Where else can be sweeter, freer and more beautiful than in the mountains?! Boundless meadows of fragrant flowers against the background of an incredibly deep and clear sky. Severe stone cliffs harmoniously look against the backdrop of dense emerald forests. Where the winding ribbon of a mountain stream sparkles in the distance, and there the playful water grows into a stormy and unrestrained waterfall. With light gentle touches, the bright sun draws its own pictures understandable only to nature with the colors of the rainbow on a transparent water canvas. As if harsh guardians surrounded the mountain peaks from all sides. Some of them are cold and covered with a white cap of snow, while others are covered with dense forests, reminiscent of furry bears that have hibernated. And now the bear does not sleep, he keeps his one eye open, the beast is staring at the order. And just take a closer look - and it immediately becomes clear - this is not the eye of a large beast, but a crystal clear mountain lake surrounded by dense 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 rise above the world ... and how can you not feel like a free bird ...
And not only untouched and pure nature attracts thousands of tourists every year. The Carpathian region is a fabulous land! The 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 land better, it’s not enough to hear someone’s impressions, it’s worth visiting! Regardless of what time of the year you are going to spend your vacation in the Carpathians, whether it be autumn or even winter, you will fully gain unforgettable impressions and improve your body. Of all the variety of miracles, it is still difficult to choose one single one, so our article will highlight individual places that are worth visiting at the beginning of a trip to the Carpathians.
1. The city of Yaremche - 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 is not even three hundred years old, it was Yaremche that became the cradle of Carpathian culture and traditions. Extremely colorful and colorful, it combines rhythmic modernity and wise antiquity. Through the hospitality of the locals, their love for nature and neighbor, the ancient secret of the old mountains becomes available to every tourist.
Yaremche is especially interesting during the biggest 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. A variety of colors, a variety of songs and actions will not leave indifferent any of the guests. A real theater with genuine actors against the backdrop of incredible landscapes is able to find an inflammatory Hutsul in the soul of each of us. Rest in Yaremche you will remember for a long time.
What is worth seeing in Yaremche
- Suspension bridge over the Prut.
- Reserve with wild animals.
- Old railway bridge.
- Ancient wooden temples of the XVII-XVIII centuries, made in the 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 (Yaremche) from a bird's eye view
2. Unforgettable vacation in the village of Polyanitsa
The next destination is the village of Polyanitsa, 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 near Polyanytsya that the largest ski resort in Ukraine "Bukovel" is located.
Each tourist can be amazed not only by incredible landscapes, but also by the cleanliness of the streets, their orderliness, a large selection of cozy and modern private estates and hotels. Therefore, while relaxing in Polyanytsya, you will collect a full bowl 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 Yablunitsa is located 35 kilometers from the city of Yaremche. Due to moderately cold winters, the snow cover remains for half a year, and due to the large number of slopes, Yablunytsya is one of the most popular resorts in the Carpathian region.
As in a deep cauldron is Yablunytsia, from all its sides are surrounded 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 of the 18th century.
- Mount Khomyak;
- The highest peak in Ukraine Hoverla (2061 m).
- Mount Petros (2020 m).
- Yablunitsky 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 that! The land of horticulture and beekeeping, the world mecca of folk arts and crafts. The entire Carpathian and mountainous region is represented in the works of local masters. Kosiv - the national encyclopedia of the Hutsul region. Visiting and resting in Kosovo is a holiday of body and soul, you can go on forever.
From such pleasure poetic lines are born by themselves:
"The smell of copper and licorice sunits,
Svіtankova dew on the princess - yalitsі,
I healing water of the blue spring,
I will always dream of such Kosiv.”
What else is Kosiv famous for?
- Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist 20th 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 ridge Sharp
5. Fabulous Hutsul village - Verkhovyna
Singing land with cheerful and friendly people. A magical and mysterious place that strikes the most skeptical minds. The region is so picturesque that it has become a favorite among writers and poets. The surrounding beauty and grandeur impressed director Sergei Parajanov so much that it was here that the film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors”, famous throughout the Soviet Union, was filmed.
Verkhovyna is like a fortress that protects the traditions of the Carpathian region from the south side. Very bright tradition of celebrating the 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 right away. But the 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 - come and have a rest in Verkhovyna!
What is Verkhovyna famous for?
- Museum of Hutsul life, ethnography and musical instruments. R. Kumlik.
- Museum of Hutsul magic.
- House Museum "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
- "Hata-pack".
- Regional Museum of History and Local Lore of the Hutsulshchyna.
- 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 well-known resort throughout Ukraine and beyond, where pure mountain air with the aroma of real field herbs makes you dizzy. In which you wake up from the sweet singing of birds and a soft ray of sunshine. A resort where you heal with the help of nature, body and soul. A place where you can find inner harmony.
