How to conquer Hoverla?

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

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

The best time to climb Hoverla is the second half of May to mid-October, when there is almost no snow in the mountains and the long rainy or snowy season 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 up Hoverla

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

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

• The trail with yellow markers leads to the middle of the Chornohora Range, 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 it is worth heading back by the blue trail.

• The trail with green markings is the longest. Its length is 4,3 km. However, it follows gentler paths. The first hour of the trail goes through a shady spruce forest. The slope is slight, so it will be easy to walk. After that comes a zone of thorny juniper bushes. The last part of the route is the steepest and most difficult, but very beautiful. You will have to climb a rocky slope that runs past boundless alpine meadows. Do not forget to watch your step carefully, as the trail is dangerous and injury-prone.
• The trail with blue markings leads straight to the summit. Its length is 3,7 km. It is the shortest, but also the steepest. If you have good physical fitness, minimal time, and the weather is sunny, it is worth choosing the blue trail. It allows you to cover the route in 2,5-3,5 hours. Almost as much time may be needed for the descent. However, it should be noted that a steep descent is a heavy load on the knees. If you have an extra hour, it is worth returning by the trail with green markings.

Routes to Hoverla for 2-3 days:

1. From the village of Lazeshchyna, the route starts at the railway station. The length of the route 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, taste forest berries, or simply spend the night. The route passes through the Menchul pasture. It is hard to miss, since 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 capabilities, and who simply have enough time for their trip. Among the advantages of this route is the opportunity 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 Kosmashchyk, the route can take 2-3 days if you plan to reach Hoverla, then Velyka Kozhnemka, Mount Kukul and the village of Lazeshchyna. However, such a duration of the ascent is worth the attention of true lovers of flora. The climb begins in the forest; only at an altitude of 1350 m does the Hrotu pasture 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 more difficult and at the same time most beautiful climbs. 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?

What should you take with you to Hoverla?

• If you decide to climb Hoverla in summer or autumn, you will need:
• sunscreen (mandatory for people with sensitive skin);
• comfortable and lightweight 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, even in summer, in the mountains is quite changeable, so a raincoat will protect you from moisture and piercing winds);
• sneakers or trekking shoes that will reduce the load on the foot and the risk of slipping during descent or ascent;
• two pairs of socks;
• a first-aid kit with the essentials for the road (plaster, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, bandage and medicines that may be needed because of individual bodily needs);
• drinking water and sandwiches;
• a fully charged mobile phone (service may disappear in some places, but it is available);
• trekking poles for the climb — an essential item for those who have problems with their knee joints;

ordinary work gloves (fingerless ones are fine) or any light sports gloves, so as not to get blisters from the trekking poles).

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

• thermal underwear;
• fleece clothing, which will be useful on the summit, where the temperature will be 10-12˚C lower than at the foot of the mountain;
• ski or membrane jacket, in which the body will sweat less;
• a thermos with hot tea, sandwiches and sweets for snacks;
• crampons;
• a buff for wind protection, 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 any age restrictions?

They say that mountains do not like the bold, 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 will make it possible to avoid the most dangerous routes or choose a trail that will allow you to cover the kilometers quickly and reach the summit and back in half a day. However, as the experience of many people shows, the climb to 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; there are children and even infants, comfortably settled in carriers on their parents' backs. There are also older people, the elderly.

Tips:

• You should not take too many things with you, because it is extra weight that will only make your ascent more difficult.
• For those who want unforgettable photos amid alpine meadows covered with a blanket of crocuses, it is worth planning the ascent for the first half of May.
• In the second half of May, wormwood blooms abundantly in the mountains and wild strawberries are found.
• If you plan an ascent in June, then you will be lucky enough 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 filled with a sincere love for their mother Ukraine!