Briefly about the hike “Legends of the fabulous Gorgan”

Even beginners will be able to overcome the path of this three-day hike Gorgans. In addition to the small complexity of the route, another advantage of this hike is that it passes through extremely picturesque places Ukrainian Carpathians. The tourists’ path will pass through the charming Grofa landscape reserve. This protected area is very valuable because it is home to cedars, which are extremely rare in the Carpathians. For three days, we will be lucky enough to enjoy the aroma of the coniferous forest as we make our way along the stony forest paths. We will get the most positive impressions by conquering the Grofu and Parenka mountains. From this height, in clear weather, you will be able to see the most beautiful Gorgan ridges and peaks and admire the incredible landscapes of the Central and Western Gorgan. Thanks to this hike, you can free yourself from the shackles of civilisation for three days and break free into the wild and extremely picturesque mountain nature. At the same time, despite the isolation from civilisation, even children can do this hike, as they must see the beauty of the Ukrainian Carpathians.

Hiking plan “Legends of the fabulous Gorgany”

The three-day route through the Gorgan Mountains with the conquest of the Grofa and Parenky peaks will immerse you in the world of Carpathian wildlife among the highland landscape reserve at an altitude of over 1500 metres above sea level! All this will leave in your heart only vivid impressions and pleasant memories of an exciting trip!

Day 1

Ivano-Frankivsk – Osmoloda – Plisce meadow

During the first day, you will be able to walk about 9 kilometres at a slow pace and climb to 750 metres above sea level.

Our trip traditionally starts in the morning in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. Here tourists meet and go by bus to the starting point of the hike in the village of Osmoloda. Several popular routes start from here. For our trip, we choose the most optimal option. This route stretches to the picturesque Plitse meadow 1500 metres above sea level and passes by the Grofu and Parenky mountains.

On this route, at first we will walk alongside the Moloda River, and then we will follow the path to the headwaters of the Kotelets Stream. After making a little more effort and climbing through the spruce forest, we will come to a cosy wooden house, which is a working tourist shelter. If there are free places, we will stay directly in the shelter. If not, we will be able to stay in tents next to the house. However, do not worry, because in most cases we will be able to find and take free places. So you are guaranteed comfort and cosiness for two days.

At the end of the first day, after we make a fire and cook a delicious dinner, we will be able to talk to our hearts’ content in the fantastic atmosphere of the highlands at 1500 metres above sea level.

Day 2

Tourist shelter “Plisce” – Mount Grofa (1748 m) – Mount Parenky (1735 m)

During the second day of the hike, leaving our backpacks behind, we will be able to walk 8 kilometres and climb a total of 600 metres.

The whole second day we will be able to walk without the burden of backpacks, which we will leave in the shelter. We will take with us only the minimum of necessary things. At first, we will move along an easy climb that will lead us to the top of Mount Grofi. From here we will be able to enjoy the incredible scenery of Gorgan. Grofa is one of the most beautiful Carpathian mountains, shrouded in ancient legends.

From here, from a heavenly height, like birds, we can, in clear weather, admire the incredible panoramic view of the sharp Sivuli ridge, the massive Pishkoni ridge, the Strymba and Strymenis mountains, and the forested slopes of the Western Gorgany.

Towards the middle of the second day, we will return to the tourist shelter in the Plitse meadow, where we will have a good lunch and replenish our water supplies. After a rest, we head to the Parenky mountain. Following the path along the Plitse meadow, we will enter a picturesque spruce forest. Gradually, the spruce trees become less and less and we get to the extremely dense area of mountain pine. In these real Carpathian jungles, which the locals call “zherepa”, tourists and activists had to cut a path, and we will follow it to the top of Parenky Mountain. In some places, this ascent is a kind of staircase made of twisted roots and pine branches.

At the top of Mount Parenki, you can admire the landscapes of the Popadda, Koretwina, and Petros Gorganski mountains. All of these peaks are decorated with scattered stones and dense wild forests, which are home to many wild animals. Since people rarely come to these places, wolves and bears, as well as smaller forest animals, feel free to roam here. In order not to become dinner for bears and wolves, we will go down the already trodden path to the shelter, where we will prepare a delicious dinner.