And of course where without skis. Specially equipped ski resorts await real daredevils and extreme sports in Sheshory. And delicious Hutsul cuisine will quickly restore your strength.
What to see in Sheshory
- Lake Swan.
- The tract of Petrichila.
- Waterfalls Big and Small Guk.
- Alley with American pine from the times of Austria-Hungary.
- Ridge "Brusny".
- One of the oldest Hutsul temples is the Upper Church.
- Festival of ethnic music and land art "Sheshory".
7. Village Skhidnitsa
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 the Naftusya mineral water. Spring water of this type helps with diseases of the liver and kidneys, anemia, salt diathesis, diabetes mellitus, normalizes the acidity of the stomach, etc. Water helps in cell regeneration, therefore it rightfully deserves the title of "living water".
In total, there are 38 springs and 17 wells on the territory of Skhidnytsia. In addition to water, Skhodnitsa is known for its healing mud.
As for a resort, the tourist infrastructure is quite well developed in the village, so the guest does not need to worry about housing and accommodation prices here for any budget. Rest in Skhidnytsia will become a truly curative and interesting pastime in the Carpathians.
What is worth seeing in Skhodnitsa
- The memorial room is a museum of the discoverer of the Skhodnitsky mineral water deposit E. Stotsky.
- Route Skhodnitsa-Ugrich (10 km.) State Historical and Cultural Reserve "Tustan".
- Remains of the Iron Guta blast furnace.
- System of mountain massifs "Beskydy".
- Room-museum of folk life.
- Stone Nicholas Church of the 17th century.
- Skhodnitskoye oil field.
- Skhodnitskoye 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 settlements of Ukraine. The settlement has a large number of architectural and natural monuments.
The city 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 clear river, among green and cozy forests, among fragrant herbs.
- National natural park "Skole Beskydy".
- Church of the Seven Sorrows, con. 19th century
- Dead lake.
- Palace of the Barons Grödlei.
- Kinsky Palace.
- Cave monastery XIII-XVI centuries.
- Dovbush rocks.
- Fortress Tustan;
- Church of the Great Martyr. Panteleimon (Saint Paraskeva).
- city of Parashka.
9. Pylypets village
Pylypets is an alpine 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 them has 6 km, and 7 lifts. Infrastructure is also well developed in the village: hotels, estates, restaurants, rental offices, etc. For lovers of home comfort, you can rent a room in the private sector.
- Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin;
- Mount Gymba.
- Mount Zhyd Magura.
10. Shayan village
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 of Maramorosh zhupy was founded. Local water is able to cure and cleanse the intestines, cure stomach ulcers, get rid of urological diseases. Shayanskaya mineral water in its properties is equated to the well-known medicinal waters "Borjomi", "Narzan", "Essentuki".
The developed infrastructure will allow the tourist to forget about the problems of accommodation, and the surrounding clean and incredibly picturesque nature will help restore all lost strength. Come to the Carpathians and relax in Shayan.
Sights of the village Shayan
- Healing springs of Marmarosha.
- Peaks Shayan, Shayanikha, Shayanchik.
- Vigorlat-Gutinsky ridge.
- Mount Lopos.
- from. Velyatino, a unique herd of buffalo, the only one in Ukraine.
Nature has generously endowed Ukraine with its beauties: there are many beautiful places in every corner of the country. But today I want to once again remember the Carpathians. Indeed, with the awakening of spring, amazing mountain flowers wake up, full-flowing 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 are we waiting the most beautiful places in the Carpathians?
Svidovets ridge
The land of lakes, alpine beech forests, green pastures and colorful mountains. - one of the most picturesque in the Carpathians. With every step, new panoramas open up. that you want to capture on canvas. Or at least on a camera. After all, every tourist is simply obliged to take a photo of the Carpathians! It crowns the massif (1883 m). There are many tourist routes here. You might like it.
Goverla
Many Ukrainians begin their acquaintance with the Carpathian mountains with. This the most famous mountain in the country. And she has something to be proud of: grief has no equal in height in all of Ukraine. But to the delight of tourists, its peak 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 mountains of the Carpathians are waiting. .
Stay comfortably in one of.
Author of the photo: Torshin Vitaly.
Mount Eared Stone
What kind of mountain would you imagine? The fantasy of each of us draws different images. So it is with those who look at the mountain. Someone really sees the ear, and someone noticed 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 coveted by connoisseurs of natural beauty! There is nothing surprising in the fact that the Eared Stone has become one of the popular tourist routes. You can appreciate the landscapes during.
Photo source: guide.karpaty.ua, by Anton Petrus.
