Hike
There’s no better way than hiking to see Ukraine’s Carpathians up close and personal. Trekking through one of the last remaining virgin forests in Europe readily confirms the feeling that wildness has never quite left these woods. You’d almost think it’s all about the journey, not the destination, until your eyes behold the vistas atop Ukraine’s tallest peaks, mirror-like lakes, and mountain-top meadows. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging climb, the trail network within the Carpathian National Nature Park has the perfect path for you.
TOP DAY HIKES
Mount Hoverla Trail
Length
4.0 mi
Difficulty
Moderately Hard
Elevation Gain
2,286 ft
Start Before
12 pm (All Year)
Mount Hoverla is the crowning peak of Ukraine. More than just a feature on the horizon, Hoverla embodies the national pride of the Ukrainian people, especially following the Revolution of Dignity in 2014.
Makovytsia Mountain & Dovbush Rocks Trails
Length
7.5 mi
Difficulty
Easy
Elevation Gain
1,425 ft
Start Before
5 pm (May - Oct)
Hikers who traverse the Makovytsia and Dovbush trails will find themselves following in the footsteps of an 18th-century rebel leader known today as the Carpathian Robin Hood.
Pip Ivan Mountain & Observatory Trail
Length
12.6 mi
Difficulty
Hard
Elevation Gain
4,832 ft
Start Before
9am (May - Oct)
The Pip Ivan Mountain trail takes hikers beyond the clouds and into the stars. At Pip Ivan’s peak stands the former Polish astronomical and meteorological observatory known as the “White Elephant''.
Khomyak Mountain Trail
Length
9.9 mi
Difficulty
Moderately Hard
Elevation Gain
3,930 ft
Start Before
9 am (May - Oct)
Sharing the name with one of the Carpathians’ most mild-mannered mammals, Khomyak translates to “hamster” in English. Nearing the summit, hikers are greeted by striking red-and-grey, lichen-covered boulder fields cascading down the mountainside.
Nesamovyte Lake Trail
Length
3.7 mi
Difficulty
Easy
Elevation Gain
1,610 ft
Start Before
12 pm (May - Oct)
Nesamovyte Lake isn’t known for its vast shoreline or crushing depths. Instead, hikers are drawn to the mountain top lake for its serene, mirror-like qualities.