How to Climb Hoverla?

Do you enjoy traveling around Ukraine? Then don’t stop at admiring the beautiful landscapes and interesting sights of Prykarpattia. Give yourself an extreme test of endurance and determination, and climb to the summit of the highest mountain in Ukraine — beautiful Hoverla!

 

When is the best time to plan a hike up Hoverla?

 

The best time to climb Hoverla is from the second half of May to mid-October, when there is almost no snow in the mountains and the prolonged season of rain or snowfall has not yet begun. The trails to the summit are often not only wet from numerous streams, but also quite slippery, so it is worth choosing sunny weather, when the ground has already had time to dry after hot weather.

 

Routes to Hoverla

 

Officially, it is stated that Hoverla can be climbed by six routes, but as soon as you start climbing yourself, it sometimes seems that there are many more trails. You can choose the best one based on the time available, physical fitness, and simply the desire to see as many beautiful places as possible or, on the contrary, to reach the long-awaited summit sooner.

The most popular one-day routes start from the Zarosliak base. The shortest trails begin here at an elevation of 1300 m above sea level. From the base to the summit, you will have to cover almost 770 m. Three marked trails of different colors lead from the base:

• The trail with yellow markers leads to the middle of the Chornohora Ridge, to the summit of Turkul and Nesamovyte Lake. This is the longest route, quite difficult and less crowded. The journey can take 4-4,5 hours. Distance — about 5 km. If you want to return the same day, then you should go back along the blue trail.

• The trail with green markers is the longest. Its length is 4,3 km. However, it follows gentler paths. The first hour of the trail runs through a shady spruce forest. The slope is slight, so it is not difficult to walk. After that comes a zone of prickly juniper bushes. The final part of the trail is the steepest and most difficult, but very beautiful. You will have to climb a rocky slope that runs past endless alpine meadows. Do not forget to watch your step carefully, as the trail is dangerous and injury-prone.
• The trail with blue markers leads straight to the summit. Its length is 3,7 km. It is the shortest, but also the steepest. If you are in good physical shape, have very little time, and the weather outside is sunny, it is worth choosing the blue trail. It allows you to cover the route in 2,5-3,5 hours. The descent can take almost as long. However, it is worth noting that a steep descent places a heavy strain on the knees. If you have an extra hour, it is worth returning by the trail with green markers.

Routes to Hoverla for 2-3 days:

1. From the village of Lazeshchyna, the route starts at the railway station. The route length is 17,2 km. This is one of the longest routes, but also the easiest. It begins in the forest and will last almost 12 km. Along the way, you can admire the beauty of Petros, enjoy forest berries, or simply spend the night. The route passes through the Menchul meadow. It is hard to miss, as there are dozens of huts and the biostation of the Lviv Institute here.

This route is ideal for those who are going to conquer Hoverla for the first time, who do not know the limits of their physical abilities, and who simply have enough time for their trip. One of the advantages of this route is the chance to see the most beautiful sunset or sunrise and to admire the beauty of the Ukrainian mountains to the fullest.

2. From the village of Kozmeshchyk, the duration of the route can reach 2-3 days if you plan to go to Hoverla, then to Velyka Koznemyka, Mount Kukul, and the village of Lazeshchyna. However, such a climb is worth the attention of true lovers of flora. The ascent begins in the forest; only at an altitude of 1350 m does the Hrotu meadow begin, from where the summit of Hoverla, surrounded by steep slopes, is clearly visible.
3. From the village of Kvasy, the route length reaches about 26,8 km. This is one of the difficult and at the same time most beautiful ascents. Here every trail seems amazing and unique. The route covers all the two-thousanders in one hike. Starting from Kvasy, you can go through the Chornohora Ridge to Petros (its height is 2020 m), then reach the summit of Pop Ivan Chornohirskyi (height — 2028 m) and finish the route in Shybene. This route is ideal for beginners or experienced travelers.

 

What should you take with you to Hoverla?

 

If you have decided to climb Hoverla in summer or autumn, you will need:

 

• sunscreen (mandatory for people with sensitive skin);
• comfortable and light clothing (long shorts, sports trousers, T-shirts, a light scarf for the neck, a bandana or cap to protect the head from the sun);
• a raincoat (the weather in the mountains is quite changeable, even in summer, so a raincoat will protect you from moisture and piercing winds);
• sneakers or trekking boots, which will reduce the strain on your foot and the risk of slipping while descending or ascending;
• two pairs of socks;
• a first-aid kit with the essentials for the road (adhesive plaster, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, a bandage, and any medicines that may be needed due to individual needs of the body);
• drinking water and sandwiches;
• a fully charged mobile phone (coverage may disappear in some places, but it is there);
• trekking poles for the ascent — a necessary item for those who have problems with knee joints;
• ordinary work gloves (fingerless ones are fine too) or any light sports gloves, so you do not get blisters from trekking poles).

 

In summer there are many different gnats, so it is better to choose clothing that will protect you not only from the sun, but also from annoying insects.

For those who are not afraid of more difficult conditions and have decided to climb Hoverla in winter, the following list of items will be needed:

 

• thermal underwear;
• fleece clothing, which will be needed at the summit, where the temperature will be 10-12˚C lower than at the foot of the mountain;
• a ski or membrane jacket, in which the body will sweat less;
• a thermos with hot tea, sandwiches and something sweet for snacks;
• crampons;
• a buff to protect against the wind, gloves (better two pairs), a hat
• ski goggles or a mask;
• a flashlight;
• comfortable winter footwear that resists moisture well;
• trekking poles;
• sunscreen for the face, lip balm.

 

 

Are there age restrictions?

 

It is said that mountains do not like the bold, and that the first ascent of major peaks should be made with someone who has experience of such climbs or with an experienced instructor. Having such a person in the group makes it possible to avoid the most dangerous routes or choose a trail that will allow you to cover the kilometers quickly and make the journey to the summit and back in half a day. However, as the experience of many people shows, climbing Hoverla is limited only by human stereotypes. Among those who ascend to the summit, you can meet people of different ages and builds. The vast majority are people aged 20 to 45, and there are also children and even babies, comfortably settled in carriers on their parents’ backs. There is also the older generation, elderly people.

 

Tips:

 

• You should not take too many things with you, because it is extra weight that will only make your climb more difficult.
• For those who want unforgettable photos among alpine meadows covered with a blanket of crocuses, it is worth planning the climb for the first half of May.
• In the second half of May, wormwood blooms abundantly in the mountains and wild strawberries can be found.
• If you are planning a climb in June, then you will be lucky to see beautiful landscapes decorated with red rhododendron flowers.
• The end of July and the beginning of August will be rich in blueberries and mushrooms.
• For a winter ascent, it is better to take two pairs of gloves — one warm, the other thin. Use the latter when tying your shoelaces so as not to get frostbite.
• And if in summer you can make the ascent on your own, in winter it is very dangerous. Therefore, without prior physical preparation and without an instructor, it is better not to do it.

A mountain ascent is something everyone should experience in life. For some, it helps fill their gray everyday routine with new colors and impressions, find themselves and look at life from a different angle. The Ukrainian Carpathians give everyone the opportunity to be imbued with a sincere love for their mother Ukraine!