Duszatyn Lakes (Jeziorka Duszatyńskie)

The Duszatyn Lakes (Jeziorka Duszatyńskie) are two small landslide lakes on the western slopes of Chryszczata near the former Lemko village of Duszatyn in the Bieszczady Mountains — one of the most remarkable natural sights of the region. They are very young: they appeared on 13 April 1907, the day before Easter, when after the spring thaw and heavy rain the western slope of Chryszczata in the Steciw Las area broke away and slid into the valley. The mass of earth dammed the Olchowaty stream (a tributary of the Osława) in several places, and water gathered behind these natural dams.

The landslide was named "Zwiezło", after the local saying that "a chunk of mountain slid down". It is the largest known landslide in the Polish Carpathians: about 12 million m³ of earth moved, covering some 36 ha over a length of more than 2 km. At first three lakes and several small pools formed. The Upper Lake lies at 701 m: 1.44 ha, up to 5.8 m deep. The Lower Lake lies at 683 m: 0.45 ha, up to 6.2 m deep. The third and lowest, at 614 m, no longer exists: on the orders of the estate owner, Count Potocki, it was drained to catch the trout — some reportedly weighed up to 10 kg. In the 1920s the lakes were twice as large, but inflowing streams are gradually silting them up.

Since 1957 the site has been protected by the Zwiezło w dolinie Olchowatego nature reserve; at the end of 2024 it was enlarged from 2 to 484 ha and it is under strict protection within the Ciśniańsko-Wetliński Landscape Park. Local people considered the place enchanted: one legend blames an enraged devil who threw a ball of fire, another a meteorite. The terrified people of Duszatyn are said to have fled to neighbouring villages, where church bells rang by themselves.

What to see and do

• The drowned forest — roots and stumps of trees felled by the landslide in 1907 are still visible in the clear water.
• Traces of the landslide — above the lakes you can make out the forest-covered landslide trough; an information board stands by the Upper Lake.
• The quiet of the Bieszczady forest — especially beautiful in autumn, when the beech forest is reflected in the water.

How to get there

The lakes lie on the red Main Trail of Beskidy (Główny Szlak Beskidzki), on the Komańcza – Prełuki – Duszatyn – Chryszczata section; the Sanok – Chryszczata route also leads here. The shortest approach is from Duszatyn (496 m) in the Osława valley: the red trail climbs through the forest along the Olchowaty stream, with about 200 m of ascent to the Upper Lake. It is an easy half-day forest walk, manageable for families with children; not suitable for prams. According to hikers' reports, part of the path from Duszatyn to the lakes has been moved into the forest — follow the fresh waymarks. From the lakes the red trail continues to the summit of Chryszczata (997 m). Karol Wojtyła also walked this way: between 1952 and 1960 he hiked this trail four times with young people.

Season and safety

The lakes can be visited all year; they are most beautiful in May–June and in autumn. Entry is free, but the reserve is strictly protected: keep to the marked path, do not swim, do not light fires and do not bring dogs — dogs are banned in the Zwiezło reserve. In winter the path can be slippery, and fallen trees may block the way after windstorms. GOPR mountain rescue: 985 or 601 100 300, general emergency number 112.

Nearby

• Chryszczata — the summit above the lakes (997 m).
• Church of St Michael the Archangel in Turzańsk — a wooden church near Komańcza.
• Main Trail of Beskidy — the longest trail in the Polish mountains.

Photos: Janmad, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Yarl, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Henryk Bielamowicz, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.