Where else could it be nicer, freer and more beautiful than in the mountains?! Limitless glades of fragrant flowers against the backdrop of an incredibly deep and clear sky. The harsh stone cliffs look harmonious against the backdrop of dense emerald forests. Where in the distance the winding ribbon of a mountain stream sparkles, and there the playful water grows into a stormy and uncontrollable waterfall. With light gentle touches, the bright sun paints its pictures, understandable only to nature, with the colors of the rainbow on the transparent water canvas. It was as if stern guards surrounded the mountain peaks on all sides. Some of them are cold, covered with a white cap of snow, while others are covered with dense forests, reminiscent of shaggy bears that are hibernating. And now the bear is not sleeping, he keeps one eye open, the animal is intently watching for order. And only if you take a closer look, it immediately becomes clear that this is not the eye of a large animal, but a crystal clear mountain lake surrounded by thick mountain grasses.
Where else can you touch real clouds?! Just imagine: you are climbing to the top, and a thick white carpet appears in front of you... and a few more meters - and you seem to be rising above the world... and how can you not feel like a free bird...
And it’s not just the untouched and clean nature that attracts thousands of tourists here every year. The Carpathian region is a fabulous land! A land of centuries-old traditions, hospitable and sincere people, magical villages and cities that are unlike any other in the world. To get to know this amazing region better, it’s not enough to hear someone’s impressions; it’s worth visiting! Regardless of what time of year you plan to spend your holiday in the Carpathians, be it autumn or even winter, you will gain unforgettable impressions and improve your body’s health. From all the variety of wonders, it is still difficult to choose just one, so our article will highlight individual places that are worth visiting at the beginning of your trip to the Carpathians.
1. The city of Yaremche is the capital of tourists in the Carpathian region
A small and cozy Carpathian town on the banks of the Prut River is located in a picturesque mountain basin. Although the history of the city does not even go back three hundred years, it was Yaremche that became the cradle of Carpathian culture and traditions. Extremely variegated and colorful, it combines rhythmic modernity and wise antiquity. Through the hospitality of local residents, their love for nature and their neighbors, the ancient secret of the old mountains becomes accessible to every tourist.
Yaremche is especially interesting during the major religious holidays. It seems that before you is not an action familiar to the townspeople with traditions that have already been passed through more than once, but a real theater. The variety of flowers, variety of songs and actions will not leave any of the guests indifferent. A real theater with authentic actors against the backdrop of incredible landscapes can find the inflammatory Hutsul in the soul of each of us. You will remember your holiday in Yaremche for a long time.
What is worth seeing in Yaremche
- Suspension bridge over the Prut.
- Reserve with wild animals.
- Old railway bridge.
- Ancient wooden churches of the 17th-18th centuries, made in a colorful local architectural style.
- Museum of Ethnography and Ecology.
- Restaurant "Hutsulshchyna", built without a single nail.
- Pass "Pereslop".
- Dovbush rocks.
- Souvenir market.
Night view of Yaremche (Yaremcha) from a bird's eye view
2. An unforgettable vacation in the village of Polyanitsa
The next destination is the village of Polyanytsya, which belongs to the Yaremche city council. The settlement is quite modern and developed. Despite the rather Ukrainian name, the village can easily compete with the most famous ski resorts in Europe. It is next to Polyanytsya that the largest ski complex in Ukraine, Bukovel, is located.
Every tourist can be amazed not only by the incredible landscapes, but also by the cleanliness of the streets, their orderliness, and a large selection of cozy and modern private estates and hotels. Therefore, while relaxing in Polyanitsa you will collect a full cup of unforgettable impressions.
- Ski complex "Bukovel".
- Pedestrian pass "Tables" 1130
- Upside down house.
3. The picturesque Carpathian village of Yablunytsya
The village with the appetizing name Yablunytsia is located 35 kilometers from the city of Yaremche. Thanks to the moderately cold winter, the snow cover is maintained for six months, and due to the large number of slopes, Yablunytsia is one of the most popular resorts in the Carpathian region.
Like Yablunytsia is located in a deep cauldron, it is surrounded on all sides by the Carpathian Mountains. A fabulous time is summer, when the air is filled with sweet herbal aromas and bright juicy flowers. You just want to get into such a natural corner. Yablunitsa - relax and forget about household chores.
Without which it is difficult to imagine Yablunitsa
- Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the 18th century.
- Mount Hamster;
- The highest peak of Ukraine is Hoverla (2061 m).
- Mount Petros (2020 m).
- Yablunytsky pass.
4. City of Ukrainian customs and rituals - Kosiv
According to local legend, Kosiv is part of the heavenly land. And it’s hard to disagree with this! The land of gardening and beekeeping, the world Mecca of folk and applied arts. The entire Carpathian and mountainous region is represented in the works of local artists. Kosiv - people's encyclopedia of the Hutsul region. A visit and holiday in Kosovo is a holiday of soul and body that can go on forever.
