Many people want to spend time outdoors. Their wish is wise and pragmatic because only in the surrounding of forests and woods or near a river or lake you can feel yourself as a part of nature unlike being in the vice of a metropolis. For plainsmen, mountains (especially the Carpathian Mountains) can be more desirable and interesting than other kinds of nature. Recently, the flow of people who want to spend their vacation, or at least the weekend here, has become more increased because a journey to the area of the Chornogirsky Mountain Range or the Gorgany Mountains passes through the regional center of Precarpattia.
You can stay in Ivano-Frankivsk for a day or two and then settle in the mountains or you can stay in Ivano-Frankivsk for the whole period of vacation. The last choice is more attractive because it gives the possibility to visit all the interesting sites of Precarpattia on radial routes starting from Ivano-Frankivsk. The guests of our city can stay in modern hotels, which can accommodate about 1000 people at one time. The rooms are available to any taste and means: beginning from 50 hryvnia per day and up to $100 per day. After long walks around the city, you can relax in comfortable cafes and bars. There are more than 250 cafes and bars in the city and 15 of them are of the highest restaurant class. At the same time if you want, you can stay at a mountain resort or B&B for a couple of days.
Now let us take a quick look at the tourist routes, which can help you visit different sites in Precarpattia. Ivano-Frankivsk is located in the very center of the region; that is why it is very convenient to travel in all directions from here. Most tourists are attracted in a southern direction to Yaremche. In the winter mountain skiers come here, in particular to Vorokhta, Yablunytsia and Polianytsia. A modern resort "Bukovel" has been running here successfully for several years. Those who like a quiet rest more, usually stay at B&Bs to get away from city life and enjoy peace and quiet, picturesque nature, exotic country life and home comfort. Living conditions range from usual to luxury. The road then goes farther to Verkhovyna and Kosiv where green tourism has been rapidly developing and local crafts have been reviving recently. When you come back to Ivano-Frankivsk along the Hutsul ring, it is worth making a stop in Kolomyya. Here, you can visit the Museum of Folk Art and the only Myseum of Pysanka in Ukraine.
The route to the north of Ivano-Frankivsk is also interesting. The ancient Halych with its unique old objects is located 30 km from the regional center. You can visit one of the oldest churches in Ukraine - the Church of Panteleymon, Starostynsky Castle, the remains of Prince's buildings in Krylos. Farther to the north is a very nice and old but reconstructed city of Rohatyn. It is the native land of Nastia Lisovska known as Roxolana.
The third tourist radius is directed to the north-west. When you drive out of Kalush on the way to Goshiv monastery, turn to the left to get to the village of Staryi Ugryniv where Stepan Bandera, the leader of OUN, was born in 1909. A modern museum named after him is running here now. Dovbush rocks rise near Bubnyshche in the middle of the beech forest is a true wonder of nature. It is not only an excellent object for all types of visitors but also an extreme "Mecca" for rock climbers. If you want to spend your vacation with high adrenalin, you can get it while going down swift mountain rivers Cheremosh, Prut and others on catamarans. You can also enjoy quiet rafting down the rivers of Dniester and Limnytsia.

