The tragic story of the magical Bakota

A little bit about the uniqueness of Bakota and the features that you should consider before your trip

First of all, it is worth mentioning that Bakota is located in a hollow - high cliffs and primeval forests reliably protect the place from cold winds. So the climate here is always warm.

Bakota is a part of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park and, accordingly, is included in the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine (although the origin of the Bakota Bay is not natural).

The best time to visit Bakota is in June and July. In August, there is often a ‘water bloom’, and mid-August is also the day of the village, when former city residents who were forced to leave their homes gather on the bay.

Bakota also offers its services to gastro-tourism enthusiasts. You may be interested in the following locations:

- join a tea ceremony or create your own tea blend (Prudyvus Family Production, Stara Ushytsia village);

- Taste wines and listen to a lecture by Bohdan Pavlii, a winemaker with vast experience.

Where can you visit during your trip to Bakota?

Bakota Rock Monastery

Yes, this is the very monastery where the indomitable Bakotians hid from the Mongol invaders in the dungeons. It is almost impossible to determine when the monastery was actually founded. The chronicles mention the 11th century, and some say that even St Anthony, who founded the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, visited the monastery. In fact, the rocky monastery is the only place that remained above the water surface after the flooding. It is currently not functioning, but the caves are not in disrepair, so tourists can explore them. Inside, you can see many icons that believers hid here when the Soviet government pursued an anti-church policy, and, going up, you can reach the White Mountain observation deck. You will definitely like it here!

Stone Head Rock

Active and extreme holidays in Bakota

- Bakota sightseeing on ATVs - a mini-tour (2 hours, 1200 UAH/person) or a full-fledged ‘quad day’ (5-6 hours, 2600 UAH/person) - do not worry about your own safety, because the instructors are experienced and attentive);

- jeep tours in Bakota - the tour is organised for groups of 10 people (about 1000 UAH per tour);

- SUP-surfing in Bakota - mini-tour (2 hours, 500 UAH/person) or ‘SUP-day’ (4-5 hours of surfing + swimming + picnic + romantic coffee + guide services - 1000 UAH/person);

- rent a boat, catamaran and yacht (rent can be arranged in the village of Dnistrovka - about 5 km from the rock monastery; the Bakota Tourist Information Centre also offers boat trips (group of up to 4 people) and a tour of the Podilski Tovtry National Park (1300 UAH/person);

- diving (prices depend on the season);

- paragliding (10-20 minutes, 1200 UAH/person - safety equipment + flight video);

Hiking routes in Bakota

1) Ancient Bakota: 24 km, 8 hours (Hruska village - Teremets mountain - quarry - children's summer health camp - Bakota rock monastery

How to get to Bakota?

From Kamianets-Podilskyi:

From Kyiv:

- train ‘Kyiv - Kamianets-Podilskyi’ departs from the Kyiv railway station at 23:32 and arrives at 8:36; from Kamianets to Bakota you can get there by public transport;

From Lviv:

- The train ‘Lviv - Kamianets-Podilskyi’ departs from Lviv railway station at 22:50 and arrives at 8:36; from Kamianets to Bakota you can get there by public transport;

Photo: Detector Media