From such pleasure, poetic lines are born by themselves:
“Smelling copper and licorice sun,
Svitankov's dew on the princess - Yalitsa,
And the clinging water of the blue spring,
This is how I will dream about Kosiv forever.”
What else is Kosovo famous for?
- Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist early XX century
- Wooden Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- National Park "Hutsulshchyna".
- Strutinsky Museum.
- Museum of the Liberation Struggle of the Carpathian Region.
- Kosovo market.
- Kosovo Museum of Folk Art and Life.
- Waterfall "Kosovsky Huk".
- Castle ramparts.
Kyiv Kosiv, panorama from the Ostry ridge
5. Fairytale Hutsul village - Verkhovyna
A singing land with cheerful and friendly people. A magical and mysterious place that amazes the most skeptical minds. The region is so picturesque that it has become a favorite among writers and poets. The surrounding beauty and grandeur so impressed director Sergei Parajanov that it was here that the film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors,” famous throughout the Soviet Union, was shot.
Verkhovyna is like a fortress that protects the traditions of the Carpathian region on the southern side. Very bright traditions of celebrating a wedding, which takes place here for a whole week. Folk traditional costumes are just the tip of the iceberg, and all other traditions and their diversity are simply difficult to list and understand at once. But hospitable and sincere Hutsuls want the whole world to know about them. Therefore, there is no need to be shy, everything will be explained to you in the smallest detail - please come and relax in Verkhovyna!
What is Verkhovyna famous for?
- Museum of Hutsul Life, Ethnography and Musical Instruments named after. R. Kumlik.
- Museum of Hutsul magic.
- House-museum “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors”.
- "Hata flock."
- Regional Historical and Local Lore Museum of the Hutsul region.
- Museum of Applied Arts, Iltsy village.
- Verkhovyna National Natural Park.
- Written stone.
6. Silver resort of the Hutsul region - the village of Sheshory
A rich and luxurious Hutsul village in the Kosovo region. Without a doubt, the best way to relax is to go to the Carpathians. Sheshory is a resort famous throughout Ukraine and beyond, where the clean mountain air with the aroma of real field herbs makes you dizzy. In which you wake up to the sweet singing of birds and a soft ray of sunshine. A resort where you heal your soul and body with the help of nature. A place where you can find inner harmony.
And of course, where would we be without skis? Specially equipped ski resorts await real daredevils and extreme sports enthusiasts in Sheshory. And delicious Hutsul cuisine will quickly restore your strength.
What to see in Sheshory
- Lake Swan.
- Petrichila tract.
- Big and Small Huk waterfalls.
- Alley with American pine from the times of Austria-Hungary.
- Ridge "Brusny".
- One of the oldest Hutsul churches is the Upper Church.
- Festival of ethnic music and land art "Sheshory".
7. Skhidnytsia village
The settlement in a wide valley on the banks of a small mountain river is located in the Lviv region, Drohobych district. The former all-Union resort is still famous throughout Ukraine thanks to its Naftusya mineral water. Spring water of this type helps with liver and kidney diseases, anemia, salt diathesis, diabetes mellitus, normalizes stomach acidity, etc. Water helps in cell regeneration, so it rightfully deserves the title of “living water.”
In total, there are 38 springs and 17 wells on the territory of Skhidnitsa. In addition to water, Skhidnytsia is famous for its healing mud.
As for a resort, the village has a fairly well-developed tourist infrastructure, so guests do not need to worry about housing and prices for accommodation here for any budget. Holidays in Skhidnytsia will be a truly therapeutic and interesting pastime in the Carpathians.
What is worth seeing in Skhidnytsia
- Memorial room - museum of the discoverer of the Skhidnytsia mineral water deposit E. Stotsky.
- Route Skhidnitsa-Ugrich (10 km.) State historical and cultural reserve “Tustan”.
- Remains of the Iron Guta blast furnace.
- The Beskydy mountain range system.
- Room-museum of folk life.
- Stone Nicholas Church of the 17th century.
- Skhidnytskoe oil field.
- Skhidnytskoe mineral water deposit.
- Landscape regional park Stuzhytsia.
8. City of Skole
A small provincial town of regional significance, Skole, belongs to the Lviv region. The historical center of Boykivshchyna is included in the List of historical populated places in Ukraine. The settlement contains a large number of architectural and natural monuments.
The town of Skole is surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks of different heights, which makes it cozy and protected from cold winds. Skole is an active holiday for the whole family. The temperate and mild climate allows walking among nature on the banks of a clean river, among green and cozy forests, among fragrant herbs.
- National Natural Park "Skolev Beskids".
