Lake Lebedin (Sheshory)

Lebedyn (Swan) Lake is located at an altitude of 650 meters amidst a beech forest and has been a protected area since 1978. There are 17 species of plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. During the Soviet era, the lake was a very popular vacation spot not only for tourists but also for the party nomenklatura. Communist leaders from Kosiv and Kolomyia would confidently drive their elite black Volgas from Yabluniv all the way to the lake, as the road was much better than it is now. Now only a jeep can drive directly to the lake, but not a tourist bus. However, on a larger stretch of road, you can drive without any problems on all types of transport, and then you have to walk about a kilometer.

Often, young Kosiv residents say that everything here is so boring and uninteresting, so it's worth going "to hell and back" and there are definitely beautiful landscapes, real mountains, and deep lakes. However, none of them have ever been to Lebedyn. I strongly disagree with this approach to the charms of Kosiv region - we know little about our area, so it seems as if there is nothing worthwhile for tourists. We should value what we have and advertise the district's tourist attractions to our friends and guests from other cities as much as possible, because no one else will do it.

Located in the forest between the villages of Sheshory and Yablunove, Kosiv district, Ivano-Frankivsk region.

Bike route to the lake from the village of Yabluniv

The bicycle route is of medium length, but quite difficult technically, especially in its second part, intended for recreational travel, passes through the Kosiv district.

The route starts near the bus station in the village of Yabluniv. We begin our journey along Ivan Franko Street in the direction of the village of Stopchativ, in the north-eastern direction. At the roundabout, turn right, cross the bridge over the Liuchka River, and immediately after the bridge turn right again onto Sichovykh Striltsiv Street.

After a hundred meters, at the crossroads, turn left, the road goes uphill. On the left hand is the arboretum of the Kutske State Forestry, founded in the 70s of the twentieth century. After crossing the bridge, a dirt road begins and a gentle ascent to the chapel, from which you go up to the left. The path leads us to a deciduous forest, and we "fly" a long, protracted descent to a cascade of ponds in the Nazarad tract.

Behind the ponds, we turn right and again go up a long, long ascent along a well-trodden forest road towards the southwest. The higher you go, the more the ascent becomes steep, and the road serpentinizes Mount Lebedyn. Eventually we come to a clearing.

The road goes straight to the top of Lebedyn, from this place there is a 350-meter not very steep climb. Those who are not too lazy will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama of Pokuttya, the village of Yabluniv, the village of Stopchativ, and the city of Kolomyia.

To get to the lake, go down from the lawn to the right, a rather steep descent, be careful. The presence of maneuvering space is deceptive, especially at the bottom of the descent. The lake is hidden in the woods, there is enough space for rest, and there is excellent spring water. From the lake we go up the same road to the meadow.

Hiking to the Swan Lake

The length of the route is 7 km, the altitude is 300 meters.

The unforgettable impressions we get from nature and the sound of waterfalls. From the center of the village of Sheshory we go to the village of Harshytsi and climb a steep forest path to Mount Pasichna. If you are tired, you can stop for a rest in a gazebo after a kilometer. After a break, we pass through a stream, near which there is an attractive and convenient place to stop and drink crystal clear water, and move on.

On the way, we turn left. Our eyes run away from the surrounding beauty. Behind the forest rises Mount Lebedyn, attractive at any time of the year. Slowly we climb up the path, and almost before reaching the peak of the mountain, we go down.

We are looking at the legendary lake of the Hutsul region - Lebedyn, which is located at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level and occupies about a hectare of water. Most of the lake has a water mirror, but it is gradually overgrown on the sides and center.

The surrounding villages can tell you many legends related to this lake, about how a poor boy and a rich girl once fell in love. Her parents did not agree to accept her poor brother-in-law into the family and did not consent to the wedding. Then, in desperation, the young people ran away far into the mountains, came across a lake, and got married there forever, because they wanted to remain faithful to each other forever, like swans.

Lake Lebedyn is surrounded by beech forests, with a strip of meadows stretching beyond. In the meadows, especially on the southwestern slope, large and small bogs are often found. The species composition of plants is diverse. The lakeside area is home to a number of rare species typical of the Carpathian forests, such as spring primrose, common wolfberry, beech fern, oak fern, and brittle bubbleweed. The wetlands are dominated by fescue-sedge-grass communities. The fauna is interesting and rich. Not far from the lake, you can find Carpathian deer, European roe deer, wild boar, spotted salamander, hare, and fox.

We continue along the path: on the right are rocks, the Brusnyi ridge rises (950 m above sea level), and there is a rope tow lift on it, which is enjoyed by skiing enthusiasts.

We turn left to the road, here you can see the bald spots of the Rosokhata meadow. We reach the Dovbush Caves, 200 meters from the main road, and the approach is difficult because the rock walls here are almost straight. The cave has the shape of a rectangular tunnel 27 meters long, 1-1.5 meters wide, and is located in a strategic place near the former important cart road that connected Kosmach, Brusturiv, and Shepit with Pistyn, Kosiv, and Yablunove.

After admiring the nature and the environment, we return to the road and get to Sheshory.

The legend of Lake Lebedyn

Although the lake itself is not large, it is shrouded in ancient Carpathian mysticism. The history of its name is associated with the Tatar invasions. It also reached the Sheshor. In a black whirlwind, the Tatars invaded the farm of a wealthy Sheshory gasda named Podereychuk. They seized all of his wealth and ordered him to take them to a quiet place to rest, so that no one would disturb them. The good landlord said goodbye to his only beautiful daughter, but the Tatars took her away as well to be sure. They were afraid of betrayal. Podereychuk wandered for a long time through dense forests, high mountains with crazy Busurmans, until he led them to a cozy, flat meadow.

The strangers let the guide go, but kept his daughter as a hostage. They made a big fire and huddled around it to keep warm. An old Hutsul man stood nearby on a mountain, watching them and wetting his face with bitter tears. The ice of the mighty lake began to melt rapidly under the weight of the people and the horses drawn by the wealth they had looted, and the cold water instantly covered everything with its waves. A desperate "Dad!" rang out over the pigeon's ears, and then a beautiful swan suddenly flew over the water. He flapped his mighty wings over Podereychuk and disappeared into the depths of the heavenly stars. The distraught father hoped to hold on to his daughter, stretched out his wide arms, but she was nowhere to be found. Out of longing, he stood over the lake as a mighty oak tree.

Of course, this is not the only legend associated with the lake. In the surrounding villages, they can tell you about how a poor boy and a rich girl once fell in love. Her parents would not accept her beautiful and hard-working but poor son-in-law into their family, so they did not consent to the wedding. Then, in desperation, the lovers fled far into the mountains, came across a lake, and got married there forever, because they wanted to remain faithful to each other forever, like swans.

By the way, this summer, employees of the Hutsulshchyna National Park also marked an interesting route to the Dead Lake in the village of Sheshory, which is located on the Karmatura (Kormitura) ridge at an altitude of over 800 meters. The way to get there is from the Rosokhata meadow. As you can see, Kosiv region is interesting not only as a land of Hutsuls, large rocks and healing springs - we also have mysterious and mystical lakes! So, travel and be happy!