One of the most attractive, in terms of its availability, types of recreation is recreation in Ukraine. Only if Crimean peninsula already familiar to almost everyone, the Carpathians are an unexplored land. Not only tourists from abroad, but also most of our compatriots, cannot even imagine what the Carpathians are.
Carpathians on the map
Rest in the Carpathians in winter is, first of all, skiing. The most prestigious and promoted resort is Bukovel. To every lover skiing there will be entertainment to your liking. Trails of any complexity, comfortable lifts, a lot of food points, excellent equipment rental - all this will be provided by Bukovel.
Map of the Carpathian mountain tourist. sights
Do not think that Bukovel is the only decent place in the Carpathians. Displayed on new level comfort and ski resorts such as Dragobrat - the most mountain resort, Podobovets, Pylypets and Slavske. Particularly attractive on vacation in the Carpathians - the opportunity to celebrate the New Year. Crowds of tourists come to the Carpathian resorts to plunge into the celebration of the most important holiday of the year.
Especially like to relax those who know how to work well. And in order to work well, you need high-quality tools and equipment, if you need electric carts, then in the Baltic-Forklift store you can find any kind of electric carts and stackers, be sure to buy equipment.
Map of the Carpathians
Without a doubt, the most famous and popular mountains in Europe are the Alps. But in this part of the world there is another mountain system that is inferior to the Alps in height, but surpasses them in size. And it also attracts great attention of tourists and lovers of winter recreation. Where are the Carpathians? In which countries are they located? When were these mountains formed, and why are they interesting?
"Stone Mountains"
The word "Carpathians" evokes approximately the same images and plots for everyone: a dark forest, thick fog creeping along the slopes, molfar sorcerers and, of course, the castle of the famous Count Dracula. These mountains are indeed shrouded in a certain halo of mysticism and mystery. But not everyone knows exactly where the Carpathians are and when they were formed.
The name of this mountain system was first used by Claudius Ptolemy in the second century AD. It also occurs in the works of Herodotus. In particular, the "father of history" mentions the river Karpis. It is believed that this tributary of the Danube borrowed its name from the mountains from the slopes of which it flows.
The very word "Carpathians", according to some researchers, comes from the name of the Thracian tribe "Karpov", who lived in this territory in the III-IV centuries. Other scholars associate it with the Proto-European word kar, which translates as "stone". True, the "stone mountains" of the Carpathians can be called a stretch. After all, most of the mountain system is represented by gentle valleys and peaks with smooth outlines, where rocky ledges and pointed peaks are extremely rare.
However, there is a third version that connects the origin of the toponym with the Slavic word "khrb", which means "ridge". Given where the Carpathians are located, this version looks quite plausible. After all, it was the Slavic tribes and peoples who for many centuries mastered and settled this area.
Where are the Carpathians: countries and major cities
The total area of the mountain system is 190 thousand square kilometers, the length is 1500 kilometers. Where are the Carpathian Mountains located? They are located in the eastern part of Central Europe. On the map, they form an arc, which in geological terms is an offshoot of the Alpine-Himalayan folded region.
In which states are the Carpathians located? Where are their natural boundaries? The mountain system covers the territories of eight European countries. This:
- Czech.
- Poland.
- Slovakia.
- Ukraine.
- Hungary.
- Romania.
- Serbia.
- Austria.
About 70% of the total area of the Carpathian mountain country accounted for by two states - Romania and Ukraine. But only its extreme western spurs enter Austria. The largest cities located within the Carpathian Mountains:
- Bielsko-Biala (Poland).
- Zakopane (Poland).
- Banska Bystrica (Slovakia).
- Kosice (Slovakia).
- Zilina (Slovakia).
- Cluj-Napoca (Romania).
- Brasov (Romania).
- Oradea (Romania).
- Sibiu (Romania).
- Uzhgorod (Ukraine).
- Kolomyia (Ukraine).
- Vrsac (Serbia).
That's where the Carpathians are. It remains to find out what parts this mountain system consists of.
Structure of the Carpathians
The Carpathian Mountains consist of eight orographic parts (see the map below):
- Outer Western Carpathians.
- Inner Western Carpathians.
- Outer Eastern Carpathians.
- Inner Eastern Carpathians.
- Southern Carpathians.
- Western Romanian Carpathians.
- Transylvanian plateau.
- Serbian Carpathians.
In addition, a number of separate massifs are distinguished within the mountain system: Beskydy, Ore Mountains, Tatras (the most high part Carpathians), Gorgany, Rodna, Peniny, Fagarash and others. The average heights of the Carpathian Mountains range from 800-1200 meters. The highest point is Mount Gerlachowski-Sztit.
Carpathian Mountains: main features and interesting facts
Here are some of them:
- Despite insignificant heights and gentle forms, the Carpathians are young mountains. They arose at about the same time (of course, by geological standards) with the Alps and the Himalayas.
- Mountain building processes in the Carpathians are still going on. This is evidenced by earthquakes, which are regularly recorded here. The strength of individual shocks reaches 5-7 points on the Richter scale.
- The Carpathians were once characterized by active volcanic activity. The cones of extinct volcanoes can be seen in the vicinity of Uzhgorod, Mukachevo and Khust.
- The Carpathian subsoil is rich in numerous minerals. The main mineral wealth of the mountain system is oil, gas, ozocerite, marble and gold.
- The width of the Carpathian Mountains in some places reaches 450 kilometers.
- The Alps are only 14 kilometers from the Carpathians. The border between the two largest mountain systems in Europe passes just between Vienna and Bratislava.
- At the beginning of the 20th century, numerous remains of prehistoric animals were discovered on the territory of a mountainous country - mammoths, huge deer and various birds.
- The Carpathians are considered the birthplace of the world's largest musical instrument - the trembita. The length of this wooden tube is 4 meters. It is able to propagate sound for 10-20 kilometers.
