Top 5 hiking routes in the Carpathians worth choosing this winter

Grey weekdays, dirty snow on the roads, and virtually no real frosty season. At such moments, it seems that the fairy tale exists only in pictures or has remained in the past. However, you can still find in the mountains. Today we are going to tell you about the best picturesque destinations for winter hiking.

Borzhava Ridge

It is located within the Volovets, Mizhhiria, Svaliava, Irshava and Khust districts of Zakarpattia region. The massif stretches for about 50 kilometers.

In winter, the location becomes the center of ski recreation at the Pylypets resort. However, hiking in this region requires special care. Due to frequent avalanches and dense fog on the peaks, hiking routes during this period are recommended only for experienced travelers with sufficient training and equipment.

Therefore, we recommend choosing a one-day hike along the Volovets-Mount Voskresenskyi Verkh-Volovets route with an experienced instructor. In summer, the trip takes about 5 hours. From December to February, the time increases, but it all depends on your speed. Follow the red markings.

Kukul

It is located within the Nadvirna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region at an altitude of 1,539 meters above sea level.

In winter, we recommend choosing the Voronenko Village-Mount Kukul route, which is most popular among travelers. It is the easiest with a short distance of 12 kilometers.

The first stop after the start is the Prypir Lodge. Tables and benches with a canopy have been set up here. Then the path goes to the Bukovyna valley, known for its huts and a convenient place to place tents, and you can also collect drinking water. The final stage of the ascent will be the Serednia Valley, where there are traditional Hutsul dwellings where you can spend the night.

At the top, tourists will see an old cemetery from the First World War. This is the burial place of German soldiers.

You can also admire the Gorgany and Hoverla mountains from here.

Makivka

It is located in the Skole district of Lviv region at an altitude of 958 meters above sea level.

From April 29 to May 4, 1915, the neighborhood became the scene of fierce battles between the legion of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen and the Russian troops of General Alftan. Today there is a memorial to the fallen soldiers.

The route Tukhlia-Hrabovets-Makivka-Holovetsko stretches for 13 kilometers.

The hike usually starts from the railway station of the village, the name of which has an interesting origin.

According to a legend, a traveler, tired of wandering, stopped here to rest and, struck by the beauty of the area, decided to stay. Over time, a settlement was formed at this place, and when officials asked for a name for the documents, the man replied that he simply "got tired (okliav in Ukrainian) and stayed." The civil servants must have heard it wrong and called it Tukhlia instead.

Shpytsi

One of the peaks of the Chornohora mountain range. It is located in the Verkhovyna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region at an altitude of 1,863 meters above sea level. The location is characterized by unique rocky outcrops.

The easiest way to Shpytsi starts from the Zarosliak tourist center. From there, an 8-kilometer-long trail runs through the Maryshevska meadow.

From the top, you can admire the ridge: Brebeneskul, Vuhaty Kamin and Dzembronia mounts are visible on the left, and Turkul, Petros and Hoverla - on the right.

For those who want to do a two-day hike, we recommend adding Nesamovyte Lake to the route.

Yavirnyk Ridge

It is located in Ivano-Frankivsk region at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level. The route to the eponymous ridge also runs through the valley.

The most popular route, Yaremche-Yavir-Yavirnyk-Gorgan-Yavirnyk, stretches for 15 kilometers. The hike starts from the souvenir market through the Probiy waterfall.

We also recommend going to the Zhenetskyi Huk waterfall. The natural attraction was formed as a result of a flood in the postwar years.

Important points for winter hiking:

1. Be sure to follow the weather forecast and avoid hiking during heavy snowfalls, blizzards, and ice. Inform the rescuers about your route.z
2. Take care of special equipment: warm clothes, waterproof shoes, thermal underwear, mittens, hat, buff, sunglasses and sunscreen, thermos flasks with hot tea, food, first aid kit, flashlight, compass or GPS navigator, map, etc.
3. Keep in mind that tourists without experience in winter mountain travel should start with simple destinations accompanied by experienced instructors.

Pack your backpack, call your friends and go on a trip to the Ukrainian Carpathians!

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