Tourist base Zaroslyak
Brief information
- phone: +380681620628
- GPS coordinates: 48.164167, 24.5375
- Zaroslyak on Google Maps
- official address: Hoverlyanska street, 31, Vorokhta, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine, 78500
How to get to Zaroslyak?
The road is terrible! The last 8 km from the checkpoint of the Carpathian Nature Reserve to Zaroslyak are now more like an obstacle course than asphalt. If you dare to drive here, allow at least 1 hour for these 8 kilometers. Local taxi drivers who know the route by heart, of course, drive this "route" faster, but they also ask a lot for their services - as of the summer of 2023, from UAH 1,000 one way.
Parking in the vicinity of Zaroslyak and near the checkpoint is paid. Prices vary in the range from 50 to 100 hryvnias. Those who want to save money leave their cars before reaching the campsite. In summer, during the influx of tourists, this makes driving even more difficult.
Big buses usually don't come here. Especially in winter, when the ice covers a rather steep climb. Therefore, if you have a large group, it is better to focus on something like Sprinters. Well, be prepared that the carriers demand double payment for the risk for the rolling stock.
Public transport does not run to Zaroslyak. As far as I know, it is 12 km from Zaroslyak to the nearest regular bus. He walks along the P24 route from Vorokhta to Verkhovyna.
How to book a room at Zaroslyak?
After learning that in the Carpathian forest at the foot of Hoverla, at an altitude of 1,330 meters, there is a tourist base, many come to a completely logical thought - why not rent a room in such a wonderful place?
The advantages are obvious: the base is well located and from here it would be convenient to make excursions not only to Hoverla, but also to other peaks of the Montenegrin Range. However, in reality, everything is not so simple. The thicket has some features that should be taken into account.
Formally, this place is primarily a sports base. National teams from various martial arts live and train in Zaroslyak, as well as gymnasts and other athletes. Services aimed at tourists are only an addition to the main activity. And I personally got the impression that not too much attention is paid to their development. Turbaza currently does not have a website (in 2021 it existed). Judging by the reviews on Google, contacting the administration by phone is also not easy.
If you manage to book a room, be prepared for the tangible heritage of the "scoop", or at least for sharp contrasts. Zaroslyak has both almost modern rooms and poor Soviet rooms with museum furniture, but without Wi-Fi, shower and toilet. Whether the relatively low prices justify the poor service is up to you. To be honest, despite all the shortcomings, in winter, when descending from the Black Mountain range, I often went to Zaroslyak to warm up and have a snack. Oh, this ineradicable smell of the Soviet canteen!
Services
The main thing you should know about the services on Zaroslyak is their unpredictability. So, in the summer, a whole souvenir market opens on the territory adjacent to the base, where local fast food is available and taxi drivers are constantly plying. Sometimes there is even equipment rental. But can you 100% rely on these amenities? No!
My advice to you if you are going to Hoverla independently or with excursion, then don't rely on the local market, but get everything you need in advance (at least food, water and a raincoat).
The same applies to the search for a guide - do not think that there will be a crowd waiting for you under Hoverla willing to take you to the top. The presence of such a service would be absolutely logical. In the countries of Latin America or Asia, crowds of people willing to make extra money accompanying tourists would line up at such a "bread place". But apparently we are still going to Europe and a guide to Hoverla should be booked in advance.
Kyrylo Yasko. 10.08.2023