Origin and age of the Carpathian Mountains
Long before the formation of the modern mountain system, there was a chain of ridges in its place, connecting the Sudetes with the Dobruja (a hill in Romania). Geologists call it Prakarpaty. Subsequently, these mountains were destroyed by powerful movements earth's crust, and in their place, by the beginning of the Mesozoic, an almost flat plain was formed.
The age of the Carpathian geosyncline is quite "young" - only 25 million years. The process of formation of a mountainous country began at the end of the Paleogene period and proceeded gradually. The structures of the Outer Carpathians were the first to emerge. For a long time, the sea splashed between the outer and inner ridges of the Carpathian Mountains. During its existence, powerful strata of sandy deposits have accumulated here.
Climate and flora of the Carpathians
The climate of the territory is temperate continental and quite humid. The average temperatures in July are +17…20 °C, in January from -2 to -5 °C. Precipitation falls from 600 to 2000 mm per year.
In the Carpathians, the altitudinal zonality of landscapes is clearly traced. Up to a height of 600 meters, broad-leaved and mixed forests grow, from 600 to 1500 meters - dark coniferous forests, even higher - undersized shrubs. The tops of many Carpathian mountains are covered with subalpine meadows. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, they came up with their own name - "hollowlands".
In the Carpathian forests, most often you can find European spruce, fir and beech. Oak, hornbeam, pine, alder, birch and larch are also common. The lower tier is occupied by thickets of raspberries, blackberries, lingonberries and blueberries.
The main resorts of the Carpathians
Where are the most popular ski resorts in the Carpathians and what are they called? And what are they? Bukovel, Dragobrat, Slavske (Ukraine) are usually ranked among the most famous Carpathian resorts; Zakopane, Szczyrk, Karpacz, Krynica (Poland), Poianu Brasov, Sinai, Predeal (Romania), Jasna (Slovakia).
Zakopane is perhaps the best ski resort in the Carpathians. Where are its tracks? The resort is located in the southern part of Poland, in a small town with the same name. The total length of its tracks is 60 kilometers. They are designed for all categories of skiers - from beginners to professionals. The skiing season lasts from late October to mid-April.
Bukovel is the main Ukrainian ski resort, which is located in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. It is distinguished by quality tracks and excellent infrastructure. The ideal snow cover is preserved here from the beginning of December until the end of April.
Notable peaks
Gerlachowski Stitt (2654 m) is the most high mountain in the Carpathians. It is located on the territory of Slovakia, near the town of Gerlachov. Today the mountain is very popular among tourists. However, climbing to its top requires serious preparation and is allowed only with an experienced guide.
Hoverla (2061 m) is the highest point of the Ukrainian Carpathians, located within the Montenegrin ridge. Climbing this mountain is relatively easy, so summer time its peak is conquered by dozens of tourists every day. Hoverla is known for the fact that the largest river in Eastern Europe, the Prut, originates from its slopes.
Moldoveanu (2544 m) is the highest peak in Romania. It is located in the heart of the country, within the Fagaras mountain range. Climbing Moldovyanu is a little more difficult than climbing Hoverla, however, its conquest does not cause any particular difficulties for experienced tourists.
It would be unfair to associate the Carpathians only with Bukovel, Dragobrat, Hoverla and tourists. We are talking about the tourist background of the region and 15 original mountainous places near Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv, where, in addition to skiing, you can try hiking, rafting and even zipline, ride a mountain bike, learn how to make voodoo and Hutsul "lizhniki", see mountain lakes, Austrian architecture, viaducts and stave churches. And breathe freedom, of course.
The Carpathians and Transcarpathia is a tourist region with a European background. Until the end of World War II, it developed in the context of the Austrian, Czech and Polish economy and culture, which undoubtedly benefited it. In 1895, the first tourist train left Lviv for Skole, and tourist shelters began to appear on the mountain slopes of the Carpathians - a kind of "hostel", where travelers could take a breath during mountain hikes, warm up and sleep for free. In the main tourist cities - Uzhgorod, Mukachevo, Beregovo, Vinogradov, Rakhiv, Khust - the first hotels were opened. By 1939, there were at least 20 of them. The entire tourist infrastructure of Transcarpathia at that time was built thanks to the activities of the Club of Czechoslovak Tourists. The club developed and marked tourist routes, opened tourist houses, shelters, hotels, restaurants and even a boat station, published tourist guides in several foreign languages. Approximately the same thing happened on Polish territory - in Galicia.
Tourists came to the Carpathians to look at castles or their ruins, monasteries, Dacian and Roman settlements near the Great and Small Kopany, to study folk crafts, ride a narrow gauge railway and rest on some mountain slope in a tent. But suddenly the Czechoslovak Republic collapsed, World War II broke out, the territory of Transcarpathia was captured by the Hungarians, and later by the Soviets. During this period, most of the tourist infrastructure was destroyed. The Soviet government turned the Carpathians into a health resort paradise.
Over the past 25 years, the tourism sector of Transcarpathia has been developing spontaneously and chaotically, mainly due to the activity of caring people, the innate entrepreneurial spirit of locals and the capital of some oligarchs, of course.
Today's Carpathians are such a cocktail of European charm, original Hutsul culture and Radyansk relics. Immediately buy a ticket to Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk or Lviv to drink it as soon as possible.
Vizhnitsa - Hasidim, rocks and mushroom paradise
If the train brought you to Chernivtsi, and the soul requires mountains, go to Vizhnitsa (75 km from Chernivtsi) - from here the Carpathians begin.
In the 18th century, the Hasidim were the main feature of Vizhnitsa - the founder of Hasidism, Rabbi Israel, lived there. In the Austrian period, Vyzhnitsa was a famous ski center. And during the Romanian occupation, the name of this village was associated with a famous cabaret. Today in Vyzhnytsia you will find both - colorful culture and good tourist infrastructure.
Things to do
View Austrian and Romanian architecture
Vizhnitsa resembles a museum under open sky: typical provincial European town beginning of the 20th century. Here, in a fairly decent form, many Austrian and Romanian buildings have been preserved. Be sure to take a look at the railway station, the town hall, the main synagogue, the gymnasium building, the building of the district hospital and the college of applied arts - all these buildings have been standing here for more than 100 years. On Ukrainskaya Street, look at the building of the once popular cabaret (now the house of children's creativity), and near the market, do not pass by the former Romanian border outpost.
