Urochyshe Luzhky

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

The typical mountain landscape of the Pokuttya-Bukovyna Carpathians with picturesque rocky formations is protected here. The vegetation cover is represented by fir-beech forests up to 180 years old. Rare species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine can be found in the herbaceous layer: mountain arnica, spring snowdrop, as well as common bird's-nest, Heufel's crocus, forest lily, two-leaved toothwort, common snowdrop, autumn crocus, Traunsteinera globosa, purple orchid, and salep orchid.

The animal world is characteristic of the Carpathians. The "Luzhky" reserve became part of the Vyzhnytsia state specialized forestry enterprise of the agricultural sector in 1995 and currently belongs to the "Vyzhnytskyi" National Nature Park.

Urochyshe Luzhky is a protected area within the Vyzhnytsia National Nature Park, representing the middle part of the valley of the Vyzhanka stream, which flows parallel to the ridge with Nimchych Pass. The road here branches off to the left from the main route Vyzhnytsia – Nimchych - Pidzaharychi shortly after the steep ascent to the pass. The distance from the center of Vyzhnytsia is 6 km, and from the last houses of the village of Vyzhanka is 1 km. This place is used for typical "shashlychniy tourism" by residents of nearby settlements, as well as for walks, sports hikes, and multi-day recreation.

Immediately after the turn, there is a barrier. Nearby, there are several "picnic" glades. Further, the road deteriorates, the valley becomes very narrow, and the side slopes crumble, littering the path with sharp stones, so it is not advisable to travel here in new and shiny cars, especially in wet weather. In the valley along the banks of the stream, there are several mineral water springs of valuable, rare chemical composition. The water from the mineral springs of the reserve contains over 20 therapeutically active ions of various microelements, with a high content of aluminum and iron. Consuming such water is very beneficial for digestive organ diseases and iron deficiency anemia. There are also two sources of therapeutic table water "Naftusia" in the territory of the reserve. Luzhky is an ideal place for family recreation, mushroom and berry picking. Hikers will find unforgettable experiences here.

You can also admire the small, yet picturesque waterfalls here. In this protected area, tourists can enjoy the extraordinary fir and beech forests, some of which are up to 180 years old, and the picturesque rocky formations. Rare plants listed in the Red Book can also be seen here, along with many medicinal herbs. The clean and fresh mountain air is rich in ozone.

Approximately 3 km ahead, there will be one residential homestead, and another kilometer later, the valley finally widens significantly, and the slopes become gentler, where an active mini-tourist base with several cottages is located. If you go further, after about a kilometer, you can turn right up and after a short but very steep ascent, cross over the ridge and reach the rocks of Protyate Kaminnya (there is no marking, a map or GPS navigator will be needed). From there, you can descend to the Bukovynski waterfalls and the village of Roztoki, or return to the ridge line and head north again to Nimchych Pass. This is still far from the source of the stream, with several kilometers to the springs. The road continues, unfortunately, with numerous fresh clearings on the sides...

Tourist routes through Urochyshe Luzhky

1. Shelter "Nimchych" – Nimchych Pass – Urochyshe "Sokolynye Oko" ("Protyate Kaminnya") – Urochyshe "Luzhky" – Nimchych Pass.
2. City of Vyzhnytsia – Village of Vyzhanka – Urochyshe "Luzhky" – Urochyshe "Protyate Kaminnya" – Nimchych Pass – Dovbush Caves – City of Vyzhnytsia.

From Chernivtsi, you can reach by car in an hour and a half. The fastest route is via the T2601 highway. The distance from the center of Vyzhnytsia is 6 km, and from the last houses of the village of Vyzhanka is 1 km.