Ukrainian Carpathians are attractive because of their authentic wildness and scenic landscapes. Hundreds of kilometers paths can guide you through incredible world of pure beauty. You can choose different regions and parts of Carpathians, each of which has its own uniqueness: flora and fauna, landscapes, views, shapes and history. The best way to explore Ukrainian Carpathian mountains is to go hiking for several days, in order to feel this magical atmosphere around. But if you don’t have that much time in your schedule for that and you wish to get a gulp of life-giving energy of mountains, here are 3 easy hiking trails you can complete in only one day.

Route #1 – Mt. Khomyak (1541 m) - waterfall Guk

This route is very popular among tourists and hikers. This is due to a combination of ideal location and easy accessibility with its stunning surroundings. It is only 2 hours driving by car from Ivano-Frankivsk. Hiking trail starts near Tatariv village and slowly goes up through pine forest. The route belongs to the part of a wild massif in the Carpathians called Gorgany. It is a particular region which characterized by tops and ranges covered with large gray stones, green grass and unusual mountain’s bushes called “alpine pine”. Gorgany attract all kinds of hikers because of their uniqueness and wildness.
In about 2 hours after start you arrive to the foot of Mt. Khomyak. Here you can take a break for a snack before final climbing to the top. It takes about 40-50 minutes from there to get to the peak.
Mt. Khomyak (1541 m) is very particular for this part of Eastern Gorgany. It has a shape of cone so you can easy recognize it from everywhere. On the top of Khomyak you will find the statue of Virgin Mary. A spectacular view opens from here around. When the weather is clear you can see a highest spot of Ukrainian Carpathians - Mt. Goverla (2061 m) and the other top of Chornogora range - Mt. Petros (2020 m).
Descending Mt. Khomyak to the north direction you are going to cross “polonyna Khomyakiv”. It is a bare area on a range between tops of Khomyak and Synyak where you can meet highland shepherds and try their fresh cooked cheese. If you are lucky enough, you can also meet the herds of wild horses over there.
After a steep descent to the river Zhenets you arrive to a small mountain road which leads you to the waterfall Guk. The river flow falls down from the height about 15 m. Waterfall Guk was created as a consequence of a big flood around that place. And now many people come here to see this beauty of nature to fill them with pure energy of this place located between Carpathian mountain ranges.

Route #2 – Waterfall Shypit – Mt. Velykyj Verkh (1598 m)

If you wish to explore Borzhava mountains but your time is limited, this one day hiking trail is going to be the greatest solution for you. The best spot to start your walk is a ski resort near Pylypets village. It is located 160 km south of Lviv.
In only 1 km after beginning of the hiking trail there is a picturesque waterfall Shypit. A lot of people come there throughout the year to visit it and gain strong fresh energy from this beautiful place. There is a little souvenir market where local people offer different particular things, drinks or food.
After the waterfall hiking trail smoothly goes up, reaching a big opening along the path. Every year during the summer people from everywhere come to this spot to spend several days, weeks or months living in tents or shelters built by them own. It is a kind of informal festival, culmination of which is a holiday of Kupala on the 7th of July. So in this period you can meet many people there and some of them stay for the entire summer.
Climbing through the deciduous forest you will arrive to the huge bare territory of Borzhava range. From here you are already able to watch stunning views around. But to get even better view of all surroundings and to feel completely satisfied you have to keep walking to Mt. Velykyj Verkh, one of the highest peaks on Borzhava mountains.
Mt. Velykyj Verkh (1598 m) opens views on wonderful landscapes around. You can see nearest tops of Mt. Stij (1681 m), Mt. Gymba (1491 m) and Mt. Temnatyk (1344 m). If you look further you will see the highest peak of Lviv region Mt. Pikui (1408 m).
Walking back is up to you. You can return by the same path or keep going on the range in direction to Volovets village.

Route #3 – Mt. Kostrycha (1586 m)

One of the most incredible and magnificent panorama in Ukrainian Carpathians on the main range of Chornogora is available from the range of Kostrycha. Very good located, it is also a part of this big and important mountain massif. It is about 3 hours of drive from Ivano-Frankivsk to Kryvopilsky pass. It is located in the road between two important touristic Carpathian villages Vorokhta and Verkhovyna. Hiking trail to Kostrycha range starts right from the pass. It is the best spot to begin your walk. Hiking path from there crosses a small village with a couple of houses and slowly gains elevation to the forest zone. Climbing through the forest is quite enjoyable and you might get lucky to find some mushrooms over there.
From the Mt. Kostrycha (1586 m) one of the best panoramas opens its face! You can see almost all highest peaks of Ukrainian Carpathians including the highest one - Mt. Hoverla (2061 m). It’s a pleasure to make a break for a while on the top and enjoy this spectacular view on the Chornogora range. It is the right time to use your photo camera and fix these wonderful landscapes in your memory. If the weather conditions are nice you can also lay on the grass, inhaling pure mountain air and picking up this healing Carpathian energy.
Walking further on the range you will see a lot of particular plants, some of which are very rare and are protected by state. Within July and September you might be lucky to find blueberries and cranberries just next to the trail.
In spring, when the snow melts, beautiful flowers called crocuses show up for a little while. Many tourists like to go to Carpathians in this period to catch this rare moment which happens once a year.
You can also meet highland shepherds in Kostrycha range. They spend the whole summer in mountains, taking care of cattle and making different kinds of traditional for this region cheese. So if you’re interested to taste some of the local dairy products, you’re welcome.
You can finish your hiking to Kostrycha in the village called Staische. It lays right on the road that leads to Ivano-Frankivsk.