Conquer rocks and huge boulders
If you feel like a confident rock climber, then don’t forget to take the necessary equipment on your trip, because in the vicinity of Vyzhnitsa there are several huge rocks and boulders (30-40 m) at once: rocky massif "Protate kaminnya" (near the Nemchich pass), "Pechera Dovbush" (near Nemchich). These rocks are also quite a target for hiking. They stand in a beech forest on a low mountain, from where you can see the Carpathians in all their glory. You can put up a tent in the forest. The ascent is not difficult - it is possible with children.
Rafting on the mountain river Cheremosh
The Cheremosh River was once the border between Romania and Poland, and now separates the Chernivtsi region from Ivano-Frankivsk. This is the most popular river in the Carpathians among amateurs. Google, you can easily find about 10 companies that organize not only rafting, but also a comprehensive adventure program with rafting and mountain climbing.
pick mushrooms
Bukovyna is the edge of beech forests, where giant mushrooms grow. If you are planning an autumn trip to the Carpathians and want to join the sacred action of picking mushrooms, go from Vyzhnytsia to Vyzhenka (6.5 km) - there are the most mushroom places and you can find a guide from local seasoned mushroom pickers.
To ski
Near Vizhnitsa there are two ski resorts at once - the modest Nemchich Pass and the solid Migovo.
"Nemchich Pass"- This is a small tourist complex, which includes a hotel, a restaurant, slopes, 2 drag lifts and a rental office. You can go skiing here on an extremely budgetary basis: € 0.15 - a one-time lift, from € 3 - a subscription, from € 2 per day - ski / snowboard rental.
"Migovo"- a solid ski complex with a hostel, several hotels, restaurants, clubs, spa-center. Someone calls Migovo the main competitor of Bukovel, but the prices here are incomparably lower: from € 1 - a one-time lift, from € 16 - a day pass, from € 3 per day - ski / snowboard rental.
Where to stay
It is best to choose accommodation in Vyzhnitsa, Vizhenka and Migov on the website hotels24.ua. Unlike Booking, you can find accommodation options in estates, guest houses and mini-hotels there. Prices in Vyzhenka and Vyzhnitsa start from € 14 for a double room, in Mihov - from € 30, and in Nemchich for € 30 you can rent a double room with two meals a day.
Where to eat
The largest and most popular restaurant in Vyzhnytsia - "Kupalska Nich"(st. O. Dovbush, 1a) . Try “trout in sour cream”, “pull in glechika” and draft beer here, and for dessert, take dumplings with cherries. Just get ready for the fact that you will find yourself in a traditional Hutsul establishment, where service and speed of service are not the strongest points.
How to get there
From Minsk: by plane to Chernivtsi (UIA - from € 84). By train or bus via Kiev, Lviv or Kovel (from € 25) to Chernivtsi. From Chernivtsi - by minibus to Vizhnitsa. Next - ride / taxi.
From Brest: by bus Brest-Kovel (from € 4), from Kovel by train to Chernivtsi (from € 3.5). From Chernivtsi - by minibus to Vizhnitsa. Next - ride / taxi.
From Kiev: by train to Chernivtsi (from € 6), by plane to Chernivtsi (UIA - from € 38). From Chernivtsi - by minibus to Vizhnitsa. Next - ride / taxi.
Verkhovynshchyna - two-thousander mountains, waterfalls and a cultural reserve
Alpine city Verkhovyna (Ivano-Farankovskaya region) and its satellite villages are considered the center of the ancient Hutsul region, this is true Western Ukraine, surrounded by two-thousander mountains. In Verkhovyna itself, be sure to visit a private museum Roman Kumlik (St. I. Franka, 35) , where, in addition to authentic Hutsul household items, he collected a rich collection of musical instruments.
Things to do
Charge with creativity and get acquainted with the culture of the Hutsuls in Kryvorivna (Krivorivnya)
Hutsul is a Ukrainian highlander, a freestyler who loves to dress up himself and his house in order to appear before his neighbors in all its glory. Therefore, the jacket of a normal Hutsul is embroidered with gold and flavored with pompoms, and his house is decorated with carpets, embroidered towels and intricate carvings. All these cultural artifacts you can see in the village Krivorivnya(7 km from Verkhovyna), where there are 14 (!) Museums. "Hutsul hut-citizenship" and the historical and cultural museum in the school building are an obligatory part of the program of every decent tourist.
Kryvorivnya is not only a terry Hutsul region, but also a once bohemian center, a fashionable resort where the cultural beau monde gathered - writers and public figures - Ivan Franko, Lesya Ukrainka with his girlfriend Olga Kobylianska, Osip Makovei, Vasyl Stefanyk and Mikhail Kotsyubinsky. And Sergei Parajanov filmed "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" here. In general, Kryvorivnya is charged with creativity. To feel the atmosphere, visit the Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors Museum and the Ivan Franko Literary and Memorial Museum.
The cultural program can be diversified by hiking. In the vicinity of Kryvorivnya, hiking trails begin to the rocks of Pisanogo Kamen and to the top of Igrets (1,311 m).
See the waterfalls and climb to the mountain observatory
If the main purpose of your trip to the Carpathians is hiking, head for Dzembronya, a highland village where no more than 300 highlanders live. From here it is most convenient to climb Mount Pop-Ivan and, in general, start climbing the Chernogorsky Range.
You can climb Pop-Ivan in different ways, but to see the cascades of Smotrytsky waterfalls along the way, head to Mount Eared Stone. From this point to the top of Pop-Ivan and the old observatory is within easy reach.
The stone observatory - the White Elephant - on Mount Pop-Ivan was built by Warsaw University in the late 30s. last century to observe the stars and the weather. The building was abandoned for several decades. Recently, in a small part of it, volunteers have equipped a tourist shelter, where rescuers live and exhausted people stay. mountain climbs tourists.
