According to Roman chronicles of the 1st century AD, the Dacian tribe of carps lived in this area. The large Carpathian mountain system begins near Bratislava (Slovakia) and ends in the southeast near the Iron Gates in Romania. The length of the Carpathian Mountains is about 1500 km. In an arc on three sides they cover the Central European lowland. In the northwestern part the width is 240 km, in the southwestern part - 340, in the northeastern (territory of Ukraine) - 100-120 km. Depending on the location and features, the Carpathians are divided into Western, Eastern and Southern. The western ones are located on the territory of Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and partly Hungary, where the highest point of the Carpathians is located - Mount Gerlach - 2655 m.a. u. m. The Southern Carpathians are located on the territory of Romania. Eastern - on the territory of Ukraine. The average height of the Ukrainian Carpathians is 1000 m. The mountains stretch from northwest to southeast with an average width of 100 km by almost 280 km. The highest point is Mount Goverla - 2061 m. u. m. Within Ukraine, the Carpathians are divided into: external (Beskydy, Gorgany and Pokuttsko-Bukovyna Carpathians), central (Verkhovyna) and internal (Polonynsko-Montenegro). The Carpathians are a mountain system, original in that ancient forests unique to central Europe have been preserved on its territory. The mountains themselves are flat, without rocky peaks - a plateau. This is a part of the mountain above 1400 m where there is no forest. Lingonberries and blueberries grow on the plateau. Below, on the mountain slopes, blackberry thickets are widespread. In summer you can see countless flocks of sheep on the mountain slopes. The main part of the Carpathians is covered with coniferous and beech forests. In addition to spruce and beech, oak, hornbeam, pine, alder, cherry, walnut also grow... Beech forests include Norway maple, common ash, and mountain elm, which are now practically never found in many areas of the Carpathians. On the tops of the mountains there are alpine meadows where you can find many species of plants. Many rivers of the western region of Ukraine originate here - Prut, Cheremosh, Limnitsa, which is considered one of the cleanest rivers in Europe. In the Carpathians you can see many more interesting things. For example, mountain pine, which grows on Mount Pop Ivan at an altitude of more than 2000 m. Or European larch near Rakhiv, whose height is 54 meters. In spring you can also visit the Narcissus Valley. Karst caves and rock salt deposits were formed in the mountains many years ago. Above the deposits there are salt lakes, whose healing properties are reminiscent of the Dead Sea in Israel.

Interestingly, the eastern spurs of the Alps - the Leith Mountains and the western spurs of the Carpathians - Hundsheimer Berge are separated by only 14 km.

The World Heritage Committee has added virgin beech forests in the Carpathians to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This was reported to the Public Information Office of the World Heritage Committee. Virgin beech forests in the Carpathians (Slovakia, Ukraine) are a protected area located on the territory of two countries. It is a chain of ten separate reserves located along an axis 185 km long, which stretches from the Rakhov Mountains and the Montenegrin Massif in Ukraine, passes in the west into the Poloninsky mountain range, up to the Bukovsky Vrhi and Vigorlat mountains in Slovakia. All ten reserves are excellent examples of pristine forests that are complex temperate ecosystems. Conditions have been preserved here that allow for the most complete studies of the ecological structures and growth processes of European beech in different environments. The beech forests of the Carpathians are an invaluable genetic repository of beech and other species of wildlife that exist in its vicinity and depend on the ecosystems it provides. These forests also testify to the processes of renewal and development of the earth's ecosystems and settlements that began with the end of the last ice age and continue to the present day.

The inland location and belonging to the Alpine orogenic belt determine the characteristics of the natural conditions of this region. Its relief combines the mid-altitude mountain system of the Carpathians and plains along the middle and lower reaches of the Danube. Genetically, these regions with different topography are closely related to each other. Almost the entire region, with the exception of the far north, belongs to the Danube basin. Inside the steep, convex arc of the Carpathians to the east is the Middle Danube Plain. South of the Carpathians, on the border with the Balkan Peninsula, is the Lower Danube Lowland.

Geological structure. The first phases of folding and uplift of the Carpathians occurred in the second half of the Mesozoic; folding reached its maximum at the beginning of the Paleogene and ended when the main phases of orogenesis began in the Alps. Simultaneously with the rise of the Carpathians, neighboring areas sank. The subsidence on the inner side of the Carpathians was accompanied by faults along which volcanic processes occurred.

The Carpathian mountain system begins at the upper Danube, near the confluence of the Morava, with low crystalline massifs of the Small Carpathians, stretching from southwest to northeast. Further, the mountains take on a latitudinal trend, expanding and rising. On the border between Slovakia and Poland rise the crystalline massifs of the High Tatras. The highest peak of the High Tatras and the entire mountain system - Gerlachovsky Štit - reaches a height of 2655 m. To the north of the High Tatras stretch the Beskids - parallel chains of ridges folded in flysch. They form a gentle arc and are divided into Western and Eastern. The latter are also called the Wooded Carpathians, most of them are located on the territory of Ukraine and continue in Romania. On the inner side, the Eastern Carpathians are accompanied by a chain of extinct volcanoes called the Volcanic Range; on the outer side there is a foothill plateau (Moldavian Upland) 400-500 m high, composed of limestone and covered with loess.

The latitudinal segment of the Carpathians south of 46° N. w. (Southern Carpathians, or Transylvanian Alps) consists of crystalline rocks and is slightly inferior in height to the High Tatras (Moldovianu - 2544 m). In the west, the triangle formed by the Carpathians is closed by a system of crystalline and volcanic massifs that do not represent an integral uplift and are separated by deep tectonic and erosional depressions. Among them, the Bihor and Metaliferi mountains stand out, with a height of more than 1500 m. Inside the triangle, much lower than the surrounding mountains, is the hilly Transylvanian plateau, covered with loess and dissected by rivers.

Nature has generously endowed Ukraine with its beauties: there are many beautiful places in every corner of the country. But today I would like to remember the Carpathians once again. After all, with the awakening of spring, amazing mountain flowers wake up, deep rivers rush merrily into the distance, endless meadows turn green... And many want to touch their picturesque beauties as soon as possible! Where should you go first? Where they are waiting for us the most beautiful places in the Carpathians?

