Hoverla Ascent

Meeting at the station in Ivano-Frankivsk. Transfer to the village of Kvasy, famous for its healing mineral springs. One of them will meet us on our way up. Along a winding dirt path we slowly rise above the valley. Gradually, the beech forest gives way to alpine meadows. Beyond the Menchul meadow we will go out to the northern slope of Mount Sheshul, where we will spend the night near one of the many streams.

The serpentine road climbs up to the Sheshul pass. From here we will see for the first time the Chornohora ridge - the highest mountain range of the Ukrainian Carpathians. And opposite you can already see Romania, or rather the Romanian mountains. The road goes down from the pass; we do not take that road. We turn onto the path that runs along the crest of the ridge towards Petros - one of the highest peaks in Ukraine. At the very top there is a small chapel and a cross, which happens quite often in the Carpathians. There is a rather steep path leading down to the saddle between Petros and Hoverla (I recommend that everyone get a reliable pole or buy folding trekking poles in advance). There are convenient places to spend the night on the saddle, which will be very useful.

Today we have to climb the highest peak of Ukraine - Hoverla. The path up goes along a huge stone scattering of bright green color (the boulders are covered with a thin layer of lichens). There are usually people at the top - this is not wild Petros. In addition to people, there are many memorial signs and all sorts of symbols. But the most important thing on Hoverla is, of course, the panorama. All the Carpathians are at your fingertips. That is how they beckon you.
But it's time for us to go down. First a grassy slope, then a dense smerek forest (Carpathian spruce) and here we are at the Zarosliak camp site. From here you can call a car and go to Vorokhta, which has regular bus service to Ivano-Frankivsk. Or you can stay for a couple of days at the camp site and continue exploring the Carpathians.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the route depending on the weather and the condition of the group.  Quite often we do combined tours when part of the group goes for 6 days (the “Highest Peaks” route), and part for three days (the “Climbing Hoverla” route). In this case, upon arrival at the Zarosliak camp site on the third day of the hike, the instructor organizes transport for those departing to Vorokhta (from where it is easy to leave for Ivano-Frankivsk), and then continues the hike with that part of the group that arrived for 6 days.