Try voorda, try on the Hutsul vyshyvanka and see the Carpathian two-thousanders in Iltsy
In the Carpathian dreams of experienced tourists - the conquest of the Montenegrin ridge - six mountains of two thousand meters. If you are a beginner and spend more time in the office than in the gym and on the treadmill, we advise you to start from the Kostrych ridge. Climb Mount Kostrych (1586 m), which is located directly opposite the Montenegrin ridge, and watch how powerful two-thousanders prop up the clouds with their snow caps. You will not see such a picture from any other point of the Carpathians! And here's another nice bonus for you: the slopes of Kostrych are strewn with blueberries in summer, and in autumn with porcini mushrooms.
Take some cash with you on a hike and don't pass by the huts - small wooden houses, there are several of them on the ridge. In the summer, Hutsuls-shepherds live in the huts, who graze cows, sheep and goats in the vicinity and immediately prepare cheeses - brynza, budz and vurda. From late autumn until April, no one lives in the huts, and tourists use them for overnight stays.
You can climb Kostrych from the village of Iltsy or from the Krivopol Pass, which can be reached from Verkhovyna. In Iltsy, do not forget to look into museum-estate of the poetess Galinka Verkhovinka(village Iltsy, annex Veliky Grabovets) to learn all about the Hutsul vyshyvanka and try on the image of a Hutsul. In winter you can go skiing in Iltsy. To do this, there are three slopes of medium difficulty (length - 700 m), two drag lifts and equipment rental.
See how the Hutsul "lizhniki" make and grill their own trout caught in Yavoriv
In the village Yavorov(Yavoriv) in many houses they still create "lizhniki" - woven bedspreads made of sheep's wool. The ability to weave here is inherited. Until recently, children studied lizhnikarstvo at school and even passed a mandatory test for it. Today, woven bedspreads are used less and less in everyday life, but local craftswomen updated their product and began to sew raincoats, coats and jackets from it. Go to Yavorov (21 km from Verkhovyna, there is a bus) to join the ancient Hutsul art. In the center of folk art "Hutsulska ґrazhda" you can take part in a master class.
If you like fishing, here's another reason for you to be in Yavoriv - a trout farm "Eco-trout", where you can catch a few fish, and then place an order for their preparation. Be sure to try the trout in sour cream sauce and banosh. While your fish is cooking, go see the local waterfall, which is modestly called Yawor Niagara.
Where to stay
A double junior suite in a private estate in Verkhovyna can be rented for € 15-20, although it is not so easy to find a double room - most owners of cottages rent them out entirely. Find the right option on the website. hotels24.ua or booking.karpaty.ua. Pay attention to the private estate of the Jurak family, especially if you are planning mountain trips. The owners of the estate promise to help with an instructor.
If you are going big company look at the cottage "Trembita" 8 with sauna, fireplace, gazebos and barbecue facilities.
There is a cozy guest house in the village of Krivopillya "FIREPLACE" with a beautiful terrace, a fireplace room and large windows in the rooms that look at the mountains. You can order meals from the owners.
Where to eat
Restaurant with panoramic windows "Panorama Verhovel" (St. Ivana-Franka, 1, Verkhovyna village) go for complex aesthetic pleasure. Unlike many other Hutsul establishments, here they bother about the beautiful presentation of dishes. Panorama Verhovel prepares excellent bograch, trout in sour cream sauce and banush with porcini mushrooms. Don't forget to try the liqueurs here.
If you go to Yavorov, go to a colorful restaurant for lunch "Babay" (attached to Rivne, on the highway Kosiv-Verkhovyna) . Try here the signature dish "Babai in Glechika", Hutsul cabbage rolls and banosh, and for dessert - tea with mountain herbs and pancakes with cottage cheese. The restaurant has a good selection of wines.
How to get there
From Minsk: by bus to Ivano-Frankivsk (from € 30), by plane to Ivano-Frankivsk (UIA - from € 70). From Ivano-Franovsk by minibus to Verkhovyna, Iltsov.
From Kiev: by train to Ivano-Frankivsk (from €4), by plane to Ivano-Frankivsk (from €47.5). From Ivano-Franovsk by minibus to Verkhovyna, Iltsov.
Vorokhta - 100-year-old viaduct, zipline and mountain lake
Yaremche, together with Bukovel and Dragobrat, is one of the three most famous ski resorts in the Carpathians. Life in these villages revolves around tourists. They built a good tourist infrastructure here, sacrificing their authenticity and sincerity for this. Therefore, we advise you to choose Yaremcha or Bukovel, only as a last resort - if your main interest is a good ski track and comfort. And for lively culture, hiking, (cheap living) and rural romance, it is better to go to the neighboring high-mountain Vorokhta or Mykulychyn, making forays into the surroundings from there, including Bukovel or Yaremcha.
Things to do
Walk under the arches of the century-old viaduct in Vorokhta
The two longest viaducts in Ukraine (100 and 130 meters) appeared in Vorokhta in Austro-Hungarian times. Despite their advanced age, they still help trains climb the slopes of the mountain. And they still amaze with their greatness.
Climb to the mountain lake
The tourist base "Zaroslyak" in Vorokhta is the starting point for mountain hikes to the nearest mountains of Spitz and Kukul, and to main mountain Chernogorsky ridge - Goverle. If the body requires hiking, but the soul beautiful views, but multi-day hikes are not included in your plans, choose as your goal the Spicy mountain (1863 m) with the Nesamovyte lake (1750 m) and / or Kukul. One day is enough to conquer these peaks. The route to the lake is well marked, so you are unlikely to get lost. There are many legends connected with Lake Nesamovite, each of them seems to hint that you should not swim in the icy (even in summer) waters of a high mountain reservoir. But this does not stop the majority of frost-resistant tourists.