Svidovetsky ridge

A land of lakes, high mountain beech forests, green pastures and colorful mountains. - one of the most picturesque in the Carpathians. With every step new panoramas open up, which you just want to capture on canvas. Or at least on a camera. After all, every tourist simply must take a photo of the Carpathians! It is crowned by the massif (1883 m). There are many tourist routes here. You might like it.

Hoverla

Many Ukrainians begin their acquaintance with the Carpathian Mountains with. This the country's most famous mountain. And she has something to be proud of: the mountain has no equal in height in all of Ukraine. But to the delight of tourists, its top is very convenient: majestic landscapes open from a small flat area. Haven't conquered the highest mountain in Ukraine yet? Then don’t hesitate to travel: the Carpathian mountains are waiting. .

It is convenient to stay in one of the.

Author of the photo: Torshin Vitaly.

Mountain Eared Stone

What kind of mountain would you imagine? The imagination of each of us draws different images. This is what happens to those who look at the mountain. Some people actually see the ear, while others notice the nose! But the main thing is that the slopes of Mount Ushasty Kamen are very picturesque. The intricate images, designed by an unknown artist, are also called “churches.” The panoramas that open from here are so desirable for connoisseurs of natural beauty! It is not surprising that Ushasty Kamen has become one of the popular tourist routes. You can appreciate the landscapes during.

Photo source: guide.karpaty.ua, author Anton Petrus.

Mount Spitz

A mountain that made friends with thunder and storm clouds. as if attract bad weather. The clouds love to cry here and pour out all their sadness. Spitz surprises with bizarrely shaped rocks crowning the top of the mountain. If you get here in calm weather, you can enjoy stunning panoramas. After all, you can see the splendor of the neighboring mountains: , and, of course, . And the tears that fall on the valley of the same name.

Photo source: ukrainianphotographers.com, author Andriy Plyasun.

Dzembronya

A great place to hide from the world and escape from civilization. - this is both the highest mountain village in Ukraine and a picturesque mountain. Although the path here is not the easiest, both Lesya Ukrainka and Vasyl Stefanik visited here at one time. They just start from Dzembronya.

Photo source: antonpetrus.uol.ua, author Anton Petrus.

Polonina Borzhava

The nature of the Carpathians is multifaceted. Bright colors, flooded with sunlight, vast spaces, give an amazing feeling. The mountains, covered with lush greenery, are very picturesque. Most colorful panorama opens from the top of the highest mountain - Stiy, reaching almost 1.7 km.

Photo source: igormelika.com.ua, author Igor Melika.

The magic of Borzhava is great: this place is considered one of the best for hiking. Various tours are offered for those who like to communicate with nature. You can travel simply, with a tent over your shoulder, or stay in wooden cottages. It’s worth seeing the spring greenery of the meadow during.

Beauty of Kryvorivnya

Why is there so much talk about a small Hutsul village that does not have much infrastructure? Yes, because it helps you transport yourself to another reality. It seems as if you are in a magical kingdom, surrounded by a mountain ring, in the middle of which a mountain river splashes merrily. The mountains are covered with dense greenery - there is no hint of multi-storey buildings. The delightful landscapes for which the village is famous are still civilization did not have time to spoil. But perhaps you should hurry to see “Ukrainian Athens” in its pristine beauty. Suitable for this

Photo source: photographers.ua, author Vladimir Vodyanoy.

Dovbush Rocks

Nature is the best sculptor. Only she could create such powerful and intricate forms as. The outlines of huge rocks and giant stones are somewhat reminiscent of incredible images of fantastic creatures. It seems that here, in the secret passages, a lion or a wise sphinx is hiding. And local residents are sure that each rock reflects a part of the body of the national hero Oleksa Dovbush. Do you want to see his stone fist? Or walk through the damn gorge? Then it's worth it.

Photo source: unexplainedgr.blogspot.com.

Park "Skolev Beskydy"

Photo source: anderver.livejournal.com.

Rock Karst Bridge

When you look at the grandeur of the Carpathian mountains, it’s hard to believe that an ancient sea once splashed in their place. For thousands of years it has created intricate bas-reliefs. And when she left, she left her amazing creation at the bottom of the sea. , skillfully carved by the sea, imprint of ancient times. This place can only be reached on foot - there is no road to the fantastic rock as such. But this is a very pleasant journey, passing through the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.

Photo source: ua-travels.livejournal.com.

Milk Stone Cave

It seems that you have found yourself in a fairy tale. The owner of this underground kingdom is about to appear, creating breathtaking fantastic patterns. Once you enter the spacious hall, you find yourself completely in his power, captivated by the grandeur of the underground palace. The main decoration is fancy stalactites - can be looked at for an eternity. They were built over centuries by slowly flowing white lime mortar. It is better to get acquainted with the world with a guide - he will help you learn the secrets of the cave and not anger the owner. Perhaps it will suit you.

Photo source: turkarta.com

Cinderella Cave

There are also unique natural places in the Carpathians underground. earned her name by modesty. For a long time, the entrance to it seemed unremarkable, and they were in no hurry to discover the beauty of the cave. But having lifted the veil of mystery, they saw a whole underground kingdom. This gypsum cave is 3rd in the world by area. Multiple labyrinths, huge cave halls and entire underground lakes appeared in all their glory when part of the waters that hid Cinderella left.

Photo source: tourportal.com.ua.

The halls and galleries, covered with multi-colored clay, are perhaps much more interesting than those in the museum. You can meet “Cinderella” herself - clay sculpture. If you are going to visit the cave, it is most convenient to stay in Chernivtsi. Perhaps it will suit you.

Lake Synevyr

If you ask a Ukrainian what the most famous lake in the country is, he will answer without hesitation - . This Carpathian pearl - natural wonder of the Ukrainian Carpathians, which attracts thousands of people every year. “Sea Eye”, hidden in silence on the top of the mountain, is one of the most popular attractions of the Carpathians. You can find out more about tours.