Tours of the Region

Yaremche

Yaremche is a mountain resort which is located at the height of 550-585 meters above sea level. The Gorgan and Yavirnyk Mountain Range rise around it. Yaremche lies in the mountain hollow as if a pearl in a wonderful shell. The first record of Yaremche was found in the documents dated 1787. It was a settlement that belonged to the old village of Dora (16th cent.) which is situated not far.
It is the most famous resort and is the center of recreation in the region. The town is located above the rapid river Prut among picturesque mountains and is the place where numerous tourist routes intersect. The waterfall Probiy and the bridge over it is the most interesting place to see. You can watch from here how the Prut River throws off tons of water into the narrow stone bowl, which was created by nature itself. If you are lucky enough, you will see people jumping into the whirlpool of the waterfall from the bridge, which is a fascinating sight A busy souvenir market is also situated nearby. Here you can buy amazing works of local craftsmen. There are also old many wooden churches in Yaremche that were built in late 16th - early 17th centuries.
The area of the Carpathian Mountains belonged to the mighty state of Kyiv Rus as early as in the second half of the 12th century. However, frequent internal conflicts and even wars caused weakening of the centralized state and the rise of numerous principalities.
Precarpattia had been the part Halych principality since 1144 and the part of Halych-and-Volyn principality since 1199. Halych-and-Volyn principality was weakened by inner conflicts and became the object of encroachment for steppe nomads, Tatars and Turks, as well as for militant neighbors, Hungarians. Beginning from the second part of the 14th century Precarpattia was under the influence of Poland and then 400 years later from Austria.
The power of foreign states revealed itself first of all by removing the riches of Precarpathian land and enslaving the local people. When the pressure became unbearable, the local population took up arms or ran higher to the mountains. In that way many Carpathian settlements appeared, Yaremche in particular. There is a story that tells about Yarema Godovanets, a fugitive from feudal pressure, who settled here 200 years ago. He tilled a piece of land that was overgrown with thick wood, and built a house. Other fugitives who were in hostile slavery soon joined him.
The nearest villages Dora and Yamna are much older than Yaremche. Dora is situated over the Prut River, where the swift river is almost free of high mountain rapids and in the summer many tourists stay in Dora. According to researchers, this village is named after a woman who had settled in this wonderful place to find peace of mind. Another version says that the word "dora" means "gateway" or "entrance". In late 19th - early 20th centuries the village was called Dora-Yaremche and it played a very important role in public and political life of the whole community. Also, the Ukrainian writer Iryna Vilde had a summerhouse here.
In December 30, 1977 Yaremche received the status of the town under regional authority. Besides Dora and Yamna, Yaremche district includes the villages of Mykulychyn, Tatariv, Yablunytsia, Vorokhta, Polianytsia and Voronenko. Yaremcha has a population of 21.4 thousand, 46 recreational facilities function here and more than 100 B&Bs render tourist services to the visitors of the region.
The nearest mountains near Yaremche are Yavirnyk-Gorgan (1432 m) and Makovytsia (985 m). The Rokyta Mountain Range rises farther to the southeast. One of the highest tops of the Mountain Range is Big Rokyta (1110 m). The Dovbushanka Mount (1755 m) is not far in the west. The Syniachka Mount (1401 m) is even closer.
Numerous tourist routes pass through Yaremche tourist zone. One of the most famous is a hiking trail along the Chornogirsky Mountain Range. All the five Ukrainian tops that are higher than 2000 meters are located on it. Subalpine meadows (polonyny) start at the height of more than 1400 m, higher than the forest line.

Mykulychyn

The first records of Mykulychyn are found in historical documents of the 15th century. There exist materials about the village from an ancient time when Prince Danyla Halytsky presented the surrounding lands to the governor of province Mykula and that is why the village has such a name. The settlement is very old here. During archaeological dig copper instruments were found in Mykulychyn and a stone shot from Stone Age. According to the data of 1912, Tatariv and Vorokhta (which were hamlets then) belonged to Mykulychyn. Mykulychyn was an important administrative and territorial center until 1939.
At the beginning of the 20th century first villas and resorts appeared here. In 1901, the first Ukrainian hotel "Public Hotel" was opened here. Lesia Ukrainka and Ivan Franko were also known to take vacation here in their time. Lesia Ukrainka is painted with a Hutsul necklace made of beads in many portraits. Lesia's uncle once bought one of these paintings at a local craftsman and presented it to her. Nowadays there are still many craftsmen in the village � carvers, painters, etc.
According to the latest data, Mykulychyn has a population of about 5000 in a total area of 15,841 hectares. It is the longest village in Ukraine; it stretches out for 16 thousand hectares. It is also called the valley of winds because warm and cold air masses meet in this place. Mykulychyn is located at the height of 600-800 meters above sea level. There are several mountain tops on its territory - Mount Chertizh on the right side of the Prut River, Mount Lyshniv (660 m above sea level) and the Vorokhtiansky Mountain Range (693 meters above sea level) to the northeast.