If you are an advanced skier and like to freeride, the western and northeastern slopes of Mt. Kukul are the right place for this. Other slopes of this mountain are quite gentle, so climbing to the top will not take much effort from you. And if you suddenly take a walk before dark, then you can spend the night in one of the Hutsul huts. Look for them in the mountain valley. If you find yourself in Vorokhta in the spring (April), be sure to climb Kukul to see the purple slopes strewn with crocuses.
Go down the 720-meter zipline in Vorokhta
The first in Ukraine appeared in Vorokhta (St. B. Khmelnitsky, at the beginning of the forest) . The descent is divided into two sections: 550 and 170 meters. Height difference - 18 meters.
Climb the abandoned ski jump in Vorokhta
A ninety-meter springboard for extreme training appeared here in the 30s of the last century, when Vorokhta was part of Poland. For the last 20 years, it has stood idle, despite periodic attempts to “restart” it. If you go here to take some interesting photos, look at the Hutsul market next to the springboard, where everything that warms the soul of a Belarusian tourist is sold: traditional cheeses, honey, mushrooms, berries and woolen socks.
Try craft beer in Mykulychyn
In a small Hutsul brewery "Mikulychin" (v. Mykulychyn, vul. Grushevskogo, 68b) beer has been brewed for 15 years: light, dark, honey, wheat and rye. In addition to it, here you can try real Carpathian honey, homemade cheeses and buy natural "beer" cosmetics. A visit to the brewery can be combined with a walk to the 15-meter Zhenetsky (Hook) waterfall, which does not dry out even in summer.
Where to stay
In Vorokhta, several dozen cottages, private estates and mini-hotels accept tourists. Prices for double rooms start from € 10. It is better to look for options on booking.karpaty.ua or hotels24.ua. If you want to live higher from the highway and look at Hoverla from your window, take a closer look at a private hotel "Huts on stumps" (St. Mikhail Grushevsky, 5) , which is managed by the good-natured Orestes. There is a sauna with two pools, a vat, a trout pond where you can go fishing, a small restaurant and a rooster that will not let you sleep through all the fun.
Where to eat
The main (it is by local standards and the most expensive) restaurant in Vorokhta - "Stara Vorokhta"(st. Danila Galitsky, 66) with typical Western Ukrainian cuisine. Try herb trout, porcini mushrooms and liqueurs here.
If you want to dine in a real Carpathian hut, go to Yaremcha in "Red Manor" (st. V. Ivasyuka, 6) . Feel free to order potato pancakes in glechek, veal cheeks with pea puree and shish kebab, which will be cooked for you on the grill right in the center of the hall. Rumor has it that they serve the most delicious horseradish in the Carpathians.
How to get there
From Minsk: by bus to Ivano-Frankivsk (from € 30), by plane to Ivano-Frankivsk (UIA - from € 70). From Ivano-Franovsk by minibus to Vorokhta. Or by plane to Kiev (UIA - from € 65), by train to Kiev (from € 35). From Kiev by train to Vorokhta (from € 4.5) or Yaremche (from € 8.5).
From Kiev: by train to Vorokhta (from € 4.5) or Yaremche (from € 8.5).
Synevyr park to climb to the mountain lake of the same name. See brown bears given new life in rehabilitation center(v. Synevyrska Polyana) , is a no less worthy reason to make this long journey. Most of the guests of the Rehabilitation Center are former "workers" of circuses and entertainment venues. Almost all bears end up in this shelter with psychological trauma and a bunch of diseases. Some emaciated animals are given away by the owners voluntarily, while others are won back by the employees of the Rehabilitation Center through the courts. In their new home, the bears are treated, restored and learn to live in natural conditions (they even have dens here!).
Hutsulize
Synevyrska glade is an excellent location for relaxing in the off-season (spring, autumn), if you want to breathe in fresh air, take a break from people and get a little hutsulized. At the market in Mizhhirya, you can buy everything you need for this - Transcarpathian wine, homemade milk and eggs, cheese and meat. And then settle in one of the cottages in the Synevyr meadow, spend days walking by mountain lake, conquer the local peaks (several marked routes start from Synevyr), and in the evening fry a barbecue on the grill, drink wine and listen to the stories of local Hutsuls.
Visit the village-museum Kolachava
The village of Kolochava, which at different times belonged to Austria, then the Czech Republic, then Hungary, then Romania, is a mix of languages \u200b\u200band cultures. A textbook on express immersion in the Carpathian culture. There are 10 museums and 20 unusual monuments, including a teacher from Vkrajina and a shepherd. Here you will see the most picturesque in Ukraine skansen "Old Village" (from March 20 to April 20 it turns into a valley of blooming crocuses) and a train that once traveled on a narrow gauge railway, you walk along the corridors of the Czech and Soviet schools.
When you walk around "Old Village" do not pass by the kryivka "Staer's Bunker"(headquarters of the Kolochava rebels) and the Jewish Taverns at Wolf's, where you can look through the debt book with the names of the villagers who drank in the institution on credit.
Another feature of Kolochava is the shepherd's school - together with an instructor you can take a walk on the slope of Mount Strimba, where sheep graze from May to November, see how vurda is cooked, try the miraculous "zhentitsa" and listen to trembita.
Conquer Gymba in Pylypets
The mountains in the region of Volovets, Podobovets and Pylypets are called the Borzhava meadow - they are not very high (up to 1500 m), but very picturesque. From a height they look like a restless sea, playing with blue-green colors. To see them, climb Mount Gymba (1491 m), which even children easily conquer. And all because a chair lift takes tourists from Pylypets to a height of 1100 m (it works even in summer). If, after conquering Gymba, you are still cheerful, cheerful and full of desire to see more - take a walk to the neighboring mountains of Stoy (1681 m), Great Top (1598 m), Mount Plai ( 1330 m) and Temnatik (1343 m). After that, you can go down to Volovets.
In winter, Pylypets turns into a ski resort - the second highest after Dragobrat - with the longest in Ukraine ski slope(20 km). The cost of one lift on the chair lift starts from € 2, a day pass - from € 17, ski / snowboard rental - from € 2.5. There is a professional ski school where for €5/hour an instructor will teach you how to be handsome on the slopes.