Photo source: vu1tur.eu.org.

Shipot Waterfall

If you listen closely, you can hear droplets of water whispering merrily as they run down from a 14-meter height. , surrounded by emerald greenery - a precious decoration of the Carpathians, sparkling in the rays of the sun. This the deepest waterfall in Transcarpathia. The best time to admire its tints is spring. At this time, the snow changes its appearance, miraculously turning into crystal clear streams of water. If you want to know more about excursions to the waterfall, you can look.

Photo source: uatravel.pp.ua.

Rapids of the Cheremosh River

It is not for nothing that the mountain rivers of the Carpathians have earned the poetic epithet “stormy”. When the snow melts and they gain all their power, the water flowing from the mountain peaks literally boils! The Cheremosh River is exactly like that. Extreme sports enthusiasts from all over Ukraine know it well: after all, raft on it in the spring- it's such an adrenaline rush! There are so many exciting rapids here! And soon it's time for rafting. You can find out more about this type of recreation on the Cheremosh River.

Photo source: board.com.ua.

Mineral springs of Skhidnitsa

Beauty that heals. The sun-drenched landscapes of “Ukrainian Switzerland” give inspiration, and its waters give health. This miraculous place is considered largest concentration of sources in Europe: There are about 40 springs here. This “living water” is a real miracle, to which guests of the Carpathians come for healing. It is also famous for its mineral mud. If you decide to go to Skhidnytsia, you can look for recreation and recovery. Here you will see that interesting places in the Carpathians can also be useful.

Start of the trail

16 hours on a train with wonderfully snoring women who barely fit into the compartment, drinking vodka. And here is Ivano-Frankivsk. Early morning. The city is sleeping, it's drizzling, it's cool. We go straight to the second bus station by minibus and go to the bus to Yaseni. A guy driver shouts to us: have you already bought tickets? We say no. Well, go sit down, it will be cheaper, pay me right away. In general, a large, not very comfortable bus with a completely destroyed chassis ran between villages for about 3 hours. It was full of standing passengers and spat us out near Lazeshchyna, our actual destination.

We celebrated the beginning of the route with coffee, kozinaki and pancakes in a wooden cradle with stuffed animals on the walls and legs and tree roots at the tables. After having breakfast and putting on heavy backpacks, we hit the road. The path ran through a picturesque village and every now and then passed through the houses of villagers, gates and gates were opened and closed, we walked along the tourist walking trail. Huge dogs in cages, domestic cows and sheep, along the river. Approaching one yard, a small dog and a couple of the same little children ran out to meet us, who, just like the dog, pulled at us, and their grandfather shot cigarettes as we passed through their house.

After passing through a village where everyone is taking mushrooms. Well, at least that’s what was written on every gate)) we went to the checkpoint. There, not very friendly men charged us 30 UAH. for entering the Carpathian Nature Reserve and were released in peace. Right after the checkpoint, about a hundred meters away, a wooden table under a canopy and a barbecue were waiting for us. We stopped for lunch and sent the heaviest things into the deep caves of our stomachs.

At about 2 o'clock we moved further to Kozmenshchik. The road was wonderful, with mud baths, and there were downpours a couple of days before our arrival. From the forest, herds of cows and sheep with drunken, staggering drivers, teams of horses with carts, and cars with sad drivers drove out every now and then. The road is not very good to say the least. But the air! The chic spruce air and damp coolness said that we were going in the right direction.

Kozmenshchik

Periodically along the way we came across 2 red-haired girls picking mushrooms, accompanied by the same red fox. The fox was without a collar and had a dog's tail, but it was definitely a fox. We decided that it was a fox dog. A little wild and unfriendly, but quite nice. Actually, apparently these are the ones who satisfy people who take mushrooms.

Kozmenshchik is a shelter with several houses and even a couple of stone houses with several floors. Oh, I forgot to say. A lot of houses have exterior flaked wood trim. Very beautiful. Then I thought... what kind of scales are there in the Carpathians? These are cones! They take inspiration from the structure of the cones and it looks very pretty, especially the lilac cones that match the hair color. The first stop was in Kozmenshchik. Leaning on the slide was quite fun. We sat at the crossroads and watched groups of people who were descending from Goverla, mostly without backpacks. Children, schoolchildren, couples, old people. Anything, different, colorful and “a little” tired.

After sitting at the crossroads and bandaging our legs, we set off further, and then the road was only up along stone and mud paths; from time to time we encountered springs with water and sometimes mineral water. Mineral water smells like rotten eggs! I don’t know what minerals are there, but after filling the bottle about 100 meters later, we exchanged the contents for spring water. Up, up... and here it is a pine forest!!!

Huge tall pines, twilight, noisy, living and wild forest, heady smells and shade, spruce litter underfoot and the cries of invisible birds. The trail was simply gorgeous, you walk and rejoice, you just jump up and down with your backpack, so small, among the giant trees, scratching the clouds with their tops. But the pleasantries ended and again the trail went steeply upward. In winter, climbers practice falling here, and we climbed up in search of an overnight stay.

Urush found a clearing with a fire pit, flat and with a gorgeous view. I lit a fire and prepared soup with meat, all kinds of dried vegetables and mushrooms. We even bought a big, cool drying rack for our home especially for this, and I clearly saw that everything was perfect! Food, like probably humans, consists of 90% water! In search of her, Oleg and I went into the forest, and after stumbling over branches for a short time, we came to a wooden house, boarded up and locked with all the locks. At dusk, it looked like a haunted house or with some kind of dragon monster that was closed so that it wouldn’t eat people or just scare them. But there, nearby, there was water, which flowed in a thin stream from an iron gutter straight from the mountains. Rejoiced at the proximity of water and having collected 2 bottles and 2 more that we found along the way, we went to take some soup inside and sleep.

I only got to sleep for two hours, because then they woke me up, and I was watching the sunrise through the tent. Because I couldn’t fall asleep, my brain couldn’t, but my body was asleep. And it seemed like good morning.

