(Source: https://pixabay.com/ru/photos/валдай-национальный-парк-заповедник-4544239/)

Lake Uzhin (Uzhinskoe) is located in the north-east of the Valdai region and is part of the territory of the Valdai National Park. If you look at the reservoir from above, it seems that, due to its elongated shape, it looks more like a river than a lake. Hence the name: "uzhin" comes from the word "shrink, become narrow." Uzhin is connected to Lake Valdai by the Kopka Canal, which was built back in the 19th century to accelerate the flow in the Valdaika River. In addition to the fact that the residence of the President of the Russian Federation is located on the lake, there are camp sites and places for vacations.

From Novgorod the distance to the lake is 140 km, from Tver - 240 km. The total area of ​​Lake Uzhin  is 8.8 km. The maximum depth is 85 m, the length - 15 km, and the average width -  800 m. The lake belongs to the Ice Age. Today the water  is very clean and transparent. People come to the reservoir not only to improve their health, having rest at one of the recreation centers, but also to fish. There are several settlements on the coast of the lake: Roshchino, Terekhovo, Borisovo, Uzhin, Nelushka, so you can get to the reservoir from any side.

Recreation

In comparison with the rest on Valdai Lake, Uzhin Lake is quieter. The banks are steep and artificial. There are many coves and bays, which make the coast a place for a secluded holiday. There are also many islands here, the most famous are Ryabinovy, Kosoy, Muravyiny, Selvitsky, where the Iversky Monastery stands. On the side of the village of Roshchino there are tourist centers, as well as the village of Dolgie Borody, where the residence of the President of Russia is located. There are recreation centers near the village of Shuya, to the right of the lake. 

On the south side, the lake is divided into three streams.  Near Lyubitelsky stream there is a noticeable hill - "Mermaid Mountain". This is one of the most popular places for camping enthusiasts. The Valdayka river connects the reservoirs of the Uzhin, Piros, Valdai and others into one lake cascade.

Recreation centers

The most popular recreation center is Berendeevo Tsarstvo. The "Standard" room costs from 1600 rubles here. Opposite the presidential residence there is the Northern Lights boarding house. The recreation center "Klyovoe mesto" is located on the territory of a pine forest. In addition to infrastructure facilities traditional for a tourist center, Klyovoye Mesto is known for its eponymous restaurant, where the most incredible culinary delights from fish are cooked. Moreover, the dishes can be cooked from fish caught by the guests themselves. Another famous place, located a kilometer from Lake Uzhin, is the Valdai rest house. The six-storey main building has 120 rooms of various comfort levels. There is also a mini-hotel with economy class rooms, a shared kitchen and a Finnish sauna. The sights of Valdai are the dachas of the Stalin era reconstructed in 2010, as well as the operating Orthodox church.

Fishing

According to the fishing rules, nets are prohibited here, so tourists and locals fish with spinning. The main trophies of the fisherman are roach, perch, crucian carp, tench, bleak, bream, and pike.

Nature

The lake has a ramified relief. Combined with its glacial origin, this makes its flora and fauna unique. There are deciduous forests, cedars, junipers, mountain ash, as well as pine and spruce. Berries and mushrooms grow in these places.

Sights

In addition to the territory of the presidential residence, which is closed for tourists, there are several well-known and open-to-visit attractions in the Valdai Territory. Among such famous monuments of architecture and antiquity is the Iversky Monastery.   Another destination is the Uyezd City Museum in Valdai. The exposition consists of household items,   trinkets, letters, postcards, etc.,  and the life of the Russian province is shown for several centuries. One of the main attractions of the region is the Valdai Bell Museum. Besides the fact that visitors get acquainted with the history of bell casting and bell-ringing techniques, they can ring some bells themselves.