Hiking in the Winter Gorgany in houses: from Osmoloda to Syvuli, Grofa
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Winter Hut Peaks
Have you already had experience of summer hiking, tested your endurance on the rocky trails of the Carpathians? Then we invite you to the winter Gorgany! You will climb to the highest peak of the massif - Velyka Syvulya, as well as the equally beautiful Mount Grofa. Usually, the climb to Syvula takes several days, with an overnight stay in tents, but in our program we offer one-day trips: we leave from a comfortable house and return to the same place in the evening. We use logging roads and unmarked but proven trails.
Winter mountains are not only more physically demanding, but also have increased risks compared to summer hiking. That's why this route is suitable for those who are ready to spend most of the day on the move and want to learn new skills, at least snowshoeing. For prepared participants, the winter hike will be a great challenge, and after a busy day, you will have a delicious dinner, cozy evening gatherings and a bathhouse - the perfect end to a day in the winter Gorgany.
We live in a cozy house surrounded by mountains and rivers. Even just coming to this small village, from where we go to the mountains, is already worth the trip. There are places to walk around, enjoying nature. The house has its own bathhouse, which we fire up after every day in the mountains. And next to the house there is a wonderful recreation area with several gazebos and a campfire area with comfortable benches. Even in winter, we can gather here for evening gatherings in the open air.
We will do everything in our power to ensure that the group safely goes into the mountains. We agreed on an SUV, and a couple of days before the start we will ask the locals about the condition of the roads and trails, analyze the weather and snow conditions. In case of force majeure, we do not cancel the event, but offer an alternative route.
During the hike, you will be completely immersed in the atmosphere of the Carpathians: snow-covered spruce forests, rocks and unforgettable views from high slopes.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the consultant has given you the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can safely buy it. The program will not be canceled through our fault.
The consultant who will advise you before the trip has been to the winter Carpathians many times herself and will tell you about the details from her personal experience!
More than 25,000 participants have already gone through the program and 97.8% were satisfied. We are sure you will be too!
We meet in Ivano-Frankivsk near the Kuluar warehouse. The most useful equipment to rent for this hike is snowshoes. While waiting for the departure, we get acquainted with the team leader and other participants.
The drive to the small village will take about 3 hours. Upon arrival, we will have a snack and go for an introductory walk. We will see the place where the Moloda and Limnytsia rivers merge and walk to the beginning of the red route. This route is used by groups that go camping through the peaks of Igrovets, Vysoka and Syvulya. If there is snow at the height of the village, we will put on snowshoes to get used to them.
Around 19:00, a dinner made from local products will be prepared for our group. If it's not too cold outside, we will be able to light a fire, communicate more closely and discuss the details of the upcoming climb.
Distance: ≈ up to 2 km, elevation difference: +30 / - 30 m, time on the trail: ≈ 1 hour
We plan to get up early. The hostesses will prepare breakfast for us, and meanwhile we are packing small backpacks in anticipation of a four-wheel drive truck, the local transportation for our trip.
The transfer will take a little over half an hour. Depending on the condition of the forest road, we will be taken as close to the start of the route as possible. The first kilometer will be quite intense, regardless of the weather - it may be hot. After climbing to the old border trail, you will have a view of the majestic Syvulia - Big and Small.
At an altitude of 1400 meters, we check our health and equipment. After a sip of tea, we continue to climb. We have 460 meters of ascent ahead, first to Mala and then to Velyka Syvulya, during which it is important to monitor weather changes.
Finally, we reach the top of Mount Velyka Syvulya at an altitude of 1836 meters. After a short rest, we descend to the place where the truck left us - it will take us to the house. The path is already familiar, and a pleasant fatigue gradually makes itself felt.
Dinner and a warm bath will be waiting for us at the house.
Walking in the mountains: ≈ 13.5 km, altitude difference: +970 / - 970 m, time on the trail: ≈ 7 hours
Hopefully, after yesterday's hike, everyone feels even more motivated to reach a new peak. After the usual breakfast from our hostesses, we pack our backpacks and set off on the green route that leads to the meadow and the Plisce shelter. We cover the first kilometers quickly, and the last stretch before the summit becomes much more interesting - we come out of the forest and can see large snow blows.
The top of Grofa offers a panoramic view of many famous peaks, including Sivulya. This is a great opportunity to compare which mountain is more difficult to climb.