I remember this day with difficulty, because I wanted to sleep all the time, we walked and walked, took breaks from time to time, and here it is! the edge of the mountain, on which dark clouds were flying and a stormy wind was blowing away, ahead was Little Goverla and then the peak itself. Having put on all the windproof and warm clothes, as well as construction gloves, we went to the goal.

On Malaya Hoverla we met a company in military gear with two dogs, who were hiding from the wind in the green grass behind a rock. Before the last climb, they put on their embroidered shirts and moved out with us. Then we walked along the stones...we walked up, about 1 km.

They arrived and I went to bed, for about 15 minutes. I didn’t care whether there was wind or not, crowds of people passing by and screaming, beauty and gorgeous views, my body told me to sleep, and I passed out. In general, I don’t remember Goverla well, I only remember that they sell coffee and medals there for crowds of conquerors, everyone ties yellow flags and writes their names anywhere. Perpetuating himself as the conqueror of the highest mountain. In general, a very pop place. We were very lucky with the weather, the wind calmed down and the sun came out.

We go downstairs for lunch. At the foot of the top of the mountain, I don’t know if it’s right to say this, but there was a mountaineering hut in which we hid from the wind and laid out lunch, we filmed all the details about camp food in the video “Field kitchen squirrel and forest”, I’ll post it a little later)) Next , having frozen a little, 2 kilometers down towards Petros and we came to the second checkpoint, where we were offered to buy beer, water, something else and pay for camping 20 UAH per person, which we did, unfortunately there was no electricity there .

Having checked our coupons, which we took at the previous checkpoint, they said that: “for 30 UAH. they are for one day, but you can say if someone else asks that you didn’t know and didn’t see anyone who could explain it clearly and to whom you could give the money.” So for 20 UAH. We continued our hike through the reserve for free. The campsite was really not much different from the clearings in the forest, well, actually it was no different, except that the fireplace was larger and there were ropes made of tape hanging on the trees for drying things. As soon as the tents were set up, I went to bed without waiting for dinner, while it was still dark. My body was very grateful to me and stopped chilling from the inside. And tomorrow should be the big day.

The morning, which was really good, greeted me with Urush saved for me with yesterday's dinner, a little pain throughout my body and a hot, delicious tea. For about 3 hours we leisurely had breakfast, washed the cauldrons in the stream, lazily got ready and headed for Petros by lunchtime. It was only 8 km or even less before it, although one of them was almost vertical.

Beautiful views, well, very beautiful views and smells, accompanied us all the way to the foot. We walked happily, especially me, having slept well and in a good mood. Well, here's the rise. Now only up. Climbing over rocks with a backpack, I tell you, is not very convenient, especially when you are blown away by the wind and weighed down by the backpack. But we slowly but surely climbed to the top. All the time I had Nekrasov’s words in my head: I looked up slowly up the mountain... and it felt, apparently, like that horse and cart.

Somewhere in the middle, Urush left us for a rest in the juniper, shade and stones, and began to look for an ice ax that an acquaintance had lost in an avalanche in winter. Hoping that he had fallen into a bush somewhere. But the bushes there are not very gentle, juniper, prickly and wooden, having searched an area of ​​400 sq.m. We moved further, not along the path, but along the grass to some cave, almost vertically, exploring new paths.

The cave was small, speleological, it was not possible to climb into it, and we returned to the path. On the way there is a very beautiful windy cliff with a cliff, from which you can probably fly away if you have a little more sail than windbreakers. And 100 m of almost vertical finish line. Hurray top! I liked Petros more, perhaps due to his greater severity and less pop than Hoverla, or I just had enough sleep. But it was fun and interesting at the top.

A wooden house where we could hide from the wind, which we did, we again laid out lunch on the floor, I even made a cabbage salad and scratched Teresa with a knife on the left wall from the entrance. So, if you are on Petros, you can see this inscription and scribble your own in response)

Then, judging by Urush’s words, there was a long, pleasant, gentle descent down. Green hills, beautiful valleys, it seemed to me that we were walking somewhere in the vastness of Norway or Reykjavik. A really nice trail through the grass.

Thus began our descent to Kvasi. On the way we met a girl, we asked how long we should go, she said about 15 km. Hmm...it was getting dark. The sunset had already begun and the sky was painted in incredible colorful tones, pink, red and lilac. Then it began to get dark faster, in the mountains the sun always sets earlier, and we kept walking and walking endlessly... we had to find water and a place to stay for the night.

We found a place, a gorgeous clearing, closed on all sides by bushes and several fire pits, on one high one, you could even fry kebabs, but the stream indicated on the map was dry. But we, hoping for the best, set up tents, found firewood, and Urush went in search of water somewhere down in the bushes. Fucking and other profanity was heard from the bushes, but he returned with water.

We had dinner in the dark, it’s uncomfortable to eat when you can’t see the food, I turned on my headlamp and pointed it down. It tastes better when, in addition to the taste and smell, you also see what you are eating, and also insects and ashes falling into your bowl. But Urush wanted romance, so he first yelled at me to turn off the light, and then to look at the stars and I had to look at every star or satellite he was talking about. The night was calm, the soup was delicious, and my sleep was sound.

Field dragons.

In the morning we were woken up by the rain drumming on the tent, so we woke up at 6, 7 and 9. We didn’t want to leave the shelter and crawl out of our shared warm sleeping bag, so we waited out the rain. Of course, we couldn’t wait it out, considering that this is the Carpathians and it can rain there for weeks, but we were lucky, the rain stopped and the sun came out.

Having waddled through breakfast, realizing that we had little left, Kvasi was the last point, we slowly got ready, dried out the tents and ourselves, enjoyed the post-rain smells, nature and the clearing, and moved on.

The road was still pleasantly descending; 2 km passed unnoticed. According to the map, there was a waterfall somewhere nearby, a detour to it was 1700 m, but we needed adventure, and we left the path into the forest, there, jumping over hummocks and crawling through tree branches through the mud, we began a steep descent to the waterfall. Periodically falling, scratching and holding on to branches. The waterfall turned out to be... not much of a waterfall. It’s a little similar, but whatever... just like all the streams that we met every now and then along the road, only the stone is a little higher. Without being upset, we moved on.

