Introducing The Carpathians
Welcome to the Hutsul Alps, one of Ukraine’s premier natural beauties. True, Ukrainians themselves only refer to the mountains around Rakhiv as the Hutsul Alps, but for foreign visitors the local Hutsul culture helps distinguish this section of the Carpathian Mountains from those in neighbouring countries. Here long, thin villages stretch out languidly along potholed roads, with tiered wooden churches dotted periodically in between. Haystacks ring farmhouses decorated with unusually embossed tin walls and roofs. Horse-drawn carts clip-clop along, babushkas herd their geese, and marshrutka passengers cross themselves as they pass roadside chapels.
But while the everyday reality of ‘Hutsulshchyna’ is overwhelmingly rural, this beautiful region is also one of Ukraine’s leading holiday spots. These rolling peaks have been a long-term hit with Ukrainian hikers and skiers. The Carpathian National Nature Park, the country’s biggest such park, lies in this region, and within the park’s boundaries stands Mt Hoverla – Ukraine’s highest peak at 2061m. Ukraine’s glitziest ski resort is also here. Postcard-pretty towns like Kolomyya and Mukacheve are a drawcard, too. But what’s most impressive about this region are the clear mountain vistas, visible from the barely marked hiking trails, and the chance to explore unknown nooks and crannies. Each of the region’s gateway cities – Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Uzhhorod – has its attractions. However, the whole point of visiting the Carpathians is to head off-road and off-piste. So, although language and transport difficulties undoubtedly make this region slightly mystifying to foreigners, now’s the time to grab your sense of adventure and head for them thar hills.
Activities in The Carpathians
Ivano-Frankivsk
With pastel-coloured neoclassical buildings, neatly landscaped gardens and orderly, tree-lined cobblestoned pavements, the spruced-up city of Ivano-Frankivsk is increasingly becoming one of Ukraine's most pleasant.
Chernivtsi
Like many cities in the west of Ukraine, energetic Chernivtsi displays the hallmarks of a more elegant past, most obviously in the shape of its star attraction, the phantasmagorical university building.
The Carpathians destination guides
Uzhhorod
Uzhhorod (formerly Ungvar) is a typical border town – buzzing, full of energy, and often quite brusque.
Hotels in The Carpathians
Budget Hotels & Hostels in The Carpathians
Guesthouses and B&Bs in The Carpathians
Rakhiv
An international band of brightly clad hikers slurping borshch with weather-beaten Hutsuls; mountain bikers competing with horse-drawn carts and clapped out Ladas for pothole space; wooded mountainsides hoisting a beautiful backdrop as the...
Need to know
Kolomyya
Pretty as a picture, Kolomyya is one of the best introductions to the Carpathians for foreigners, despite being more than 50km east of the main part of the Chornohora range.
Shopping in The Carpathians