Lake Lebedyn (Sheshory)

Lake Lebedyn (Lebedine) is located at an altitude of 650 m amidst beech forests and has been a protected area since 1978. There are 17 species of plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. During the Soviet Union, the lake was a very popular vacation spot not only among tourists but also among the party elite. The Communist leadership from Kosiv and Kolomyia confidently drove their elite black "Volgas" from Yabluniv all the way to the lake – 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, for a larger stretch of the road, it is possible to travel without problems on all types of transport, and then you need to walk about a kilometer.

Often, from young people in Kosiv, you can hear that everything here is so boring and uninteresting – so it’s worth going "who knows where" and there will definitely be beautiful views, real mountains, and deep lakes. However, none of them has ever been to Lebedyn. I categorically disagree with such an approach to the attractions of Kosivshchyna – we know little about our region, so it seems that there is nothing valuable for tourists here. We must appreciate our own and promote the tourist attractions of the region among friends and guests from other cities, because no one else will do it.

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

Cycling route to the lake from the village of Yabluniv

The cycling route is of medium length, but quite technically challenging, especially in its second part, designed for recreational trips, runs through the territory of the Kosiv district.

The route begins near the bus station in the village of Yabluniv. We start our movement along Ivana Franka Street towards the village of Stopchativ, in a northeast direction. At the roundabout, we turn right, cross the bridge over the Lyuchka River, and immediately after the bridge, turn right again onto Sichovykh Striltsiv Street.

After a hundred meters at the fork to the left, the road goes uphill. On the left, there is the dendrarium of the Kutske forestry, established in the 1970s. After crossing the bridge, a dirt road begins and a gentle ascent to the chapel from which to the left up. The path leads us into the deciduous forest, we "fly" down a long gradual descent to the cascade of ponds in the Nazarad area.

After the ponds, we have a long gradual ascent on a well-trodden forest road towards the southwest. The higher we go, the more the ascent becomes steep, and the road serpentine traverses Mount Lebedyn. Eventually, we emerge onto a glade.

The road straight leads to the summit of Lebedyn, from this place about 350 meters of not very steep ascent. Those who do not get lazy will be rewarded with a wonderful panorama of Pokuttya, the village of Yabluniv, the village of Stopchativ, and the city of Kolomyia.

To get to the lake – from the glade to the right down, quite a steep descent, be careful. The presence of space for maneuvering is deceptive, especially in the lower part of the descent. The lake is hidden in the forest, there is enough space for relaxation, and there is excellent spring water. From the lake, we ascend the same way back to the glade.

Hiking to Lake Lebedyn

Route length – 7 km, ascent height – 300 m.

Unforgettable impressions are made on us by nature, the noise of waterfalls. From the center of the village of Sheshory, we go to the hamlet of Harshytsi and climb the steep forest path to Mount Pasichna. Those who are tired can stop for a rest in a gazebo after a kilometer. After the break, we cross a stream, near which there is an attractive and convenient place to stop, and after drinking crystal-clear water, we move on.

On the way, we turn left. Our eyes are dazzled by the surrounding beauty. Behind the forest rises Mount Lebedyn, attractive at any time of the year. We slowly ascend the path upwards, and just before reaching the peak of the mountain, we descend down.

Before us is the lake of Hutsulshchyna, shrouded in legends – Lebedyn, located at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level and occupying approximately one hectare of water space. Most of the lake has a water mirror, but on the sides and in the center, it gradually overgrows.

In the surrounding villages, you can hear many legends associated with this lake, about how a poor boy and a rich girl once fell in love. Her parents did not agree to accept a poor son-in-law into the family and did not give their consent to the wedding. Then, in desperation, the young couple fled far into the mountains, stumbled upon the lake, and were married in it forever, as they wanted to remain faithful to each other forever, like swans.

Lake Lebedyn is surrounded by beech forests, behind which stretches a strip of meadows. In the meadows, especially on the southwestern slope, large and small swamps are often found. The species composition of plants is diverse. In the lakeside area, there are several rare species typical of the Carpathian forests, such as spring primrose, common wolfberries, beech fern, oak fegopteris, and fragile bladderwort. In the swampy areas, sedge and diverse herbaceous groupings prevail. The animal world is interesting and rich. Near the lake, you can meet the Carpathian deer, European roe deer, wild boar, spotted salamander, hare, and fox.

Further, we go along the path: on the right are cliffs, the Brusny ridge rises (950 m above sea level), on which there is a ski lift that is happily used by skiing enthusiasts.

To the left, we turn to the highway, here the clearings of the Rosokhata meadow are visible. We reach the Dovbush caves, 200 meters from the main road to them, and the approach is difficult because the rocky walls here are almost vertical. 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 Pistin, Kosiv, and Yabluniv.

Having admired nature and the surrounding environment, we return to the highway and reach Sheshory.

The Legend of Lake Lebedyn

The lake itself, although not large, is enveloped in ancient Carpathian mysticism. The history of its name is associated with Tatar invasions. It reached Sheshory as well. The Tatars descended like a black whirlwind upon the estate of the wealthy Sheshory farmer Podereichuk. They seized all his wealth and ordered him to take them to a quiet place where no one would disturb them. The good farmer said goodbye to his only beautiful daughter, but the Tatars, for greater certainty, took her as well. They feared betrayal. Podereichuk wandered for a long time through dense forests and high mountains with the mad Tatars until he led them to a cozy flat glade.

The strangers released the guide, but left his daughter as a hostage. They lit a large fire and huddled around it to warm up a little. An old Hutsul stood nearby on the mountain, watching them and watering his face with bitter tears. The ice of the mighty lake began to melt quickly under the weight of the people burdened with the plundered wealth of horses, cracked into pieces, and cold water instantly covered everything with its waves. Above the blue of the lake, a desperate "Dad!" echoed, and suddenly a beautiful swan soared above the water. It flapped its mighty wings over Podereichuk and disappeared into the depths of the heavenly stars. The bewildered father hoped to hold his daughter, stretched out his wide arms, but she was nowhere to be found. In grief, he froze over the lake as a mighty oak.

Of course, this is not the only legend associated with the lake. In the surrounding villages, they can also tell you how a poor boy and a rich girl once fell in love. Her parents never agreed to accept a beautiful and hardworking, but poor son-in-law into their family, so they did not give their consent to the wedding. Then, in desperation, the lovers fled far into the mountains, stumbled upon the lake, and were married in it forever, as they wanted to remain faithful to each other forever, like swans.

By the way, this summer, the employees of the national park "Hutsulshchyna" also marked an interesting route to Dead Lake in the village of Sheshory, which is located on the Karmatura ridge (Kormitura) at an altitude of over 800 m. You need to go there from the Rosokhata meadow. As we can see, Kosivshchyna is interesting not only as the land of Hutsuls, large rocks, and healing springs – we also have mysterious and mystical lakes! So, travel and be happy!