Until we came to a very beautiful valley. A ruined house was visible on the hill; when we went up to it, we found a lot of beautiful places, 4 or 5 fire pits around the perimeter, a faucet with mountain water, and even a table with benches. I also found a lemon in my backpack, which I carried with me all the time, apparently for this tea, which came with spruce secretion, cones, Turkish and black, like all Turks. The clouds were thickening and the wind was blowing a thunderstorm.

We decided to move on, packing a little in rain covers. Along the way, lizards ran under our feet. Small, apparently only recently born. We took them in our arms, the big one broke free and ran away, and the little ones, apparently feeling the warmth of our hands, decided to stay. And of course, we decided to carry these lizards in our hands the rest of the way.

We climbed over the river, then up, then down, then into the forest, then across the clearing. The rain behaved in a strange way, apparently helping us. When we entered the forest, it poured in large drops, but the trees protected us, and when we entered the clearing, it stopped getting us wet and apparently waited for the next line. And we already started joking, come on quickly, there’s a forest, now it’s going to start raining, come in)

Closer to Kvasy, the road began to sharply go downwards with a not at all small slope; we descended in a traverse, now to the right, now to the left along the path. But there was another path in the middle straight down, apparently for a faster descent at the fifth point. We didn’t want to rush; in Oleg’s hands the same lizards and light thin forests were in their hands, accompanying our path with arches.

Over time, it began to seem that someone was finishing the road at the same speed that we were walking, weaving through the trees and endlessly going down. But in open areas, the domes of the Kvass Church still came closer in leaps and bounds. Therefore, without losing courage, we continued on our way. And now rare houses with fallow deer and roe deer are visible, which on closer inspection were goats and goats. Suddenly, the slippery grass suddenly failed Oleg, and he fell onto his back, this had happened before, but the two lizards sat faithfully on his hand without moving from their place. And then suddenly one of them apparently couldn’t stand the fall and flew into the bushes! So she was never found. Oleg was very upset because he carried them all the way in his hands and even came up with the names Petros and Goverla for them, but one of them apparently had to leave, as
it was written in his family. The joy of finishing the journey was not very joyful.

In the end, I crossed the road and found us a place to stay for the night in a hostel bar (as it turned out) right opposite. And in fact, right at the stop from which we were supposed to leave tomorrow, for 100 UAH. per person. On the ground floor there was delicious Hutsul food in a restaurant. We ordered Bograch (a kind of Hutsul borscht or Hungarian goulash in Transcarpathian style), Kvass-style meat with delicious seasonings and a vegetable salad with ocet. Having received and tasted all the delights of civilization, including a shower and toilet, we fell into warm beds to sleep. There was a thunderstorm and downpour all night, and we slept under the roof, in warm beds under white blankets in a cozy wooden house. A blissful morning with hash browns, pancakes, even scrambled eggs to order not from the menu and delicious coffee. For three for 166 UAH. After breakfast, we waited right in the restaurant for the bus to Ivano-Frankivsk. Looking out the window and periodically sending those on duty to the side of the road. I don’t remember the journey on the bus, as I slept in a sweet fitful sleep.

The roads in Transcarpathia between villages are, oddly enough, very good and at the same time everything is very cheap. The bus ride cost 75 UAH. To Lazeshchyna and 100 UAH. from Kvasy (they are a little further). The locals have the feeling that they don’t know their small village. But they think you know. Because you ask something, and they say, well, go to People there, maybe uh, go to Peter, because I don’t know. As if we know where and who this Luda is. They speak an incomprehensible Hutsul language, sometimes Ukrainian, Czech, Polish, Russian. But in principle they understand you, no matter what Surzhik you speak. Although, by the look and gestures you can understand what tourists with large backpacks need, it’s written on the forehead, toivo. The people are wild, but quite hospitable, especially in winter, when the season begins. Even the only bathhouse in the village was closed for repairs until the winter. Everything is clean, tidy, well-kept houses, good roads, delicious inexpensive food, gorgeous air and views. In general, Transcarpathia is simply a gorgeous place that generates patriotism and joy in the soul for the country, that at least it remains with us. Incomparable soft mountains, humid, powerful, friendly nature and unique beauty of landscapes, colorful settlements with basically friendly residents.

Arriving in Ivano-Frankivsk and having lunch at our favorite Lozhka, we calculated the budget and it came out to 900 UAH. approximately per person, for all costs including hostel and food, without train tickets. Having run to our 6th carriage on the departing train, we piled into our cozy compartment for three. And we set off on the sixteen-hour journey home.

The Ukrainian Carpathians are a wonderful corner of nature, striking in its beauty of landscapes, coniferous forests, meadows and gardens. Once here, a person is filled with healthy energy and receives a sea of ​​positive emotions from the holiday. Every corner of the Carpathians is original and unique.

Brief information about the Carpathians

The Carpathian Mountains are a large mountain system that starts from Bratislava (Slovakia), where the tourist will also discover the second, no less beautiful mountain range of the High Tatras: read about how to visit the High Tatras here, and end with the Carpathians in the southeast of Romania . The total length is 1600 km. Depending on the location, the Carpathian mountains are divided into:

Western Carpathians - territories of the countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary.
Eastern Carpathians - Slovakia, Poland, territory of Western Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Carpathians occupy only 3.5% of the entire territory of the state of Ukraine, and are conditionally divided into:

Transcarpathia – Uzhgorod and Transcarpathian regions.
Prykarpattya - Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv regions.

Mountains of volcanic origin, average height from 1300 to 1500 m. The highest point of the Ukrainian Carpathians is Mount Hoverla, 2061 m.

Climate and natural world of the Carpathians

The continental warm climate mainly predominates, and the average temperature in summer is +20°C, in winter -15°C. The Carpathian Mountains as a whole are characterized by unstable springs, not very warm summers, dry autumns and mild winters, which contributes to the development of the ski resort. Typically, in the summer, seven days a week, two are rainy.