Ride through the mountains on a bike in Pylypets
In the village of Pylypets
Goverla is translated from the Romanian language as an impenetrable elevation. This is the name of the highest mountain in Ukraine. It rises above sea level at 2061 meters. Tourists are interested in this point for its opportunities to conquer it. The first such trip took place in 1880.
The mountain is located 17 kilometers from the border with Romania, is part of the Chernogora range, in the Carpathians. From the mountain, when it is clear, a view of the cities of Snyatyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia opens up, it is possible to see Mount Pop Ivan and the White Elephant Observatory.
Near Hoverla, the Prut River originates. Here you can also admire the cascade of waterfalls. According to legend, the Prut River arose from the tears of a young man in love. His beloved name was Hoverla. The girl's father did not want his daughter to meet a guy he does not like, and turned her into a mountain. But the lovers still remained together forever, this is Mount Hoverla and the Prut River.
Coordinates: 48.16562700,24.49596900
Yaremche
Great place to relax! At the entrance to the souvenir market - a bridge under which a river flows and a waterfall falls. Near the market there is a restaurant made of wood, which was built without a single nail.
And what is the market itself worth - souvenirs for every taste and pocket! Colorful people, beautiful nature.
There are many hotels in the city. You can come in the summer - feel the wonderful mountain air, go to the mountains to admire nature, refresh yourself in mountain rivers, when a turbulent stream of water washes your body, no jacuzzi is even close by. Also for fans of extreme sports there is a place to ride bikes or go kayaking. In winter, this place is suitable for lovers of skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities. Don't forget to warm up in the colorful local Kolyba! There you can eat, drink and just have a good time.
Yaremche is a great spiritual place!
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Carpathian mountains
Karpa "you (Ukrainian Karpaty, German Karpaten, Slovak Karpaty, Hungarian K & aacute rp & aacute tok, Rum. Carpaţ i, Serbian Karpaty) - a mountain system in Central Europe, on the territory of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine (Transcarpathian, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk region), Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and partly Austria (Hundsheimer Berge near Hainburg an der Danube and Niederosterreichish Inselbergschwelle near Mistelbach).
The absolute heights of the mountain system range from 120-400 m at the foot of the mountains to 500-800 m in intermountain depressions and 1500-2000 m along the main ridges. Mountains over 2000 m high: Hoverla (2061 m) is the highest point in Ukraine.
The wooden church of the Nativity of the Virgin is one of the best examples of Hutsul folk architecture. It was built according to traditional technologies without a single nail in 1654-57. in the neighboring village Apple tree. The church was moved to its current location in 1780. Fragments of wall paintings from the 19th century have been preserved in the interiors. Next to it is a two-tiered wooden bell tower, which houses the exposition of the church museum. In 1979, the temple was restored by architects B. Kindzelsky, G. Kruk, I. Mogitich.
Arch bridge
A large stone arched railway bridge-viaduct of Austrian times connects the two banks of the Prut River. Under it passes the Yaremcha-Verkhovyna highway. The bridge was built in 1895 during the construction railway Stanislav (Ivano-Frankivsk) - Yaremcha - Vorokhta - Rakhiv. The length of the bridge exceeds 100 m. It is still used for its intended purpose. Nearby is another old Austrian bridge, which is considered one of the longest stone railway bridges in Europe (130 m).
Kosovo Bazaar
Kosovo Bazaar is a traditional Hutsul fair in the city of Kosiv, the largest in the Carpathian region. Almost all products of the Hutsul arts and crafts are presented here: ceramic dishes, carpets, embroidered clothes, iron, leather, and fur products. Souvenirs are offered at wholesale prices. Previously, the fair was held in the center of Kosovo. Now the bazaar has been moved to the eastern outskirts of the city, to a vast trading area next to the Kutsky bridge (Kosov-Kuty street 48°18"59""N, 25°6"42""E). The Grand Kosovo Bazaar is open only on Saturday early mornings (from 4:00 to 10:00). The rest of the time, branded souvenir pavilions of the best Kosovo folk craftsmen are open in the very center of the city, next to the old Kosovo Bazaar.
Trufanets waterfall
The Trufanets waterfall in the Ukrainian Carpathians is the highest natural waterfall in Transcarpathia. Its height is 36 meters. It can be found near the Yasinya-Rakhiv highway, 2 kilometers from the turn to Dragobrat. The waterfall is located on the southeastern slopes of the Svidovets ridge, on the Trufanets stream, the right tributary of the Black Tisza River.
The stream originates in the subalpine belt at an altitude of 1720 meters, at the foot of Mount Bliznitsa. The length of the stream is 2830 meters.
The waterfall forms several cascades. In the forest, it partially, over 230 meters, flows underground. Near the waterfall there are steps and an altanka (gazebo), from which you can look at it up close. The Trufanets waterfall is a hydrological natural monument.
Coordinates: 48.21415000,24.30233000
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Valley of the Prut River
The valley of the Prut River (the left tributary of the Danube) is one of the most picturesque places in the Carpathians. The place has a mild climate, an amazing variety of flora and fauna. Transparent lakes, clean rivers, seething waterfalls and fresh air create excellent conditions for a family holiday.
Most famous resort valleys - a small cozy town Yaremche. There are many cafes, shops, rest houses and hotels where you can stay. Near the city are Probiy waterfall and Yaremche canyon, the most interesting area for rafting. Remarkably, almost along the entire site there is an asphalt road. In winter, outdoor enthusiasts also come here - forty kilometers from Yaremche is the Bukovel ski center, which is rightfully considered the best in Ukraine.
In the river valley there are many more picturesque cities and towns that attract tourists with their hospitality, excursions and even the opportunity to pick mushrooms and berries. Among them, the village Vorokhta, s. Mykulychin, p. Tatarov, p. Midnight, p. Yablunitsa.
