Lake Milada is one of the most remarkable landscape transformations in Central Europe — a former open-pit brown coal mine turned into a sparkling recreational lake covering over 252 hectares. Visiting here feels like witnessing nature's quiet triumph over industry, with open water, young forests and fresh air replacing what was once a vast industrial pit.

The atmosphere around the lake is genuinely uplifting. Gently sloping shores, newly planted woodlands and wide-open skies give the landscape a raw, pioneering character that feels quite unlike any traditional lake destination. In summer the place buzzes with swimmers, sailors and cyclists; in spring and autumn a peaceful stillness takes over, with morning mist drifting across the water creating an almost otherworldly scene. The lake reaches a maximum depth of nearly 25 metres, and the water — a natural blend of groundwater, stream water and rainwater — is continuously monitored for quality.

• Chabařovice (town parking) — cycle route No. 3009, easy, loops around the lake across the former spoil heap terrain, connecting to Habří, Řehlovice and Stadice.
• Ústí nad Labem — reach Chabařovice by car or public transport, then continue on foot or by bike to the lakeshore.

• The lake has been open to the public since May 2015.
• Activities on offer include swimming, fishing, sailing, inline skating, running and horse riding.
• Information boards around the lake tell the story of the villages that disappeared when mining began.
• The ambitious 'Wild Milada' project — a planned 700-hectare nature and recreation zone with a unique zoo focused on large animals — is currently in development; check for updates before your visit.

Here is a remarkable fact: in summer 2022, Lake Milada served as a water source for aerial firefighting during the major forest fires in Bohemian Switzerland National Park — a vivid reminder that this man-made lake has already become an essential part of the regional landscape.