The forests around Lake Pisochne in the village of Melnyky, Shatsk District, Volyn Oblast, are one of those places where mushroom picking turns from a simple hobby into a true ritual of renewal. Here, it is easy to lose yourself in the silence of pine and birch forests, breathe in the clean air of Polissia and remember what slow, genuine relaxation looks like. This very area is known among experienced mushroom pickers as one of the most favourable for “quiet hunting” in Volyn.
Why the Shatsk forests are ideal for mushroom picking
Lake Pisochne and the village of Melnyky are located in an ecologically clean area of Shatsk National Nature Park. There are no industrial enterprises, intensive agriculture involving chemicals or dense development here. As a result, the forests retain their natural balance, and mushrooms grow in a healthy, clean environment. The combination of sandy soils, coniferous and deciduous forests, moderate humidity and a mild microclimate creates ideal conditions for the growth of many species of edible mushrooms.
What mushrooms grow near Lake Pisochne
In the forests around Melnyky, people most often gather:
- Porcini mushrooms — in mixed and deciduous forests, especially after warm rains.
- Chanterelles — they grow in groups, often at forest edges and among moss.
- Birch boletes and orange-cap boletes — in places with young birch and aspen trees.
- Honey mushrooms — they appear in late summer and autumn on stumps and fallen trees.
- Green knights (row mushrooms) — typical of pine forests in sandy areas.
Local mushroom pickers often joke: if you walk slowly through the forest near Pisochne after rain — you will not return without a basket
When is the best time to go mushroom picking in Volyn
The mushroom season in this part of Volyn Oblast usually lasts:
- from late July to October
- peak harvest — August and September
The best time for a trip is the morning after several days of rainy but warm weather. That is when the mushrooms are fresh, firm and clearly visible among the moss and leaves.
What a mushroom-picking day near Lake Pisochne looks like
A mushroom-picking trip here is not a marathon. It is an unhurried walk along forest paths, silence, the rustle of pine needles underfoot and the feeling of being completely disconnected from the noise of the city. And after several hours in the forest, it is especially pleasant to return to comfort.
That is why many guests choose the “Sunny Bungalow” hotel as a base for mushroom-picking trips. The cottages are located beside the forest and the lake, so there is no need to drive to mushroom-picking spots — simply step outside the grounds and follow familiar paths.
Relaxing at “Sunny Bungalow” after quiet hunting
The day does not end after mushroom picking. At Sunny Bungalow, you can:
- relax on your own porch among the pines
- cook the mushrooms you have gathered in the kitchen or over an open fire
- spend the evening by Lake Pisochne, watching the sunset
- enjoy the silence without crowds or noise
This kind of holiday is especially valued by those seeking ecotourism, peace and a genuine reset.
Useful tips for mushroom pickers
To make a mushroom-picking trip safe and enjoyable, remember:
- pick only mushrooms you know well
- use a basket, not bags
- do not enter closed or protected areas
- bring water and a charged phone
- respect nature and do not damage the mycelium
Mushroom tourism at Lake Pisochne — a meaningful holiday
Mushrooms, forest, clean air and silence are what people come to Volyn for today. Lake Pisochne and the village of Melnyky offer an opportunity to combine active recreation, nature and comfort without unnecessary pretension.
And “Sunny Bungalow” becomes the place where, after the forest, it is easy to stop, slow down and simply be in harmony with yourself.
