Iltsi village — to Kvasy village, via Dzembronia village, Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi, Mount Hoverla, Mount Petros

At a glance

A multi-day route of 68.2 km with 3,105 m of ascent from Iltsi village to Kvasy village. Estimated time: 3 days of 6–9 h of walking (about 22 h in total, not counting stops). Difficulty: hard. Waymarking is missing or partial.

Route stages

1. 0–12 kmGentle ups and downs at 640–810 m
2. 12–23 kmClimb of 1,180 m to Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (2,028 m)
3. 23–42 kmAlong the ridge at 1,720–2,020 m, past Mount Menchul, Mount Brebeneskul, Mount Rebra, Mount Hoverla
4. 42–48 kmDescent of 460 m (down to 1,518 m)
5. 48–50 kmClimb of 410 m to Mount Petros (2,020 m)
6. 50–68 kmDescent of 1,420 m to Kvasy village

Steepest kilometre: km 49–50, a climb of 420 m (≈40%), near Mount Petros.

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 2, 4, 7, 8, 15, 19, 21, 25, 29 and 32 etc.. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Cabin “The Dairy” (km 15), Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (km 23), Eco point “At the foot of Hoverla” (hut) (km 42), “Carpathian Highlands” information and tourist centre (shelter) (km 44), Eco point “Peremychka” (hut) (km 45), Hut (Luhy) (km 46), Ivan Franko University biological station (shelter) (km 58). Places to stay near the start: Verkhovyna; near the finish: Kvasy.

A possible split into days:

1. Day 1: km 0–23, ≈8.5 h — overnight: Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (hut)
2. Day 2: km 23–42, ≈6.5 h — overnight: Eco point “At the foot of Hoverla” (hut) (hut)
3. Day 3: km 42–68, ≈7.5 h — finish

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 37 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.

Getting there

Start: Iltsi village. Most places to stay near the start are in Verkhovyna. This is a one-way route: the finish is 36 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.

Directions to the start in Google Maps

FAQ

How long does the route take?

Estimated time: 3 days of 6–9 h of walking (about 22 h in total, not counting stops).

Is there water on the route?

Springs near the trail: at km 2, 4, 7, 8, 15, 19, 21, 25, 29 and 32 etc.. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.

Where can I stay overnight?

Huts and shelters near the trail: Cabin “The Dairy” (km 15), Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (km 23), Eco point “At the foot of Hoverla” (hut) (km 42), “Carpathian Highlands” information and tourist centre (shelter) (km 44), Eco point “Peremychka” (hut) (km 45), Hut (Luhy) (km 46), Ivan Franko University biological station (shelter) (km 58). Places to stay near the start: Verkhovyna; near the finish: Kvasy. Possible overnight stops: Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (km 23), Eco point “At the foot of Hoverla” (hut) (km 42).