlements of Usogorsk and Kamenka, as well as the administrative center of Udorsky District, the selo of Koslan all are located on the banks of the Mezen. The administrative center of Leshukonsky District, the selo of Leshukonskoye, is located on the Vashka River several kilometers upstream from the colfluence of the Vashka and the Mezen and is connected with the right bank of the Mezen by a ferry crossing.

The source of the Mezen is in the Timan Ridge in Komi Republic, west of the northern Ural Mountains. It flows first south-west, then sharply turns roughly in the north-western direction. The upper course of the Mezen runs through the hilly landscape. The Mezen flows into the Mezen Bay of the White Sea near the town Mezen, right below the Arctic Circle. Near its mouth the Pyoza River comes in from the east.

The Mezen is navigable below the selo of Koslan, however, there is no regular passenger navigation except for ferry crossings.

Patrakovo's ethnic village is the ancient Komi village founded in the 17th century. It is located on the right river bank of Mezen. Fantastic northern beauty, legends, healing by spring water and beliefs, national food cooked in the Russian oven, master classes on weaving, fishing give the chance to have a rest and gain strength.

Chetlassky Stone is a plato of the Timan Ridge between the rivers of Mezen and Pizhma. The wide flat surface of the Chetlassky Stone in steps goes down to the East and West. It is cut through by numerous valleys of sources from the Mezen river. Chetlassky Stone is one of surprising corners of the Udora nature.

Hunting and Fishing

A distinctive feature of Udora and its citizens was skillful hunting for fur-bearing animals - squirrels, martens and foxes. This craft is still being practiced today, using both traps and dogs. Naturally, this requires a special license, taking into consideration the protection of limited resources.

The southwestern spurs of the Timan also attract hunters for large game - moose, deer, bears and lynxes. The trophies these animals can be really unique and can be included in any collection. Hunting waterfowl and wildfowl is also popular. During autumn migratory flights, the river valleys and floodplain lakes become resting places for flocks of ducks and geese which have left their nests in the Polar region. Hunting trophies can be quite varied. The forest wildfowl are typical for all parts of the northwest of Russia, as well as the types of hunting. In autumn, you can hunt a hazel grouse with a special whistle or a wood grouse with a dog. If spring hunting is allowed, one can hunt wood grouse or black grouse at their mating grounds. Sport fishing is exciting in winter if you catch a large grayling or dace under the ice.

In summer you can catch large fish such as pike, bass, and ide with a spinning roc and in autumn you can catch lamprey.

Where to apply:

Tourist Center in the Udora region

Tel.: (82135) 3-41-91

Tourist Agency «Vertas»

Tel.: (8212) 280-444

Website: vertastour.ru

Tourist Company «Lingua Tour»

Tel.: 8(8212) 20-18-59

Website: linguatour.ru

Guest House in the village of Patrakovo

Tel.: (82135) 51-9-13

(82135) 35-3-03

8 912 142 47 97

Источники:

agiks.ru

tourism-komi.ru

Республика Коми: путеводитель / [cост. С. Журавлев]. - Изд. первое. - М. : Авангард, 2004.