Two Lakes Trail: Around Pisochne and Peremut, 7,4 km

Route map

Map © OpenStreetMap.

About the route

“Two Lakes” is a hiking and cycling trail around two lakes of the Shatsk lake district, Pisochne and Peremut. It was created by the Shatsk settlement council together with the Shatsk National Nature Park, supported by the public organization “Shatsk Lake District” and international donors. According to the park, the route is about 9 km long and takes approximately two hours to complete. It is marked with a white-green-white stripe and signs featuring the “Two Lakes” logo.

Route board of the “Two Lakes” trail with a map and a list of stops — Route board of the “Two Lakes” trail. Photo: Shatsk National Nature Park

Eight Route Points

The board near the start lists all the stops:

start — the village of Haivka, near the “Lisova Pisnia” sanatorium;
pine forest above Lake Pisochne;
sandy beach, locally called “Pitsunda”;
remains of a World War II pillbox;
Kopaivka River — an old drainage canal;
observation tower on Lake Peremut;
rest area on Peremut;
parking lot and recreation point “Peremut,” from where the route returns along the “Lisova Pisnia” walking trail.

Part of the loop coincides with the “Lisova Pisnia” ecological trail, so along the way you can also see its features — a pier on Peremut, a campfire site, and the art object “Nest.”

Observation tower near Lake Peremut — Observation tower on Peremut. Photo: Shatsk National Nature Park

Pisochne and Peremut

Pisochne is one of the most popular resort lakes of Shatsk with sandy beaches, along whose shores rest bases and a sanatorium stand. Peremut is a karst lake with an area of almost one and a half square kilometers, connected by a channel to Lake Luky; its shores are low and marshy, and the water is often murky, which is said to be the origin of its name.

Tips and the Route

Haivka lies north of Shatsk and is easily accessible by car or bicycle. The loop is convenient to start from the “Peremut” parking lot. Beaches are crowded in summer, so the quietest time here is in spring and early autumn. The Shatsk region is a border area: before hiking through the forest, check the current regulations with the park or border guards, and men aged 18–60 should carry a military registration document. The track on the map is laid out according to the board’s scheme and is slightly shorter than the official 9 km — follow the markings.

What you will see on the route

Before you go

Polissia is flat: there are hardly any climbs, but there are swamps, sandy roads and long stretches of forest with no mobile signal and no water. Plan on 4 km per hour, 3 km on sand and rough ground.

Water. There are few springs, and water from rivers and swamps is not safe to drink. Take at least 1.5 litres per person per day; you can refill in villages — at a shop or ask at a well.
Swamps and floodplains. Do not leave the trail in wet places: peat bogs and floating mats can be deep. In spring after floods and in autumn after rain some roads may be under water.
Ticks and mosquitoes. From April to October wear covered clothing, use tick repellent and check yourself after the walk. In June–July there are many mosquitoes and horseflies near swamps.
Fire danger. In summer forests are often closed to visitors because of fire danger — check announcements of the forestry or community. Do not make fires outside designated places.
Explosive objects. Since 2022 mines and munitions may be found in the forests of northern Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy and Zhytomyr regions. Stay on well-used paths and roads and do not pick anything up. If you see a suspicious object, keep away, mark the place and call 101 or 102.
Signal and navigation. Mobile signal in the forests is weak. Download the GPX track and an offline map before you go, take a power bank and tell your family where you are going and when you will be back.
Chornobyl zone. The exclusion zone is closed to free visits — do not enter it without an official permit.

Emergency: 112 — free from any phone.