Mount Hoverla needs no introduction. This is the most popular and famous point of the Carpathians among climbers, which is located in Ukraine. The former president of the Ukrainian state raised the peak's popularity to the maximum with his annual pompous ascents. Yes, indeed, Mount Hoverla in the Carpathians is worth such attention. At least once in a lifetime, every conqueror of peaks dreams of climbing it in order to see the Carpathian beauties that open up from there.
Carpathians
The Carpathian Mountains are nothing but the eastern offshoot of the Alps. These mountain ranges arose in the Tertiary period, which is marked by a powerful uplift of the earth's crust. At present, the mountain system of the Carpathians, as well as the Alps, differs in many respects from its original appearance. Multiple faults, erosion processes, local glaciations and volcanicactivity. To a greater extent, this is reflected in the state of the Carpathians, they have a rounded shape. Only the relief of the Tatras, as well as part of the Transylvanian Alps, has an alpine character. The Carpathian mountains are a chain of amazing beauty, the slopes of the mountains to the very peaks are covered with green forests and colorful mountain meadows. In the Carpathians, the animal and plant world is more diverse. However, Carpathian and Alpine flora and fauna have much in common.
Peaks and arc of the Carpathians
Most of the Carpathian peaks reach heights from 1500 to 2000 meters. The highest massif is the High Tatras, located on the border between Slovakia and Poland. Their height reaches 2655 meters. Mount Hoverla is located on the territory of Ukraine, its height is 2061 m. The Great Arc of the Carpathians has a length of 1300 kilometers, it stretches through several states: Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Slovakia. It originates on the Danube plains, between Budapest and Vienna, and stretches to Polish Krakow. The eastern part of the arc crosses Western Ukraine and again merges with the Danube already between the Iron Gates and Belgrade.
Where Mount Hoverla is located
Hoverla is the highest point in Ukraine. Above sea level, it rises to 2061 m. Mount Hoverla is located on the border of two regions: Ivano-Frankivsk and Transcarpathian. The border with Romania is about 17 kilometers away. Hoverla belongs to the Carpathian ridge Chernogora. What does the title mean? From the Hungarian word Hóvár, "snowy mountain".
Back in 1880the first route for tourists with climbing to the top of the mountain was opened here. Nearby are the cities of Vorokhta, Yasinya, Rakhiv. At the foot of Hoverla is the source of the Prut River. Where water comes out of the rocks, there is the most beautiful waterfall in Ukraine, it is called Prut. This cascading waterfall reaches a height of 80 meters.
The mountain opens from its top an amazing panorama of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The height of Mount Hoverla in good weather allows you to see the cities of Snyatyn and Kolomyia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and from the south - the Romanian Sighetu-Marmatiei. Also from the top you can clearly see Petros (2020 meters), located nearby. From the southeast, a panorama of the peaks of the Chernogorsky ridge opens up, even an observatory located on Mount Pop-Ivan Chernogorsky is visible. From the southwest you can admire the peaks of the Marmorosh ridge, it is along it that the border between Ukraine and Romania passes.
Description of Hoverla
Mount Hoverla is cone-shaped in shape. At the top there is a flagpole with the Ukrainian flag, here you can also see the coat of arms of Ukraine - a trident, as well as a cross, which marks the highest point of Hoverla. An obelisk is also located here, the height of which is several meters, it marks the highest point of the border between Czechoslovakia and Poland that once passed here. In addition to the flag, emblem, obelisk and cross, a marble slab is placed on top, it contains twenty-five capsules, they contain a piece of earth from each region of Ukraine.
The winter view of Hoverla is especially bewitching. mountain presentsa huge white pyramid, the top of which is crowned with a large icy cross. There is a feeling of looking at the other world, Mount Hoverla, as if from heaven, looks at our mortal, vain life. The foot of the mountain is covered with coniferous, beech forests, rising higher, you can see slopes with beautiful subalpine meadows. More than forty-five species of various animals and plants live on Mount Hoverla, which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. In the second half of summer (July-August), the slopes of the mountain are simply strewn with blueberries. This significantly slows down the tourist ascent to the top, because it is simply impossible to break away from juicy, tasty berries. Currently, Hoverla is part of the Carpathian National Park, and this is a protected conservation area. This object has become very popular with tourists.
Climbing Hoverla
To get to the top of Mount Hoverla, special tourist routes have been developed. You can get here from the villages of Vorokhta, Yasinya, Kvasy, Lazeshchina, Ust-Goverla. The shortest route starts from Vorokhta. If you take an off-road vehicle to the Zaroslyak camp site, which is located above sea level at an altitude of 1200 meters, the length of the ascent route will be 10 kilometers. The height of the rise is a little over 1100 meters. "Zaroslyak" is located in a protected area, so entry is limited from 8.00 to 12.00. There is a checkpoint "Chernogora" on the road, all passages are recorded here, and an environmental fee is collected. Depending on the route, you can get to the top of Hoverla from the camp site in 2-4 hours. All routeswell marked.
Those who like to overcome obstacles on long hikes choose a long three-day trip through the Carpathians. The hike includes an overview of the mountainous surroundings, including Petros 2020 meters, as well as climbing to the top of Hoverla.
What you need to know
Climbing Mount Hoverla starts in May and ends in November. When going on a hike in the mountains, it is necessary to take into account that weather conditions can change dramatically at altitude. Although the climb is very popular, remember that if certain rules are not followed, climbing can be dangerous, sometimes even accidents occur. Avalanches are often dangerous in the mountains in winter.
Do not imitate those tourists who go to the ascent in T-shirts, slippers, shorts. Although the routes are well trodden, there are often slippery, uncomfortable sections. The weather in the mountains can change dramatically. Sometimes the clear sun disappears in a matter of seconds and a downpour or chilly wind begins. For hiking in the mountains, it is always recommended to take warm clothes, wear comfortable shoes, and in case of rain, have a raincoat. If suddenly a thunderstorm catches you while climbing, it is best to go down to the forest zone, on the tops of the ridge there is a high probability of being struck by lightning strikes. Wait out the bad weather, don't risk your own life.
Mount Hoverla is the most visited peak
The most popular route in the Ukrainian Carpathians is a trip toMontenegrin ridge with climbing to the top of Hoverla. Every lover of mountain hiking dreams of conquering this highest peak of Ukraine at least once in his life. However, it must be remembered that Mount Hoverla is very popular with tourists in the summer; it can be easily found on the map of Ukraine. There are always several hundred tourists on the routes here, most often they are one-day “mattress covers”, they come on sightseeing buses. Keep this in mind if you come to the Carpathians and want to visit more wild, deserted places. In this case, routes along the Gorgans are suitable, these are the less visited ridges of the Carpathians.