Mountain Spitz
A mountain that made friends with thunder and storm clouds. like beckon bad weather. Clouds love to cry here and pour out all their grief. Spitz surprise with bizarre 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 shed on the meadow 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 the highest mountain village in Ukraine, and a picturesque mountain. Although the way here is not the easiest, both Lesya Ukrainka and Vasily Stefanyk have been here in their time. Just from Dzembronya they begin.
Photo source: antonpetrus.uol.ua, by Anton Petrus.
Polonina Borzhava
The nature of the Carpathians is many-sided. Bright colors, flooded with sunlight, vast expanses, give an amazing feeling. The mountains, covered with lush greenery, are very picturesque. Most colorful panorama opens from the top of the highest mountain - Stii, 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. For those who like to communicate with nature, various tours are offered. You can travel in a simple way, with a tent over your shoulders, or settle in wooden cottages. It is worth seeing the spring greenery of the mountain meadow.
Beauty of Kryvorivnya
Why is there so much talk about a small Hutsul village that does not have a special infrastructure? Yes, because it helps to transfer 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 cheerfully. The mountains are covered with dense greenery - there is not even a hint of high-rise buildings. The breathtaking landscapes for which the village is famous did not have time to spoil civilization. But, perhaps, it is worth hurrying to see the "Ukrainian Athens" in their 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 hidden passages, a lion or a wise sphinx hid. And local residents are sure that each rock displays a part of the body of the national hero Oleksa Dovbush. Want to see his stone fist? Or walk through the damn gorge? Then it's worth it.
Photo source: unexplainedgr.blogspot.com.
Skole Beskydy Park
Photo source: anderver.livejournal.com.
Rock Karst Bridge
When you look at the greatness of the Carpathian mountains, it is hard to believe that an ancient sea once splashed in their place. For thousands of years, it has created bizarre bas-reliefs. And when it left, it left its amazing creation at the bottom of the sea. , artfully 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 through the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.
Photo source: ua-travels.livejournal.com.
Milk Stone Cave
It seems that you found yourself in a fairy tale. The owner of this underground kingdom is about to appear, having created breathtaking fantastic patterns. One has only to go into the spacious hall, as you find yourself completely in his power, subdued by the grandeur of the underground palace. The main decoration bizarre stalactites - can be considered for an eternity. They were built for 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 its name by modesty. For a long time the entrance to it seemed unremarkable, and the beauties of the cave were in no hurry to discover. But having opened the veil of mystery, they saw a whole underground kingdom. This gypsum cave - 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.
Halls and galleries, covered with multi-colored clay, are perhaps much more interesting than museum ones. You can also 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 is the most famous lake in the country, 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, one of the most popular attractions of the Carpathians. You can find out more about tours.
Photo source: vu1tur.eu.org.
Shypit Waterfall
If you listen closely, you can hear how droplets of water are merrily whispering as they run down from a height of 14 meters. , surrounded by an emerald of greenery - a precious decoration of the Carpathians, sparkling in the rays of the sun. This the most full-flowing waterfall in Transcarpathia. The best time to admire its play 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 see.
Photo source: uatravel.pp.ua.
Rapids of the Cheremosh River
The mountain rivers of the Carpathians have earned the poetic epithet “stormy” for a reason. When the snow melts and they gain all their power, the water, flowing down from the mountain peaks, literally boils! The Cheremosh River is just that. Extreme people from all over Ukraine know her well: after all, float 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 learn more about this type of recreation on the Cheremosh River.
Photo source: board.com.ua.
Mineral springs of Skhidnitsa
Beauty that heals. Sun-drenched landscapes of "Ukrainian Switzerland" give inspiration, and its waters - health. This miraculous place is considered the 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 after for rest and recovery. Here you will see that interesting places in the Carpathians can be useful.
Carpathians and Transcarpathia - Ukraine
Carpathians and Transcarpathia
Ukrainian Carpathians- This is part of the Carpathian mountain range, located on the territory of Ivano-Frankivsk, Transcarpathian, Lviv and Chernivtsi regions. According to one of the versions, the name of the Carpathians comes from the name of the Karp tribe, who lived in this territory in ancient times. The highest point of the Carpathians is the top of Hoverla - its height is 2,061 meters above sea level.
Karpaty - video
Transcarpathia located in the southwestern part and foothills of the Eastern Carpathians. The administrative center of the Transcarpathian region is the city. In terms of area, this is one of the smallest regions (about 13 thousand sq. Km.). Approximately 1.2 million people live here. By ethnic composition, the population of the region is divided into Ukrainians, Hungarians, Romanians, Russians, Gypsies, Slovaks, Germans, Belarusians, Jews, Poles and Moldovans. The relief of the region is represented by mountain ranges, which occupy about 80% of the territory and the Transcarpathian lowland (the remaining 20%), where the main part of the population lives. More than 9 thousand rivers flow within the region. The largest of all is the Tisza River, the length of which within the region is 240 kilometers. Among the numerous lakes of Transcarpathia, the most famous is Lake Synevyr. The temperate continental climate of Transcarpathia with a rather sensitive influence of the Atlantic determines here a long and warm summer and a relatively mild winter. The average January temperature is -4 degrees (in mountainous areas -10 degrees), and the average July temperature is +21 degrees.
