Luzhky tract

Luzhky is a landscape reserve of national importance in Ukraine. It is located in the Vyzhnytsia district of Chernivtsi region, east of the village of Tovarnytsia, in the upper reaches of the Vyzhenka river. The area of 964 hectares was established in 1984 on the territory of Vyzhnytsia forestry.

The mountainous landscape with picturesque rock formations typical for Pokutsko-Bukovyna Carpathians is protected. The vegetation cover is represented by fir and beech forests up to 180 years old. Rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine are found in the grassland: mountain arnica, spring white flower, as well as common nesting plant, Heifel's crocus, forest lily, two-leaved lover's lily, common snowdrop, autumn late flower, spherical traunsteiner, purple cuckoo's nest, and salepus.

The fauna is typical for the Carpathians. Luzhky Nature Reserve In 1995, it became part of the Vyzhnytsia State Specialized Forestry Enterprise of the Agro-Industrial Complex and now belongs to the Vyzhnytsia National Park.

The Luzhky tract is a protected area within the boundaries of the Vizhnitsia National Nature Park, and is the middle part of the valley of the Vizhenka stream, which runs parallel to the ridge with the Nimchych pass. The road here branches off to the left from the main road Vyzhnytsia - Nimchych - Pidzakharychi shortly after the beginning of the steep ascent to the pass. The distance from the center of Vyzhnytsia is 6 km, and from the last houses of Vyzhenka village - 1 km. This place is used both for typical "barbecue tourism" by residents of the surrounding settlements and for walks, sports hikes and multi-day vacations.

There is a barrier right after the turn. There are several "picnic" lawns nearby. Further, the road deteriorates, the valley becomes very narrow, and the side slopes crumble, littering the path with sharp stones, so you should not drive here in new and shiny cars, especially in wet weather. In the valley, on the banks of the stream, there are several springs of mineral water of valuable, rare chemical composition. The water from the mineral springs of the tract contains more than 20 therapeutically active ions of various trace elements, and it contains a lot of aluminum and iron. Drinking this water is very useful for diseases of the digestive system and iron deficiency anemia. The tract also has two sources of Naftusia medicinal and table water. The meadows are an ideal place for family recreation, mushroom and berry picking. Hiking enthusiasts will have an unforgettable experience here.

You can also admire small but picturesque waterfalls here. In this protected area, tourists can admire the extraordinary fir and beech forests, which are up to 180 years old, and picturesque rock formations. You can also see rare plants listed in the Red Book, and there are many medicinal herbs. The clean and fresh mountain air is rich in ozone.

After about 3 km there will be one residential estate, and after another kilometer the valley finally expands a lot, and the slopes become gentler, there is an active mini-camp with several houses. If you go even further, then after about a kilometer you can turn right up and after a short but very steep climb, you will pass over the ridge and go straight to the rocks of Protyate Kamenia (there is no marking, you will need a map or GPS navigator). From there, you can go down to the Bukovynian waterfalls and the village of Roztoky, or return to the ridge line and follow it north again to the Nimchych pass. This is far from the beginning of the stream, there are still several kilometers to the source. The road goes on, unfortunately, with numerous fresh felling on the sides...

Tourist routes through the Luzhky tract

1. Nimchych shelter - Nimchych pass - Sokoline Oko ("Stretched Stones") tract - Luzhky tract - Nimchych pass.
2. м. Vyzhnytsia - Vyzhenka village - "Luzhky" tract - "Protyute Kamyny " tract - Nimchych pass - Dovbush caves - m. Vyzhnytsia.

You can get there by car in an hour and a half drive from Chernivtsi. The fastest route is along the T2601 highway. The distance from the center of Vyzhnytsia is 6 km, and from the last houses of the village of Vyzhenka - 1 km.