Forget Bali: This hidden Ukrainian waterfall looks like tropical paradise
A place in Ukraine that everyone compares to Bali (photo: wikimedia.org)
When we think of turquoise lagoons, rocky grottoes hidden from the rest of the world, and lush greenery, images of tropical Bali or the Philippines instantly come to mind. But to see such exotic scenery with your own eyes, you don’t necessarily have to buy expensive plane tickets and fly to the other side of the planet.
RBC-Ukraine tells about an amazing place hidden in the middle of a Ukrainian canyon. It shatters stereotypes about our natural landscapes and makes you fall in love with them at first sight.
Ukraine's paradise on Earth
This captivating natural oasis is called the Burbun Waterfall. It is located near the village of Lysets in the Dunaivtsi district of Khmelnytskyi region. For a long time, only locals knew about it, as the waterfall was well hidden at the very bottom of a deep canyon along the Bobrivka River.
When you finally make your way down, reality around you literally fades away. Before your eyes appears a five-meter waterfall cascading into a cozy little lake.
The water here has an incredible turquoise or even azure hue. The rocks surrounding the lagoon are thickly overgrown with moss and ferns, creating the complete illusion of being in a wild tropical jungle.
Burbun Waterfall (photo: Wikipedia)
Why water always ice-cold here
Despite its hot, tropical appearance, Burbun has a harsh temperament. Even on the hottest summer days, when the sun beats down mercilessly, the water in the lake rarely warms up above 10–12 degrees.
The reason is simple: the canyon is so deep and shaded by tree canopies that sunlight only reaches it for a few hours.
In addition, the lake is fed by numerous underground springs. However, this doesn’t deter thrill-seekers at all—locals and tourists alike eagerly jump into the water from a specially built wooden bridge or take a dip after a long journey.
If you want to experience that very Balinese magic, when the water is illuminated by the azure sky to the fullest, come here between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. It is at this time that the sun is at its zenith and its rays pierce through the canyon’s shadows.
How to get there and what to expect
The route to so-called Ukraine’s Bali is an adventure in itself. The most convenient way to get there is by car via Dunaivtsi toward the village of Lysets. However, be prepared for the fact that the last few kilometers of the road are an old, rocky dirt road, so drivers of low-clearance vehicles will need to proceed with extreme caution.
Given the wilderness and remoteness of the location, be sure to bring:
- Hiking or trekking shoes (the descent into the canyon can be slippery after rain)
- A supply of food and water (there are no stores or food trucks nearby)
- Warm clothing (it’s always cooler near the water in the shade than up above)
Several wooden gazebos have now been set up near the waterfall for relaxation, so you can enjoy a cozy family picnic here or even pitch a tent for the weekend to fall asleep to the soothing sound of the water.
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