The Carpathians (cover four fifths of the whole region territory of the region).

Romantic and ardent travelers are likely to remember the Carpathians by majestic mountain ranges rising up to the sky. The highest point of Zakarpattia and the highest peak of Ukrainian Carpathians is Hoverla located in the mountain range of Chornogory at 2061 m above sea level: within the territory of the Сarpathian Biosphere reserve. Ecological system of the reserve belongs to the most valuable on our planet and have been included into the network of the biosphere reserve of UNESCO since 1993. Yet the Carpathians are more popular as a unique area for winter tourism. In mountain valleys snow coating begins in early December and lasts till late March, in mountain areas the stable snow cover keeps from October to late May or early June when the snow starts converging snow-covered slopes of Dragobrat. Meadow is widely known as a winter tourist Mecca and provide an extra buzz of adrenaline for anyone who will dare to ski downhill into a calm hollow. The Transcarpathian mountains boast of  purple blossom of rhododendrom – the famous “chervona ruta”, and legendary edelweiss (Alpine bilotka), known as “shovkova kosytsia” which may be only found on steep mountain slopes.

 

Wholesome Mineral Waters.

There is no other place with so plentiful unique mineral water springs like Zakarpattia.
By their chemical composition and medical properties they are as efficient as the well-known waters of the Caucasus, Poland and France,  being even better at times. So the legend about «the water of life» seems to be trastworthy.
As far back as 1558 on their way back home to Moscow from Tsargrad Ivan the Cruel reported to the Polish Department: «In the Meadow mountains there is a well, its waters being sweet just like kvass. There are also another wells their waters being sour and in still others the water tastes like shchi. So much as that water is leaking from the stones and it's so hot sometimes that you can boil an agg...; and many ill people come here with various ailments, immerse in the water and are healed in a short while...».
It wasn't due to someone's whim that mineral waters from the Carpathians springs were supplied to Hungarian Kings, Austro-Hungarian monarchs and to France rullers' of different states highly appreciated that water for its amaizing properties. In the middle of XIX th century «Polyana Kvasova» was claimed to be the best in Europe. As many historians argue the mineral water of this type was served as an exceptionally valuable table drink in restaurants of Paris, New York and some time later in Tokio. At the chemicts' people formed long quenes for it.

 

Lakes.

In the territory of Zakarpattia there are 32 lakes. The most attractive of them is the Synevir lake. There is a legend according to which this picturesque lake appeared of the stream of tears of the count's daughter Syn’ in the place where her lover, an ordinary highland shepherd Vir, was killed with a stone lump by order of the main count. In reality the lake was formed, as a result of a strong shift caused by the earthquake about 10 000 years ago. In the altitude of 989m mountain rocks have grown on the way of the mountain stream creating rowing and completely damming the narrow valley. The  area of the water strech is about 5 hectares, the maximum depth is 22m. In the middle there is a small island which looks like an apple of the huge eye, its area being only several metres. This derived a folk name - The Sea Eye.
People have endeavoured to accomplish the beauty of Nature by creative force of imagination. The architect I. Solomin has successfully included the viewing sites into the surrounding landscapes. In the peninsula, there is a sculpture “Syn and Vir” (sculptors I. Brodyn and M. Sanych), carved from mahogany; the height of the monument is 13m. Reflected in water this monument is “perceived secretly as a beautiful fairy tale about eternal love”

Salt Lakes.

Another peculiarity  of Zakarpattia is its salt lakes. The dammed Tereblyanski and man-made Solotvynski Lakes are situated in Tyachiv district (Neresnycya village, Tereblya village and Solotvyno urban village). The Kunigund Lake is not far from Solotvyno and it is an analogue to the famous Israeli Dead Sea. Healing properties of leach and curative mud attract thousands of tourists in summer period.
Scientific researh showed that the water of the lakes belongs to bromine chlorine-sodium subthermal weak-acid brines total mineralization of which varies from 73-75 gr/l to 275g/l and that is why it is very close to the mineralization of the Israeli Dead Sea. So you can feel relaxation and weightless of the body while immersing into the water.
Up-to-date research and previous experience show that leach and salt of the lake can be efficiently used for mud treatment balneotherapy (leach baths), thalassotherapy (bathing in the lake) of the people with the diseases of locomotorium, peripheral nervous system, skin (especially psoriasis) and uterine, discases.
Another unique area – the valley of Narcissus – is famous far beyond the bounds of Zakarpattia. It is spread in the hollow Kireshi near the town of Khust. This is the only place in the territory of the Commonwcalth of Independent States (CIS) countries where there is the habitat of natural bushes of narrow-leaves narcissus. Similar bushes that occupy smaller areas have been  preserved in the Alpes, Romania and in some Balkan countries. The population of the narrow-leaves narcissus in the Valley of Narcissus is of great scientific value. It is the place where the tender plant found sanctuary during the glacier’s approach. The area of 265,5 hectares is the reserve territory and belongs to Zakarpattia biosphere resort.
Just imagine a green carpet where white garlands of tender flowers are strewn around – not dozens or even thousands but such a score of them that it could hardly ever be counted. The grandious pictures of the valley may be eyewitnessed only here in April-May in the season of mass blossoming what presents an unforgettable view. This phenomenon of nature is well worth seeing at least once in a lifetime!

 

Pools.

Zakarpattia doesn’t feel the lack of water resources. Thick network of numerous sound streams and magnificent rivers covers the whole territory of the region. But in hot summer when the temperature in the shade reaches 32 C and  there is no escape from burning sun rays even in the shade of the forests it is only natural to long for water proximity.

 

Waterfalls.

Our marvelous land is rich in waterfalls. The waterfall Shypit, the largest one, is located on the river Pylypets of Mizhgirs’ky district. The waterfall has become a favourite tourist attraction of the region and enjoys great people’s interest both within the country and from abroad.