There is a very rich flora and fauna here, and untouched forests rare for Europe have been preserved. Thus, the main part of the mountains is covered with beech and coniferous forests, but also grow: oak, walnut, hornbeam, cherry, alder and pine. On the uppermost slopes lie alpine meadows with rare species of flora. On the plateau there are lingonberries and blueberries, and blackberry thickets. In summer, beautiful mountain scenery is complemented by herds of domestic cows and sheep.

In the high mountains, rivers such as Stryi, Prut and Cheremosh originate, which are considered the cleanest in Eastern Europe. In addition, in the mountain ranges there are salt caves formed many thousands of years ago, and salt lakes, which in their chemical composition are very similar to the Dead Sea, only much smaller in area.

Local color of the Carpathians

In the Carpathians, it is customary to distinguish three large ethnic groups: Boykos, Lemkos and Hutsuls, the predominant group of the population, each of which managed to preserve its own ethnoculture. Here you will be surprised: the most beautiful ancient churches that were built without a single nail, unique icons on glass, national dresses with bright embroidery, wood products, and a very popular art - pysankar-making. There is an opinion that Easter eggs help a person in various difficult life situations.

The most interesting local customs are seeing off shepherds to a mountain valley to the sounds of trembita, church holidays and a Carpathian wedding, which is accompanied by folk songs, rich embroidered clothes and fun activities. Attending such a wedding is similar to being a guest in a fairy tale.

Carpathian cuisine deserves special attention. All her dishes are very nourishing, tasty and prepared only from natural products, and the traditional ones are: pancakes, borscht, dumplings, galangal tincture, feta cheese and home-made smoked meats. Local cafes are usually called kolyba.

The Carpathian Mountains are spread over the territory of Eastern Europe and... the Moon. Yes, the mountain range with that name stretches along the southern “coast” of the lunar Sea of ​​Rains. Perhaps in the near future tourist groups will be sent there. However, at present, only the terrestrial Carpathians are of interest to us.

The mountain system begins near the Slovak capital of Bratislava and ends near the Romanian city of Orsov. In a satellite image, the Carpathian Mountains resemble a writhing snake. Its head “bites” the Alps, and its tail is lowered into the Black Sea. It seems that the Carpathians arose as a result of some kind of vortex process like an atmospheric cyclone.

A narrow mountain chain crosses the territory of several countries in Eastern Europe. Austria, Hungary, Serbia and the Czech Republic own only tiny pieces of it. Poland and Ukraine suffered much more. The largest pieces of the mountain pie are owned by Slovakia and Romania. In the latter, mountains occupy a significant part of the territory.

Scientists are still debating the name of the mountains. It is curious that in almost all the languages ​​of the peoples inhabiting the above countries, the word “Carpathians” sounds almost the same. In some cases it literally means "mountain" or "stone wall". There is also a version that the “Carpathians” came from the tribe of carps that inhabited these places in the 1st century AD. At the same time, linguists cannot explain why this people acquired this particular name.

It should be borne in mind that the Eastern Carpathians are considered an earthquake-prone region. Very strong earthquakes have happened here. In Romania there is the so-called Vrancea seismic zone. The strength of the tremors in it reached 8.3 points on the Richter scale. Their echoes were recorded even in Finland. The disaster was most severe in 1940 and 1977. Then Bucharest suffered greatly. However, in comparison with Japan, where earthquakes occur almost daily, the Carpathians seem to be an island of complete stability.

Between the Alps and the Black Sea

Southern Carpathians in late autumn

Despite its relatively modest size, the Carpathians have a complex structure. In the western part there are the Outer and Inner Western Carpathians. They are divided into 12 regions. And those, in turn, are in 60 mountainous regions! Perhaps the most famous of them are the Czech Tatras. Next come the Outer and Inner Eastern Carpathians. There are fewer mountainous areas here - only about a dozen. They are adjacent to the Western Romanian, Southern, Serbian Carpathians and the Transylvanian Plateau. To simplify, the Carpathians are conventionally divided into Western, Eastern and Southern.

On a physical-geographical map, the mountain system looks like a thin strip. With a total length of the mountains of 1500 km, their width ranges from 100 to 340 km. The narrowest part is in Ukraine, and the widest is in Romania. The highest peak is Mount Gerlachovský Štit in Slovakia. Its height reaches 2654 m. The Carpathians are separated from the Alps by a narrow gap of only 14 km wide!

Only here

There is a whole collection of caves in the Lower Tatras

To get an idea of ​​the most interesting places in the Carpathians, we will take a virtual trip through the mountainous country. Let's start from the western part, then move to the east, and from there we go down to the south. The natural border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is the so-called White Carpathians. The reserve of the same name is located here, which is spread over the territory of two countries. Several types of orchids are found in these places! But there is a stereotype that these delicate flowers are exclusively inhabitants of the tropics.

In Slovakia there is the Sarisska Vrhovina mountain range. It is famous for its Lacnov Canyon with an unusual rock called the “Moses Pillar”. And the name “Slovak Paradise” speaks for itself. I can't think of a better place for adventure lovers. Caves, abysses, canyons and waterfalls attract them like a magnet. In addition to natural objects, these places have interesting man-made attractions. For example, people go to the Slovak Muranska Planina mountains to see the ruins of the ancient Muransk castle.

The High Tatras in Poland are truly large - it is here that one of the highest points of the Carpathians is located. Tourists are attracted here by a very beautiful lake called Morskoye Oko. Situated in an oval-shaped valley, it actually resembles a huge eye. The largest Polish waterfall, called Siklawa, is no less picturesque. The water falls here from a height of 70 m.

The Low Tatras are known for their panoramic points, the role of which is played by the peaks of Kraljeva Golja, Habenec and Dereshe. In this area, the Demanovska valley with its caves is considered the most beautiful. It should be noted that in the local mountains there is a whole collection of all kinds of caves. One of them is called "Cave of Dead Bats". There are many centers scattered along the mountain valleys and slopes, where tourist routes begin.

In Hungary there is the Mátra mountain range. People come here to relax at the thermal springs and ski. Vineyards lie at the foot of the mountains, so the region is famous for its wineries. The Börzen massif is popular among tourists. Its heritage is considered to be the Duna-Ipoi National Park with a large number of springs, winding rivulets and turbulent streams.