Tatariv

If you travel to the Prut River head, the next on the way will be the old village of Tatariv, which had the name of Kremintsi from 1948 to 1992. According to the latest census the population is 1.500 people, the total area of land is 8,285 hectares. The village is located at the height of 750 meters above sea level at the distance of 27 km from Yaremche. The first record of it is found in the documents of the second half of the 17th century. It is the record of the birth certificate of a citizen of Tatariv dated 20.01.1676. This document is kept in ancient archives.
Tatariv has been long famous as a climatic mountain resort. Everyone who has ever spent time here felt the miraculous peculiarity of the microclimate of Tatariv ravine. In late 19th - early 20th centuries this resort was popular in Europe. It is the starting point for the hiking trail to the Mounts Khomyak and Syniak.
People remember the legend about the name of the village. During Tatar raids, the local population stopped the enemy with felled fir trees and stones, which killed the horsemen. But one woman that led the advanced detachment remained alive. She dropped in to the house to drink some water but the host woman said she had no water but had some milk. When the Tatar woman bent, the Hutsul woman pushed her and drowned her in the milk.

Vorokhta

Vorokhta is situated among picturesque mountains at the height of 850 meters above sea level. According to the last census the population is more than 4,000 people and the total area of lands is 18,265 hectares. Vorokhta is situated both in lowlands and in highlands. The Rebrovach belt, which is overgrown with fir-trees forest, separates the settlement from the eastern side from Tatariv. This belt stretches through the valleys Dilok and Rizha, which separate Vorokhta from Kosmach. Other belts Bukovel and Pereval stretch from the valley Rizh to the valleys Ozirno and Kostrych. Kostrych belongs to Verkhovyna belt, which separates Vorokhta from Verkhovyna. After Kostrych the place alternates with forests and meadows. Farther is Mount Gomul, valleys Dantsysh and and Pozhyzhevska. From here we start out to Hoverla. Mount Hoverla itself is divided in half. Its northern slope belongs to Vorokhta and the southern slope belongs to Yasenia. It is the territory of Zakarpattia.
After World War I a border between Poland and Czechia passes in the middle of Mount Hoverla. Boundary stone posts 80 cm high, which were dug in old times, were kept safe. From the side of Vorokhta there is a sign PL, from the side of Yasenia - CS. The boundary line stretched from Hoverla to Voronenko and through Yablunytsia to Mount Khomyak
According to one of the versions, the name "Vorokhta" descends from the word "vorokhy", i.e. trees, which the peasants brought to salt-works. One of the records of 1700 says that Vorokhy means firewood for salt works and bath-houses. According to another version, it descends from the name of one of the first settlers Mocherniak Vorokhta. The legend says that he was a soldier who ran away from drilling and settled here. He was a talented weaver and his good name was known in the whole neighborhood.
Works of weavers made in the mountains are in big demand. Weaving in the mountains has a peculiar feature because the people who lived in the lowlands made clothes from the field plants - flax or hemp, they also made the wool of sheep. They produced lizhnyky (warm and soft wool blankets) which were noted for geometric strict ornamental pattern; thin woven fabric for sewing red and black pants and thick fabric for sewing outerwear. All these products have surprisingly bright colors from dyes made by the weavers.
Dyes came from many different sources. For dyed loom works, only natural dyes were used. Black dyes were made of dry bean-pods. Such a dye is not afraid of water. A dark red dye was made of the bark of alder- or cherry-trees. It dyes sheep wool and leather very well and is not afraid of water, either.
After Mykhailo Vorokhta had started craftsmanship, different people moved here one after the other. The trees in the woods were cut down and grubbed out to widen the living space. New areas, which were won from nature, were named after earliest explorers. Some of them have had these names until now.

