Among the Gorgany Mountains, the largest mountain range in the Ukrainian Carpathians, its highest part, the central part, stands out. Peaks over 1800 meters, scatterings of large stones, fabulous forest trails, steep valleys with fast rivers, wild berries and porcini mushrooms - these are the Central Gorgany. They are located in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, within the Limnytsia, Bystrytsia Nadvirna, and Chorna Tysa rivers.
Hiking is the most developed in this region. Despite some inconvenient logistics, its popularity is growing every year. After all, there are many beautiful and interesting trails marked here, and there are much fewer tourists than in the neighboring popular places of the Carpathians, including the Western and Eastern Gorgany. The routes mostly start or end in the villages of Osmoloda, Stara Huta, or Bystrytsia. These villages are known to all tourists. You can get to them by car or by public transport from Ivano-Frankivsk. But you need to keep in mind that the roads to Osmoloda and Bystrytsia are in poor condition.
In addition to mountain locations, there are two waterfalls in the Central Gorgany.
Maniavskyi is about 17 meters high and one of the highest waterfalls in Ukraine, located near the village of Maniava. The distance from Frankivsk to the village can be covered by car within an hour, and then it is advisable to use the services of local carriers or walk. After all, a real forest road leads to the waterfall, which crosses a small river several times.
Bukhtivetskyi is a single-cascade waterfall located in the village of Bukove, 60 km from Frankivsk. The last few kilometers of the road are bad, so you'll need a car that can handle simple off-road conditions. A powerful jet of water falling from a height of about 8 meters formed a rock bath at its foot, where you can refresh yourself in hot weather.
The Gorgan Wilderness Trails are a delight to explore, offering a large number of trails with interesting landscapes and panoramic views. However, to reach the iconic peak or high ridge, you need to overcome a considerable distance and elevation difference. Therefore, as a rule, hikes in this part of the Carpathians are planned for at least 2-3 days, with tents and backpacks.
It is here that the highest point of the entire Gorgan massif is located - Mount Syvulia Velyka, 1836 meters high. In addition to it, the ridge includes three more peaks: Borevka, Lopushna and Mala Syvulya. The shortest route to the mountains is from the village of Stara Huta. There is a good road from Ivano-Frankivsk that leads here, which deteriorates only in the last kilometers. In order not to walk for a long time on a dirt road, you can drive through the village and leave the car 5 km away at the mountain. Klyva Zhuravleva. We start our journey on a road-trail marked in green. First, through the valley near the river, then through the forest, and in about 4 hours we reach the beautiful mountain meadow Borevka. Here you can spend the first night: there are places for tents and a stream in the forest.
On the second day, we continue climbing along the red route. Through fir trees and emerald mosses we reach the first peak - Borevka. From here, the trail becomes more rocky and in some places passes through a chute. After crossing the mt. Lopushna, we are approaching the main goal. The last meters on the stones "with elements of rock climbing" and as a reward we get breathtaking 360-degree views from Syvulya Velyka.
Then you can climb to the top of Mala Syvula or go around it on a traverse and go down to Ruschyn. It is spacious, there are many places for tents, and there is a spring nearby. In general, the crossing of the ridge takes 5-6 hours, and if you want to move on, you can go down to the Mezheriky tract in an hour and a half along the yellow marker, where there is also a place to camp next to the river. On the third day, you'll have to walk about 5 km along a dirt road to the car.
A trip to the Sivulsky Ridge is logically combined with other cool locations, which will be discussed below.
Two magnificent mountains with a height of just over 1800 meters, which are located next to each other. There are several routes to climb Igrovets and Vysoka:
The top of Vysoka is rocky, picturesque, but does not stand out much above the ridge line. But Igrovets (or Igrovyshche) is a more interesting place. From above, it is a large flat area covered with small stones, lingonberries, and sparse juniper bushes. According to some legends, Igrovyshche had a sacred meaning for the ancient inhabitants, who performed their pagan rites here. Whether this is true or not is unknown. But when you find yourself in the fog on this mystical plain with stone roundabouts, you inadvertently begin to feel the energy of this place.
A beautiful and meaningful hike can be planned by combining Vysoka, Igrovets and Syvula. This may require 4 days of free time and appropriate hiking equipment.
To the south of the village of Bystrytsia is another ridge of the Central Gorgany, the Chorna Polonyna. Among hikers, it is also known by the name of its main peak, Mount Bratkivska, which is 1788 meters high. This location is distinguished by wild places, a few tourists, and the absence of large stone placers typical of the rest of the Gorgany. Instead, the upper part of the ridge is covered with lingonberries, huckleberries, and alpine herbs.
You can start a hike in Chorna Polonyna from Bystrytsia, climbing through the picturesque village of Zgary to the Pantyr meadow. Or there are two marked routes to the Gropa and Bratkivska mountains.
Travelers often combine the Chorna Polonyna with Svydovets, as there is a passage through the Okole Pass between the ranges. Thus, you can start in Yasinia and finish in Bystrytsia or vice versa. Bratkivska is also well combined with routes in the Eastern Gorgany (climbing the Khomyak and Sinyak mountains or the Ploska-Dolha ridge).
Stone slopes of the Gorgany is a beautiful six-day hike in the Central Gorgany, which covers not only the highest peaks of Igrovec, Vysoka and Sivuli, but also the wild and picturesque Stanimir ridge. Lots of stones, fairy-tale forests and wild trails. The trip ends at the Manyava waterfall, where you can swim in plenty after 5 days in the mountains.
The Svydovets - Gorgany hike is another interesting six-day trip for those who want to combine different locations. The first two days are spent on the Svydovets ridge: open meadows, alpine lakes, and lots of scenery. On the third day, the route gradually enters the Gorgany: the Okole Pass, the source of the Chorna Tysa River. Next, there are three peaks of the Chorna Polonyna ridge, the picturesque highland village of Zgary, and an overnight stay by the river near the village of Bystrytsia.
Gorgan Waterfalls is not a difficult three-day program for those who do not want to storm high altitudes and walk many kilometers per day. It's a relaxing hike through places little known among hikers with lots of berries and mushrooms, swimming in the waterfalls and evening campfires. Key points: Manyavsky and Bukhtivetsky waterfalls, Mount Ripna, and the Chortka ridge.
The best weather for active recreation in the Carpathians on the Gorgan trails is from late May to the first half of October. Cool nights are possible at the beginning and end of the warm season, so you'll need an autumn sleeping bag and extra warm clothes. In summer, at altitudes up to 1400 meters, the nights are mostly warm. Of course, weather surprises are possible in the mountains, so we recommend that you check the current forecast immediately before the trip.
Since most hikes in the Central Highlands require camping equipment, you need to take care of a good tent, a sleeping bag with a mat, and a comfortable backpack. You will also need such important little things as a headlamp, camping utensils, a knife, a lighter, navigation tools, and much more. Particular attention should be paid to footwear, as the trails can be rocky and marshy. Reliable, comfortable, and lightweight hiking boots or sneakers will help you to overcome the desired route.
Author of the article: Ivan Kucheryavyi, team leader in the Carpathians
