Lake Chokrakskoye is one of the best places in Crimea. "Generous gift of the Earth" - so often it is called. Where is the lake, how to get to it, and what diseases can be cured by its valuable mud?
Lake Chokrakskoye (Crimea): general information
About 9 square kilometers - this is the area occupied by the lake. At the same time, the maximum depth of its hollow does not exceed one and a half meters. From almost all sides Chokrakskoye Lake (a photo of the hydrological object can be seen below) is surrounded by rocky ledges, which gives it additional picturesqueness.
Fragrant herbs grow on the shores of the lake: Ivan-tea, immortelle, wormwood and thyme. The reservoir is separated from the Sea of Azov by a narrow sandy isthmus, so the beaches are within easy reach from here…
The word "chokrak" is translated from the Crimean Tatar language as "spring". And this is not at all accidental: powerful sources of mineral waters emerge at the bottom of the reservoir and along its banks. However, Chokrak Lake is more famous today for its mud. By the way, the healing properties of the Chokrak waters and mud were known as early as the first century BC! Even then they were notonly successfully used locally, but also delivered to Ancient Hellas.
Chokrak lake: where is it and how to get there?
The lake is located in the eastern part of the Crimean peninsula. The nearest village is the village with the appropriate name Kurortnoye. And twenty kilometers away is the large city of Kerch. Chokrak lake annually attracts a huge number of tourists. Especially during the summer season.
In what area is Lake Chokrak located? What is the easiest way to get to it?
The resort is located in the Leninsky district of Crimea. Minibuses leave here from the Kerch bus station every thirty minutes. You can get to the lake on your own, by car. In this case, you need to go through the village of Voikovo. But you should be prepared for the fact that the asph alt road will end immediately after the village. Further, up to Kurortny, you will have to drive along a dusty dirt road, through pits and potholes.
Lake Chokrak: a unique balneological resort
Lake Chokrakskoye is a unique natural formation, the fame of which has spread far beyond the Crimea. Some come here to soak up the golden beaches of the Azov coast. Basically, people go to Chokrak to cure their arthritis and radiculitis.
The main healing factors of Chokrak are:
- healing mud;
- hydrosulphuric water from local sources;
- sandy beaches on the Sea of Azov.
"Chokrak is more than Saki and Matsesta put together" -this is how S. Albov, a professor, who devoted more than one year of his life to studying the nature and healing factors of Lake Chokrak, spoke about this resort.
These places are also attractive for fishing lovers: goby and other small fish are perfectly caught here.
Chokrak mud: composition and medicinal properties
Muds of the Chokrakskoye Lake are distinguished by great ecological cleanliness. And thanks to its healing properties, Chokrak is one of the most famous mud deposits on the planet.
The composition of the local mud includes hydrogen sulfide brine, silt, as well as various trace elements. The last silt mud is saturated due to the numerous mineral springs located at the bottom of the reservoir. The content of colloids in the Chokrak mud is quite high (about 3.5 percent).
The resources of Lake Chokrak are actively exploited today by several Crimean he alth resorts. The leader in this list is the Voskhod sanatorium, located in the city of Feodosia.
Treatment with Chokrak mud
Lake Chokrakskoe gives the world unique healing mud, which is successfully used to treat the following diseases:
- gynecological (including inflammatory processes of the female genital organs);
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- digestive organs;
- peripheral nervous system;
- circulatory system.
A full course of treatment involves at least ten mud procedures. ShouldIt should be noted that Chokrak mud is effectively used not only for medicinal purposes, but also for cosmetic purposes.
At the same time, the use of therapeutic mud of Lake Chokrak has a number of contraindications. These are arrhythmia, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis (in active form), diabetes mellitus, angina pectoris, cirrhosis of the liver, and pregnancy. In addition, the treatment may be accompanied by fatigue and slightly elevated body temperature. Some vacationers feel numbness in the fingers, tingling in the joints. However, these symptoms usually disappear after a few days.
Reviews of tourists about Chokrak
Every year, thousands of tourists and vacationers visit Chokrak Lake. The feedback they leave is overwhelmingly positive.
For many, Lake Chokrak becomes a real discovery. After all, mud treatment is not only useful, but also a rather pleasant and fun procedure. And after taking mud baths, it is very cool to plunge into the waters of the Sea of Azov. To the nearest beach from the lake - no more than 500 meters!
True, it is not advised to sit in the lake for a long time (no longer than 10-15 minutes). And before you go to Chokrak, you should consult with your therapist, because mud treatment has a number of restrictions on human he alth.
Experienced tourists are strongly advised to take with them not only positive impressions from the lake, but also local mineral s alt. It also has medicinal properties. In particular, it is recommended to gargle with sore throat and colds.
The only drawback of Chokrak,which is noted by almost all recreants, is the lack of normal infrastructure, in particular, roads. So, to overcome the distance of twenty kilometers from Kerch to the village of Kurortny, you will have to spend at least an hour. But even this factor does not overshadow the rest on Lake Chokrak.
Chokrak surroundings: places of interest and attractions
The surroundings of the lake are very picturesque and interesting. First of all, it is worth mentioning the so-called General's beaches (or the coast of a thousand bays, as it is also called). This is a series of wonderful sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and cozy coves. These places amazingly attract yogis, esotericists and just creative people. The coastline of the General's beaches is fairly indented. Therefore, here you can swim under the arched rocky vaults and even find small grottoes. The water in the bays, as a rule, warms up very quickly and well in summer.
There is near Lake Chokrak and its own Mount Ararat. True, she is much shorter than her Armenian namesake. Its height is 175 meters. The mountain is located five kilometers south of the lake. In relief, this is a pronounced plateau-like massif, completely covered with shrubs and herbs.
In conclusion…
Lake Chokrakskoye is a unique and unusual place, a real miracle of Crimean nature. It is located on the Kerch Peninsula, twenty kilometers from the city of Kerch. With a sufficiently large area (9 square kilometers), the maximum depth of the reservoir does not reach one and a half meters.
The main we alth of Chokrak is therapeutic mud, saturated with hydrogen sulfide and microelements. The bottom and shores of the reservoir are also rich in sources of valuable mineral waters. People come here to get rid of arthritis, sciatica, gynecological problems and many other ailments.
