Zholon is a 113 km long river, a right tributary of the Pripyat. It originates on the northern slopes of the Slovechansk-Ovruch Ridge in the Ovruch region, flows through the Zhytomyr Polissia, and then for almost 34 km serves as the natural state border between Ukraine and Belarus. Further down, the river briefly returns to Zhytomyr Oblast and flows into the Pripyat already in Gomel Oblast of Belarus.
What kind of river it is
The basin area of the Zholon is 1,460 km². In its upper reaches, the channel is up to 30 m wide, while in the middle and lower reaches it spreads to 100–300 m; in places, it has been straightened with canals. Through the Svichansky and Antonivsky canals and the Hrozyva River, the Zholon is connected to the Slovechna. On the Ukrainian side, the villages of Pishchanytsia near the very source and Poliske stand on the river.
Ancient settlements
On the right-bank terrace of the Zholon near the villages of Rozhava and Belasaroka, archaeologists have found the remains of Mesolithic and Neolithic settlements — people lived here several thousand years ago.
Tip
The lower reaches of the Zholon are a border zone: martial law restrictions are in effect in the Ovruch region near the border with Belarus, so before your trip, find out where you are allowed to go and do not approach the border. It is safer to explore the river in its upper reaches, near the Ovruch Ridge.
Fishing
Local residents fish on the Zholon, but sources provide almost no detailed information about the fish. A significant part of the river is a state border and border strip, so fishing is only possible in the upper reaches and where presence is permitted. General fishing regulations apply.
How to get there
The sources of the Zholon lie north of Ovruch. Nearby are the Slovechansk-Ovruch Ridge and Kamiana Hirka with relict rock oaks. More can be found in the article about the Korosten Raion.
