Dragobrat - Vacation in Zakarpattia

What is autumn vacation in Dragobrat? It is first and foremost the enjoyment of nature’s colors, the feeling of freedom after a noisy and hectic metropolis, the most bountiful season of the year.

By coming here, you can admire the highest massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians — Chornohora, and see the peaks of Hoverla and Petros, as well as the highest ridges of the Gorgany — Syniak and Dovbushanka. From the slopes of the valley, wonderful views open up.

Dragobrat is not a village or settlement, it is a resort located between mountain massifs and the highest among all resorts in Ukraine. Since 2000, the resort has been developing rapidly and gaining popularity.

What, then, can you do in Dragobrat in the autumn season?

“Quiet” hunting

For mushroom and berry lovers, autumn is exactly that golden season when you can come to gather mushrooms and berries. This is the season for white mushrooms. Among the berries, you can gather blackberry, bilberry, cranberry and wild raspberry. It is also worth looking for wild strawberry and, in places, viburnum.

Take the chairlift

In autumn, the chairlift usually operates on weekends. The cost of one ascent and descent in 2023 is 150 UAH per person. As you ride up, you can view Dragobrat from all sides. You can see all the mountain peaks covered with millions of blueberry bushes. In the distance, massive old spruces come into view. If you go up in fog, which is very common in autumn, you get the feeling that you are above the sky and only the tops of the spruces are visible through the thick fog.

At the top of the mountain is the Peremychka kolyba. This is an atmospheric place where you can eat well and warm up, and rest with wonderful views of the mountain massifs. From this point there are hiking routes, which lead higher into the mountains. Or you can walk along the gentle slopes.

Hiking

For fans of active recreation, Dragobrat is a multitude of hiking routes and places to relax with tents. In the valley between the mountains there is a waterfall called Dragobrat, over 7 meters high. Below it lies Lake Hereshaska, which has an amazing rectangular shape. The water in the lake remains icy all year round, regardless of the air temperature. Along the Svydovets Ridge there are many mountain lakes, but be prepared for a long walk, as they are located at a considerable distance from one another. In addition to Hereshske, you can visit Lakes Vorozheska, Apshynets and Ivor (Dragobratske Lake). The road to them is difficult and steep in places. It is worth it. After all, mesmerizing views and unique nature open up there.

Trips by jeep and horseback.

All the beauty of the mountain massifs and lakes can also be seen on excursions offered by local travel agents. Every day, trips are organized by jeep or special vehicles, popularly called “bukhankas,” through the mountain massifs and to local lakes. The road is not easy and in places very steep.

For a more relaxed trip, we suggest a horseback ride. An hour of riding through the dense forest on horseback is a special kind of recreation. The horses here are all trained and calm. A romantic and peaceful horseback ride will be remembered for a long time.

Cyclotourism or motorcycling.

The gentle slopes of the mountain massifs beckon cyclists. By choosing your own route, you will get plenty of emotions and impressions. The nature is amazing and mesmerizing. If you do not have your own mountain bike or moped, there is rental service and an instructor on the resort grounds who will teach and accompany you during the trip.

Bathhouses and hot tubs.

What kind of Carpathian vacation would it be without a hot tub? In autumn especially, this is very valuable and beneficial. The air in the morning or evening is already cool, but the day is still long. So ordering a hot tub for a couple of hours with a view of the mountain peaks in a spruce forest is a special kind of recreation in Dragobrat. It brings vigor, a boost of energy and calm for a long time.

A drawback of Dragobrat is the difficult road to it, since the only road passes through the village of Yasinia, from whose center you will be taken to your destination along a steep mountain road in special high-clearance transport. It is almost impossible in an ordinary car. The road is very steep and rocky. But the most beautiful landscapes, the cleanest mountain air and excellent recreation are worth it.