- Church of the Seven Sorrows, building XIX century
- Dead Lake.
- Palace of the Barons Grödley.
- Kinski Palace.
- Cave monastery XIII-XVI centuries.
- Dovbush rocks.
- Tustan Fortress;
- Church of the Great Martyr Panteleimon (Saint Paraskeva).
- Parashka.
9. Village Pylypets
Pylypets is a high-mountain village, one of the largest in the region. The famous ski resort, which belongs to the Transcarpathian region. The most visited Pylypets during the ski season. For lovers of winter recreation and extreme sports, there are specially equipped trails with a total length of 20 km, the longest of which is 6 km, and 7 lifts. Also, the village has an adequately developed infrastructure: hotels, estates, restaurants, rental offices, etc. For those who love home comfort, you can rent a room in the private sector.
- Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- Mount Gymba.
- Mount Zhyd Magura.
10. Village Shayan
The real pearl of Transcarpathia is the resort village of Shayan, famous for its mineral springs. It was on the basis of these sources that one of the oldest baths, the Maramorosh Zhupas, was founded. Local water can heal and cleanse the intestines, cure stomach ulcers, and relieve urological diseases. Shayan mineral water in its properties is equal to the famous medicinal waters “Borjomi”, “Narzan”, “Essentuki”.
The developed infrastructure will allow the tourist to forget about the problems of arrangement, and the surrounding clean and incredibly picturesque nature will help to restore all lost strength. Come to the Carpathians and relax in Shayan.
Sights of the village of Shayan
- Healing springs of Marmarosha.
- Peaks Shayan, Shayanikha, Shayanchik.
- Vigorlat-Gutinsky ridge.
- Mount Loposh.
- With. Velyatino, a unique herd of buffalo, the only one in Ukraine.
Another vacation was approaching. My friends and I decided to go on vacation. Between by sea and hiking in the mountains we chose the second option. Our choice fell on Carpathians, because the friends who were already there described everything so beautifully for us that there were simply no other options. The mountains were calling to us, and we carefully planned our trip.
Where are the Carpathians located?
From geography lessons I remember that The Carpathians are located in Central and Eastern Europe, and are divided into internal and external, which in turn are divided into western and eastern. Also The Carpathians are located on the territory of seven states. Probably, every country has its own zest, but I were interested in the Eastern Carpathians. For our small company the easiest thing was visit the Carpathians in Ukraine, because it is inexpensive and there are no problems with transport. Getting to the beginning of the route was not at all difficult, but this is a slightly different story, like our adventures along the route.
Routes of the Eastern Carpathians
Everyone knows that The Eastern Carpathians are located on the territory of Ukraine and Romania, as well as partly in Poland. In order to get to the mountains, you need to go to Ivano-Frankivsk or Transcarpathian region.
We decided go to the Transcarpathian region to walk the route along the Marmarosh ridge, which starts in Rakhiv district. Here we found ourselves in the border zone, and therefore we had to take permission in order to go along the planned route. We went to the mountains from the village of Delovoe (this is where the sign that symbolizes the center of Europe is located).
Our goal was to climb Mount Pop Ivan Marmaroshsky (height 1932 meters). On the mountain we discovered pillars that separate the borders of the two states. Interestingly, to the highest point Marmaros, which is located in Romania - Mount Farkeu, whose height is 1961 meters, You can go through without permission from the Romanian border guards, but they definitely won’t let you in any further.
If you open any geography reference book, you will see that The Western Carpathians are located on the territory of Serbia, Hungary, where mountains occupy a very small part of the country, and also in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
When we were traveling on the train from Ivano-Frankivsk, there was a guy in our compartment who works as a conductor in the Carpathians. He said that There are many interesting and unique places in the Western Carpathians. For example, it is best to go to Poland for a ski holiday. There is an excellent resort there. He also advised go to Hungary, there mountains occupy a very small part of the country, but it is in this country The highest point of the Carpathians is located, Mount Gerlachovsky Shtit,height which reaches 2655 meters.
For myself, I have identified several obvious advantages of going to the mountains:
- beautiful nature, beautiful landscapes;
- fresh air;
- an opportunity to take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle.
In fact the Carpathians are very cool, it’s not for nothing that they say that The only things better than mountains are mountains.
Ukrainian Carpathians from A to Z: map of hotels and ski areas, slopes and pistes, lifts and ski passes. Vivid photos and videos. Reviews of ski tourists about the Ukrainian Carpathians.
- Tours for the New Year Worldwide
- Last minute tours Worldwide
Weather in the Ukrainian Carpathians
From an environmental point of view, the Carpathians are a powerful climate-forming factor, a source of fresh water and clean air for the region. The climate of the region is temperate continental, in the lowlands winters are short and mild, summers are warm with an average temperature of +19..+21°C. In the mountains, winters are cold and snowy, summers are short and cool. There is snow in the mountains from mid-December to early March, and in some places even from November to May.
