We invite you to join the program, where we will walk along the highest ridge of the Ukrainian Carpathians in winter. The hike is a challenge that brings pleasure to winter lovers and those for whom regular hikes seem too easy. This is a great opportunity to test your endurance and prepare for climbing the top peaks of the world. Winter Montenegro is a real fairy tale at an altitude of 2000 meters! Comfort will be ensured by overnight stays in mountain huts and hot meals prepared by the chefs.
An experienced team leader, special equipment, logistics and necessary reservations - we have already taken care of most of it. The next step is up to you - join a winter hike with Kuluar 💚
You may also be interested in other options for advanced programs:
Or Hut-to-Hut, as experienced travelers are used to calling this format. Our transitions from warm hut to warm hut, no need to have tents.
You don't need a big backpack to go to the Chornohora Ridge. Sometimes a backpack of ~33 liters is enough to pack the essentials. Breakfasts and dinners made from food that is waiting in the houses, there is no need to carry extra weight.
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 hike 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 98.7% 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.
It takes up to 4 hours to get to the small village of Dzembronia. To get there, men need to have military IDs. From the village we will have to hike to the tourist shelter. After arriving, we will have a snack and go for an introductory walk.
After 19:00, the team leader will organize dinner and we will sit down to discuss the details of the upcoming hike and safety.
Distance: ≈ 2.6 km, elevation difference: +360 / -5 m, time on the trail: ≈ 1.2 hours
We plan to get up and leave early. We prepare breakfast, pack our backpacks, and check the weather forecast.
The group will have a difficult crossing of the Chornohora ridge. The first kilometers from the shelter will be in the forest zone, approaching the top of Smotrych, spectacular views will open up.
On the fifth kilometer of the passage, we will come to the red route, which continues to Pip Ivan, and we are going in the direction of the nearest peak - Dzembroni (1877 m). In a couple more kilometers, but not too easy, after the Menchul peak, we will climb Mount Brebeneskul (2038 m) - this is officially the only 2000-k in this hike. We will see the frozen alpine lake Brebeneskul in a huge circus under the Gutyn-Temnatyk mountain. The descent to the mountain hut in the Gadzhina tract is the last challenge for today. We try to make it before dark, but everyone should have headlamps.
In the hut, we will have dinner prepared by the chefs, and there is an opportunity to go to the vat or sauna. But you need to book the service in advance.
Walking in the mountains: ≈ 15.6 km, altitude difference: +1050 / -1140 m, time on the trail: ≈ 9 hours
Alternative plan.
Crossing the Chornohora ridge has many risks and a large weather impact. Sometimes a team leader may decide not to go in the direction of the 2000s, but to hike a safer route.
Hopefully, after yesterday's hike, everyone feels even more motivated to go to the mountains. We can leave some of our belongings at home, we take the most necessary ones.
We follow the trail to the Mriie stream and Dovbush's well, passing several campsites where the Coulouar groups spend the night in summer.
The spires are one of those peaks that should be viewed from two points - the bottom and the top. Winter hiking on Spits requires experience and necessary equipment, and is performed only if all group members are responsibly prepared and follow the instructions of the team leader.
From the rocks we can see a panorama of Mt. Hoverla and Mt. Gomul. If the Spires were impressive when we were from below, then here, with the visibility, it was wow!
We begin to descend along the path that leads to the Maryshevska meadow, and later leads to the house, where the cooks have prepared a hot dinner. Provided that we have agreed in advance, we can go to the vats or sauna (not included in the price).
Walking in the mountains: ≈ 11.9 km, altitude difference: +760 / -760 m, time on the trail: ≈ 7 hours
This morning will be the most relaxing of all the days of the hike. You will have enough time to sleep, grab a cup of coffee, and head to the veranda of the hut. We will have breakfast and socialize, the team leader has small gifts for each participant.
The minivan will arrive in Ivano-Frankivsk around 13:00 in the nearest village, by which time we have to check out of our rooms and walk about 3 km. If you have a train ticket for around 21:00, you will have a great opportunity to visit one of the famous restaurants in Frankivsk with the group.
See you on the trails :)
Walking in the mountains: ≈ 2.8 km, elevation difference: +20 / -270 m, time on the trail: ≈ 1 hour
Alternative plan.
The team leader may suggest taking a longer route, a walk (compared to the previous days) through the forest to the Prut River and the road connecting Zaroslyak to tourist towns. In this case, it is advisable to go out in the morning, and the distance of the walk will be about 9 km.
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route. Following the team leader's instructions is mandatory and non-negotiable.
We rated the difficulty of this route as one of the highest. That's because we will face 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 10 to 16 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, and we can identify the main ones:
The first night in a mountain house, which stands alone in a meadow near Mount Smotrych. A magnificent view from almost every window!
It is advisable to have a sleeping bag for the night. But it is not necessary - as an option, you can buy a set of blankets and towels for 200 UAH. You decide whether you want to bring a sleeping bag or not. You don't need it for the following days.
Second and third overnight in a house located in the Hajyna tract.
To spend the night here, participants do not need to have warm sleeping bags - blankets and towels are provided. But some participants who have a compact, possibly down sleeping bag can use it.
The first day:
After the long drive and altitude gain to the shelter, the team leader and the participants will prepare a snack in the warm hall of the house. Everyone can take boiling water to make tea or coffee. If you have any goodies from the train, it's time to get them out :)
Dinner is prepared by the team leader, and participants can help to reduce the waiting time. Some food from the minivan to the shelter in the afternoon, the team leader should help to carry in their backpacks (it is very light weight).
Second day:
The breakfast is led by a team leader, and participants can help. This is the last meal where involvement should be maximized; all subsequent breakfasts and dinners are prepared by experienced chefs.
Snacks in the mountains - carry in your backpacks, do not forget a thermos and hot water (drinks).
Dinner is provided by the mountain hut.
The third day:
Breakfast - from the mountain hut.
Lunch - in our backpacks + thermos.
Dinner - from the mountain hut.
The fourth day:
Breakfast - from the mountain hut.
Lunch and dinner - not included in the program.
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 minimum group for this program: 4 participants.
The program includes 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 1200 UAH with you. 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 1200 UAH. The rest amount we surrender to the team leader at the meeting. Refund policy and payment methods =>>
