For some people, “Gorgany” is just an incomprehensible mysterious word... But for those tourists who have visited the Ukrainian Carpathians at least once, this word means much more. After all, it is the name of a mountainous region that stretches for 80 kilometers across the Carpathian expanse. A traveler can easily understand that he or she is in the Gorgany by the characteristic surface coating - a large area of the massif is covered with grayish-green stone placers.
Without exaggeration, the Gorgany Mountains are the wildest and, at the same time, the richest in terms of hiking routes in the Ukrainian Carpathians. There are a large number of ridges and individual peaks, impassable fields of ferns alternating with scatterings of fancy stones, and countless mountain streams gushing with crystal water among fairy-tale forests.
In addition to forest seas, you can find amazing meadows that have become home to a number of rare plants. In particular, there are snowdrops, snowdrops, and orchids that you will not find in such large numbers, perhaps, anywhere else. For this reason, a significant part of the territory is under state protection. Here are the Gorgany Nature Reserve, the Carpathian National Park, and the Grofa Landscape Reserve.
This region is rich in delicious and healthy gifts of nature. In season, you can enjoy blueberries, lingonberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Among the mushrooms, porcini, chanterelles, and boletus are the most commonly picked, and in the fall, boletus is also picked.
As for the fauna, it is no less abundant than the flora in the Gorgan mountain range. Many species of animals have found their home here, a large number of beautiful birds create a wonderful atmosphere of comfort, and rare species of fish are hidden in the mountain rivers. Among the representatives of the animal kingdom, you can meet red deer, fox or squirrel, and large birds - raven, grouse and golden eagle. Amphibians and reptiles are represented by several species, among which the most interesting and mysterious is the spotted salamander. Seeing it is considered to be a special good luck.
The mountain range is located mainly within Ivano-Frankivsk and partially Zakarpattia regions. Scientists divide the Gorgany into the Krai Lowland, the Outer (Skibovi), and the Pryvododilni (Internal). But among the tourist community, this division is not widespread, and according to tourist maps, the Gorgany are divided into:
The average height of the ranges is 1400-1800 m, the highest point is Mount Syvulia, 1836 m, which is located in the central part.
Logistics is mostly difficult, with roads to mountain villages often in poor condition. Only the Eastern regions have good road and rail connections.
The most popular settlements, where many tourist routes start, are Myslivka, Osmoloda, Stara Huta, Bystrytsia, Tatariv, Mykulychyn, and Vorokhta.
There are many different trails in the Gorgany: along the tops of rocky ridges, through dense fir forests, along secret forest trails and along the valleys of noisy rivers. First of all, this region attracts tourists for its wild places. Most of them are in the Western and Central Gorgany: the Arshytsia, Moloda, Ukernia, Grofa Ring, and Chorna Polonyna ranges. There are much fewer hikers here than, for example, on Chornohora or Svydovets. The Eastern Gorgan Mountains are more popular because the logistics are better and the famous Bukovel resort, the city of Yaremche, mountains Khomyak and Synyak are located nearby. But you can also find wild locations here, such as the Yavirnyk ridge.
In ancient times, most of the ranges had traverse trails - raishtoks - used by locals and hunters. Nowadays, some of them are used by tourists. Among these traverses, the most beautiful and picturesque ones are the traverses of the Ukernia, Moloda, Parenok, Grofi (western), Yaika of the Perehinsky and Syvuli ranges.
There are several small mountain lakes on the territory of Gorgan: Arshytsia, Rosokhan, and Synevyr. The first two are located on the Arshytsia ridge in the Western region, and it takes a lot of effort to visit them. On the contrary, Synevyr, the largest lake in the Carpathians, is easily accessible and always full of visitors. Other interesting hydrological features are waterfalls: Manyavsky, Bukhtivetsky and Huk waterfalls. It is better to visit these “highlights” in June and July, when they are more full.
Gorgany has certain features that you should consider when preparing for a hike:
When going on your first hike in the Gorgany Mountains, you face a lot of questions about the weather, terrain, and necessary equipment and gear. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions from our participants that usually arise during the preparation and conduct of the program.
- When should I go to the Gorgany to have as little rain as possible?
In the Carpathians, the driest period is August-October. In August, there are still thunderstorms, and in October, some snow can even fall in the highlands. At this time, the weather is more stable and the rains are mostly concentrated in short periods. But speaking of the Gorgany, I would like to note that it is such a unique place that it is comfortable to visit almost all year round. Although summer is the best time to hike in the Gorgany, with the right equipment you can enjoy the local trails in winter as well.
- Is it cold to spend the night in a tent in summer?
Of course, it all depends on the specific weather conditions and your individual cold tolerance. However, in summer, the temperature at parking lots does not often drop below +8...+10℃. Therefore, to spend the night in a tent, you need to have a set of thermal underwear and a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of about +5℃. In May and October, frosts are possible, so you will need a warmer sleeping bag.
- What should I take from Gorgany's clothes and what kind of shoes should I wear?
In addition to thermal underwear, you'll need a membrane jacket and water-repellent trekking pants in any season. The only difference is that in the warm season, a thin jacket is enough, and in the cold season, you need an insulated one. Also, always take a fleece jacket and pants (in the summer you will need them in the evening and when climbing, and in the winter it will be the main layer of clothing).
Since the trails in the Gorgany have a high technical difficulty - stones, mud, and a significant slope - you will need comfortable, durable, lightweight, and non-slip trekking boots. If your backpack is lightweight (up to 10-12 kg), and you are active in sports and your ankle joint is used to the stress, then suitable trekking shoes will do. For moving around in the camp - crocs or sandals.
- Should we be afraid of wild animals, such as bears and snakes?
There is only one venomous snake in the Carpathian Mountains - the viper. In recent years, it has become quite rare. When it hears a person, it immediately runs away and never attacks first. For most of the year, from October to early May, the viper is in hibernation.
A bear is a rare, strong and intelligent animal. You have to try very hard to meet it. Not many tourists have even seen bear tracks. It has an excellent sense of smell, so it can hear a person from afar and avoid meeting them. It can attack in very rare cases: if you are chasing a wounded animal or if you find yourself between a cub and a bear.
Strangely enough, it is domestic animals that you should be more wary of: shepherds' dogs and sometimes aggressive horses or bulls.
- Do mosquitoes bother you?
There are not many mosquitoes in the Gorgany, but there are plenty of midges under certain weather conditions. Therefore, we recommend taking a special mosquito repellent that works on midges as well. By the way, our partner, the X-Zone travel store, has a detailed article on insect protection.
- Are there a lot of ticks?
You can “catch a tick” only at the bottom, at altitudes of 800-900 meters. But since there are few tourist routes there, the risks are minimal.
- Is there mobile communication in the mountains?
It all depends on the specific route, but we can say that about a third to a half of the time you will have some kind of connection. Of course, stable Internet is much less common.
- What programs does KULUAR offer in this magical wild corner of the Carpathians?
We have developed numerous interesting and beautiful hikes in the Gorgany of various lengths and difficulties. We invite you to go with us on these trails:
Kuluar - your life-changing mountain experience!
Author of the article: Ivan Kucheryavyi, team leader in the Carpathians