Nature of the Ukrainian Carpathians
The flora and fauna of the Carpathians is rich and diverse, many plants are found only in this region, and some animals are considered rare species. A large number of mountain rivers and lakes are full of fish, in particular trout. As you know, this fish is found only in clean water, and its widespread distribution in the Carpathians indicates the cleanliness of the local reservoirs. The most famous of the lakes is Synevyr, which is recognized as the cleanest in the region. Large rivers are suitable for timber rafting. The mountains themselves are flat, replete with spacious plateaus; there are no rocks here, so the terrain is characterized by smooth lines and is very picturesque.
Treatments and sources
The Carpathians are of interest as a region rich in mineral waters of all types. A huge number of natural springs, more than 800 in total, made the region attractive from the point of view of not only recreation, but also health improvement. Almost every region can boast of its own numerous sources of one or another water. Some of its species are known throughout the world: Naftusya, Morshynskaya, Truskavetskaya, Rapa, Polyana-Kvasova. The widely known resort of Truskavets, where treatment is based on the use of Naftusya water, specializes in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system and kidneys, and diabetes. Svalyavsky district has water sources such as Borjomi and Vichy. The composition of these waters is indicated for the treatment of metabolic diseases, gastrointestinal tract diseases, and tuberculosis. Staying in the fresh air, which is literally saturated with phytoncides of local coniferous plants, in combination with hydrotherapy, gives an amazing long-lasting effect in the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Some of the springs are associated with ancient touching legends, some of them are revered by the local population as holy springs.
Ski resorts
The Carpathians are also well known to ski lovers. Bukovel, Dragobrat, Slavskoe are the main ski resorts in the region. The snow lasts here for a long time; thanks to the mild winter (in the coldest month of January, the temperature rarely drops below -6 degrees), you can ski from the end of December to the end of March. These resorts are becoming more and more popular, they are developing dynamically and in recent years have offered a level of service and infrastructure comparable to European ones. Many ski lifts, schools for beginner skiers, well-groomed slopes, many of which are illuminated in the evening, and equipment rental centers await athletes.
You can relax and unwind in numerous entertainment venues that offer a varied menu and entertainment programs. With the end of the ski season, interest in recreation in the Carpathian Mountains does not subside: numerous routes for horseback riding, hiking and cycling are interesting for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Maps of the Ukrainian Carpathians
Popular hotels in Ukrainian Carpathians
Entertainment and attractions
The Carpathians have many interesting cities and villages, castles, natural attractions, so there is every opportunity to implement an extensive excursion program. The mountain villages have preserved their original way of life, and a trip through the Carpathians will clearly show: the higher in the mountains people live, the less fuss there is in their lives. However, there is also less civilization. The cities located in the Carpathians are extremely interesting for their original architecture and rich history. First of all, this is Lviv. One of the largest cities in Ukraine and the most beautiful. The central part of the city was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1998. The city was founded in 1256, it was incredibly lucky: it was almost not destroyed during both world wars, so it has preserved more than 2,000 historical and architectural monuments.
Some Lviv cafes were opened before the First World War and have preserved the magical aura of the beginning of the last century to this day.
Ivano-Frankivsk, one of the largest cities in Ukraine, is popular among tourists. It is traditionally considered a city more European than Ukrainian, this can be seen both in architecture and in the way of life. The city's numerous historical sites speak volumes about past Polish rule. Mukachevo, Uzhgorod, Ternopil, Truskavets are unusually cozy and attractive, and their attractions can easily compete with what can be seen in recognized European tourist centers.
The Carpathians are a mountain system in eastern Central Europe, in Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Austria. It extends from the outskirts of Bratislava to the Iron Gate for 1500 km, forming a convex arc, closing the Middle Danube Plain.
The Carpathians are one of the main watersheds in Europe between the Baltic and Black Seas. They are divided into two subprovinces - 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 predominant heights of the Carpathians are 800-1200 m, the highest height is 2655 m (Mount 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. The Carpathians contain up to 20% of all forests in Ukraine. The Carpathian Mountains are relatively young, formed during the Alpine era of mountain building and are more than 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 unevenness, pitfalls, significant trunks or roots. From the possible Dacian meaning - "mountains", the name of the tribe - "carps" - "those who live in the mountains" - inhabited the Carpathians during the Roman Empire. The Celtic-Illyrian word "Karn" meant "stone" or "pile of stones". The striking similarity of the name of the mountains can be traced with the name of the island of Karpathos between Cyprus and Rhodes.
