Travel restrictions pose no obstacle for those who are willing to explore Ukraine.
One of the places that travelers can visit in Ukraine is Shatsky Lakes, an area that brims with pure nature and picturesque landscapes at every turn. Pine forests and crystal clear lakes can make one forget that there are any quarantine restrictions in place around the world at all.
In the northwestern part of Ukraine, in Volyn Oblast, some 530 kilometers west of Kyiv, there are about 30 lakes. Called Shatsky Lakes — after the town of Shatsk, where they are located — some of them are about 10,000 years old.
Fresh air, clear water and the smell of pines can offer one a perfect getaway and calm and quiet time off.
The deepest and second-largest lake in Ukraine, Lake Svityaz, is there too. Over 50 meters deep and 27 square kilometers wide, Lake Svityaz is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine. It is fed by groundwater only, as no river flows into it.
Locals say, however, that the lake isn’t the only natural treasure in the region. Yes, other lakes are less popular with tourists, but they aren’t less beautiful for the traveler’s eye.
Lake Pisochne, for example, is the clearest lake among the Shatsky lakes. This lake enchants visitors with its sandy beaches, rich aromas of pine resin and white swans.
The Shatsky lakes are known for their high water quality. Research conducted in that area shows that the water contains silver and glycerin that moisturizes the skin and is even believed to treat dermatological ailments. Locals claim they even drink the water from the lakes without purifying it.
There are about 30 species of fish in the lakes. Some of the Shatsky Lakes are far-off, so the nature around them is wilder.
Lake Somynets, for example, is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. Catfish, pike, perch and crucian are found in the lake. Locals often dive to the bottom to catch crayfish.
The oldest Shatsky lake is Moshne. About 9,800 years old and located a few hundreds of meters from the border with Belarus, it is surrounded by a pine forest that is up to 140 years old. The lake attracts visitors with its quiet and pure nature.
In the northwestern part of Ukraine, in Volyn Oblast, some 530 kilometers west of Kyiv, there are about 30 lakes. Called Shatsky Lakes — after the town of Shatsk, where they are located — some of them are about 10,000 years old. A picture shows one of them, Lake Svityaz, photographed on July 17, 2020. (Ruslan Batytskyi)
Apart from these five lakes in the area there are the Pulmetske, Luki, Lucimir, Ostrovyanske and Krymne lakes. They are all clustered together and it takes about 1–2 hours to get from one lake to another by foot.
One way to enjoy nature around the water is to take a walk along the lake beaches — from the central most crowded beaches to the ones where tree branches hang over the water. All the beaches are free and seem like the perfect place for walking, jogging or even biking around. There are also kayaks for rent.
But it’s not only about water when visiting this lake region — the forests are just as enchanting.
Starting in July and lasting until mid-August, it’s berry season in the forests. And coastal forests are especially rich in strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries. There are also blueberry plantations around. The berries are much cheaper than in Kyiv: A kilogram of blueberries costs $4.30 in Kyiv, but $1.60 in Shatsk.
In fact, most of the berries grown in Ukraine are cultivated in its west.
Despite this healthy option, however, the Shatsky Lakes are known for another specialty: locally made Shatsky donuts, balls of dough fried in oil that are much larger than their American counterparts and without holes. They are usually filled with berry jam, condensed milk or chocolate.
The donuts are sold piping hot by locals on the beach, transported in large boxes placed on bicycles. The locals like their donuts so much that they even created and now celebrate the annual Shatsky donut festival with free degustation and music. The festival usually takes place in mid-July.
As nature in these places is almost untouched by people, many plants and animals listed in the Red Book of Ukraine live near the Shatsky Lakes. It isn’t rare to meet hares, deer, elk, foxes, wolves and martens while walking in the forest. Some of these animals are on the brim of extinction.
About 27 species of birds listed in the Red Book live here. In order to preserve the local nature, the Soviet Ukrainian government created the 32,500-hectare Shatsky Nature Park in 1983.
Given the global coronavirus quarantine restrictions, Ukrainians have started to travel inside the country more than before. And with the influx of domestic tourists, more locals began to rent out houses and rooms. There are also a few hotels.
In the village of Svityaz, locals offer a place for the night at almost every turn. Tourists mainly rent cottages and boarding houses built around the lake near the town of Shatsk and other nearby villages.
There are also many places for camping: some tents are pre-installed and can be rented, and there are camping-friendly areas in the woods where one can set up their own tent. The area also has barbeque zones.
The town of Shatsk can be reached by bus, train or car. Traveling by train from Kyiv, one needs to switch to a bus in Kovel or Lutsk that will go to Shatsk, Svityaz and Gryada. The cheapest train from Kyiv to Lutsk costs $7. Bus fare is $5. There’s also a direct bus from Kyiv to Shatsk for $19.
To be able to swim and pick berries, it’s better to visit the lakes in summer. But locals also believe that the place is beautiful and peaceful after the vacation season is over — in spring or autumn. The water is colder, but cleaner, they say.
