Svityaz

It is a great choice for those who dream of visiting the deepest natural reservoir in Ukraine. The location will delight sailing enthusiasts, as in windy weather, waves as high as one and a half meters can be seen on Svityaz. In fact, the lake is a good alternative to the sea. It is located on the territory of the Shatsk National Nature Park. The area will delight every tourist with its mild climate, abundance of water bodies, forest lands, Polissia flavor, and the possibility of organizing a pleasant vacation and recreation process. In the 90s, the object was a very popular place among domestic tourists.

Description of the Lake Svityaz

Scientists claim that the reservoir appeared about 10,000 years ago. It was not possible to establish its age reliably. The reason is the presence of different theories of origin. There is a version that the lake appeared as a result of karst processes. Another says that the location was formed during the retreat of the Dnipro glacier. According to this theory, thousands of years ago, the calcareous rocks that had been lying at the bottom for many centuries were gradually eroded by groundwater. As a result, this process led to the emergence of a network of karst caves, which eventually became completely flooded. Thanks to the separation of underground voids and constantly occurring natural processes, the lake perfectly copes with self-cleaning and restoration.

Video from Lake Svityaz

Characteristics of Lake Svityaz

We should definitely mention the size and other important parameters of the location. Svityaz is rightfully considered the largest lake not only in Ukraine but also in Eastern Europe. It has been established that its water volume is 0.19 km3, the total length of the coastline reaches 30 kilometers, the area is just over 27 km2, the length is 9,225 meters, and the width is 4,000 meters. The reservoir has a maximum depth of about 60 meters and an average depth of 6.9 meters. The lake is fed by groundwater and artesian springs. The maximum transparency is 6 meters. The water is soft and fresh. The chemical composition should be mentioned separately. The waters of Svityaz contain a large amount of glycerin and silver, which have healing properties. There are real facts about how people's wounds and postoperative scars heal quickly after bathing.

Interesting facts

The facility is part of the Shatsk Lakes group, which consists of 30 independent reservoirs in the southwestern part of the Shatsk district of Volyn region, in the interfluve of the Pripyat and Western Bug rivers. It is surrounded by forests, many recreation centers and sanatoriums. It should be noted that the lake has a special attraction. It is enough just to plunge into the crystal clear water, as you immediately feel joy and cheer up. In the warm season, you can breathe in the pine aroma and fresh air near the reservoir, pick blueberries, blackberries, and noble mushrooms. It is impossible to experience such a pleasure on any seashore. Moreover, the location impresses with its abundance of wildlife, including the underwater world - pikes, catfish, bream, and eel. Some tourists compare Svityaz to Lake Baikal (due to its considerable depths).

Infrastructure & Activities

The shore of the lake is gentle and mostly shallow, which makes it possible to organize a beach vacation, especially for families with small children. Even if you move 100-150 meters away from the shore, the water will reach your chest. In calm weather, the surface of the reservoir warms up very quickly with the sun's rays. Since Svityaz is distinguished by its unique chemical composition, it is often visited by people with skin, musculoskeletal, and other diseases.

If you wish, you can rent various types of watercraft at local rental shops, including boats, jet skis, windsurfboards, catamarans, etc. Some tourists come for scuba diving, diving in hard-to-reach places (it is recommended to choose experienced instructors for this purpose). Given the rich nature of Shatsk Park, it is worth considering a walk along the shore and around the lake. For example, it can be traveling by horseback, bicycle, or on foot. As a result, it is quite possible to meet wild animals (hare, badger, fox, otter, newt, roe deer, elk, etc.).

If passive relaxation on the beach and swimming in the lake are not your cup of tea, there are a variety of entertainment programs at your disposal. Many of them are designed to visit Shatsk reservoirs. There are tours on off-road vehicles and kayaks (be sure to take protective creams and insect bite repellent with you, as there are a lot of mosquitoes in the forests of Polissia). In winter, the location becomes a favorite place for tourists who want to go ice skating or relax in local bathing complexes.

You can have a meal in one of the cafes or restaurants located on the lakefront. In particular, it is worth noting the Tisto pizzeria, LeMark bar, Blueberry Cafe, and Nadezhda restaurant. Ring DJ Cafe, which offers American cuisine, has positive reviews. Other interesting places include the Nester Hoyse Manor family recreation complex, as well as the Zatoka and Alf-2 establishments. Prices are in line with those of Ukrainian resorts, which you should know in advance.

Residents of Volyn, Lviv, and Rivne regions are frequent guests of the lake. The easiest way to stay near the lake is to camp. You can also rent a room from local residents. In addition, there are several hotels and cottages within walking distance. You can find affordable housing in the villages of Svityaz, Pulmo, Gushovo, Hryada, and Stupa. Popular hotels along the lake shore include the Mezhdun three lakes complex, Galician Yard, Almaz House, Iryna Hotel, Casa de Greta, Siesta, Uncle Misha's, and others.

Location

Svityaz is located in the southwestern part of Ukraine, almost at the very borders with Belarus and Poland, at the address Volyn region, Shatsk district, Svityaz village, 61 Zhovtneva street. When planning to get to the lake, it is advisable to focus on the small town of Shatsk (located next to Svityaz, 10-20 minutes away by public transport or taxi). It can be reached by a suburban bus from Lviv, Rivne, Lutsk, and Kovel. Accordingly, the above cities are very easy to reach by rail. By car, it is better to follow the E373 highway to Liubomyl, after which you need to turn in the direction of the Shatsk National Reserve. You can use the GPS coordinates 51.501940, 23.846134 to help you.