In the spring, when it is still snow in the highlands, we like to come to a remote mountain village, from where it is easy to do day hikes. There are spring flowers, not crowded trails and beautiful mountain panoramas, which are just out of the snow.

We live in the village of Bystrets, in a warm house of local owners with everything you need. On day hikes we go out with small backpacks.

Day hikes to:

• to the Kostrycha Mount (1,585 m): we will see the best views of Chornohora mountain range;
• to the famous steep cliffs of Shpytsi Mount (1,863 m) and one of the highest in Ukraine – Rebra Mount (2,001 m).

Evening plans:

Dinners with traditional dishes, conversations and mountain stories, board games, the moon through a telescope. 

For whom:

Suitable for people with average physical fitness. If you have never been hiking, this route will suit you best, because you do not need to carry a heavy backpack and spend nights in a tent.

1 DAY

 8 km   + 400 m

---

We meet in Ivano-Frankivsk at 10 am, from where we go to the mountains – to the village of Bystrets. After arrival, we have lunch and go for a walk to Kosaryshche mountain. At this time we check the comfort of clothes and shoes to be ready for more difficult climbs in the coming days.

Mount Kosaryshche, 1148 m high, is located 4 km from our house. It is part of a small ridge that separates the village of Bystrets from the village of Dzembronya. It doesn’t take long to climb it, but the scenery will be beautiful as for start. In good weather, we will see from here our next goals – Kostrych ridge and Shpytsi Mount.

After the walk, we return to the house, have dinner and spend the evening getting acquainted. If we are lucky with the weather, in the evening we will look through a telescope at the moon and stars.

 

2 DAY

 16 km   + 800 m

---

HIKING TO KOSTRYCH

We have breakfast at 7 am and do exercise. We take with us only small backpacks with sandwiches, thermoses with tea, extra clothes.

First, we will pass the Psarivka mountain meadow. Cows and sheep are grazing here since the end of May, but we will see only fresh grass. Then the trail will take us to Kostrych Mount (1,544 m), which is located in the middle of the ridge. We turn left and walk another 2 km without significant height differences to climb to the highest peak of this ridge – Mount Kostrycha (1,585 m).

Walking along this ridge is a pleasure – in addition to a relatively flat path, you can see almost the best panoramas of Chornohora ridge (the highest in Ukraine): from Hoverla to Popivan Chornohirsky. Places on the opposite side are also perfectly visible – Pokutsko-Bukovynian Carpathians with peaks Rotylo, Gordia, Gregit and others.

The descent from the mountain is easier and takes less time – about 3 hours. We return to the house and prepare for dinner.

3 DAY

 16 km   + 1110 m

---

HIKING TO SHPYTSI

Today we get up early and climb to the Chornohora ridge.

First, we will reach the Maryshevska mountain meadow. If we leave early enough, we will see the sunrise. Then we have to walk for an hour and a half through the forest and thickets of shrubs, before reaching the forest-free north-eastern slopes of Chornohora.

In 8 km and 5 hours, we will be at Shpytsi Mount (1,863 m). We will go further along the ridge to see the famous high cliffs of this mountain. This is one of the most interesting and recognizable places in Ukrainian Carpathians. The name corresponds to the shape: on its slopes there are rocks up to 50 m high, resembling needles. These several rock mounds were formed due to ancient glaciation. Here we are close to Hoverla, Turkul, Rebra, Brebeneskul Mounts.

We have lunch and start going down. 3 hours down the road – and we are back in the village.

4 DAY

---

On the last day, you can climb the mountains at sunrise or sleep longer. We have breakfast together, walk around the village. We say goodbye to the mountains and move out of the house afternoon.

We return to Ivano-Frankivsk at about 16 pm. We will be happy to walk around the city with you, show our favourite places and have dinner together 😉

START / FINISH

We meet at the railway station in Ivano-Frankivsk city at 10 a.m. or in the village of Bystrets at 13 p.m. We can also pick you up in the villages on the way from Ivano-Frankivsk – Yaremche, Vorokhta, etc.

We will be around 16 p.m. in Ivano-Frankivsk city.

WHAT DO YOU PAY FOR

You pay in cash when meeting with a guide in Ivano-Frankivsk; prepayment is not required. 

What’s included

• meals from lunch on the first day till lunch on the last day;
• transport (including a drive from Ivano-Frankivsk);
• house rental;
• guide’s job;
• national park fees.

What’s NOT included

• personal equipment.

WHAT TO TAKE

• A small backpack for radial climbing (you will need to take a day snack, thermos, extra clothes). Up to 35 litres.
• Sunglasses or ski mask: protection from wind, frost and sun (which is especially bright due to the snow around).
• Water bottle. Thermos (1-2 l) for tea / warm water.
• Trekking poles (optional, but it’s easier to hike with them).

Rental prices:

• trekking poles: 30 UAH / day.