The perfect winter for us is snowdrifts, a sleeping forest, the soft crackle of a campfire, and mountains, mountains, mountains all around. We invite you to take part in a winter hiking trip in the mountains that includes all these joys and even more! Three snow-white peaks of the Maramures ridge await you, offering beautiful panoramas of the Ukrainian and Romanian Carpathians. We will climb Petros and Pip Ivan Marmaroskyi, as well as Mount Berlebashka. The main goal is not only to enjoy the winter Carpathian landscapes, but also to learn how to work with ice axes and crampons, and how to move in rope teams. If you're planning to climb the five-thousander Kazbek or Elbrus in summer, we highly recommend taking this program to get at least a small taste of what it's like to sleep in a tent on the snow, break a trail through fresh snow, cross dangerous icy sections, and move upward despite wind, frost, and blizzards...
The program is designed for more experienced participants who are familiar with hiking life. But beginners who aren't afraid of the cold and are ready for challenges will also be able to handle the route. The key is to set yourself up properly and prepare well. We climb the mountains without heavy backpacks, and we camp in tents overnight. If necessary, you can stay and rest at the camp and skip one of the climbs.
During the hike you'll experience: climbing Pip Ivan Marmaroskyi 1936 m, training and practice with ice axes and ice gear, testing your endurance and readiness for challenges, preparation for climbing Kazbek or Elbrus, as well as friendly evenings by the campfire in the winter forest.
We don't cancel or postpone groups. If the manager has given the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can safely purchase it. The program will not be cancelled through our fault.
Experienced Kuluar team leaders will accompany the group throughout the entire route, making your trip as safe and unforgettable as possible!
During the winter hike in the Carpathians, you will experience: ascents to the most beautiful peaks of the Marmarosy ridge, kilometers of trails through deep snow and frozen crust, and the invaluable experience of winter camping under the open sky.
The consultant who will advise you before the trip has been to the winter Carpathians many times and will share details from personal experience!
Over 12,000 participants have already traveled with Kuluar, and 97.8% of them were satisfied. We're sure you'll love it too!
Spending a couple of days of winter vacation in the Carpathians is a dream of almost every Ukrainian. And not without reason, because this is a true kingdom of snow and frost, where all the peaks and trees are wrapped in a snow-white blanket. Of course, for a beginner going on their first hike, winter in the Carpathians may seem like a harsh test, not only physically but also mentally. Although we will be hiking without backpacks, all our overnight stays will be far from civilization, in tents among the forest. You need to be ready for frost, cold nights, and have very warm sleeping bags. To join the group, you need to fill out a participant form, get confirmation from the manager, buy tickets, pack your backpack — and arrive at the meeting point on time. We'll take care of everything else.
Early in the morning, we meet at Kuluar Hub near the Ivano-Frankivsk railway station. We check the gear, rent out what's needed, and set off on our long journey by chartered minibus. The ride to Dilove village takes about 4 hours. The road is not the best, so we will definitely make a stop to stretch our legs. After lunch, we arrive at the border checkpoint, go through passport control, and get a permit for the route, since the entire hike will take place along the Ukrainian-Romanian border. Next, the guide will conduct a safety briefing and tell you about the特ures of winter hiking. Only after that do we boldly head into the mountains. To have enough energy to reach our destination, we will definitely stop for a snack in the Bilyi Potik tract. After about 2.5-3 hours, we will reach the koliba (traditional shepherd hut), where we will set up our tent camp. We will spend the next 4 nights here (altitude 907 m above sea level). Around a warm campfire over our first trail dinner, we'll get to know each other better and discuss plans for tomorrow.
We wake up with the sunrise, have a hearty and delicious breakfast, pack up the tents, fill our thermoses with hot tea, and head to Lysycha mountain pasture. Along the way, the guide will teach you how to tread a trail and share various hiking stories and interesting facts. After about 3.5-4 hours, we will reach Lysycha pasture. There we will set up a tent camp, building snow walls. An experienced team leader will show you how to do this properly. If there is time left and enough snow, we will build an igloo, and those who wish can spend the night there.
Today we have an ascent of two peaks of the Marmarosh ridge ahead of us, offering an incredible view of the snow-covered Pip Ivan Marmaroskyi. We take a small backpack with us for the trip, where you can put a jacket and a thermos, and head towards Mount Berlebashka. The climb won't be difficult, but the views from the summit in good weather will amaze everyone! Then we'll descend to the saddle between Berlebashka and Petros Marmaroskyi, and climb the next peak along a fairly steep ridge. The ascent and descent along the snowy ridge will be quite interesting :) We'll be back at base camp around 7 pm, with the whole ascent taking approximately 8 hours in total. After warming up with a hot dinner, we head to sleep to gather strength for the next climb.
The morning goes smoothly by now, following our established routine. Those on duty prepare breakfast, everyone eats, we pack up and set out to conquer the highest peak of our trek. Depending on the weather and slope conditions, we may need to put on crampons. On the way back, we'll conduct training descents with an ice axe. Weather permitting, we'll practice self-arrest techniques on a snow-ice slope. Tired but satisfied with our work, we descend to the Lysycha alpine meadow and have a lunch break, since we've spent a lot of energy and need to refuel well. After lunch, we pack up camp and descend through the forest to the now-familiar spot of our first overnight stay at the headwaters of the Bilyi stream. We prepare a farewell festive dinner and share our impressions.