Another name - the Sarmatian Mountains - appears in the works of ancient and medieval geographers. In Ptolemy, from the name of the Celtic tribe Bastarnae, who lived here, the Carpathian mountains 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 Świętokrzytski and Sudeten Mountains with Dobrudzha. This ancient strand is called Prakarpatamy. Due to the movement of the earth's crust, the Prakarpaty Mountains were destroyed, and at the beginning of the Mesozoic era, an almost flat territory, close to the platform, arose in their place.
The significant accumulation of sedimentary strata within the Carpathian geosyncline is closely related to the activity of the Tethys sea 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 Sea 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 chain, which includes the Apennines, Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, Crimea, Caucasus, Pamirs, etc. This grandiose mountain range, elongated in the latitudinal direction, makes up the Alpine folded belt . Within its borders, the Carpathians occupy one of the central positions.
The process of formation of the Carpathian mountain structure took place gradually. The intense deflection of the earth's crust within the Carpathian geosyncline was accompanied by the active accumulation of sedimentary strata within its boundaries. Their formation took place due to the destruction of mountain structures in the southwestern part of the Russian Platform, the Kielce-Sandomierz Ridge, the Sudetenland, Prakarpat, Dobrudzha, 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 determine the geographical features of the basin, its contours and the morphology of the seabed. In limestone strata there are a large number of remains of marine organisms - corals, sea lilies, various shells and the like. They were deposited at the bottom of warm, open, and shallow pools. These were precisely the conditions that existed at the beginning of the formation of the Paleogene sea. In sandstones, next to fossil marine fauna, there are plant remains that indicate the proximity of land and the coastal nature of sand deposits.
Beginning at the end of the Mesozoic era, the upward 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 Caucasus began to form.
At that time, individual islands, and then entire islands, began to protrude from the sea. The largest of them were the modern Chivchin Mountains and the Rakhiv crystalline massif. To the north and northwest of this massif, among the expanses of water, the outlines of the Carpathian Mountains became increasingly clear. They were constantly subject to erosion, but mountain-building processes were active. Therefore, at the end of the Paleogene period, two mountain ranges were clearly formed in place of the geosyncline, which correspond to the current Outer Carpathians.
At that time there was sea on both sides of the Outer Carpathians. Here the mountain range passed within the framework of the modern Beskids, Gorgany and Bukovinian Carpathians. To the northeast of the Outer Carpathians, in the territory of the Carpathian region, the sea basin raged further. Thick sedimentary strata were deposited at its bottom as a result of the erosion of the southwestern wing of the Russian Platform and the elevated mountain range of the Outer Carpathians.
The Inner Carpathians were represented by the Pieniny and Maramory cliffs. To the southwest of them passed the Transcarpathian internal trough with the Virgolat-Gutyn volcanic ridge. Even further south, in the area of the Beregovo lowlands, the Pripanonsky deep connector lies, separating the Carpathians from the Hungarian intermountain basin.
There was a sea basin between the inner and outer Carpathians at the end of the Paleogene period. He was the last one within the Carpathian Mountains. During its existence, significant layers of sand deposits have accumulated here.
Other coatings appear differently. Magursky stretches out in a narrow strip in the upper reaches of the Uzha River basin, Sub-Silesk runs in another strip in the area between the Upper Dniester and Stryi rivers, in the vicinity of the village of Rozluch and south of the city of Turki. Here is the low-mountain central part of the Carpathian Mountains, dominated by dome-shaped 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-mountain Poloninsky part of the Carpathian Mountains. Peculiar covers can be traced in the southwestern part of the Ukrainian Carpathians. They are represented by the Rakhov, Porkulets and Chernogorsk nappes (thrusts). Here are the highest mountains in the Ukrainian Carpathians - Hoverla, Petros, Pop Ivan and others.
During the process of mountain building, the Pre-Carpathian marginal trough, and then the Transcarpathian internal trough, are filled with sedimentary strata. Mountain rivers destroyed weakly stable sediments and continuously transported pebbles, sand, and silt into the basin. The sea within the troughs gradually became shallower, and subsequently retreated completely. In closed basins, intense 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 (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-Gutinsky volcanic ridge. In the center of the city of Khust rises the cone of an extinct volcano. On its top, in the first half of the 14th century, a fortified castle was built to keep the salt miners in obedience and to protect the Maramora salt mines. This castle was often attacked by the Tatars. The last time the Crimean Khan Girey reached here was in 1717.
There are cones of extinct volcanoes 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, Drisina and Shalanok. The volcanic rocks in this chain are mainly andesites. Their exits are known in the area of the villages of Drisiny and Shalanok. Along the southern edge of the Transcarpathian internal trough there are thick layers of liparites. On the surface they are exposed over a 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-Gutin volcanic ridge is evidenced by mineral springs, and in the Kaliman-Harghita mountains, including hot springs.
