Shatsk National Natural Park, National nature park in Volyn Oblast, Ukraine.
Shatsk National Natural Park covers 48,977 hectares in the Volyn Oblast, including the Shatskyi Lakes group of over 30 lakes. Svitiaz, the deepest lake in Ukraine, reaches 58 metres and covers 28 square kilometres. The park's flat terrain, 160–180 metres above sea level, holds pine forests, bogs and meadows, with 789 plant species, 32 of them in Ukraine's Red Book.
The park was established in 1983 to protect the lake, forest, and wetland systems of the region. This designation marked an important commitment to preserving the area's natural diversity.
Local people gather berries and mushrooms in the forests following seasonal patterns that have been practiced for generations. You can see these traditions alive today in how residents interact with the natural surroundings.
The park has multiple recreation zones with different facilities, so planning which area suits your interests before visiting is helpful. Wear proper footwear and bring weather protection, especially if you plan to hike or enjoy water activities.
The park lies on the Main European Watershed: surplus water from its lakes drains both to the Baltic, via the Western Bug and Vistula, and to the Black Sea, via the Pripyat and Dnieper. The park was built around landscape reserves such as Lake Svityaz, Lake Pulemetske and Lake Krymne, declared protected in 1974.
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