The region's economy is focused on the use of local natural resources. In this regard, the industry is represented here by the forestry, woodworking, wood-chemical, light, food, machine-building industries, as well as the production of building materials.
Sights of the Carpathians and Transcarpathia
The main attractions of the Carpathians and Transcarpathia are ancient castles and fortresses. In the city of Uzhgorod, interest for tourists is old castle, whose construction dates back to the 12th century. The castle was rebuilt several times, but retained the architectural features of that time. Opposite the old castle there is a museum of residential buildings, where you can see Ukrainian, Hungarian and Romanian buildings, which have preserved the interior, furniture and utensils characteristic of these peoples. Also in the museum is an old church built of wood without the use of nails.
It is definitely worth a visit, which is located a few kilometers from Uzhgorod. The Nevitsky castle is popularly called the castle of the "Bad Maiden". In the 12th century, the building was destroyed by the Transylvanian prince and has never been restored since then.
Pay attention to the village with the name Berehove. In this village you will find a famous thermal spring, the water temperature of which is around +45 degrees all year round. Bathing in the spring helps in the treatment of diseases of the spine and sciatica.
In the city of Mukachevo, tourists will be able to visit castle "Palanok" built in the thirteenth century and recently restored. Currently, the premises of the castle are used as hotel rooms, weddings and other festive events are held here.
Near Mukachevo there is the most beautiful castle in the entire territory of Transcarpathia - Shenborn Castle. The building was erected at the end of the 19th century in the style of romanticism. The roof of the building is covered with red tiles, so it can be seen from afar. There are about 300 window openings on the facades of the building. At the moment, there is a sanatorium with the name "Karpaty" in the castle.
In the 15th century, Baron Pereni was built as a residence Chinadievsky castle, which is also called "Saint Miklos". In the second half of the 17th century, as a result of the attack of the Polish troops, the castle buildings were quite badly damaged. In recent years, the building has been reconstructed - exhibition halls are already open in some rooms.
In the city of Vinogradovo, tourists will see Kankov castle, which was built in 1329 as a defensive structure. Also in this small town you should pay attention to the Ascension Church.
Ascension Church
In addition to the above-mentioned sights of Transcarpathia, it is worth paying attention to Borzhavsky, Kvasovsky, Bronetsky, Vyshkovsky, Khustsky, Serednyansky castles with preserved wine cellars, the Dovgaiv Palace and the Dovzhansky Castle in the village of Dolgoye, the Kolochavskaya narrow-gauge railway, the Holy Spirit Church and others.
1. If you went to the mountains, be careful when making fires. To do this, it is best to find a place where there was already a fire before. If there is no such place nearby, then dig in your fire so that sparks from it do not fall on dry grass.
2. While walking through the forest, do not frighten wild animals, as well as domestic cows and goats grazing not far from you.
3. Don't leave trash behind - the best option is to take it with you. If you still have empty cans, then burn them on a fire and flatten them, and then bury them.
4. Take care of nature - do not pick berries without an urgent need, do not cut tree branches, since you can always collect dry brushwood to make a fire, do not pollute springs and streams.
5. In the event that you have lost your way, ask the locals for it. Here distances are usually measured by the time spent on the road. The locals will point you in the direction and tell you how long to walk. By doubling the indicated time, you will find out the true travel time.
6. If you are planning a trip to the mountains, then you should take into account that the weather here is quite changeable. You need to prepare in advance and take spare dry clothes and a hat with you. When traveling in the mountains as part of tourist groups, in no case do not lag behind the person walking in front, as you can get lost in the limited visibility.
7. Take into account that there is a border zone here, so residents of Ukraine must have a passport or other identification document with them, for example, a driver's license. Guests from other countries, in addition to a foreign passport, must have a document with them that confirms that they are on the territory of Ukraine legally.
8. Tourists who prefer skiing will be able to rent all the necessary equipment for 20-30 UAH. in a day. You will also have to pay for the use of the lift - the price depends on the place you have chosen for skiing.
9. When climbing mountain peaks, the air density decreases and some people may feel dizzy, shortness of breath and bouts of nausea may occur - these are the first signs of the so-called mountain sickness. If suddenly you are faced with a similar situation, then it is better to stop the ascent and return back. To relieve the symptoms of the disease, taking analgesics and intensive drinking helps. People with heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases should not make mountain climbs.