Active processes in the upper mantle of the Earth near 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
During the Quaternary period, the Carpathians underwent partial glaciation. It covered the high mountain ranges of Chernogora and Svydovets, Pop Ivan Maramorshsky. Its relics can be traced in the form of cars, glacial cirques, and moraine deposits in the valleys of mountain streams.
Within the middle mountains, there was no glaciation, but frosty weathering of rocks occurred. 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. There are a number of large structural elements of northwest-southeast strike, separated by thrusts: the Pre-Carpathian foredeep, the Outer Carpathians, the Inner Carpathians, the Transcarpathian back trough.
In the Inner Carpathians on the territory of Ukraine, the Marmarosh crystalline massif and the Podhale 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 Cis-Carpathian trough - native sulfur, gas (Dashavskoye, Kosovskoye and other deposits), oil (Boryslavskoye, or Babchenkivskoye deposits), ozokerite (Borislavskoye deposit), rock and potassium salts (Kalush-Golinskoye, Stebnitskoye and other deposits) . It is estimated that there are about 35 billion tons of salt deposits in the Carpathian region.
In the Transcarpathian trough - rock salt (Solotvyno deposit), gas, brown coal (Ilnitsky, Krivsky deposits), zeolites. Neogene volcanism is associated with mercury (Bolshoy Shayan, Borkut), vein gold-polymetallic and barite (Begansky deposit) ores, alunite, kaolins, perlite, bentonite clays (Gorbske deposit).
In the front part, the Outer Carpathians are known for oil deposits, in the Marmaro massif - deposits of dolomite, limestone, marble, and raw materials for stone casting. In the metamorphic complex, manifestations of stratiform pyrite-polymetallic, copper-pyrite, barite and ferromanganese ores are known.
Mineral waters are common in the Carpathians, carbonated waters are common on the southwestern slopes of the Carpathians and Transcarpathia (Svalyava, Polyana-Kvasova deposits). In the zone of junction of the Cis-Carpathian trough with the East European Platform there are deposits of nitrogen sulfate waters.
In the Inner Zone of the Cis-Carpathian Trough, brines of chloride (sulfate-chloride) composition (Morshin) and a special, rare type of slightly mineralized water with a high content of organic substances (Truskavets) are common.
In the Transcarpathian trough, thermal and subthermal waters of high mineralization are common and are used for medicinal and thermal energy purposes.
Gold reserves are represented by the Beregovskoye and Muzhievskoye gold-polymetallic deposits. The latter was put into industrial development in 1999, and in the same year, Zakarpatpolymetally LLC was created on the basis of the Muzhievsky State Gold and Polymetallic Combine.
Since ancient times, oil, which was previously called “brine,” was extracted within the Carpathian region. They used it only for lubricating carts with shingles. Subsequently, kerosene, which was used in kerosene lamps (for lighting), began to be removed from brine. Intensive oil production began in the middle of the 19th century, when methods for obtaining and using its light fractions were discovered. The first powerful wells appear at the fields near Borislav, Tustanovichi, Mraznitsa, and Bykov.
The most ancient rocks found in the Carpathians originated 1.2 billion years ago.
The Ukrainian Carpathians generously reward everyone who comes to these regions with a stunning picture of natural landscapes, beauty, joy, and health. Every corner of the Ukrainian Carpathians is original and unique. Here the gardens growing on the mountain slopes, forests and untouched meadows delight the eye. In winter, the Carpathians are especially visited and attractive for lovers of active ski holidays.
Geographical information
The huge mountain system of the Carpathian Mountains begins near Bratislava (Slovakia) and ends in the southeast of Romania. The total length of the Carpathians is approximately 1600 km. They surround the Central European Lowland in a large arc on three sides. In the northwestern section their width is 250 km, and in the southwestern section – 350 km; in the southeastern section, where the Ukrainian Carpathians are located, it narrows to 100-130 km.
Depending on the location and biogeographical structure, the Carpathians are divided into Southern, Eastern, Western. The Western Carpathians are localized in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and partly in Hungary, where the highest mountain of the Carpathians is located - Gerlach (2665 m). The northern ones are located equatorially on the territory of Romania, the eastern ones in Slovakia and Poland, as well as on the territory of Western Ukraine.
The average height of the Ukrainian Carpathians is 1000 m. The Carpathians make up 3.5% of the territory of the entire Ukraine. They stretch from northwest to southeast for almost 290 km with an average width of 110 km.
The Carpathians are located on the territory of 4 regions of Ukraine: Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Transcarpathian, Lviv.
The Carpathians are symbolically divided into 2 parts – Transcarpathia and Prykarpattya. Prykarpattya is Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions, Uzhgorod and Transcarpathian regions are Transcarpathia. The Carpathians are low, of volcanic origin, with an average height of about 1300-1500 meters. The highest mountain is located in the area of the village of Yablunytsia - this is Mt.