Yablunytsia

Today it is a famous climatic health resort. Freshness fills your lungs. Noise of the water lulls. The river Prutynets Yablunytsky flows into the Prut River.
The village of Yablunytsia is situated in the upper Prut at the height of 850 m above sea level (8 km from Tatariv and 35 km from Yaremche). According to the last census the population is 8,500 people; the total area of lands is 9,424 hectares. A steep, long and exhausting ascent starts after the village of Tatariv in the direction of Yablunytsky Pass. Every effort that you made will be rewarded: the road reaches the mountain pass from which a unique panorama of majestic Carpathian Mountain Ranges opens up before your eyes.
Yablunytsia is a leading centre of downhill skiing in Precarpattia. Not very steep slopes give a chance even for beginners to test them in downhill skiing. Here you can find 6 mountain lifts.
Yablunytsia is rich in mineral springs. Famous springs "Poliana Kvasova" are located 25 km from here. You can start the hiking routes to Hoverla, Petros and Homyak Mounts from the village. You can also go on horseback to the mountain valleys and take part in making brynza (cheese from sheep milk). In the summer tourists will pick up full baskets of raspberries, wild strawberries and blackberries with no efforts. All the berries are ecologically clean. You have a chance to return home with supplies of dried ceps (white mushrooms), medicinal herbs gathered with your own hands. All this and many other things attract people to spend their vacation in hospitable Yablunytsia.

Polianytsia (Ski Resort "Bukovel")

"Bukovel" ski resort is located on the territory of Polianytsia at the foot of Bukovel Mount at the height of 900 m above sea level. It is the place where the beauty and all the riches of the Carpathian Mountains have been preserved. 85 wooden cottages and 19 chalets are available for tourists. Every room has a bathroom, shower, satellite TV, telephone and minibar. A specially equipped conference hall for 80 people is available for holding seminars. A skiing school is running on the territory of "Bukovel". Everyone can find a corresponding group of training. Methods of teaching (Austrian school of curving) provide individual instruction to every customer. It does not matter if you are an experienced skier or beginner; lessons in the school will be very useful for you and you will enjoy them very much. The skiing school is at the service of little skiers as well. They will enjoy riding a skiing carousel in the company of new friends and taking a children's ski lift. Different obstacles on the slopes will make the process of training easy and interesting. Ski rental shops offer more than 3,000 sets of modern mountain outfits made by the companies Rosignol and Salomon, and more than 300 kinds of snowboards, snow plates and snow tubes made by the Austrian company Sunkid. An "Oasis" spa-center offers the services of qualified health and beauty specialists. You are welcome to the sauna with two steam rooms and a pool, massage and beauty salon, hair salon and turbo-solarium. A fitness center will help you stay in good shape. All the programs are developed for you to get the maximum use of your vacation and enjoy it. You can also spend your precious time to solve health problems.
There is a pleasant surprise for those who want to spend time in home surroundings and try the masterpieces of Hutsul cuisine. "Kozachok" restaurant and the network of "Kozyrna Karta" restaurants are waiting for you. Parties with Ukrainian folk ensemble "Troisti muzyky" are arranged here. You can find peace of mind and body at the lounge bar, which is open 24 hours a day. Those who love traditional Ukrainian cuisine are welcome to a "Kolyba". "Felecita" pizzeria offers genuine Italian pizza. You can enjoy fabulous Carpathian scenery, mountains covered with snow, inexpressible landscapes in panorama bars of "Bukovel". There are also fast food restaurants where you can take a tasty snack without wasting much time.
You are welcome to the resort, which is annually visited by hundreds of thousands of active vacationers from all over the world.

Kolomyya

Kolomyya is considered to be founded by the Ants in the 4th-5th centuries AD. The first record of the city was made in Halych-Volyn chronicle of 1241. It was mentioned as a "profitable saline place" of Prince Danylo Halytsky.
The Church of Annunciation in Kolomyya, built in 1587, is a unique monument of wooden architecture.
A famous Museum of Folk Arts of Hutsul land and Pokuttia and the Museum of Pysanka, which is built in the shape of an Easter egg, are visiting cards of ancient Kolomyya today.
A unique yew-tree forest reserve "Kniazhdvirsky" stretches not far from the city.
The Pysanka Museum is the only world museum of painting Easter eggs. These traditions are kept from pre-Christian times. Easter eggs are painted according to the norms of strict ritual; their magnetic power is strengthened when they are sanctified together with Easter bread on Easter day. The Museum reflects the history of pysanka origin, techniques of painting, instruments and tools as well as compositions of modern patterns. The Museum was opened in 1987 in the Church of St. Annunciation in Kolomyya, later it was passed on to believers. A new page in the history of the Museum started when a new specialized building was built. Its central part has a shape of an Easter egg 13 m high.
In August 2007 the Pysanka Museum was recognized the eighth wonder of Ukraine.