Today we'll let those on duty sleep an extra hour, since there's no need to rush anymore. And it's really hard to want to go home and leave this winter fairy tale of the Carpathians. After breakfast, we pack up our camp, load our backpacks, and head towards the village of Dilove. The winter trek through the Marmarosh Mountains is coming to an end. We'll arrive in Ivano-Frankivsk around 9 pm, so book your tickets only for late evening flights.
Depending on weather conditions, the group's condition, and general preferences, the team leader has the right to make changes to the route. Following the team leader's instructions is mandatory and not subject to discussion.
We sleep in tents, the first and last nights in the forest, the rest on the alpine meadow at an altitude of 1500 m. If necessary, we build snow walls around the tent. Our experienced team leader will help you with everything, so there's no need to worry if you don't know how to do something :)
As always, we recommend buying tickets in advance, although often even a week before the start of the trek there are still free seats on trains. You need to be in Ivano-Frankivsk early in the morning, preferably by 10:00. Trains arriving at 11-12 are not very suitable, as then we would arrive at the overnight location very late. Buy return tickets for after 22:00, to make sure you make it in time. Don't forget that you can only buy tickets after we confirm your participation in the trek. Before purchasing, be sure to discuss your possible arrival time with the manager according to the available trains. You can buy tickets at the ticket offices at the railway station of your city or online on the Ukrzaliznytsia website (it will be 7 UAH more expensive). After purchasing, be sure to let us know your arrival time.
This program is not of very high difficulty. Any physically healthy person can handle the route, whether they are 20 or 50 years old, and even those who have never been on a trek before. But a lot depends on your fitness and mindset. For example, if you lead a more sedentary lifestyle and walk little, it will be very difficult for you, and you will hate both us and the Carpathians and everything connected with it. If, on the other hand, you periodically go to the gym, run, ride a bike, do cardio exercises, the route will be much easier for you. Of course, there will be difficult moments, without them the mountains wouldn't be so attractive. But everything passes, and only pleasant memories remain. To get more positive impressions, we recommend, as preparation (if for some reason you haven't already made this a good habit), at least a month before the trek, run 2-3 times a week (2-5-7 km, it's not that important, the main thing is that you breathe easily while doing it), do squats, run up and down the stairs in your building. This way you will train your legs and your endurance. During the ascent it will be easier for you to breathe and your legs will be more obedient.
You're probably wondering what we'll be eating on the trek? We'll say right away that you shouldn't worry. Many participants say that on the trek they eat better than at home. The base of the menu consists of simple food - porridges and soups. Don't expect exquisite delicacies (although they can happen too).
If you don't eat certain products, be sure to inform the manager about this, so that the team leader can adjust the menu slightly for you. We also recommend bringing some pocket treats - nuts or sweets. Appetite on a trek is much better than at home.
Please note that the menu presented is approximate. Team leaders usually have their own signature dishes that they like to treat participants to.
Nutrition features for vegetarians – if you don't eat meat, be sure to read this. We explain how we will feed you and give a 5% discount on your own products.
Citizens of Belarus need an internal or international passport to visit Ukraine - whichever is more convenient for you;
Since the route passes through a border area, at most 10 days before the trek you need to send the manager your passport details for registering the group with the necessary services. To participate in the trek, you should not have any illnesses incompatible with active tourism: list here.
The group meeting point is Kuluar Hub near the railway station in Ivano-Frankivsk. If all participants arrive at 6-7 am, and there's no need to wait for anyone until 10:00, we'll head straight to Dilove village to avoid wasting time. Approximately 7-10 days before the trek begins, we'll send you the exact time, meeting point, and team leader's contacts via email. Don't forget to check your inbox!
Winter Carpathians look like a fairy tale: mountain peaks covered with snow caps, with evergreen spruce forests starting a bit lower. Even lower, fast mountain rivers flow, only partially covered with ice. And somewhere far away, Hutsul villages scattered across river valleys come into view. This is a typical winter Carpathian landscape. It's definitely worth freezing a little to see this!
Good weather conditions are one of the most important factors for a successful program. During fog, snowfall, or stormy winds, summit climbs can be very difficult, and sometimes even dangerous. Depending on the situation, we might have to spend a day at camp or hike to smaller peaks instead. We're serious about our goals, but the group's health and safety always come first!
The program includes mandatory additional transfer costs. You can clarify the amount with a manager, as it depends on fuel prices and changes constantly.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy dried porcini mushrooms, souvenirs, and sometimes have dinner at a restaurant (for example, at the legendary "Desyatka"). We recommend having at least 300 UAH with you. The maximum amount is up to you.
We limit the number of participants in a group. To secure your spot, you need to make a prepayment of 1600 UAH. The rest of the amount is paid to the team leader upon meeting. Prepayment refund terms and payment methods =>>
