The hike along the Marmaros and the Chernogorsky Ridge is a great opportunity to hike along two of the most beautiful and most popular ranges of the Ukrainian Carpathians in just 9 days. Steep and rocky slopes of Pop Ivan Marmaroshsky, views of the Romanian peaks Farkeu and Mihajlek, the old observatory on top of Pop Ivan Chernogorsky, the lakes Brebeneskul and Nesamovyte await you. In addition, this is the route that passes through the two highest ridges of the Ukrainian Carpathians and includes all the two-thousanders of Ukraine!
This hike is a great opportunity to "break away from civilization" for 9 days, to relax and fill with positive emotions in an incredibly beautiful places. Nine days in the mountains, alone with nature completely reset the brain and clear the mind of all unnecessary things. You can spend time in great company, enjoying the beauties, and at the same time tune in to the wave of unity with nature, harmonizing the course of his thoughts.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given permission to buy a ticket, you can buy it with confidence. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders will accompany the group on the whole route, will make your journey as memorable and safe as possible!
In a hike through the Marmaros and the Montenegro ridge you will find all the two-thousanders of Ukraine, two high-altitude lakes - Brebeneskul and Nesamovyte, breathtaking views of the Romanian peaks Farkeu and Mihajlek, steep slopes and cliffs of Popa Ivan Marmarošský and much more
The manager, who will advise you before the trip, herself has been in the Carpathians many times and will tell you the details from personal experience!
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied. We're sure you will, too!
The teamleader will meet you at the train station of Ivano-Frankovsk, and with him you will travel to the mountains in a previously ordered comfortable transport.
During the day we'll hike 10 km; elevation gain: 740 m, height drop: 190m.
We meet in the morning at the railway station of Ivano-Frankivsk. Today we will travel by chartered minibus from Prikarpattya to Rakhivschyna, to the border village Delovoye. Since half of the route goes straight through the border with Romania, at the border post we'll get a pass for our group. Then we drive along the Bely Creek to the place where we spend the night.
The road goes along the picturesque gorge, crossing now and then to the other side of the stream. The creek quickly runs toward us, forming numerous waterfalls and tubs of cool, crystal clear water. Here and there cliffs overhang the road. We gently climb up along the creek, higher and higher. Closer to the evening we will come to a forest glade, surrounded by thick beech-spruce forest. We'll set up our tents, make a fire and cook a delicious dinner.
During the day we will hike 4.5 km; elevation gain: 790 m, elevation drop: 50 m.
Today we have very little mileage, but we have to climb the Fox Hollow, which is located at the foot of Pop Ivan Marmaroszky mountain. We cross the creek White at its source and climb the forested spur higher and higher. Gradually, beeches are replaced by spruce forest, it looks just fabulous! Coming out of the forest to the glade, where we have a great view of the deep gorge of the Bely stream and the ridge, on which the border with Romania is drawn.
If we have time, we will go even higher and closer to the ascent of Pop Ivan Marmaroszky, to the Kvasny hollow. There we will pitch our tents and enjoy the views of Berlebaszka, Petros Marmarošský, the Romanian Farkeu and Mihajlek. In good weather, the whole Montenegrin range can be seen on the horizon.
During the day we will hike 14 km; climbing: 800 m, dropping altitude: 870 m.
Let's wake up early, because today we are waiting for the rocky Pop Ivan Marmaroshsky - the most important peak of the Hutsul Alps. Usually, the mountains are good weather until lunch, so the gathering will not delay. Quickly having breakfast, we start climbing the peak. Almost immediately we come to the border of Ukraine and Romania - it goes along the ridge. Slopes of Pop Ivan Marmaroshsky are steep and rocky, in its northern cirques, not so long ago, there were glaciers.
The trail to the summit goes straight up the ridge, with a deep chasm on the left. The southern slopes are high alpine meadows, in May they are completely covered with crocuses, in June - blooming rhododendrons, and in the second half of summer - blueberries. In autumn the lingonberries grow ripe. Below are the dense spruce forests with cool rivers that murmur in the deep gorges. From the top of Popa Ivan Marmaroshskiy, you can admire spectacular views of the Romanian Marmaros, Rodnjanski Alps, Chernogora and Rakhiv mountains.
After enjoying the bird's-eye views, we descend from the top to the main ridge. There is an unpaved road for border guards on it, we'll use it too. We'll walk along the ridge almost to the Mezhipotoki mountain, and turn a little before it, coming out to a glade with panoramic views and an old house for border guards.