We start descending, trying to make it before dark. The group has a choice: to use a shuttle service - the same truck - to shorten the route by about 70 minutes, or to return the same way on foot.
Distance: ≈ 14.5 km, altitude difference: +930 / - 930 m, time on the trail: ≈ 7 hours
This morning will be the most relaxing of all the days of the trek. You will have enough time to sleep, grab a cup of coffee, and head to the river for a few minutes of inner meditation. We will have breakfast and chat by the fireplace, the team leader has small gifts for each participant of the climb.
The bus to Ivano-Frankivsk will arrive around 12:00, so we have to check out of our rooms by then. If you have a train ticket for around 21:00, there will be a great opportunity to visit one of the famous restaurants in Frankivsk with the group.
See you on the trails :)
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the team leader has the right to make changes in the itinerary. The fulfillment of the guide's instructions is compulsory and non-negotiable.
The difficulty of this route is above average. That's because we are expecting possible difficult weather conditions (temperatures of 0...-15, visibility of 20-30 m, wind of 10-20 m/s), sometimes deep snow, a considerable distance (from 13 to 18 km) and elevation differences (+-1000 m), and possible steep icy slopes. Special features: accommodation in lodges, possibility of reaching the peaks 60-70%.
Most hikes in the winter mountains have risks, in addition to the weather, there is a human factor. There are three main ones:
1. To climb Syvuli, the group needs to travel ~15 km one way on a high off-road vehicle (Gaz 66). Its path goes along a dirt road, which is used by logging trucks from Mon to Fri, even in winter. But if there are no logging trucks, for example, "sudden/unforeseen holidays of the locals", our truck may not reach the desired starting point. The team leader decides whether to go to the nearest available mountain or to go to Syvula, but increase the distance of the hike.
2. Avalanche hazard is a serious risk in winter due to steep slopes and significant snow accumulations. The wind often shifts snow to downwind slopes, creating unstable snow cover that can cause avalanches. Areas with slopes exceeding 30 degrees are particularly dangerous, where the likelihood of snow slides increases.
3. Weather conditions that are not compatible with climbing in the Gorgany include heavy snowfall/dense fog/ freezing rain and strong winds. Such conditions significantly complicate terrain orientation and increase the risk of frostbite. Visibility can be almost zero, and low temperatures combined with wind make it dangerous to be on open slopes. In such cases, we move our hiking to safer/lower areas.
The house to which we invite you is located in a small, very cozy village of Osmoloda.
It can accommodate 11 people - 10 participants and 1 team leader.
On the first floor, there is a dressing room, a common space (living room) with a fireplace, and a sauna.
There are rooms on the second floor. Most of them are triple rooms with three separate mattresses. There are two family rooms with double mattresses. We try to take into account the registrations, to ensure that each independent participant has a separate bed. But sometimes, when there are 10 strangers in one group, the counselors may ask for permission to move in.
Example of real photos, season 24-25:
All meals are included in the program price.
Breakfasts: The hostesses prepare and serve them;
Snacks:
on the first, second and third days, a classic snack in the mountains will be organized. The team leader gives the food to the participants in their backpacks;
Dinner:
The hostesses prepare and serve dinners. The participants and team leader are not involved, which allows for more time on the track and returning at sunset.
Fourth dinner - depending on the time of your departure from Frankivsk, you can go to a restaurant with new friends and a team leader.
If you do not eat certain foods, be sure to inform the consultant in advance.
Ivano-Frankivsk city, 35 Mykhailo Mulyk Street. This is near the Gorgana store, and the warehouse is located there. The time is set according to the arrival time of the last participant. Approximately 7 days before the hike, you will find out from the chat the exact time of the meeting and the team leader's contacts.
To participate in the hike, you must have no illnesses incompatible with active tourism: the list is here.
The program provides for mandatory additional costs for transfers. You can check the exact amount with a consultant, as it depends on the cost of fuel and the number of participants in the group.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy dried porcini mushrooms, souvenirs, and sometimes have dinner in a restaurant. We recommend bringing at least 1500 UAH with you. The maximum is up to you.
We limit the number of participants in the group. In order for a place to be reserved for you, you need to make an advance payment of 2000 UAH. The rest of the amount is given to the team leader at the meeting. Prepayment refund terms and payment methods =>>