Flora and fauna of the Carpathians
The Carpathians are a mountain strip notable for the fact that on its territory, untouched forests, rare for Europe, have been preserved. The Carpathian Mountains are mostly “soft”, rounded mountain peaks without rocky outcrops. They grow on the plateau. Somewhat lower, on the slopes of the mountains, you can often come across thickets of blackberries. In warm summers, the mountain landscapes are complemented by large herds, cows and sheep.
The main part of the Carpathians is covered with beech and
In addition to spruce and beech, they also grow in the Carpathian Mountains.
Beech forests also include common ash, Norway maple, and mountain elm; they have almost disappeared in the Carpathian Mountains; if they are found, it is only in hard-to-reach places.
On the upper slopes of the Carpathian Mountains there are “alpine” meadows, rich in even today very rare species of flora. In particular, an amazing plant - the East Carpathian rhododendron. In the Carpathians it is called the “Alpine rose” due to its bright pink flowers. Here, high in the mountains, are the sources of many rivers in the Western region of Ukraine: the Prut and Cheremosh are rightfully considered one of the cleanest rivers in Eastern Europe.
In the Carpathian mountains many thousands of years ago, salt caves were formed, as well as dense deposits of rock salt. As a rule, above such caves there are salt lakes, similar in chemical composition to the Dead Sea in Israel. These lakes are significantly smaller in area, but they are not inferior in healing properties.
The Ukrainian Carpathians are very diverse. The main factor of separation is a sharp change in mountain heights - from 160 m to 2081 m. In parallel with the height, the temperature and humidity conditions change.
The climate is mainly temperate continental, warm, with cyclonic interventions of Atlantic air. The average temperature of the warmest month (July) in the foothills is from +19 to +22°C, in the high mountain zone from +9 to +12°C, the coldest month in January is from -5 to -15°C.
In summer, out of every seven days, two are rainy. In general, the Carpathian Mountains are characterized by unstable springs, not very hot summers, warm, dry autumns and mild winters. Figuratively, the Carpathians can be divided into a number of mountain climatic zones:
The Highlands zone is a zone of rather cold and very humid climate.
The Middle Mountains zone is a zone of moderately cold, humid climate
The Carpathian region is a zone of warm and moderately humid climate.
The Low Mountains zone is a zone of very humid climate.
The Transcarpathian zone is a zone of fairly warm, moderately humid climate.
The climate within the described zones is uniform everywhere. From west to east its continentality intensifies.
In Transcarpathia, the southern region stands out quite sharply against the general temperature background. Summer here is often sultry. Droughts occur frequently. Mountainous terrain greatly influences the climate. Each river valley and mountain slopes often have their own special individual microclimate.
Population of the Carpathians
Lemkos live on the slopes, between the Syan and Poprad rivers, in the Perechyn and Velikobereznyansky districts of Transcarpathia. The first mention of them in written sources appears in the sixth century BC. The Boyks live in the Lviv, Transcarpathian and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.
“Russian Trinity” - Yakov Golovatsky, Ivan Vagilevich, Markian Shashkevich considered the Boyks to be the offspring of Celtic tribes who lived in Central Europe from the sixth century BC, and moved to the Balkans closer to the first century.
Hutsuls live in Transcarpathian, Chernivtsi, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, there were many rebels and oprishks - people's avengers - among the Hutsuls.
Culture of the Carpathians
Even for a long time, being in the structure of different states, although they could not protect themselves from merging with the Poles, Hungarians, and Slovaks. It was the inhabitants of the mountainous regions of the Carpathians who preserved the most archaic cultural features, which were at least slightly different from the Polesie people.
It seems that in the mountains, almost every person is a singer, an artist, a bright creative personality. And it was with the hands of such people that the most beautiful wooden temples were built in the mountains, which were built without a single nail... The main decoration of these temples were the unique icons painted on glass.
The bulk of them, today, are stored in museum collections.
Today, like many hundreds of years ago, the population of the Carpathians decorates their clothes with bright embroideries.
Bukovina, Pokuttia, Transcarpathian,... Any of them is inimitable and unique and they all look like a bright flower garden.
It blooms in beautiful patterns on pillows, towels, and shirts.
The ancient art of pysankara (ritual painting of Easter eggs) is also passed down from generation to generation in the Carpathians. In the Carpathians they know that Easter eggs help in various life situations: their signs-symbols bring prosperity, health and love to people, and fertility to the Carpathian land.
Carpathian national features
In the mountainous Carpathian region there are farewells to shepherds in the mountain valley, Carpathian weddings and religious, church holidays, for example Christmas with Christmas carols and schedrivki, “Vasily” (old New Year), “Water Epiphany”, “Melanki”, and, of course, Easter with Easter "haivkas".
