Rest on the river is associated with fishing or eating in the company. Both are left to us after the poor 90’s. Times are changing and, despite the war that has been going on since 2014, Ukrainians are changing their preferences – eating is more often replaced by active recreation with family or friends.
The river has something charming and soothing. When you are on the river you feel calm, you hear the smells, sounds and silence. And it is active recreation on the river can be one of the options for psychological “unloading”.
Lviv region is rich in reservoirs
It should be added that the territory of Lviv region is the main European watershed:
The place where the Main European Watershed passes
The main European watershed is the mountain range that separates the basins of the Black and Baltic Seas. It is on the territory of Roztocze that 30 rivers originate. The largest are Vereshchytsia, Rata, Shklo, and Dobrostanka.
Roztocze is a hilly ridge that stretches from Lviv to Krasnik (Poland) through Tomaszów. We watch it on the way to Lviv, when we go through Krekhiv to Rava-Ruska in Poland. On the territory of the Ukrainian Roztocze there are such famous places as Krekhiv Monastery, the source of the Virgin Mary (Zaglina), picturesque and unique Zhovkva, recreation center and ski resort on the Maidan and many, many places worth visiting. I want to draw the reader’s attention to a small mountain range just between Zhovkva and Lviv – visiting there, you will feel like in the foothills of the Carpathians.
Rivers that flow into the Black Sea and begin their journey south of Roztocze are turbulent and not always suitable for family vacations. On the other hand – the northern side of the ridge of the Western Bug River is balanced, calm and leisurely – can offer vacationers beautiful views.
But if we want a little extreme? Such a “safe” option is available in the tributaries of the Western Bug – Rata
The Rata River originates in Poland and flows through Zhovkva, Sokal and flows into the Western Bug near Chervonohrad. The length of the river is 76 kilometers.
The river is winding and swampy in places. The width of the channel is 15-20 meters – so when a tree falls into the river, it blocks part of the strait, forming mini-islands – and avoiding such obstacles will provide you with a little “adrenaline” when rafting.
Kayaking on the Rata
There are three options to make an alloy. The first is to bring it with you. This is not a very convenient way, because you need to ensure the transportation of kayaks. The second is to rent a kayak in the local sports and tourist complex “Under the Oak” in Velyky Mosty. The cost of renting 1 kayak as of June 2022 is 80 hryvnias per hour. This option will be interesting for those who want to spend time on the river, but it will not provide you with the raisins offered by Rata.
And the third option is to take part in a collective rafting on the Rata River, organized by the UA Water Hiking Agency. The length of the rafting is 14 kilometers – from the tourist complex in Velyky Mosty to the village of Silets. The cost of the alloy is 650 hryvnias per person. Duration 5-6 hours. From the Village you will be taken back to the base.
If you have never kayaked, then you should train on a small pond near the tourist base. Instructors will help you with this.
Did you row?
Immediately in the Great Bridges Rata will greet you with lots of greenery, especially in June there will be water lilies, which in this period are just beginning to bloom. Their long stalks reach the lake from day to day and they seem to be alive in the water – the current of the river constantly leads them from side to side. It looks like someone down there invites you to sail on.
Passing under the road bridge on the Chervonohrad-Lviv road, passengers and drivers have no idea what beauty they have passed under themselves.
High shores, different widths of the channel cause a change of landscapes. On the shore, a caring owner gathers hay, and children bathe nearby on the winding banks of the river.
After the Great Bridges, the water becomes clearer. You listen to the sounds of the river and the silence.
After a short rest again on the road. We have small rapids waiting for us, where we can turn the kayak. As well as several obstacles in the form of fallen trees. In some areas the kayak will need to be pushed or moved – the bottom is rocky.
And we sail to the so-called “Bermuda” on the Rata – the riverbed turns in the form of a horseshoe. Swallows live in the holes of the high shore on the outer part of the riverbed, on the other side there is a sandy beach. There you can stop and swim.
The trip ends in the village of Silets – after loading the kayaks you will be taken back to Velyki Mosty on the territory of the recreation complex.
About the organizer of the rafting on the Rata
“We are rafting on the most beautiful route in the region, from Velyky Mosty to the village of Silets. It is unofficially called the Lviv Amazon. You will find wildlife, a diverse landscape, sand cliffs, fireplace exits that form mini-rolls, ”said Oleksandr Balema, the founder and head of the UA Water Hikes project.
The complexity of the route is medium, the experience of rafting, tourism and sports will come in handy. Kayaks are double, so the recommended format is male / female. Suitable for children from 5 years with experienced parents. Desirable equipment: weather clothes, as well as additional ones, because there is always a risk of getting wet, it is desirable to have a raincoat, gloves and rubber shoes.
The program provides departure from Lviv at 9:00. Until 10:00 arrival at the camp in the center of Velyki Mosty. Then preparation for the start, delivery of equipment, briefing. The length of the route is 14 km, duration is 4-5 hours. There will be several stops for rest and relaxation with beautiful views. Beads will be waiting at the finish. Departure before 18:00. The cost of the alloy is UAH 600. Transfer from Lviv in 2 directions costs 200-250 UAH – depending on the fullness of the bus.
Recruitment is open until 21:00 every Thursday. Details by phone 0676597747 daily after 18:00.