Duszatyn Lakes

Duszatyn Lakes are two natural water bodies on the western slopes of Chryszczata mountain in the Bieszczady range. A massive landslide created natural dams that formed an upper and lower lake at different elevations.

A major landslide in 1907 transformed the valley by blocking the flow of the Olchowaty stream and creating two lakes. This geological event permanently altered the landscape and remains visible today through the waters and surrounding terrain.

These lakes hold a special place in local folklore, with stories passed down through generations about their dramatic creation. The legends reflect how the landscape itself became woven into the identity of the mountain communities nearby.

Both lakes are reached via marked hiking trails that wind through the forest from the valley below. Spring through fall is the best time to visit, as the trails are most accessible and weather conditions are more favorable.

Beneath the surface of both waters lie visible tree stumps and roots from the forest that existed before the landslide. These submerged remains serve as a window into what the landscape looked like before it was transformed.