Day 3

Polonyna Plisce – Hut under Kin Hrofetskyi – Osmoloda

During the third day, we will manage to walk 11 kilometres and descend 780 metres.

On the third day, we will continue our forest fairy tale and go along the trails along the slopes of the Grofa and Kin Grofetsky mountains. The rise in the morning will begin with the appearance of the sun on the horizon. Next on the programme is a quick breakfast and a climb to Grofa. Here we will be able to see extremely rare cedars for the Carpathians. There are even specimens over 400 years old, which impresses even experienced tourists.

Next, we will walk along a stony path that intersects with several backstreets. The trail will lead us to a forest glade between the Grofa and Kin Grofetsky mountains. In this picturesque place, you can use another cosy forest hut, which is used as a shelter for tourists. At the end of our journey, we will go down through the forest to the Kotelec stream. Then we will continue our journey along the already familiar forest road to Osmoloda.

From Osmoloda you will be taken by bus to Ivano-Frankivsk. In Franik we will visit a local cafe, where we will be able to share our impressions of the exciting adventure in the Carpathians in a cosy atmosphere. Finally, we will have a walk around the historic part of the city. After that, we will start our journey home with positive emotions and impressions, where we will immediately have a desire to go on new amazing trips to the Ukrainian Carpathians!

Please note

Changes to the programme

The team leader has the right to make changes to the route based on weather conditions, condition and wishes of the group.

Weather conditions

It often rains in the Carpathians during the warm season, including on the territory of our route. Therefore, you should always be prepared for the vagaries of the weather and take a raincoat with you. In addition, strong winds often rise in the mountainous areas and there are sharp temperature changes from heat to significant coolness during the day. Most of the rest stops and stops along the route are at a considerable altitude. Therefore, in the evening and at night it can be quite cool even in the middle of summer. So don’t forget to pack a hat and gloves for your trip!

In addition, do not forget about your health. To avoid problems during the hike, remember that you should not have any diseases that are incompatible with hiking in the mountains.

Equipment required

Dear tourists, when you read our list of equipment, please keep in mind that it is compiled taking into account the fact that we will go on a hike in the summer. If you book a tour in spring or autumn, you should pack more warm clothes. In this case, you should consult with your manager.

If you are going to the mountains for the first time, it is better to borrow equipment from friends or use our rental service in Ivano-Frankivsk. It is after the first hike that you will be able to understand whether the mountains will become your new exciting hobby. And after communicating with experienced tourists and a team leader, you will become more informed about the peculiarities of choosing equipment and learn how to choose it according to your own needs.

When you pack your backpack, keep in mind that at the beginning of your trip in Ivano-Frankivsk the team leader will distribute food for the trip, approximately several kilograms per person. Practice proves that the normal filling of a backpack for a hike lasting from 3 to 6 days is from 12 to 17 kilograms.

If the tourist’s equipment does not comply with the recommendations on the website, the team leader has the right not to allow him/her to participate in the hike. This can happen if you take sneakers or rubber boots instead of the recommended hiking boots.

You should take the choice of equipment with maximum responsibility. Your attitude to this important aspect of hiking preparation affects both your personal health and the comfort of the trip for the whole group!

In order to protect against the effects of moisture (rain, snow), the things you pack in your backpack should be placed in plastic bags (including garbage bags).

When packing warm clothes (primarily down) and a sleeping bag, you need to approach this issue as responsibly as possible. When dry, they can keep you warm even in the worst weather.

Local treats – berries and mushrooms

A huge variety of berries and mushrooms grow in the Carpathians. But don’t rush to pick them. Not all of them are edible, so you should be very careful! Before eating berries or mushrooms, you should always show them to a team leader. He will tell you right away if they are edible. Eating blueberries, raspberries, lingonberries, cowberries, blueberries and blackberries is very beneficial for the body.

Mushrooms will be very useful for your diet. The best option for this is porcini mushrooms. They should be subjected to sufficient heat treatment. If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, we do not recommend indulging in mushrooms while hiking. In any case, be sure to keep your team leader informed about mushroom picking and cooking.