10. While relaxing in the mountains, avoid hypothermia, as this can lead to very serious consequences. If, nevertheless, this happened to you, then immediately find a warm room, drink hot tea, rub your frozen limbs and contact the first aid station. Attention! In case of hypothermia, avoid drinking alcohol!
To get an unforgettable experience from the trip, it is not necessary to get out somewhere very far. It often happens that a hometown, region, country hides no less interesting places that you definitely need to travel around. And even more so, this is true when it comes to such a country rich in tourist places as Ukraine.
I must say that I have been on fire with the idea to travel around the cities of Transcarpathia for a long time: both friends who have been there, all as one praised the beauties there, and prospectuses of travel companies, and other sources. In general, all as one, they talked about what a wonderful holiday in Transcarpathia. And in general, I really love nature, and where, if not in the Carpathians, to enjoy it?
And then I also learned about a unique place: not far from the small town of Khust in the Transcarpathian region, there are several hectares of untouched meadows where wild daffodils grow. Nowhere else in the world do they survive in the wild. Unfortunately, I found out about this in the summer, and they only bloom for a couple of weeks in early May, so the trip had to be postponed.
But for the next year, my girlfriend and I prepared in advance: we studied various travel options, both on our own and with travel companies, and eventually went to a travel agency from Western Ukraine, found out what kind of tours there are in Transcarpathia. Our travel company arranges amazing trips to unusual, unbanal places, and takes very little money for it. It was pointless to think further - we bought a tour in Transcarpathia from them.
Having reached Lviv by train, we easily found the meeting point: a colorful guide in national clothes could not be overlooked. Here we should immediately say that we were very lucky with the guide: we were personally driven by the head, founder and spiritual inspirer of this company. Most of the routes, including the one we chose, were developed personally by him. We didn’t have to be bored on the road: while the bus was running between destinations, we listened to his fascinating stories about the history of the region, about the population, culture, interspersed with local anecdotes and tales.
For interesting stories, we did not notice how we arrived at the first point of our program - the palace of Count Shenborn. Unfortunately, it did not quite retain its original appearance: during the Soviet era, it was nationalized and given over to a psycho-neurological hospital, and at that time many values were lost.
To date, it has been restored and serves as a sanatorium. The appearance of the palace has been restored almost completely, and if you do not know about the tragic fate of its interior decoration, you will never guess that something is wrong with the palace. Its main feature has also been preserved: 12 entrances, symbolizing 12 months, and 365 windows that indicate the days of the year.
Around the palace is surrounded by a very beautiful park with lakes, bridges and rare plants, and in the depths of the park there is a source of water, which is believed to cure all diseases. I don’t know about diseases, but the water is really very tasty, we drank with pleasure and took it with us on the road.
Further, our path lay through one of the most famous among tourists cities of Transcarpathia - Mukachevo. Another ten kilometers to the city, through the windows of the bus we saw a castle that stood out against the background of the entire surrounding landscape, which towered over the city, standing on a huge mountain. From some angles, the mountain was not visible, and the illusion was created that it was floating in the air.
Having approached the castle and having overcome a long way downhill to the entrance to the castle, we saw massive gates and walls almost three meters thick! Here we were met by the director of the historical and cultural center "Castle Palanok" (this is the official name of the Mukachevo castle).
During the tour, we learned a lot about the history of the castle and the city, about the system of fortifications, which were innovative for their time and made it possible to protect the castle from being taken by the enemy even during the most large-scale and bloody wars.
Palanok Castle is the only one in Western Ukraine that has never been captured by any army. At the very top of the castle there is an observation platform, which offers a gorgeous view of the whole city and not only - an amazing sight!
Having taken plenty of pictures, descended from the castle and had lunch in a local cafe with a hearty Transcarpathian soup, we set off on our journey. On this day, we had to visit only one more place, but it promised to be very interesting.
We are talking about Beregovo - a city on the border of Ukraine and Hungary, where, thanks to the national composition (Hungarians make up almost half of the population here) and a unique climate similar to the south of Crimea, its own unique culture has been developed. And besides, this is the land of winemakers, and we had to visit one of them.
When the bus stopped in Beregovo and we got off, the first thing that surprised us was that it was very warm outside. And this despite the fact that it was only May 9 in the yard, and the time was not mass - about six in the evening, and in other cities it was relatively fresh.
As the guide explained to us, this is due to the special location of the city between two mountains, and it is always much warmer here than even in neighboring areas, not to mention the whole of Transcarpathia. Another surprise is the abundance of inscriptions in Hungarian and Hungarian-speaking citizens.