Halych

Ancient Halych is one of the most powerful centers of Ukrainian statehood, which stands on the banks of the legendary Dniester River.
It is the place where Ukrainian spirit was cherished and strengthened in cruel battles for the Halych land. It was forged by the will of courageous and wise Halych princes, covered with glory in victorious banners of Halych regiments, renewed in the words of Halych chronicles, evangels, books and songs. It was grown in the bright works of Halych arts: cathedrals, churches and other masterpieces.
Look at the unique scenery from Krylos Mount, feel the breeze of winds and the energy of millenniums on the Halychyna Grave, drink some water from the Kniazha well, walk along the slopes of Zoloty Tik, touch the stone of Churches of Assumption and Christmas, visit Starostynsky Castle, perceive the culture of ancient Karaites, admire the swift waves of the mighty Dniester River!
"Mysteries of Ancient Halychyna" is the tour of ancient Halych, which is more than 1,100 years old. It is the place from where King Danylo Halytsky, who founded L'viv, ruled the Halych-and-Volyn state.
You will also visit modern Halych, admire the beauty of the Dniester steeps and the remains of Starostynsky Castle.

Rohatyn

Opillia is an original ethnographic area. Its history dates by thousands of years. In the 2nd century BC the Dacia tribes inhabited this land and left famous Lypytska culture. Today the richest historical heritage is sacral buildings.
Numerous monuments of sacral architecture of national significance of the 16th-17th centuries are concentrated on these lands. They include famous castles in Vyshneve and Pryozerne, clean water bodies, cherished forests, medicinal mineral waters and peat mud in the village of Cherche.
500 years ago the Rohatyn land was the birth place of a famous beauty Nastia Lisovska known in Europe as Roksolana, the wife of the mighty Turkish sultan.
The excursion "Rohatyn - the cradle of Roksolana" will convince you that beauty and intelligence of Ukrainian women played a significant role in the life of Europe of that time. Besides that, you have a chance to visit a monument of architecture of the 16th century, a wooden Church of the Holy Spirit.

Maniavsky Cell

In Ukraine cave cells-monasteries date back to the times of Yaroslav the Wise. In the second half of the 13th century monks, the preachers of Christianity, came to the Maniavski Mountains. They founded a monastery here. The walls of the monastery are peculiar pages of its history, which is rich in legends and traditional stories. Almost every icon, every stone has its prehistory, its magic and miraculous power. The tower-treasury, the Church of St. Borys and St. Glib, the underground Church of Archangel Michael are kept on the territory of the Monastery. There is a wonder-working icon of God's Mother, painted in the 18th century on the Mount of Aphon, in the Cathedral of Exaltation of the Cross.
There is a Blessed Stone on the distance of 830 m from the Monastery. Healing water runs out of it. The Maniavsky Cell is situated in the village of Maniava, Bohorodchany District, now it is the active Orthodox Monastery.

Dovbush Rocks

A unique natural complex "Dovbush Rocks" is named after a legendary rebel. It is located 11 km to the southwest of Bolekhiv, not far from the village of Bubnyshche, at the height of 668 m above sea level. Chimerical buildup of sandstone was formed more than 70 mln years ago at the bottom of a warm sea.
A stone labyrinth, which is 2 m wide, stretches from the east to the west for almost 1 km. Building wooden houses on the rocks in the village of Bubnyshche is a rare phenomenon not only in Europe but also in the world.
This wonder of nature is called "Carpathian Sphinx". Legends about caves in Dovbush Rocks are passed from one generation to another. Nevertheless, ethnographers or historians did not solve the mystery of their origin. Our ancestors may have used these rocks for devotions as long ago as B.C. The rocks are considered to be the fortification of Danylo Halytsky and then rebels hid in the caves. At the entrance to the central cave you can see a huge graven arm. According to the legends, it is the arm of Dovbush himself...