Coordinates: 48.45361100,24.55638900
The most popular attractions in the Carpathians with descriptions and photos for every taste. choose best places for visiting famous places Carpathians on our site.
More sights of the Carpathians
The Carpathians are a mountain system in the east of Central Europe, on the territory of Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Austria. It extends from the environs of Bratislava to the Iron Gates for 1500 km, forming a convex arc, and closes the Middle Danube Plain.
The Carpathians are one of the main watersheds of Europe between the Baltic and Black Seas. They are divided into two sub-provinces - the Outer Carpathians (Western and Eastern) and the Inner Carpathians (Western and Eastern). Orographically, the Western Carpathians, the Eastern Carpathians (part of which are the so-called Ukrainian Carpathians), the Southern Carpathians, the Western Romanian Mountains and the Transylvanian Plateau are distinguished.
The prevailing heights of the Carpathians are 800-1200 m, the highest height is 2655 m (mountain Gerlakhovsky Shtit in the Tatras), in Ukraine - Mount Hoverla (2061 m). The greatest width is 430 km. The area of this mountain system is 24,000 km². Up to 20% of all forests in Ukraine are located in the Carpathians. The Carpathian Mountains are relatively young, formed in the Alpine era of mountain building and are over 25,000,000 years old.
The name "Carpathians" has the same root as the Armenian Քար (Qar) - stone, Պատ (Pat) - wall. The ancient Polish word "karpa" means significant bumps, pitfalls, significant trunks or roots. From the possible Dacian meaning - "mountains", the name of the tribe - "carps" - "those who live in the mountains", who inhabited the Carpathians during the Roman Empire, may come from. The Celtic-Illyrian word "Karn" - meant "stone" or "heap of stones". The striking similarity of the name of the mountains can be traced to the name of the island of Karpathos between Cyprus and Rhodes.
Another name - Sarmatian mountains - happens in the works of ancient and medieval geographers. In Ptolemy, from the name of the Celtic tribe of the Bastarns who lived here, the mountains of the Carpathians were called - lat. Alpes Bastarnidae.
Formation of the Carpathian Mountains
Even before the formation of the Carpathian geosyncline, on the site of the modern mountain structure of the Carpathians and their foothills in the Paleozoic era, there was a strand of mountains connecting the Sventokshitsky and Sudeten Mountains with Dobruja. This ancient strand is called Prakarpatamy. Due to the movement of the earth's crust, the Prakarpaty were destroyed, and at the beginning of the Mesozoic era, an almost flat territory arose in their place, close to the platform.
A significant accumulation of sedimentary strata within the Carpathian geosyncline is closely related to the activity of the Tethys marine basins, which for a long time separated two ancient continents - Gondwana in the south, and Laurasia - in the north.
Only at the end of the Mesozoic era did the ocean recede, and mountains, plains and sea depressions began to appear in its place. It is believed that the Mediterranean basin and the deep waters of the Black and Caspian Seas are its remnants. The remaining territories during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras were covered by the formation of a mountain range, which includes the Apennines, Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, Crimea, the Caucasus, Pamir, etc. This grandiose mountain range, elongated in a latitudinal direction, makes up the Alpine folded belt . Within its limits, the Carpathians occupy one of the central positions.
The process of formation of the mountain structure of the Carpathians took place gradually. Intense deflection of the earth's crust within the Carpathian geosyncline was accompanied by active accumulation of sedimentary strata within it. Their formation took place due to the destruction of mountain structures in the southwestern part of the Russian platform, the Kielce-Sandomierz ridge, the Sudetes, Prakarpat, Dobruja, and the Marmarosh massif.
During the Cenozoic era, the modern territory of the Carpathians was under the reservoirs of the Paleogene Sea. Based on the distribution and structure of sedimentary rocks, it is possible to establish the geographical features of the basin, its contours and the morphology of the seabed. In limestone strata, a large number of remains of marine organisms occur - corals, sea lilies, various shells, and the like. They were deposited at the bottom of warm, open and shallow pools. These were the conditions at the beginning of the formation of the Paleogene Sea. In sandstones, next to the fossil marine fauna, plant remains occur, which testify to the proximity of land and the coastal nature of sand deposits.
Starting at the end of the Mesozoic era, the ascending movements of the Alpine orogeny developed during the Cenozoic era. At the end of the Paleogene period, the axial parts of the future mountain systems of the Alps, Carpathians, and the Caucasus began to form.
At that time, individual islands began to emerge from the sea, and then entire islands. The largest of them were the modern Chivchinsky mountains and the Rakhovsky crystalline massif. To the north and northwest of this massif, among the expanses of water, the outlines of the Carpathian Mountains stood out more and more clearly. They were constantly eroded, but mountain-building processes were active. Therefore, at the end of the Paleogene period, two mountain ranges had already clearly formed on the site of the geosyncline, which correspond to the current Outer Carpathians.
At that time there was a sea on both sides of the Outer Carpathians. Here the mountain range passed within the modern Beskydy, Gorgan and Bukovina Carpathians. To the northeast of the Outer Carpathians, on the territory of the Carpathian region, the sea basin raged further. Thick sedimentary strata were deposited at its bottom due to the erosion of the southwestern flank of the Russian Platform and increased mountain range Outer Carpathians.
The Inner Carpathians were represented by Pienin and Maramor cliffs. The Transcarpathian inner trough with the Virgolat-Guty volcanic ridge passed to the south-west of them. Even further south, in the area of the Beregovsky low mountains, the Pripanonsky deep split lay, separating the Carpathians from the Hungarian intermountain basin.
Between the inner and outer Carpathians at the end of the Paleogene period there was a sea basin. He was the last within the Carpathian mountains. During its existence, significant strata of sandy deposits have accumulated here.
Other coatings appear differently. The Magursky stretched out in a narrow strip in the upper reaches of the Uzha river basin, the subsilek one still runs in a strip in the interfluve of the Upper Dniester and Stryi, in the vicinity of the village of Rozluch and south of the city of Turki. Here - low-mountain central part The Carpathian Mountains are dominated by domed peaks and gentle slopes suitable for agricultural use. This part of the mountains is called Verkhovyna.