Gorgany means “stone scree”. The mountain range in the Ukrainian Carpathians has the same name. These places have long been chosen by extreme sports enthusiasts, since the area is replete with wild tourist routes. Local hits are considered to be the Manyavsky waterfall and the mountain lake Synevyr, which is located on the territory of the national park of the same name.

Peles Castle in the mountains of Romania

The Southern Carpathians are also called the Transylvanian Alps. This entire beautiful mountainous country fits entirely within the territory of Romania. The highest point is Mount Moldoveanu (2544 m). Most of the country's ski resorts are located here. Don't forget that Romania is a country of castles. It’s worth coming here to see with your own eyes the royal castle “Pelesh” in Sinaia and Dracula’s castle in the town of Bran.

Climbers and rock climbers travel to Romanian Muntenia. The Unirya salt mine, which is currently a museum and balneological resort, is very spectacular. And the landscapes in Pyklele Mary look alien. Here, on an area of ​​30 hectares, mud volcanoes gurgle and spit slurry.

There are also places for rafting enthusiasts. For example, the Jiu River Gorge in Oltenia is one of the most popular rafting routes in Romania. Usually the Danube is associated with a calm current. However, in the Kazana Gorge the water literally boils due to the narrowness of the canyon. This spectacle is worth seeing with your own eyes.

The mountain lake Glaz Beya, located in the historical region of Banat, does not freeze even in winter, so during this period many migratory birds gather on its shores. Along with them come those who like to observe the life of birds. The lake is worth a visit just to admire the beautiful scenery and take spectacular photos.

There are places for rafting lovers in the Romanian Carpathians

And, of course, one cannot fail to mention Romanian Transylvania. The local reserve, located in the town of Zarnesti, is home to about a hundred bears rescued from captivity. Excursions around the reserve are organized for tourists. It is also worth seeing the fantastic stone columns in the Apuseni mountains, formed when basalt lava solidified. And at the former Turda salt mine, those interested can rent a boat and take a ride on the luxurious underground lake.

Nuances of the Carpathian weather

There is snow in the mountains from December to March. At other times, you can safely go hiking

Since the Carpathian Mountains occupy a large area and are characterized by different altitudes, weather conditions can vary significantly even in the same area. The higher you go, the colder it gets. The further south you go, the warmer it is. In mountain valleys there may not be snow even in winter. The further from the Black Sea, the more continental the climate. Despite such a variety of conditions, there are nevertheless some climatic patterns.

The coldest month is January. The average temperature in the north and east of the Carpathians fluctuates around -50C, in the south – around -30C. However, at the tops of the mountains it can be colder - up to -100C. By Russian standards, such temperatures are not considered frost. The average July temperature in the foothills in the north is +180C, in the south +200C. High in the mountains, even at the height of summer, the temperature can be no higher than +50C. In general, the temperature regime in the Carpathians is favorable all year round.

If we talk about precipitation, the least of it falls in the east and south of the Carpathians (800 mm per year). In the Western and Romanian Carpathians their number grows to 1000 mm. In high mountain areas this figure increases by 1.5-2 times. Maximum precipitation occurs in summer. Most often it rains. The duration of snow cover in the foothills is 2-3 months. There are no glaciers or eternal snow in these places.

The moral is simple. The ski season in the Carpathians usually begins in December and ends in March. They ride at altitudes from 1000 m. This means that the rest of the year is quite suitable for hiking. At altitudes up to 1000 meters this can be done in winter. But for high mountain routes you will need warm clothes even in summer.

If you want to avoid rain, it is better to go hiking in spring or autumn. True, even in summer the risk of getting wet increases only in high mountain areas. If the route passes through the foothills or slopes at low altitudes, there is no need to worry about rain. It is enough to stock up on a raincoat and a waterproof tent.

Hiking hits

Now let’s get acquainted with popular tourist routes in those countries in which the Carpathians are located:

Czech

There are up to a thousand caves in the Moravian Karst

The Krkonose Mountains are very popular in the Czech Republic. They are located on the border with Poland. Here the most popular route is the climb to Mount Snezka (1603 m). The path passes through a picturesque mountain valley with the unusual name Aubrey Dul. Those who wish can go upstairs using the cable car. It starts in the town of Petsi pod Snezkou.

Another popular route is the source of the Elbe. The powerful European river on which Hamburg stands originates in the town of Labski Meadow. Here you understand that all the largest rivers in the world are born from springs or formed from small streams. The starting point is the tourist center Horni Misecki. It is located near the resort town of Spindleruv Mlýn. High mountain routes along the Jeseniky ridge are also in demand. The landscapes there are considered the most beautiful in the country.

The Moravian Karst is one of the most interesting tourist sites. The length of this mountain range reaches 25 km. Its unusualness is that the mountains are penetrated by a system of caves, of which there are more than a thousand. Under the ground you can see drawings of primitive people. In the same places there is another popular site - the Macocha Canyon, which is considered the largest in Central Europe. Its depth is 138 m.

Poland

The Tatras are for the Poles what the Alps are for the French. The main tourist center of this area is the city of Zakopane. It serves as the starting point for a hiking route that includes the Kościeliska Valley, the Giewont and Kasprowy Wierch Mountains, the Eagle's Path, the Five Lakes Valley, the Morskie Oko Lake and Mount Rysy (2499 m), which is the highest peak in Poland. The program usually includes a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Slovakia

There are many lakes of glacial origin in the High Tatras

The Slovak Paradise Nature Reserve is considered a very attractive place for trekking. Hiking trails are equipped with bridges and stairs. Small rivers can be crossed using artificial fords. The trail passes by numerous waterfalls. The length of the gorge is 4 km. You can get there from the Podlesok tourist center near Hrabusice. The hike is classified as medium difficulty.

The Slovak High Tatras have 26 peaks, the height of which exceeds 2500 m. The most visited is Gerlachovsky Peak with a height of 2654 m. It is quite easy to climb. It is from its top that the most spectacular panoramas open.

