Picture granite cliffs dropping sheer into a clear emerald lake, and above them a wall of pines and birches. This is not Scandinavia or Karelia, though the resemblance is striking. It is the flooded granite quarry of "Vysokyi Kamin" ("High Stone") near the village of Novohorodetske in the Zhytomyr region — a quiet spot, not yet worn out by tourists, for swimming, photo shoots and camping overnight, reachable from Kyiv in about an hour or an hour and a half.
What this place is
"Vysokyi Kamin" is a former granite quarry which, once extraction ended, filled with groundwater and spring water to form a deep, clean lake with steep, rocky banks. The sheer cliffs are thickly overgrown with pines and birches that offer shade on a hot summer's day, and the air smells of conifers. It is precisely this combination of granite cliffs, dark water and northern forest that gives the "Karelian" picture people come here for.
The quarry lies roughly 10 km from Korostyshiv, near the villages of Novohorodetske and Horodske. Here you can swim, sunbathe, jump from the cliffs into the water (with care!), fish, camp overnight and, of course, take photos — the place is very photogenic.
A small detail that adds to the atmosphere: nearby there is a wooden deck where in the mornings visitors greet the sunrise — some doing yoga, some simply admiring the first rays over the water.
An important caveat: a working quarry next door
It's only fair to warn you about one thing. Not far from the lake, a working granite quarry is in operation, so on weekdays there will be no complete silence here, and production dust drifts across the area — on arrival, you may well find your car covered with a thin white film. Around the site you'll also come across huge "dunes" of extraction waste. It isn't a dealbreaker, but be prepared: this is not a nature reserve but a meeting of nature and industry — which is, in fact, the very character of the place.
Don't confuse it with the Korostyshiv quarry
Because of their closeness and their similarity, "Vysokyi Kamin" is often confused with its neighbour, the more famous Korostyshiv quarry — but these are different (though adjacent) sites. "Vysokyi Kamin" is quieter and less popular, so if you're after solitude, this is more likely your spot. And since they are close together, the two lakes are easy to combine into a single weekend route.
Getting there
By car: along the Zhytomyr highway (E40) to the turn-off for Novohorodetske, then toward Horodske to a fork, where you turn left. Your landmark is the fence and the industrial structures of the working quarry; the lake itself is 200–300 metres to the left of the road. It cannot be seen from the road, so look out for the parked cars of other visitors.
By public transport: by marshrutka from Kyiv (the "Dachna" bus station) along the Zhytomyr highway for about an hour, getting off a few kilometres before Korostyshiv; from there, on foot through the village (allow about an hour) or by taxi from Korostyshiv, which is much more convenient.
By train: by suburban train from Kyiv to Korostyshiv station, then a taxi to the quarry.
Practical tips
There is no infrastructure: no café, no kiosks, no toilets — bring water, food and a rubbish bag with you.
With children, stay alert: the banks are steep granite cliffs and the water beside them is deep; don't leave children unsupervised and don't let them jump in unfamiliar spots.
When to go: summer is best for swimming; for quiet, choose a weekday or the morning, when the working quarry is less active.
What's nearby: the neighbouring Korostyshiv quarry, as well as the village of Horodske with its picturesque views — all easy to fold into one trip.
FAQ
Where is the "Vysokyi Kamin" quarry? In the Zhytomyr region, roughly 10 km from Korostyshiv, near the villages of Novohorodetske and Horodske.
How long is the drive from Kyiv? About an hour to an hour and a half along the Zhytomyr highway.
Can you swim there? Yes — it's a flooded quarry with clean water; but the banks are steep cliffs, so take care.
Is there any infrastructure? No, there is no developed infrastructure — bring water, food and everything else you need with you.
How does "Vysokyi Kamin" differ from the Korostyshiv quarry? They are different, neighbouring sites; "Vysokyi Kamin" is quieter and less popular with tourists.
What spoils the impression of the place? A working quarry operates nearby, so there can be noise and white production dust that settles on cars.
Is it safe with children? It calls for vigilance: the cliffs are steep and the water near the banks is deep.
What is there to see nearby? The neighbouring Korostyshiv quarry and the village of Horodske with its lovely views.
