Synevyr Lake is the largest mountain lake in Ukraine. In this publication, we will tell you about the history of how this lake was formed, interesting facts about it, and the most interesting – about the legend, which is being told in this area.
Synevyr Lake is located in the Mizhhirsky district of the Zakarpattya region.
How to get to the lake?
You can get to the lake on your own by train, bus, car, or as part of an excursion group (this place is often included in the program of weekend tours in Zakarpattya region).
If you plan to go to Synevyr by train, you need to take a ticket to the nearest railway station called Volovets, which is 70 km away from Synevyr Lake. Then take a regular bus from there to the lake.
The nearest airports to the lake are: Lviv (215 km away from the lake), and Ivano-Frankivsk (175 km away from the lake).
Since 1989, the area around the lake has been declared as the Synevyr National Park. A tourist fee must be paid for entering the territory of the National Park.
There is a good paved road to the lake. But many visitors go up from the checkpoint to the lake on foot, enjoying the beautiful views, and inhaling the mountain air under the sound of the crystal streams along the road.
Synevyr Lake is a place of beauty and strength. We have already been to this lake several times. This is a place, where you want to return to enjoy the beauty of the incredible landscape, to feel the strong energy of the surrounding mountains. There is a special vibe of peace and harmony on Synevyr Lake.
How was the Synevyr Lake formed?
Synevyr Lake was formed at an altitude of 989 m above sea level, at the top of the Tereblya River, as a result of a powerful landslide caused by an earthquake about 10,000 years ago. Huge mountain rocks stood in the way of the fast stream, forming a dam and blocking the narrow valley. This natural basin was filled with water from three mountain streams.
The average depth of the lake: from 10 m to 12 m (33-39 feet), the maximum depth is 22 m (72 feet).
There is a small island in the middle of the lake. This island is called the eye of the lake, because its shape resembles the pupil of an eye.
A marked mountain route to Mount Ozerna begins near the lake (the height of this mountain is 1,496 meters (4 908 feet). You can see the Synevyr lake from the height of Mount Ozerna, and make sure that the island in the middle of the lake really looks like the pupil of an eye.
The nature around the lake is unique. There is trout in the lake, but fishing is forbidden there to fish it, as well as to swim in the lake. Moreover, the temperature of the water there is maximum up to +13°С (+55° F).
There is a viewpoint near the lake as well as a souvenir market with various Carpathian products.
Synevyr Lake has its own mysterious legend.
A few hundred years ago, the local mountains were owned by an old earl. He had a young and very beautiful daughter named Syn.
She was called so because of her incredible beautiful blue eyes (In Ukrainian blue color is called “synii”). Once the girl was walking along the mountain slopes and saw a handsome young man named Vir.
They liked each other at once and fell in love. After getting known about this, the earl ordered to execute this boy, because he was poor so not a match for his daughter.
When Syn found out about the execution of her beloved, she was so desperate and cried bitter tears. This is how a crystal clear blue lake appeared, which was named Synevyr, in honor of these two lovers, combining their names together.
A wooden statue was also dedicated to the love of Syn and Vyr. The height of the statue is 13 meters (42 feet). Its sculptors were Ivan Brovdi and Mykhailo Sanych.
There is a belief that if you make a wish and touch the fish depicted on the statue, this wish will come true for sure.
A Ukrainian horror film called “Synevyr” was also filmed near this lake.
By the way, there are rumors that there have been cases of wild bears attacking people who got lost in the forest here in the mountains. That’s why we would recommend you not to turn aside from the marked route.
And also, one day when we spent the night at the lake, can you imagine, we heard the howling of a wolf. And it was such a loud howl as if he was somewhere very close. There was a full moon. And it was so scary. It was such a burst of adrenaline, which probably I would never forget.
The weather is very changeable in this area: the sun can shine, then a sudden rain begins, after which the sun appears again as if there was no rain.
That’s why you should definitely have umbrellas or raincoats with you here.
You can have a walk along the eco-path around the lake. It will take you about 1.5 hours.
GPS Coordinates: 48°37’0”N 23°41’2”E
Author (c): Iryna Melnyk
Photo (c): Nick Melnyk