Secluded Forest Lakes of Rivne Region
Rivne Oblast, nestled in the wooded Polissia lowlands of northwestern Ukraine, holds many natural surprises. Among them are three little-known lakes tucked deep in the forest, now brought to wider attention by a travel blogger. Iryna Tokmina, originally from Lviv, moved to Rivne Polissia after getting married. She has been actively exploring local waterways and documenting her discoveries. On her YouTube channel, which has almost 100,000 subscribers, she shared a video showcasing the beauty of these lakes.
The trio of lakes sit close together, each featuring clear water, sandy shores, and a ring of pine forest. Reaching them requires navigating difficult forest trails, which keeps them off the typical tourist path. Tokmina points out a curious feature: the water's surface is cooler, while the bottom is considerably warmer. She also praises the water's quality, describing it as
"very clean — even somewhat glycerine-like, pleasant for the skin."
Recreation by the Water
She tried fishing for the first time during her visit, using black bread as bait, but didn't catch much because the bread quickly fell apart in the water. There is almost no mobile phone reception around the lakes, a fact she appreciates for the added peace.
"The silence and calm here make you want to just sit and listen to the birds singing,"the blogger remarked.
Several other lakes can be found near her home — at least seven suitable for summer recreation. During the outing, Tokmina and her husband enjoyed a picnic by one of the lakes with salo and vegetables. Though she identifies as a girl from Lviv, she now lives in a village and says she shows her real life as it is. Captivated by the scenery, she compared the experience to
"being at the seaside."
Rivne region is home to dozens of beautiful lakes, and these three hidden gems are a prime example of the natural beauty Ukraine offers to visitors. Highlighting such secluded spots underscores the region's potential as a destination for ecological tourism. As more people seek out places like these, the growing interest can boost the local economy and bring nature lovers to the area. Bloggers like Tokmina play a key role in giving these natural treasures the attention they deserve.