Autumn trip. Part one. Shatsky National Park
The desire to visit the Shatsk Lakes appeared in me a long time ago. This fall was the opportunity to implement it. Despite all the vicissitudes of the weather, early in the morning we set off along the beautiful Warsaw highway. 5 hours through forests and fields, almost no large settlements were met along the way, the coverage is excellent, I can’t even believe that there are such good roads in our country! Shatsky National Park welcomes you unobtrusively, if you don't look at the map, you may not understand that you have already crossed its line, because the landscape does not change - the same beautiful autumn forest. Initially, we decided to stay on Lake Svityaz in the village of the same name in the newly built Nestor-House complex (I must say right away that we were very pleased with the choice). From autumn to spring, the Shatsky Lakes are off-season, there are no tourists, it feels like there is no one in principle, but we needed it.
After resting from the road, we went on one of the most enjoyable bike rides of my life.
Svityaz is the deepest lake in Ukraine (average depth is 7 m). It is included in the group of Shatsky lakes (there are about 30 lakes in total) and is the largest among them (the area is 2.75 thousand ha). The water in the lake is so clean that even at a depth you can clearly see the bottom. In addition, it is saturated with trace elements, due to which it has wound healing properties. From the shore (especially in cloudy weather) it seems that the water in the lake has 2 colors - pale azure and dark blue. But let's skip the dry numbers, because they do not characterize the beauty of nature. Imagine a kaleidoscope of bright colors that shimmers in the autumn forest - from bright green grass to red, yellow, orange, burgundy leaves, rich green needles, emerald moss in a haze of transparent fog.
Branches and fallen needles crunch under the feet and wheels, here and there whole families of mushrooms peep out, joyfully exposing their hats to the sun. Forest paths lead to the shore, often equipped, often not, which makes riding only more interesting, although more difficult. The beach is sandy with small waves. Before us, forest dwellers of different "calibers" ran through here - this can be seen in their footsteps. The clean air makes you dizzy, and sometimes you can hear the absolute ringing silence ...
The territory of the national park is quite large, and it is not so easy to go around it on a bicycle. So the next day we went to explore it by car. Most of all we liked Pesochnoye Lake, where we spent the rest of the day. The lake is small, cozy, hidden in the forest. On its banks there are several recreation centers and sanatoriums.
In walks along the deserted streets strewn with foliage, observations of flocks of ducks and the rest of the day passed. Silence. Fog. Autumn.
In the village of Svityaz, in addition to natural beauties, there is another attraction - the Peter and Paul Monastery. For the first time, the church and the parish were mentioned in 1531. The history of the temple is long and eventful, complex, but ultimately happy. In 2002, it was decided to found a monastery, the housing for the monks is now being built, and the temple itself is functioning normally. The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is especially revered and attracts many pilgrims. Around the temple there is a beautiful park with ancient trees, neat flower beds and a sculpture of Saints Meter and Paul.
From spiritual food to bodily joys. We could not deny ourselves the pleasure of trying a local delicacy - smoked eel. The taste is specific, but quite interesting.
And in order to prepare for the next trip, they accepted the invitation to take a steam bath in vats of thermal water. Enjoying an outdoor herbal hot tub in a log house and stargazing at the stars – what better ending could there be?
Summing up, I want to say that holidays on the Shatsk Lakes (in the off-season! ) are created for those who are looking for peace and solitude from busy city life, for those who know how to appreciate the beauty and sophistication of pristine nature and enjoy its gifts, who are ready to make a choice in favor of homemade delicious organic products, simple friendly people and healthy entertainment.
p. s. What was enough for me:
1) equipped bike routes
2) it was not possible to eat tasty food anywhere except the hotel complex