Another popular mountain is Lomnicky Peak (2634 m). The highest Slovak weather station is located on its top. You can get to it on foot or using the cable car from Tatranska Lomnica. In clear weather, a good half of Slovakia is visible from the mountain!

The High Tatras are the place where the largest number of reservoirs are concentrated, which were created by glaciers in the distant past. Now there are about a hundred of them. The transparency of the water in the lakes reaches 12 m. The so-called Mengus Valley stretches between the ridges. There are tourists here in any season. At the end of the valley lies the Velke Gintsovo Pleso lake. It is considered the deepest in the Tatras.

The Tatra valleys are also attractive due to their cascades of waterfalls. The Studeniy Potok waterfall is recognized as one of the most visited. Famous ones include the Obrovsky waterfall, falling from a height of 20 m. The Big Waterfall is no less spectacular. It stands out with a thirteen-meter cascade. The routes to them start from Tatranska Lomnica.

There are also tourist routes in the Low Tatras. They usually pass along the central ridge, which stretches for as much as a hundred kilometers. The ridge consists of a chain of 55 peaks, the height of which exceeds 1,700 m. Those who wish can choose either a difficult one-day high-mountain hike or moderately difficult routes where the elevation changes are small.

Romania

Neighborhood of Sinai

The places in the vicinity of the famous Romanian resort of Sinaia are very picturesque. There is a walking route that includes not only a visit to this picturesque town, but also to the famous Dracula’s castle in the town of Bran. The route starts in the city of Brasov. The program includes an ascent to the Cross of Heroes on Mount Karaiman, as well as a visit to Lake Bolboch and Omu Peak (2507 m).

Our tourist club offers the following hiking programs in the Carpathians:

• New Year in the Carpathians (accommodation in the estate and auto excursions)
• Snowy Carpathians: accommodation in estates and self-guided tours

Carpathian slopes

Ski areas in the Carpathians are located at altitudes from 800 to 2400 m

The ski season in the Carpathians lasts from December to March. Ski areas are located at altitudes from 800 to 2400 m. Many resorts use artificial snow, so the season can increase significantly.

The ski resort Bila is located in the Czech Carpathians. The trails are laid on the slopes of the Zbojnicka and Javorina mountains, which are part of the Beskydy massif. The resort has been operating since 1965. It is located at an altitude of 518 m. The length of the slopes is from 700 to 1000 m.

In Poland, ski centers are located along the border with Slovakia. These are the resorts of Szczyrk, Zakopane, Szczawnica, Krynica. In Zakopane alone there are about a dozen ski centers and about 90 ski lifts. The largest Polish ski jump is also located here.

The largest number of ski centers are in Slovakia. Their number has exceeded a hundred, and they are all located in the Carpathians. Diverse conditions allow everyone to ride - from beginners to extreme sports enthusiasts. Resorts often have thermal springs. In winter, they organize hiking trips to the Studenovskie waterfalls, which in the cold turn into enchanting ice cascades.

In Romania, the main ski resorts are concentrated in the very center of the country in the districts of Brasov and Prahova. The famous ski centers of Azuga, Busteni and Sinaia are located in the Prahova Valley. The Poiana Brasov ski area also includes slopes near the town of Predeal. Ski slopes operate at altitudes from 1000 to 2400 m.

Near Carpathians

Mountain village

The good thing about the Ukrainian Carpathians is that they are closest to the rest, and you don’t need a visa to visit them. The eastern tip of a large European mountainous country is spread over the territory of four regions - Transcarpathian, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Chernivtsi.

The length of the Ukrainian Carpathian section is 280 m, and the width is about a hundred kilometers. On average, the mountains are low - about 900-1000 m, but there are peaks over 2000 m. These include, for example, Goverla (2061 m). It is considered the highest point of the country.

The Carpathians united more than a dozen ski resorts - Zakhar Berkut, Zhdenievo, Krasiya, Slavskoe, Pylypets and others. All of them are located in picturesque places and away from large populated areas. The Bukovel resort is considered the calling card of the local Carpathians. The ski season here lasts from November to mid-April. They only ski more at Dragobrat, where sometimes the season ends in mid-May.

You can find many natural masterpieces in the mountains. These, for example, include Mount Makovitsa (984.5 m) in the vicinity of the city of Yaremche. The huge scree on its slope looks like a giant elephant coming to drink. It is often called “Elephant Mountain”. You can take a break on the banks of the Prut River. This route cannot be called a hike. It's more of an easy walk.

There is an interesting route to the place where the Princess meteorite fell. This event took place in 1866. Scientists estimated the weight of the space guest at 280 kg. They say that small fragments can still be found today. The Chernye Mlaki tract, where the cosmic catastrophe occurred, can be reached from the villages of Knyaginya or Stuzhitsa. The trail goes past mineral springs and oak trees, whose age has exceeded a thousand years. The total length of the route is 14 km.

Another route allows you to walk along the bottom of the ancient sea! Once upon a time, the Carpathians were truly under water. There is a marked trail from the village of Verkhovyna-Bystraya in the Transcarpathian region to Mount Plishka. It overlooks the Uzhansky National Natural Park. In 1968, in these places they found the fossilized skeleton of a fish that swam here about 36 million years ago. Similar finds can be seen in the Transcarpathian Museum of Local Lore in the Uzhgorod Castle.

What a trip without a true friend!

The Ukrainian Carpathians are well developed in terms of tourism, so there are dozens of interesting routes. There are hikes to the mountains “High Stone”, “Parashka”, “Pikuy”, “Spitz”, “Khomyak”, “Gemba” and others. A special route is dedicated to two-thousand-meter mountains – there are six of them in Ukraine.

The Gorgan Mountains are highlighted as a separate item. There is a combined option called “Five Carpathian Passes”. He walks along the Verkhovinsky ridge. There are routes along the Marmaros massif, the Svidovets ridge, to the “Russian Way” pass - you can’t list everything. One thing is clear - you won’t get away with two days in the Carpathians. You need to come here for at least a week. Or better yet, two.