Hamarnia is a former khutir on the southern outskirts of Malyn, where a forest, a reservoir, and an old estate converge within a few square kilometres. There is no separate marked eco-trail here, but a walk from the forestry college through the pine forest to the shore of the Malyn Reservoir is one of the most pleasant in the town. It takes about 3 km and an hour to an hour and a half. On the maps near the college, a short "Ecological Trail" is marked, from which it is convenient to begin exploring the forest.
College and Arboretum
The start is near the "Lisokoledzh" bus stop, where city bus No. 3 runs from the centre of Malyn. The Malyn Professional College was founded in 1927 as the Bilokorovychi Forestry Technical School and later moved here to the Hamarnia khutir. All around is an arboretum where about 120 species of trees and shrubs grow: European yew, Menzies' Douglas fir, Crimean pine, and northern red oak.
Myklykha Estate
The college is located in the estate of Mykhailo Myklykha, the brother of the famous ethnographer and traveller Mykola Myklucho-Maklai. The estate covers about 36 hectares, and a museum dedicated to the Myklykha family operates in one of the buildings. We previously covered how the Zaporozhian Cossacks the Myklychas laid the foundation for the Myklucho-Maklai dynasty in a separate article.
Hamarnia Zakaznyk
The surrounding forest is the Hamarnia zakaznyk, established on December 3, 1982. Its boundaries have been adjusted several times: in 2017, the college lands were excluded from it, and in 2024, the regional council expanded the zakaznyk, so its area is now over 1136 hectares. It encompasses coniferous and deciduous plantations and a part of the Malyn Reservoir on the Irsha River, which locals call the Malyn Sea; environmental management restrictions apply to the body of water as part of the zakaznyk.
The walk leads out to the shore of the reservoir near Lytovskyi Beach and the Ostriv tract. On the opposite shore is the Ostriv forest zakaznyk, covering almost 190 hectares with old-growth pine forests and alder stands, where the red-listed Martagon lily and lesser butterfly-orchid grow.
Tips
This is a peaceful forest walk suitable for families with children. In summer, bring tick repellent, and at the beach, bring water. The track on the map is drawn in straight lines between the main points: there are many forest paths here, so choose the one that is convenient for you.
Note. During martial law, restrictions on visiting forests may apply. Before walking through the forested area, please check the current regulations with the Malyn Forestry; the college territory is an educational institution, and visiting the arboretum should be coordinated with the administration.