However, we did not have time for a long surprise, and we proceeded to real wine cellars, where we were met by the owner, winemaker Franz. Although he spoke Russian, it was clear that this was not his native language, and it was very difficult for him to pronounce many words. However, everyone soon stopped paying attention to this, because in front of us were tables on which there were all kinds of snacks for wine, and Franz himself began to talk about his winery, its history and the varieties of wine that he produces.
It turns out that this is his family business, founded by his great-grandfather, who came here from Hungary. Having bought a plot of land and planted the first varieties of grapes, he began to make wine. Over time, the winery has achieved good results, some varieties of wine are awarded international medals and certificates.
After the end of the story, the most interesting part of the tour to the winery began - the tasting. In total, we tasted 6 varieties of wine, and I must say that this was the best wine that I tried. Perhaps this was influenced by the surroundings of the place: a cold cellar, barrels of ripening wine and a specific smell of mold, or perhaps it really was of such high quality. Having enjoyed plenty of wine and bought some to take with us, we went to the place of lodging for the night.
After quite a bit of wine tasting, the group and I went to the place of spending the night. In order to feel the local atmosphere as much as possible, it was not a hotel or a hostel, but the so-called “green tourism estates”, but simply put, the houses of local residents, where they rent a room or several for tourists like us. At first, we were a little afraid that it would not be a very comfortable place, but when we saw the houses, we calmed down - few people had two-story houses, mostly three- and higher. In the place where we were settled, there were 2 floors with 4 comfortable rooms on each.
The overnight stay also included dinner. The excursion program said that we were waiting for dishes of real Transcarpathian cuisine. And indeed, the food was very original, you can hardly try this somewhere in a restaurant. The first course is a traditional local bograch, a cross between soup and porridge, generously seasoned with spices and lots of meat of different varieties. Amazingly rich and delicious food.
Never tried anything like it. For the second there were cabbage rolls, but instead of cabbage they were wrapped in young grape leaves, which added spice to the dish. And there was even a dessert - pancakes with jam from local wild berries. And, of course, the wine that is drunk here like in France – a little bit every day. In a word, we were very pleased with the reception and the overnight stay.
On the second day, the main goal of the trip awaited us - the Narcissus Valley in Transcarpathia. Saying goodbye to the owner of the estate, we boarded the bus and drove off. Since the road to the next point of the journey was not close, we again plunged into the wonderful world of stories from our guide. We also passed a whole gypsy settlement, and the gypsies here did not look like ragamuffins, they all walked in gold, colorful clothes and lived in very beautiful bright houses.
Finally we arrived at our destination, and after paying a small fee for entry, we went to see the daffodils. Here the guide left us, and we were left to our own devices for several hours. How to describe the Valley of Narcissuses? It's probably hard to find words for this. Imagine that all you see is the mountains around the perimeter, and between them, as far as the eye can see, the white sea and millions of daffodil flowers. Truly a true natural wonder! One could spend the whole day here, but, unfortunately, the trip program is limited, and we, having wandered along the paths among these spring flowers, were forced to go further.
The last item on our program was Lake Synevyr. Perhaps this is one of the most famous reservoirs in Ukraine. The lake is surrounded by a whole halo of different stories, many of which are mystical. This also applies to the history of the lake - according to a folk legend, the lake was weeping by the daughter of the local king, when, by his order, the beloved princess was beheaded. Scientists have a different idea - the lake arose during the displacement of the plates, since seismic activity in the mountains not so long ago (on a planetary scale, of course) was very high.
Be that as it may, today Lake Synevyr is a visiting card of Transcarpathia and a real tourist gem, which is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists. The lake is located on the top of a hill, and around the lake there is a very beautiful park of the same name. By the way, at the foot of the hill there is a mini market with a variety of handmade souvenirs, which, oddly enough, are very cheap here. Here we bought home not only traditional magnets, which we carry from every trip, but also dried porcini mushrooms, mountain blueberry jam and a beautifully carved wooden cutting board.
To climb to the lake, there are two roads - one is steeper and faster, passes through the forest, and the second is a more gentle stone one. Since we were not tired, we chose the one that passes through the forest, and did not lose. Despite the fact that it was necessary to go about a kilometer downhill, the road was very easy, largely due to the beautiful nature around. So we did not notice how we ended up on the shore of the lake.
The lake struck, first of all, with its cleanliness: the bottom was visible everywhere, the water is absolutely transparent. Closer to the middle of the lake is a small island, to which you can ride (for a fee) on a beautiful wooden raft. We did not want to sail to the island, but found ourselves another fun. In Synevyr, there is simply an incalculable number of small fish swimming, which rushes at everything that is thrown into the water: bread like bread, coins like coins, a leaf like a leaf. We had a pack of cookies with us, which we successfully fed to the fish. It was very funny to watch what serious battles unfold for every crumb.
