Synevyr

The largest mountain reservoir in our country is shrouded in many mysteries and legends. Tourists from all over Europe come to Lake Synevyr. They can spend hours enjoying the beauty of the lake and its blue waves. The Carpathian pearl is located among forests and rocks in the national park of the same name. Experts say that the lake is about 10,000 years old. The water in it is very cold and clean. There are a number of interesting objects near the reservoir, including a rehabilitation center for brown bears. The place is ideal for camping.

Description of Lake Synevyr

It was formed as a result of an earthquake. Several mountain streams flow down to the Synevyr, which ensures the water level remains constant regardless of the season. The mirror surface of the object sparkles and delights with its beauty in sunny weather. The lake impresses most tourists with its blue hue. There is an island in the middle of the reservoir, thanks to which, from a bird's eye view, you can see an unusual picture - a blue eye with a black pupil in the center. This is probably why the location got its second name - “Sea Eye of the Carpathians”.

Video from Lake Synevyr

Characteristics

Lake Synevyr is located at an altitude of over 900 meters above sea level. Its maximum depth is 24 meters and the average depth is 10 meters. This feature does not allow it to warm up even in the summer - on hot days, only the top 1-2 meters of the surface remain warm. This should be taken into account by all those who, for example, are going to dive or sink to the bottom with scuba diving. The lake's fresh water is incredibly clean and clear. It is home to trout, including lake, rainbow, and river trout, as well as char and river crayfish. The area of the water surface is 4-7 hectares. The reservoir is replenished with surface (Tereblya River) and atmospheric water. Probably, that is why the water has a low mineralization, while always remaining quite clean and transparent.

Interesting facts

There is a legend that the name of the lake comes from a tragic story. According to it, a local count had a daughter with beautiful blue eyes who, while collecting meadow flowers, met a shepherd who played the flute. They liked to spend time together. The girl was crazy not only about the young man's character, but also about his playing the flute. As soon as the count found out what his daughter was doing, he made a huge scandal of it. The lovers continued to meet, despite the father's prohibition. Therefore, the “lord,” who had lost his mind, ordered the shepherd to be killed and a stone thrown down the mountain. After the beauty learned of the incident, she went down to the place where the young man had died and cried bitter tears. As a result, a lake was formed.

Infrastructure and things to do?

Synevyr is a cult place that is particularly popular among tourists. It attracts the attention of travelers who go to the Carpathians with large backpacks and tents. People come to the lake both by bus and car to admire the beauty of the Sea Eye and take part in informative excursion programs. Around the reservoir, there are several observation decks, restaurants, decorative sculptures, recreation and picnic areas that are perfectly integrated into the local landscape and maintained in perfect condition by the local authorities.

The location is ideal for all nature lovers. The option will delight you with the presence of a huge number of fir trees, fresh, saturated air. The outskirts of Synevyr are usually not crowded, so it is quite easy to meet wild animals. Since the reservoir is located in a natural park, deforestation, hunting, and fishing are prohibited in the area. Among the most popular attractions is the 13-meter-high sculpture “Tears of Love”, which represents a couple in love (his name is Vir, hers is Xin). There is an interesting version that the lake was named after these characters.

The national park is actively developing the tourist infrastructure around the lake. On the shores of Synevyr, you can spend the night at a campsite, and enjoy Hungarian soup in a shepherd's house. In the warm season, you can rent a raft, boat or catamaran on the reservoir. Among the entertainment options, it is worth noting the possibility of participating in a horseback ride or a bicycle tour. It is important to add that the lake regularly hosts the All-Ukrainian festival “Trembitas Call to Synevyr”.

Not far from the reservoir, on the Chorna River, you can visit the unique Museum of Forestry and Rafting, the only one in Europe. It will acquaint each visitor with the ancient tools of loggers, allow to see various household and residential buildings, and admire the magnificent landscapes of the Carpathians. It should be noted that there are more than ten mineral water springs on the territory of the natural park that treat the gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal system, and even radiation sickness.

Location

The facility is located in the Zakarpattia region, Mizhhiria district, in the village of Synevyr-Ostryky. It is not difficult to get to it from the village of Nyzhniy Studenyi. It is better to do it as part of an organized tour. A good alternative is to have your own car - you need to focus on Mizhhiria, the village of Synevyrska Polyana, from which the reservoir is only 2 km away. When planning to get to the site by public transport, it is worth considering that buses run on this route once a day. Many tourists prefer to use the hiking route starting from the Gicha meadow, from which you need to go down to the village of Sloboda. Before the hike, it will be useful to use a GPS navigator and coordinates 48.617, 23.684. If you want to choose rail transport, it is better to choose the Kyiv-Uzhhorod or Kyiv-Chop routes, which will take you to the Volovets station (from there you need to take local buses to Mizhhirya).