“Along the Putylivka River” — an ecological trail of the Kivertsivskyi National Nature Park “Tsumanska Pushcha.” It starts near the Prolisok sanatorium right on the border of Volyn and Rivne regions and leads through the forest to the reservoir on the Putylivka River, then continues along a terrace above the water with observation decks and benches. The walk takes about an hour to an hour and a half; the track on the map is about 3.4 km, but the park does not specify an official length. At the start, there are stands with the route plan, a schematic map, and rules of conduct.
What’s on the trail
On the way to the river, park staff show traces of beavers — gnawed trees and trunks, felled right above the water. Around the reservoir is a mixed forest with tall pines and old oaks. At one of the stops, they tell about the former narrow-gauge railway used to transport timber and about the Radziwiłł princes who once owned the forests around Tsuman.
The trail can be extended to the Putylivka floodplain near the village of Mochulky. In spring, summer, and early autumn, this is a good place for birdwatching: gulls, mallards, great egrets, and swans can be seen here. The wetlands of the Putylivka and Horyn rivers are called by the park some of the richest habitats in all of Tsumanska Pushcha.
Tsumanska Pushcha
The Kivertsivskyi National Nature Park “Tsumanska Pushcha” was established in 2010 to preserve large forest areas between Kivertsi and Tsuman. Excursions along the trail are conducted by park staff, and with their accompaniment, guests are even given dry firewood for a campfire. There is a paid picnic area at the sanatorium and a free recreational point called “Kholodok.”
How to get there
The Prolisok sanatorium is located about 60 km from Lutsk and 40 km from Rivne; a bus to the sanatorium runs from Lutsk. The trail starts near the stop. The track is marked along paths shown on maps leading to the reservoir — use the park’s stands as your guide on site.