After feeding cookies and sitting on the shore for a while, we went to the bus, choosing another, more gentle road. A stormy mountain stream flows along the entire road with very clean and tasty water, which we gladly quenched our thirst and took with us. And the hunger that they managed to work up, they went to satisfy the people's restaurant, which is located at the foot of the hill. For ridiculous money, we were offered a three-course dinner, which we could hardly squeeze into ourselves, it was so big.
Unfortunately, this was our last point on the program, so the bus headed for Lviv. On the way, we also heard a lot of interesting stories from the guide, as well as a special selection of folk songs that he personally collected from Transcarpathian villages, so there was no doubt about their authenticity. And so, tired, but very satisfied, late in the evening of May 10 we returned to Lviv, from where we immediately boarded the train home. But we will definitely return to the Carpathians!
P.S. If you are planning a trip to Transcarpathia on your own, then you can see various hotel options with prices, reviews and photos
Transcarpathia always reminds us of a small wonderland. Due to historical factors and geographical location, a unique culture and traditions have been formed here. But even more we are amazed by the nature of this region, unique objects throughout Ukraine and the world, which are definitely worth seeing.
Tour Club Drive has vast experience of traveling in Transcarpathia, so we share with you the most interesting natural objects of this region.
1. Lake Synevyr
Why is it worth visiting?
- The lake is located in an incredibly beautiful area - it is surrounded by fir trees that are more than 140 years old.
- Synevyr is the largest mountain lake in Ukraine.
- The water in the lake is so clean that trout live in it.
- The Ukrainian horror film Synevyr was filmed here.
- Synevyr takes the first position in the official ranking of "7 Wonders of Transcarpathia".
- The sculpture “Sin and Vir” rises on the territory of the national park, which is associated with the legend of the appearance of the lake.
Things to do?
- Settle in a tent on the territory of the Synevyr National Park. (It is forbidden to pitch tents directly near the lake).
- For a walk, there is a wonderful forest around.
- Visit the Museum of Alloy and Forest - 8 km from about. Synevyr.
- Ride horses, which can be rented in the natural park.
Address how to get there
Transcarpathian region, Mezhhirya district, with. Synevyrska Polyana
By train to Volovets station, then by minibus to Mezhhirya and by bus to the lake.
2. Valley of daffodils
The flowering time of the Valley of Narcissus in each year depends on nature, but basically it falls on the period of May 1-15.
Why is it worth visiting?
- This is the world's largest array of natural thickets of narcissus.
- This is a unique object, since the flat terrain is not typical for this flower.
- This area is characterized by dense thickets, daffodils cover it like a carpet.
- In addition to the narcissist here to be15 species of flowers listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and 16 species of orchids, 104 species of birds and 24 species of butterflies live
Things to do?
- Take beautiful photos against the backdrop of the Valley.
- Visit the Narcissus Museum ecological and educational center and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Valley.
Address how to get there
By car, bicycle - at the exit from the eastern outskirts of the city of Khust there will be a sign and a turn to the Valley.
By train - you need to get to the city of Khust (for example, by minibus from Mukachevo). From there you can take a taxi or walk 4 km.
You can visit the Valley of Narcissus on a tour
3. Shypit Waterfall
Why is it worth visiting?
- This waterfall is one of the objects of the rating “7 Natural Wonders of Ukraine”.
- The rumble of the waterfall is like a whisper, which is associated with the tragic legend of love.
- Water here falls from a height of 14 m in several cascades. It is very beautiful
Things to do?
- Admire the waterfall while enjoying Turkish coffee, which is made a few tens of meters from the waterfall.
- Climb Mount Gimba, which is within walking distance (lift works)
Address how to get there
Transcarpathian region, Mezhhirya district, with. Pylypets
Take a train to the Volovets station, and from there there are direct minibuses to the waterfall.
4. Mount Hoverla
Why is it worth visiting?
- This is the highest mountain in Ukraine - 2061 m.
- At the foot of Hoverla there is the Prut River, so there are a lot of picturesque waterfalls in the area.
- There are several interesting climbing routes: from the north side - the base "Zaroslyak", through Breskul and Pozhezhevska, from the Transcarpathian side - "Lazeshchyna".
Things to do?
- Climb Hoverla (be sure to try each of the routes).
- Collect berries and mushrooms.
- Ride quad bikes.
- Float on rafts.
- Ride horses.
Address how to get there
By train to Vorokhta, from there it is best to get to the Zaroslyak base by car or take a taxi.
5. Salt Lake Kunigunda
Why is it worth visiting?
- In terms of water composition, this lake is similar to the Dead Sea.
- Kunigunda is of anthropogenic origin, appeared at the place where the salt mine sank.