A big holiday - a carnival for local Carpathian residents - is to go to the distant mountain meadows to graze livestock. Grazing occurs from the beginning of May and lasts until mid-September. The living conditions of shepherds in the mountain valley are difficult,
they work from dawn to dusk, and yet every Carpathian resident does not mind becoming a high-mountain shepherd.
Three details that characterize the life of Carpathian shepherds are vatra, trembita and feta cheese. like a fairy tale.
Even today, the inhabitants of the Carpathians adhere to their traditions. They still dress up in national embroidered clothes and decorate their horses. The wedding is full of fun and colorful fun, dancing, songs, games, witticisms, and jokes. Not a single wedding is complete without rolls and loaves, embroidered and hand-woven towels, and bouquets.
Preparations begin early.
All Carpathian housewives, early in the morning on January 6th, light a “live fire” from twelve logs in the stoves and cook
Among the dishes of the Holy Supper of Christmas, the main place is kutia.
(boiled wheat with honey, poppy seeds and nuts.)
The Easter holiday in the Carpathians is distinguished by an abundance of ritual customs and actions. On Palm Sunday, residents of the Carpathians bring a consecrated palm branch (joke) from the church and lightly hit each member of their family with it, saying: “It’s not I who hit you, it’s the joke that hits you - from now on, Easter week!”
The consecrated willow branch, in the concept of the ancestors of the Carpathian inhabitants, has healing properties. The end of Lent is the time for painting paints. Each Carpathian village has its own unique craftsmen.
Carpathian cuisine
They are distinguished by three features: natural, satisfying, tasty. It is worth using at least for the duration of your holiday in the Carpathians. Residents of the Carpathians, who eat natural, environmentally friendly products, live a very long time. Milk from the Carpathian alpine meadows is no worse than Alpine milk. with porcini mushrooms, various porridges have been prepared here for several hundred years and, of course, they have mastered this culinary art to perfection. After a Carpathian breakfast, you will have enough strength even for a long mountain trek on foot. Most traditional Carpathian dishes are in perfect harmony with homemade moonshine, as well as with expensive alcoholic drinks.
Ancient intoxicating Carpathian drinks deserve special attention, for example
They are still widely used in the national Carpathian cuisine.
All restaurants and cafes in the Carpathians will definitely offer you traditional dishes of Carpathian cuisine: pancakes, borscht, potato pancakes, . Of course, they will also offer a wide range of dishes from European cuisines.
Carpathian dishes are original and at the same time very easy to prepare. The main ingredients of Carpathian cuisine are wheat and corn flour, potatoes, mushrooms, pork or beef, and fish.
has long been known for its abundance of homemade smoked meats.
The epoch-making dwelling of Carpathian shepherds on summer pastures is a kolyba - a distinctive wooden building, usually round in shape, usually with a highly erected roof, usually in the shape of a cone or triangle. Today, every tourist will be able to visit kolyba without even going high into the Carpathians, since today kolyba are, as a rule, small private restaurants and shops built, often near the road.
Safety and rules of conduct
1. Light carefully and carefully monitor the lighting of camp stoves and fires.
It is always necessary to dig up the place where the fire is made to prevent sparks from getting into the dry grass around it. When leaving the camp site, do not forget to fill the area where the fire was with water. Often in popular tourist sites there are already prepared places where it is possible and desirable to make a fire. If possible, it is always better to look for such a place first.
Moreover, as a rule, these are ideal parking places.
. It's better to look for dry branches.
3. If after resting or parking you still have unnecessary plastic bags and paper, burn them in the fire.
4. Tin containers and cans left over after a holiday in the Carpathians and food - it is better to burn them in a fire until black, crush them with an ax or a stone, and then be sure to bury them; on the surface of the earth they can cause serious injuries.
5. Never leave garbage after a holiday in the Carpathians.
6. Never destroy places for rest or drinking water built by someone before you.
7. Do not pollute streams, springs, or mineral springs. You and others should drink from them.
8. Do not pick berries and flowers unnecessarily, do not break the branches of green living trees.
9. Don’t scare grazing cows, sheep, or goats
10. There are difficulties with the direction of travel, it is always better to check with the local population. Usually locals measure distances by travel time.
11. When going on a hike on, by, or, dress in clothing appropriate for the hiking conditions.
The Carpathian climate is clean and creates favorable conditions for healing the body. As a rule, tourist centers, holiday homes and sanatoriums in the Carpathians are located in picturesque corners, near mountain lakes, in river valleys, at the base of mountains and on mountain slopes, surrounded by dense Carpathian forests.
The healing natural resources of the Carpathians and the modern medical and technical base make it possible to obtain a significant effect in the treatment of diseases of the liver and biliary tract, gastrointestinal tract, metabolic disorders, defects of the musculoskeletal system, disorders of cardiovascular and nervous activity.
