A broad peat-tinted water body north of Yekaterinburg: a reservoir created in 1825 that flooded ancient lakes, with a landscape reserve along its shores.
Ayatskoye Lake
Ayatskoye Lake stretches for twelve kilometres at a width of 0.8 to five — the largest water body of the north-east of the Yekaterinburg agglomeration. The water is dark and tea-tinted: peaty shores and a silty bottom colour it. The average depth is about two metres, with the maximum not exceeding four. It is in fact a reservoir: in 1825 the Ayat river was dammed, flooding several smaller lakes that had stood here before. The shores have been inhabited since the Mesolithic — archaeologists have even distinguished a local 'Ayat' culture of the ancient Ural population. Since 1975 the lake with its surrounding forests has been part of a state landscape reserve of over 13,000 hectares: wetlands, waterfowl nesting sites and taiga groves are protected. The nearest settlement is the village of Shaydurikha on the southern shore.
How to get there
From Yekaterinburg about 70 km along the Serov highway with a turn to Shaydurikha or Ayat; public transport runs to Nevyansk, then taxi.
Best season
June to September: fishing, shore mushrooms, autumn fogs over the water.
Travel tips & stories
The peaty water is dark — for swimming choose nearby Tavatuy; here fishing and quiet are the draw.
The shores are boggy in places: use the trodden descents to the water.
Wind raises a chop quickly — boaters should watch the forecast.
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Local guides
- TR
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