- The water in the lake has healing properties, since the chemical composition is represented by a high content of bromine ions, and the bottom is covered with a layer of black therapeutic mud.
- The water temperature in the lake does not fall below 17 degrees all year round.
- Water improves blood circulation and metabolism, calms the nervous system. Helps in the treatment of rheumatism, sciatica, bronchial asthma, atherosclerosis.
Things to do?
- Recuperate in Kunigunde and nearby lakes.
- Visit the salt mines (it is considered quite unsafe now, so you should do it under the supervision of an instructor).
- Visit St. Stephen's Church and Monument Park.
- Visit the old wooden church of St. Nicholas.
Address how to get there
S. Solotvino, Tyachevsky district
To Solotvyno from Uzhgorod by train or shuttle bus.
6. Polonina Borzhava
Why is it worth visiting?
- This is the largest mountain range in terms of length and area in Transcarpathia. Its length is more than 50 km.
- Traveling around Borzhava is technically simple, so this route is suitable for people of different levels of training.
- This is a popular place among skiers and snowboarders, the variety of slopes allows you to create trails of different difficulty levels.
Things to do?
- Go hiking along Polonina, enjoying the views around.
- Look at the remains of the radar station on the highest mountain of Poloniny - Stop.
- Take the ski lift to Mount Gimba.
- Visit the Shipit waterfall (Pylypets village).
Address, how to get there?
Transcarpathian region, with. Pylypets (one of the starting points - for climbing the Borzhava mountain range).
By train to the railway station Volovets, and from there by minibus - to Pylypets.
7. Waterfalls in Lumshory
Why is it worth visiting?
- Waterfalls "Davir" and "Partizan" are included in the TOP-10 waterfalls of the Ukrainian Carpathians.
- A large concentration of waterfalls in a relatively small area. In addition to large ones (Partizan, Burkach, Nightingale, Perestupen and Krutilo), there are also many small drops along the stream of a mountain river.
- The waterfall "Nightingale" in its shape resembles a crab.
Things to do?
- Take a walk along the Turichka River, enjoying the fresh air and admiring the waterfalls.
- Bathe in vats of thermal water in the village. Lumshory.
- Take a walk to Komsomolskoye Lake, which is an hour and a half walk from Lumshor in the opposite direction from the waterfalls.
Address how to get there
from. Lumshory, Perechyn district
A bus runs to Lumshory from Uzhgorod (Uzhgorod station 2) 2 times a day. This station can be reached from the railway station by minibus number 5.
8. Trufanets waterfall
Why is it worth visiting?
- This is the highest waterfall in Transcarpathia, the water here falls from a height of 36 m.
- Along the path up from Trufants there is a huge amount of berries and mushrooms.
Things to do?
- Just enjoy the view of this miracle of nature.
- Sit in a gazebo near the waterfall and drink tea from a thermos.
- Gather a bunch of mushrooms.
- Collect mineral water in the source, which is located a few meters from the waterfall.
Address, how to get there?
The waterfall is located on the southeastern slopes of the Svidovets ridge, 7 km. from s. Kvasy and 2 km. from the turn to the ski resort Dragobrat on the highway Yasinya - Rakhiv. The best way to get there is by car.
9. Dedo-oak
Why is it worth visiting?
- This is one of the oldest oaks in Ukraine, its age is estimated at 1200 years.
- The height of the Dedo-oak is more than 30 m (more than a 9-storey building).
Things to do?
- If you are by car, we recommend visiting:
1 hour 20 min from the village Stuzhytsia - Nevitsky Castle
1 hour 40 min. - Uzhgorod.
Address how to get there
from. Stuzhytsia, Velikobereznyansky district
It is best to have your own car. From s. Tower drive west 7 km along the territorial road with. Kostrinska Rostoga, where turn right and drive 7 km north along the national highway H-13 "Lviv-Uzhgorod" to the village. Zhornava, after which you will need to turn left and drive the last 4 km to the village. Stuzhnitsa.
10. Waterfall Voevodin
Why is it worth visiting?
- This waterfall is of incredible beauty, the water falls from a height of 24 m.
- The waterfall is located in a fairly remote and inaccessible place, so the feeling of complete merging with nature does not leave.
Things to do?
- Admire the waterfall and relax from the hustle and bustle.
- If you are by car, we recommend visiting with. Lumshory (1 hour from the waterfall), where you can relax and swim in vats of hot water.
Address, how to get there?
Transcarpathian region from. Turya Polyana, Perechyn district
The best way to get there is by your own car. Voevodin is located 12 km from the village of Turya Polyana. If the car is understated, you need to be very careful, because there are a lot of holes on the road. You also need to be prepared for the fact that you have to leave it a few kilometers before the waterfall.
