Lake Zhuravlyne (Dead Lake)

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The Ukrainian Carpathians are an amazing place. People come here to climb the mountains and admire the beautiful nature. Many people also come in search of the mysticism that shrouds the mountains. There is one mysterious place in the Skole Beskydy National Nature Park - Zhuravlyne Lake, also called Dead Lake.

Zhuravlyne is a unique and at the same time mysterious lake that is extremely rich in hydrogen sulfide. It is surrounded by marshland, and in the center of it is a moving small island formed from intertwined roots, moss, and branches. This place is quite specific, somewhat frightening, but beautiful in its own way. So if you want to know what eerie beauty really looks like, then this is the place for you!

This lake is the hallmark of the village of Kamianka in the Lviv region. Be prepared for the fact that you won't be able to ride a catamaran on this lake, there are no barbecues on the shore, and you're unlikely to swim in it. It looks the same as it did 200 years ago. But people from all over Ukraine are attracted to it like a magnet.

Lake Zhuravlyne is located in the Skole Beskydy National Park near the Kamianets waterfall. The body of water is irregularly oval in shape; the water, although dark, is prosaic. The lake is surrounded on all sides by muddy terrain, which adds to its "depressing charm". On the shores of the lake, there are plants typical of the area, including aspen and bog cranberries. On all sides, Zhuravlyne is surrounded by a dense spruce and fir forest.

There are several legends related to the name of the lake.

Cranberry Lake because the healthy and tasty cranberry used to grow on its shores. This area has never been inhabited, so cranes loved to build their nests near the lake.
According to legend, there used to be impassable places here, and more than one person ended their lives here. Perhaps this not very pleasant fact was also the reason for the lake's name.

It is called Dead because there is nothing alive in it. The fact is that the constant process of decay in the lake produces hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Because of this, the water in the lake is black, and the gas rises up and forms bubbles. It is a fascinating sight! The coniferous forest adds even more mystique to Zhuravlyne Lake. The area around the reservoir is swampy and overgrown with moss.

One of the biggest mysteries of the reservoir is that no one knows its true depth. It is known that it is deep, but there is no exact data. There are many wooden logs and branches in it. The island of Zhuravlyne Lake is also special. The fact is that it is... floating! In fact, it is the intertwined roots of trees and plants.

"The Skole Beskydy attract attention not only because of Dead Lake. Not far from it, on Mount Klyuch, there are ancient and unique stone blocks. Kamianets waterfall is also worth a visit.

Due to the strange properties of Zhuravlyne, the local population avoided it for a long time, giving rather mystical explanations for the processes of strange "bubbling" on the surface of the lake and abnormally dark waters. It is rumored that travelers go missing in the local swamps after winter or rainy summers... Well, anything could happen here, since the area is only a few dozen meters from the tourist trail and is actually very viscous and marshy.

The Carpathian nature is beautiful at any time of the year. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do here. You can set up a tent or spend the night in a tourist shelter located on the way to Kamianets Waterfall. If comfort is a priority for you, you can stay in hotels in the Skole district. However, today the road to Dead Lake from Skole (8.5 km from the city center to the reservoir) is absolutely safe, because the trails are marked and there are signs everywhere, so you will most likely not get lost in the dark forest full of all kinds of wonders.

The distance from Kyiv to Skole is 651 km. The best way to get there is by car on the Kyiv - Chop highway. Before reaching the town of Skole, you should turn to the village of Dubyna. You can also get there by train from Kharkiv to Uzhhorod, Kyiv to Uzhhorod, Kyiv to Chop and then go to Skole. From Lviv, you can get to your destination by shuttle bus or train from the suburban station.