The Ukrainian Eastern Carpathians are one of the most remarkable regions in central Europe.
Almost cut off from the world for centuries, they have retained their distinctiveness to this day.
The region's uniqueness is made up of monumental mountains, wildlife and extraordinary people and their history.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Carpathian Mountains have become one of those completely safe places where you can breathe, relax. Tourism functions as it did before the war, although it is mainly based on visitors from Ukraine.
The historical and ethnographic name of the region is Hutsul. It lies on the borders with Romania, Hungary and a little further into Poland. The Eastern Carpathians are part of the Carpathian Mountains, a mountain chain running from Poland and Slovakia to Romania.
The highest mountain range is Chornohora with Hoverla, Pip Ivan reaching over 2,000 metres above sea level.
Hutsul
In former centuries, the region was part of the Kingdom of Poland. After the fall of Poland at the end of the 18th century, it became part of the Austrian Empire. During the interwar period of the 20th century. Hutsul region found itself within the borders of Poland. Later it was within the borders of the Soviet Union until it finally became part of independent Ukraine.
Centuries ago, pastoral peoples - the Wallachians (today's Moldova) - wandered into the wild, inaccessible mountains. Escaped peasants and other lawbreakers found refuge there. The mountains became home to people who valued freedom.
This is how an extraordinary people - the Hutsuls - came into being. They are Ukrainians, but with a strong sense of individuality, identity, culture and language. The Hutsuls are a freedom-loving people. Live in relative isolation from European civilisation and from the rest of Ukraine. Their way of life, changeable temperament, customs, habits, traditions, clothing food are unique and extremely rich.
Tourism
The first spa in the Hutsul region was established in the 18th century. However, the real tourist boom began in the second half of the 19th century and lasted until the outbreak of World War II.The Eastern Carpathians became the centre of mountain tourism and winter sports.
Apart from the mountains and nature, tourists were attracted by the Hutsuls themselves, their extraordinary culture, art and traditions. They were an inspiration for writers, poets and other artists. Legends and stories about ghosts and demons inhabiting the inaccessible mountains stimulated the imagination.
During the Soviet era, tourism in the Eastern Carpathians disappeared. However, the Hutsul people managed to preserve their identity. The tourist development of the region began again in independent Ukraine. Infrastructure was developed, modern hotels were built and a large, modern ski resort was constructed.
Fortunately, there are still many non-commercial, natural, even wild places. Tourists find accommodation in comfortable, family-run guesthouses, and the trails in the mountains are now marked.
What to do?
We come to the Ukrainian Carpathians to hike in the mountains. To see interesting, original architectural objects, such as Orthodox churches, former guesthouses, the pre-war former astronomical observatory on the Pip Ivan. Like a magnet, tourists are attracted to the Hutsul folklore, their handicrafts and music. A major attraction is the local cuisine.
We encourage you to watch a short film about Hutsul in English:
Lviv. Lemberg. Lwów
Before we find ourselves in the Carpathian Mountains, our route will certainly take us to Lviv. This historic city is the second most important cultural, scientific centre of Ukraine, after Kiev. It is the informal capital of Western Ukraine.
Lviv is a city rich in extremely valuable monuments. Its greatest development occurred when it was a royal city, located at the crossroads of merchant routes. And also during the period when the city was the capital of the autonomous province of Galicia in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Lviv is also referred to as the culinary capital of Central Europe.
We offer
We will prepare a set of practical information for your trip to the Ukrainian Eastern Carpathians.
You are also invited to travel to the Carpathians together.
The starting point is Warsaw or Krakow. We travel to Lviv from Przemyśl (near the border) by Intercity train (2 hours). From Lviv and across the Carpathian Mountains we travel by hired transport. (Approximately 250-300 km from Lviv).
Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses of 2** and 3*** standard. Full board (the trip is also a culinary adventure). The trip lasts 7 days. We travel in a group of several people.
The full cost (all inclusive) is between €750 and €950 depending on the number of participants. Almost all payments on the spot. I will send detailed information by e-mail.
Contact: allpress.piotr.janczarek@gmail.com
I will be happy to answer questions. I am an expert on Ukraine, especially the Carpathians and Lviv, and author of books. I was the creator and editor-in-chief of the magazine Poland and Ukraine.
Photos from Lviv in May 2023.
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