To the south of the Silesian cover is located Duklyansky - the high-altitude Poloninsky part of the Carpathian Mountains. Peculiar covers can be traced in the southwestern part of the Ukrainian Carpathians. They are represented by Rakhovsky, Porkuletsky and Montenegrin covers (thrusts). Here are the highest mountains in the Ukrainian Carpathians - Hoverla, Petros, Pip Ivan and others.
In the process of mountain building, the Precarpathian foredeep, and then the Transcarpathian internal, are filled with sedimentary strata. mountain rivers they destroyed weakly stable deposits and continuously transferred pebbles, sand, and silt into the basin. The sea within the troughs gradually became shallow, and subsequently completely receded. In closed basins, intensive evaporation of moisture occurred, which led to the precipitation of salts. In the Carpathian region, they were mined by two potash plants: Stebnitsky and Kola.
Volcanism
The long process of formation of the Carpathian Mountains was accompanied by new manifestations of volcanism, which continued until the beginning of the Quaternary period (this is about 1.5-2 million years ago). Traces of recent volcanic activity can still be observed in the area of Vinogradov, Vyshkov, Tyachev, where the Tisza valley crosses the Virgolat-Gutinskaya volcanic ridge. The cone of an extinct volcano rises in the center of Khust. A fortified castle was built on its top in the first half of the 14th century to keep the salt diggers in subjection and to protect the Maramor salt mines. This castle was often attacked by the Tatars. The last time in 1717, the Crimean Khan Giray got here.
Cones extinct volcanoes there are also in the vicinity of Uzhgorod, Mukachevo, Beregovo. Near Vishkov, volcanic craters are better preserved.
A chain of so-called buried volcanoes is exposed in the area of the villages of Dobroni, Drysina and Shalanok. The volcanic rocks in this chain are mainly represented by andesites. Their exits are known in the area of the villages of Drisiny and Shalanok. Along the southern outskirts of the Transcarpathian internal trough, there are thick strata of liparites. On the surface, they are exposed large area in the Beregovo region. These volcanic eruptions began in the Paleogene and ended at the end of the Miocene (about 15,000,000 years ago). Therefore, a significant part of them is covered by sedimentary rocks of the Pliocene.
The recent volcanic activity of the Virgolat-Guty volcanic ridge is evidenced by mineral, and in the mountains of Kaliman-Khargit - including hot springs.
Active processes in the upper mantle of the Earth under the Carpathians are evidenced by earthquakes, the last of which took place on March 4, 1977 in the Vrancea mountains on the territory of the then Socialist Republic of Romania.
glaciation
In the Quaternary period, the Carpathians underwent partial glaciation. They covered the high-mountain massifs of Chernogora and Svidovets, Pop Ivan Maramorshsky. Its relics can be traced in the form of cars, glacial cirques, moraine deposits in the valleys of mountain streams.
Within the middle mountains, it did not undergo glaciation, frost weathering of rocks took place. Weathered stone placers can be observed on the slopes of Gorgana.
Geological structure and minerals
The Carpathians form the northeastern branch of the Alpine folded geosynclinal region of Europe. A number of large structural elements of the northwest-southeast strike, separated by overthrusts, are distinguished: the Cis-Carpathian foredeep, the Outer Carpathians, the Inner Carpathians, the Transcarpathian rear foredeep.
In the Inner Carpathians on the territory of Ukraine, the Marmarosh crystalline massif and the Podhal zone are distinguished. According to the strike of the main structural elements of the Carpathians, zones with a specific set of minerals are distinguished.
In the Ciscarpathian trough - native sulfur, gas (Dashavskoye, Kosovskoye and other deposits), oil (Borislavskoye, to be someone Babchenkivske deposits), ozokerite (Borislavskoye deposit), rock and potassium salts (Kalush-Golinskoye, Stebnitskoye and other deposits) . It is estimated that there are about 35000000000 tons of salt deposits in the Carpathian region.
In the Transcarpathian trough - rock salt (Solotvinsky deposit), gas, brown coal (Ilnitsky, Krivsky deposits), zeolites. Mercury (Big Shayan, Borkut), veined gold-polymetallic and barite (Began deposit) ores, alunite, kaolins, perlite, bentonite clays (Gorbske deposit) are associated with Neogene volcanism.
In the front part of the Outer Carpathians are known for oil deposits, in the Marmara massif - deposits of dolomite, limestone, marbles, raw materials for stone casting. In the metamorphic complex, manifestations of stratiform pyrite-polymetallic, copper-pyrite, barite and iron-manganese ores are known.
In the Carpathians, mineral waters are common, on the southwestern slopes of the Carpathians and in Transcarpathia - carbonic (Svalyava, Polyana-Kvasova deposits). In the junction zone of the Ciscarpathian trough with the East European platform, there are deposits of nitrogen sulfate waters.
In the inner zone of the Carpathian trough, brines of chloride (sulfate-chloride) composition (Morshin) and a special, rare type of low-mineralized waters with a high content of organic substances (Truskavets) are common.
In the Transcarpathian trough, thermal and subthermal waters of increased mineralization are common, they are used for therapeutic and thermal energy purposes.
Gold reserves are represented by Beregovsky and Muzhievsky gold-polymetallic deposits. The latter was put into industrial development in 1999, and in the same year, Zakarpatpolymetally LLC was established on the basis of the Muzhievsky State Gold and Metal Plant.
Since ancient times, oil has been extracted within the Carpathian region, which was previously called "brine". They used it only for lubricating carts from shingles (shingles). Subsequently, kerosene began to be withdrawn from the brine, which was used in kerosene lamps (for lighting). Intensive oil production began in the middle of the 19th century, when methods were discovered for obtaining and using its light fractions. The first powerful wells appear in the fields near Borislav, Tustanovichi, Mraznitsa, Bykov.
The most ancient rocks found in the Carpathians originated 1.2 billion years ago.
