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The winter Carpathians look like a fairy tale: mountain peaks wear caps of snow, and a little lower begin forests of evergreen spruce. Further down, fast mountain rivers run, only partly covered with ice. And somewhere far away you can see Hutsul villages spread out along the river valleys. This is a typical winter Carpathian landscape – definitely worth getting a little cold to see!
This hike is a real challenge for winter lovers and for those who find ordinary hikes too easy: in winter we will walk across the highest peaks of the Ukrainian Carpathians. It is a chance to test your endurance and prepare for climbs of high peaks around the world. During the hike you will learn to use special equipment – an ice axe and crampons – with more confidence, and find out how to pitch tents on an open winter ridge and in strong wind, and how to build snow walls and shelters.
The Winter Transchornohora is a real adventure and a serious physical challenge. Most nights are spent in tents on snow on the Chornohora ridge. This hike is for those who want to feel the full harshness of winter in the mountains.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. Once your consultant gives the go-ahead to buy tickets, you can buy them with confidence. The program will never be cancelled through our fault.
Experienced Kuluar team leaders accompany the group along the entire route and make your hike as safe and memorable as possible!
On the hike you will see Lake Maricheika in the winter forest, climb Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi and all of Ukraine's 2,000-metre peaks, Hoverla included!
The consultant who will prepare you for the hike has been to the winter Carpathians many times herself and will share the details from personal experience.
More than 32,000 participants have already travelled with Kuluar, and 97.8% became happier and recommend us to their friends. We are sure you will love it too!
We recommend this hike to those who are planning high-altitude treks abroad and climbs of high peaks around the world and want to practise working with special equipment.
The group meets in Ivano-Frankivsk at Kuluar Hub near the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. Here you will meet your team leader and the other participants, who will have become your friends by the end of the hike. We get acquainted, board the bus and drive to the village of Shybene. On arrival we go through a passport check at the border post, as the route runs through the border zone. Then we have lunch and climb through the snowy forest to the Vesnarka meadow and on to Lake Maricheika.
Today we get up early, have breakfast and set off. The day's distance is short, but we have to gain height and reach the summit of Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi (2,028 m). On the summit we set up camp next to the observatory building and get ready to watch the sunset.
Today is a long day: we will walk about 12 kilometres along the Chornohora ridge. On the way we will climb another 2,000-metre peak, Mt Brebeneskul (2,035 m), and see the frozen high-mountain Lake Brebeneskul in a huge cirque below Mt Hutyn-Tomnatyk.
On the way to Lake Nesamovyte we will climb the 2,000-metre peak of Rebra (2,001 m). We will spend the night by the lake, practically on the ridge.
An early start and we are on our way again: today we climb Hoverla, the highest point of Ukraine (2,061 m). On the way we will climb several more peaks: rocky Turkul, Dantsizh, Pozhyzhevska and Breskul. On the horizon to the left you can see the sharp peaks of the Marmarosh massif, and to the right the lower, forested ridges of Kostrych and Kukul.
After climbing Hoverla, we descend to the forest zone for the night, to the so-called "Peremychka" – the saddle of the main ridge between Hoverla and Petros.
Through snowdrifts and the winter forest we walk to the slopes of Petros, to the Holovcheska meadow. There we set up camp and, if time and weather allow, practise building igloos and digging snow caves. We check our equipment and prepare thoroughly for tomorrow's climb of Petros.
Today we climb Petros, the last 2,000-metre peak of the Chornohora ridge on our route. The ascent follows a ridge with rocky outcrops – quite steep and interesting; most likely we will need crampons and an ice axe here. Our real reward will be the views that open up from the summit in good weather!
From Petros you can see the entire Chornohora ridge, with Svydovets and the Gorgany spread out before you. After a cup of tea, we start the descent towards the village of Kvasy via the summit of Sheshul. Depending on the weather, we may instead descend from Petros to the village of Yasinia.
If we descend towards Kvasy, we pitch our tents on the Menchul meadow in the evening; if to Yasinia, we can rent a cabin.
We get up as early as possible and continue our descent to the village. It is not far and mostly downhill, so we will be back in civilisation by lunchtime. We board the bus and drive to Ivano-Frankivsk.
Depending on the weather, the condition and the general wishes of the group, the team leader has the right to change the route. Following the team leader's instructions is mandatory and not open to discussion.
To take part in the hike, you must not have any illnesses incompatible with active tourism (see the list).
7 days of self-supported hiking with heavy backpacks and nights in tents, often harsh weather on an open ridge, possible deep snow and icy slopes, constant frost – all this makes the route very difficult.
Features: a chance to complete a tough winter hike and gain unique experience; the probability of completing the full program is about 30%; crampons are required, sometimes snowshoes; avalanche shovels are group equipment.
As always, we recommend buying tickets in advance, although trains often still have free seats a week before the start. Plan your trip so that you are at Kuluar Hub near the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station by 10:00 on the start day. Being a little late is acceptable. Buy tickets only after we have confirmed your participation – at the station ticket office or online in the Ukrzaliznytsia app or website.
Good weather is one of the most important factors in a successful hike. In fog or snowfall we may not see all the beauty of the Carpathians. And if a fierce wind blows, we may have to turn back. Remember: the mountains have stood and will stand, and the most important thing is the health and safety of the group.
The group meets at Kuluar Hub near the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. We set the meeting time by the arrival of the last participant, usually 10:00. About 7 days before the hike we will email you the exact meeting time and the team leader's contacts. Don't forget to check your email!
The program includes mandatory additional transfer costs. You can check the amount with your consultant, as it depends on fuel prices and changes constantly.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy dried porcini mushrooms and souvenirs and sometimes have dinner at a restaurant. We recommend having at least 2000 hryvnias with you – the maximum is up to you.
We limit the number of participants in a group. To book your place, you need to pay a deposit of 2,500 hryvnias. The rest is paid to the team leader when you meet. Deposit refund terms and payment methods →
