The Mizhhiria district of Zakarpattia is worth a visit in any season. One of the most popular holiday spots in the Carpathians is the enchanting Lake Synevyr.
Lake Synevyr is the largest lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians, lying 989 metres above sea level. It is a true natural masterpiece with breathtaking scenery and an ideal place to relax amid Carpathian nature.
How to get to Lake Synevyr
Lake Synevyr, also known as the Sea Eye (Morske Oko), is strikingly beautiful. It sits among majestic fir trees up to 160 years old that stand guard over this Carpathian gem like sentinels. Synevyr sparkles among the ancient trees like a jewel and leaves a lasting impression.
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By train and bus:
Take a direct train from Kyiv, Odesa or Kharkiv that runs via Lviv. You need a ticket to Volovets station, where you can continue by scheduled bus. There are also scheduled buses from Lviv. The main thing is to get to the villages of Vyshkiv or Myslivka, or to Mizhhiria.
Direct buses run from Volovets bus station to the village of Synevyrska Poliana. You can also take a train to Uzhhorod, Mukachevo or Svaliava, and from there go on by bus to Mizhhiria.
From there, several routes lead to Lake Synevyr; the best known start from Mizhhiria, Vyshkiv or Myslivka. These trails are perfect for keen hikers who like camping, as you will have to spend the night in the mountains. If you want something easier and quicker, choose the one-day route from the village of Synevyrska Poliana.
If you are a real hiking enthusiast and happy to carry a tent, the route from Mizhhiria is for you. It is more than 23 km long and takes two days. On the first day you reach the beautiful Lake Synevyr, where you can camp overnight, and the next day you head back. The trail is manageable and very enjoyable – along the way you can pick fresh raspberries, bilberries and other wild berries.
By car:
The most convenient road is the Kyiv – Lviv – Chop highway (E50/M06). In the village of Nyzhni Vorota turn towards Volovets (about 14 km), then continue to Mizhhiria (about 38 km), and from there to Kolochava (another 27 km) in the direction of Lake Synevyr.
Drive as far as the national park checkpoint; from the car park it is only a kilometre's walk to the lake itself. This is the ideal choice if you want to reach this natural wonder quickly and without much effort.
Lake Synevyr: what to see
Synevyr National Nature Park is a true gem of the Carpathians, stunning for its scenery and rich wildlife. Here you may come across rare animals and plants listed in the Red Data Book.
The first thing to do is take a walk around Lake Synevyr. Comfortable paths with wooden handrails and footbridges run along the shore, and there are great spots for photos. The lake is up to 24 metres deep, but swimming is not allowed. Because of its high mountain location, the water warms up to only +2 degrees even in hot weather. You can walk round the lake in 40 minutes while enjoying the views. There are benches and gazebos around the lake where you can rest and have a snack if you have brought food with you.
But that is not all! Next to the lake is a Brown Bear Rehabilitation Centre, which cares for animals rescued from captivity and cruel conditions.
In the village of Synevyrska Poliana you will find the well-known Valley of Wolves eco-park. A local entrepreneur keeps four species of wolf here, as well as tigers, lions, red deer and fallow deer. He bought some of the animals from a circus; others were brought in by local people who found them injured in the wild.
If you want even more, you can climb Mount Ozirna. The view from the top is incredible and well worth the effort.
Where to stay on the way to Synevyr
If you are not planning to camp, stay in the picturesque village of Synevyrska Poliana. There is a wide choice of hotels and traditional wooden lodges (kolyby), with double rooms from 400 to 2,000 UAH a night. The price depends on the facilities, such as a private bathroom and extra services. The more expensive options usually include breakfast, which makes your trip even more comfortable.
The village of Mizhhiria is an equally attractive option, with hotel and lodge prices similar to those in Synevyrska Poliana. Both villages offer cosy places to rest after an active day outdoors.
Where to eat near Lake Synevyr
Not far from Lake Synevyr there is a restaurant serving traditional Ukrainian dishes as well as Hutsul and Hungarian specialities. At the start of the trail to the lake there are two more places where you can refuel before the climb. Be sure to try local treats such as banosh, bograch and potato pancakes with porcini mushrooms – they will add real local flavour to your trip.
If you are staying in Synevyrska Poliana or Mizhhiria, you will find plenty of local eateries serving tasty food.
There is also a small kiosk right by the lake where you can buy souvenirs to remember your trip to this magical place.
The Carpathians are a real paradise for travellers, with something for everyone. One place you should definitely visit is the picturesque town of Rakhiv. Find out what makes it special and how to get there in our article about Rakhiv on the AnyTrain Blog, where you will also find many more useful tips for travelling around Ukraine.
