# Suhoto Lake: Hike H02 Canonical page: https://semkovo.org/routes/h02-suhoto-lake/ Updated: 2026-10-19 Publisher: Matthias Zeitler Medium 9.9 km hike near Semkovo: Suhoto Lake. Directions, a topographic map and elevation profile; 4–6 hours. Starts at Coliving Semkovo. [Hiking](https://semkovo.org/hiking/) / H02 A steep forest climb via Semkovo Hut leads to Suhoto Lake, with a return along the same path. **Time**: 4–6 hours **Difficulty**: Medium **Distance**: 9.9 km **Ascent**: ↑ 540 m **Start**: Coliving Semkovo **Route**: Return walk Regular walkers comfortable with a steep forest climb. [Map & elevation profile](https://semkovo.org/routes/h02-suhoto-lake/#route-map)[Route directions](https://semkovo.org/routes/h02-suhoto-lake/#directions)[Interactive route map](https://semkovo.org/map/?route=H02)[Photos](https://semkovo.org/routes/h02-suhoto-lake/#route-photos) ![Suhoto Lake sign, lakeshore and mountain bowl.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-03-lake-suhoto-4-5h-06-960.webp) Suhoto Lake sign, lakeshore and mountain bowl. ## Route map Follow the line marked H02. Return walk. [![T01 / Semkovo & Suhoto lake](https://semkovo.org/maps/T01-960.webp)](https://semkovo.org/maps/T01.webp) T01 / Semkovo & Suhoto lake · H01 reaches the hut; H02 continues to Suhoto. The lake walk is shown outward. [View full map](https://semkovo.org/maps/T01.webp) Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database Licence; terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers [Open the selected route on the interactive map](https://semkovo.org/map/?route=H02) ## Elevation profile ![H02 elevation profile](https://semkovo.org/maps/H02.webp) H02 elevation profile · Return walk · 9.9 km Terrain produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union, EU-DEM layers Distance and ascent above follow the mapped route using terrain-model heights. Elevation: 1583–2046 m. Route measurements & alternative starts **Start/finish:** Coliving Semkovo. **Around 10 km return · 470 m ascent · allow 4–6 hours · moderate, with a steep forest climb.** From **Semkovo Hut**, the separate path is **4.03 km each way, about 8.1 km return**; a steady walk takes roughly **1 hour 40 minutes up and 1 hour 30 minutes down**. Mapped profile: 9.88 km, 540 m terrain-model ascent. Original guide estimate: around 10 km return, 470 m ascent. These are separately published figures; the profile uses terrain-model heights. Return walk · 9.9 km. Rounded labels on the original map or profile may differ slightly. The original guide estimates are retained here for comparison; use the full figures for your chosen starting point. ## Route directions **Who it’s for: Medium.** Regular walkers comfortable with a steep forest climb. Suhoto makes you earn the opening view. For the first 30–40 minutes above the hut, the forest path climbs hard; then the slope eases and the walk settles into a quieter rhythm. The lake sits in a broad mountain bowl, an excellent place to unpack lunch and give your legs a holiday. **The way:** reach Semkovo Hut, pass the fountain and park information boards, then follow the signed left turn into the forest. A steep gully leads to another signed left. At **Lopatitsa clearing**, take the left-hand lake branch. Beyond the half-hour sign, look for a small cairn and turn right; the straight continuation grows over. Cross two streams on the final approach to the lake. For the simplest return, retrace the outward path. Other return lines exist, but do not improvise a circuit at an unsigned fork. Wet roots, the steep gully and the stream crossings deserve care after rain. Keep track of the forks on the way up: they look different when you are coming down. ## Before you set off Check weather and access, carry the map offline and leave your route and expected return with someone at Coliving. Grades describe dry summer conditions. Snow or ice changes the route. [Mountain preparation](https://semkovo.org/essentials/#mountain-safety-and-insurance)[Find a local guide](https://semkovo.org/providers/#mountain-guides)[Save the full PDF guide](https://semkovo.org/guide/) Photos from this route ![Walkers resting at Suhoto Lake with the mountain bowl beyond.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-03-lake-suhoto-4-5h-07-960.webp) Walkers resting at Suhoto Lake with the mountain bowl beyond. ![Five walkers by Suhoto Lake beneath the mountain slopes.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-03-lake-suhoto-4-5h-01-960.webp) Five walkers by Suhoto Lake beneath the mountain slopes. ![A walker on a shaded forest trail during the Suhoto Lake outing.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-03-lake-suhoto-4-5h-02-960.webp) A walker on a shaded forest trail during the Suhoto Lake outing. ![Narrow forest path on the Suhoto Lake outing.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-03-lake-suhoto-4-5h-03-960.webp) Narrow forest path on the Suhoto Lake outing. ![Ducks on a wooded pond along the Suhoto walk.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-03-lake-suhoto-4-5h-04-960.webp) Ducks on a wooded pond along the Suhoto walk. ![Fallen tree across a narrow forest path on the Suhoto outing, as photographed in 2025.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-03-lake-suhoto-4-5h-05-960.webp) Fallen tree across a narrow forest path on the Suhoto outing, as photographed in 2025. ## Other walks to consider [Back to all hikes](https://semkovo.org/hiking/) [![Walkers picnicking beside Vapsko Lake in its rocky mountain bowl.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-05-vapsko-lake-6-7h-01-960.webp)](https://semkovo.org/routes/h03-vapski-lakes/) Experienced · H03 ### [Vapski Lakes](https://semkovo.org/routes/h03-vapski-lakes/) 6–7 hours 15.4 km · ↑ 750 m · Return walk From Coliving Semkovo Fit hillwalkers with a full day and mountain navigation skills. [View route and map](https://semkovo.org/routes/h03-vapski-lakes/) [![Karaalanitsa cascade descending across rock beside a concrete water structure.](https://semkovo.org/images/local-04-karaalnitsa-waterfall-5h-01-960.webp)](https://semkovo.org/routes/h07-karaalnitsa-karaalanitsa-waterfall/) Medium · H07 ### [Karaalnitsa / Karaalanitsa Waterfall](https://semkovo.org/routes/h07-karaalnitsa-karaalanitsa-waterfall/) Around 5 hours walking 13.6 km · ↑ 570 m · Return walk From Coliving Semkovo Regular walkers who can sustain a five-hour forest-road day. [View route and map](https://semkovo.org/routes/h07-karaalnitsa-karaalanitsa-waterfall/) [![T03 / Karaalanitsa & western lakes](https://semkovo.org/maps/T03-960.webp)](https://semkovo.org/routes/h04-skalishki-rejepski-lakes/) Experienced · H04 ### [Skalishki / Rejepski Lakes](https://semkovo.org/routes/h04-skalishki-rejepski-lakes/) 3½–4 hours; access extra 6.1 km · ↑ 520 m · Return walk From Karaalanitsa meadow · transport to the start Confident mountain walkers on steep, faint paths; road access is extra. [View route and map](https://semkovo.org/routes/h04-skalishki-rejepski-lakes/)