During the day we will hike 16 km; elevation gain: 650 m, elevation drop: 725 m.
From the place of overnight stay we climb the mountain Mezhipotoki (1713 m). From the ascent we can clearly see the steep glacier cirques and rocky couloirs of the Popa Ivan Marmarosh massif, where we were yesterday. This is a unique massif for the Ukrainian Carpathians, such a pronounced alpine relief is relatively rare. Gradually we rise even higher, to the top of Neniaska. From its slopes array of Farkeu and Michaela - as on the palm of your hand and in all its glory! Further the road goes to the southern slopes of the ridge. Traversing the ridge, we observe vast areas of spruce trees - the wild Carpathian forests. Humans are rare guests there, but bears, wild boars and wolves are more likely to be found. It is in this wilderness that the Belaya Tisa River has its source.
From the slopes of Marmarosh Range you can perfectly see the Montenegrin Ridge, which rises monumentally above the evergreen Carpathian forests. We will walk by the afforested peak of Stog Mountain - it got its name because of its shape. We will go to the Radul hollow, from which one can see the vast forested Carpathian Mountains, and we will stay here for the night.
During the day we will hike 14 km; elevation gain: 920 m, elevation drop: 710 m.
Today, after spending the night between Marmarosh and Chernogorsky ranges, we start the second logical part of our hike in the Carpathians. Our goal for the day is perfectly visible - Pop Ivan Chernogorsky rises on the horizon, it cannot be confused with anything else. At the top you can clearly see the old Polish observatory, which is now under restoration. In winter it gets "covered" with snow and ice, that is why it is called "White Elephant". Let's go up Pop Ivan on the southwest ridge. In the area of Vaskul Mountain, the trail winds first through thickets of mountain pine and juniper, and then comes out on picturesque stony placers. It is said that somewhere here, among the rocks and on the mountain slopes with subalpine vegetation, you can see the flower of edelweiss. Along the narrow ridge we will go to the top of Popa Ivan Chernogorsky, to the observatory.
The building is now in the observatory is Chernogorsk search and rescue post, rescuers around the clock monitor the situation in the area from the top of one of the highest mountains in Ukraine. (2020 м). With an ideal weather forecast we will put our tents on top, in any other case we will go lower to the junction between the main ridge and the Smotrich Mountain.
During the day we will hike 11 km; elevation gain: 630 m, elevation drop: 560 m.
In the morning we will move further along the Chernogorsky ridge in the direction of Hoverla. On a good, clear weather from the Montenegrin ridge we have an excellent view of the Marmarosy, where we have already been :) For five days we have covered a good distance, I can't even believe my eyes, how far away was the start of the route. On the ridge on the tops and between them we will see the concrete posts - there used to be the border between Poland and Czechoslovakia. Now it is the border between the two regions of Ivano-Frankivsk and Transcarpathia. On the right side of the hike the ridge will abruptly drop down and form cirques, similar to the Marmarosh ones.
On the left hand will soon see the largest mountain lake of Ukraine (1801 m) - Brebeneskul. It is located in a picturesque cirque under the top of Gutin-Temnatic (2016 m) and has a glacial origin. If we have time we will have a run to the summit of Gutin-Temnatic :) In the evening we will go for overnight stay to one more mountain lake on the other side of the ridge. If we have some energy left, we'll climb to the top of Mt. Turkul to watch the sunset.
During the day we'll hike 9 km; elevation gain: 630 m, elevation drop: 860 m.
Day by day we are gradually approaching both the highest point of our route, and the highest peak of Ukraine - Hoverla. After meeting the sun on the slopes of Mt. Turkul we go further along the ridge. We will pass the peaks of Danzizh, Pozhizhevska and Breskul.
On the northern slopes of Pozhizhevska, at an altitude of 1450m is the highest meteorological station in Ukraine. It works all year round. Hoverla is always crowded in summer. After all, everyone dreams to visit the highest point of their country :). Previous two days our hike passed in the Alpine meadows, and today we will go down for the night in a zone of coniferous forest, on the depression between Hoverla and Petros. There will be a campfire, coziness and a hearty evening.
During the day we will hike 14 km; elevation gain: 680 m, elevation drop: 990 m.
Today we will have a fascinating ascent to the westernmost and the final in our hike two-thousand meter peak - Petros (2020 m). We are going to ascend steep rocky trail, and everybody will like and remember this climb very well :) The trail goes along the edge, here and there are rocky ledges and gendarmes. And also here is the highest cave in Ukraine (in general, in our hike, as you have noticed, a lot of places from the category of "most-most" :) Petros means "stony", and in good weather from the top you can see his brother - Petros Marmaroshsky, the slopes are also quite steep.
