The Carpathian Mountains stretch across Central Europe, from Poland to Romania, with some of the most popular tourist resort areas in the Carpathians in Ukraine. The highest mountain range in the western region of Ukraine is known as Czarnohora, where visitors will find an abundance of beech forests and a selection of resort towns perfect for hiking and skiing. In addition to the breathtaking landscape, visitors will have a wealth of activities and things to do abundantly available during a vacation in the Carpathian Mountains.

Known as the Green Pearl of Ukraine, the Carpathian Mountains offer verdant surroundings, a copious collection of activities, and a number of resorts, where visitors can find plenty of organized excursions and options for things to do. There are many popular Carpathian destinations in Ukraine, such as the highest peak in the country, Howerla; the Czarnohora range, which forms the watershed between the Prut and Tysa Rivers; and a variety of resort towns, including Rakhiv, Yasinia, and Verkhovyna.

Howerla, in eastern Ukraine, has been scaled by many adventurers—including former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. However, climbing the mountain can be seriously risky, and inexperienced mountaineers are advised to avoid this peak, as it is an advanced climb. There are options for hiking in interesting areas that don’t involve the same element of danger for new climbers.

Ukraine Map

Known for unusual qualities including its sedimentary composition and its unique ethno-cultural group of inhabitants, the Hutsuls, the Czarnohora mountain range of the Carpathians is part of two nature reserves, the Carpathian National Park and the Carpathian Biosphere Park. While the main industry of the mountainous region of Ukraine is tourism, many of the locals on the Czarnohora range depend on herding as their main source of income. The beech forests of the Carpathians, including that on Czarnohora, have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians are regarded as an excellent example of an undisturbed and complex temperate forest.

The main towns of the Carpathians in Ukraine include Rakhiv, Verkhovyna, Yasinia, Vorokhta, and Bystrets. Historically, each of these cities once offered resort qualities, and while not all of them do so today, visitors will still find a number of intriguing qualities, such as the outstanding views, historically significant sites, and ski and spa resorts.

Merely a husk of its former glory days as a ski resort for many Europeans, Rakhiv is a great place to catch a glimpse of the surrounding splendor. Although it was also an exceptionally popular resort town for many travelers in the 1930s, Verkhovyna today bears few remnants of those glory days; however, travelers who visit this Carpathian town will find several museums and architectural relics.

Boasting enchanting natural beauty, Yasinia combines a small-town atmosphere with a number of historical remnants that tourists may find interesting and worthwhile. Though small, Vorokhta is a frequently visited resort town, offering a lovely atmosphere and plenty of activities. Residing on a babbling stream of the same name, Bystrets is home to a number of historical monuments and natural attractions.

Captivating beauty and an alluring charm surround the reputation of the Carpathians in Ukraine. Whether you are an avid hiker and rock climber or simply a laid-back vacationer looking for a peaceful place to stay, the Carpathians offer something for everyone. If you’re looking to plan a well-rounded vacation in Ukraine, add this beautiful region to your list in addition to the popular beaches and historic sites in Kiev.