After resting, we start a very smooth and wonderful descent from the summit towards Kvasov. We will stay overnight at Menchul valley, where we can drink fresh milk, because shepherds live here and graze their cattle.
During the day we will hike 7.5 km; elevation gain: 85 m, elevation drop: 750 m.
The last morning of the hike. Descent to Kwasy and delicious mineral water in the spring. Today we are going back to Ivano-Frankovsk. After walking so many kilometers through two of the most beautiful ridges of the Ukrainian Carpathians, we feel like we've lived a little life, spending it in the company of like-minded people who have become our friends for nine days. We took a walk in Frankovsk, we celebrated the end of the hike. Rested and inspired, we say to the mountains and friends "see you soon!" We will definitely be back in the mountains. Looking at pictures from the hike, we remember how it was cool and already begin to look at the next route :)
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route.
Carpathians in general is very rainy region, so we must be prepared for anything - take a raincoat for sure! It is better to be safe than to get soaked! Depending on the weather during the day can be both very hot and cool. Most of the camps are high-rise, and even summer evenings and nights can be cool, so don't forget to take a hat and gloves!
ATTENTION: The hike takes place in the border area, it is necessary to make border passes. Therefore, all participants must send us their passport data - scans of the filled passport pages. It must be done no later than a week before the start of the hike.
To participate in the hike you must be free of diseases that are not compatible with active tourism: the list here.
As always, we recommend that you buy tickets in advance, although there are often vacant seats on trains a week before the start of the hike. You should buy your ticket so that you'll be at the train station in Ivano-Frankovsk by 10 a.m. on the day of the start of the hike. A slight delay is acceptable. Back you buy a ticket for the evening, best of all for 20-22 hours, then you'll have time to walk around Frankovsk and have a drink in one of its pubs. Buy tickets is worth it only after our confirmation of your participation in the hike. You can do this at the ticket offices at the railway station or online on the website "Ukrzaliznytsia"
The meeting place of the group is the waiting room of the Ivano-Frankovsk railway station. The time is determined by the last arriving participant, usually it's 10 am. About 5-7 days before the hike we will send you by e-mail the exact time of the meeting and the contacts of the team leader. Don't forget to check your mail!
The weather in the Carpathians is very changeable, so you should prepare for its surprises in advance. The first thing you should remember is that it rains a lot here, so you should bring a raincoat and a rain cover for your backpack. Second - in the evenings, especially at high-altitude parking lots, it may be cool. Take with you a hat, gloves and jacket.
Surely you are wondering what we will eat on a hike? Let's just say that you don't have to worry. Many participants say they eat better on the hike than they do at home. The basis of the menu is a simple meal of cereals and soups. You should not count on gourmet delicacies (although they can be).
If you do not eat any products, be sure to inform the manager so that the guide can slightly adjust the menu for you. We also recommend taking some yummies with you - nuts or sweets. Appetite on a hike is much better than at home.
Please note that the menu shown is indicative only. Guides usually have their signature dishes that they love to pamper participants with. And if you have dishes that you would like to receive on a hike, be sure to tell the manager about it, as the guide may have completely different preferences.
Features of nutrition for vegetarians - if you do not eat meat, be sure to read. We tell here how we will feed you and at the same time we give you a 5% discount to the hiking.
The hike takes place in the border area, it is necessary to issue border passes. Therefore, all participants must send us their passport data - scans of the filled passport pages. It must be done no later than a week before the start of the hike.
To participate in the hike you must be free of diseases that are not compatible with active tourism: the list here.
When you arrive in Ivano-Frankivsk, go to "10". The food here is extremely tasty, the portions are huge, and the prices are small. If the 10 is busy, you can eat at another pub, too. Sitting down together for a delicious meal and a glass of beer is a great ending to a great outing. With that in mind, it's best to buy your tickets back for the evening - about 20-22 hours.
The program has mandatory additional costs for transfers. Their amount you can check with the manager, as it depends on the cost of fuel and is constantly changing.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy dried porcini mushrooms, souvenirs, and like to have dinner in a restaurant (for example, in the legendary "Ten"). Minimum recommend to take from 300 hryvnias. And the maximum is up to you.
We limit the number of participants in a group. To reserve a seat for you, we need to make an advance payment of 1500 UAH. The rest amount we surrender to the team leader at the meeting. Refund policy and payment methods =>>
