Mount Brebeneskul
Brebeneskul (2035 m) is the second highest mountain in Ukraine, in the middle of the main Chornohora ridge. Below it lies the highest lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians, Brebeneskul. The loop from Dzembronia over Brebeneskul and Menchul is 24 km with 1455 m of climbing, about 8.5 hours of walking.
Where it is
The summit stands on the border of the Zakarpattia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Menchul is 1.4 km to the south-east, Rebra 2.2 km to the north-west and Gutin Tomnatik to the west. The nearest village is Bystrets in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
Nature
The summit is dome-shaped; the slopes around it are covered with alpine and subalpine meadows and boulder fields. Below the mountain, in a glacial cirque, lies Lake Brebeneskul, from which a stream of the same name flows. Brebeneskul is one of Ukraine's six "two-thousanders" together with Hoverla, Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi, Petros, Rebra and Gutin Tomnatik.
Where to start
Many waymarked routes run over the summit, so you will meet hikers here almost all through the warm season. From the Ivano-Frankivsk side it is convenient to start in Dzembronia: Dzembronia – Brebeneskul – Menchul – Dzembronia. The Chornohora ridge route from Pip Ivan to Hoverla also crosses Brebeneskul.
The summit at a glance
- Elevation: 2035 m above sea level
- Range: Chornohora
- Nearest settlement: Bystrets
- Routes over the summit on Karpaty.rocks: 71
- Best time: June–September; in winter only with experience and gear (avalanche danger is possible)
Border regime: Mount Brebeneskul is named in order No. 1663-AH of the 31st Border Guard Detachment (23.05.2024) among the places in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast closed to tourists. Before your hike, check with the 31st detachment (Chernivtsi), or with the 27th detachment (Mukachevo) from the Zakarpattia side (Luhy, Kvasy). How to get a border guard permit (in Ukrainian).
Routes to the summit
The routes over the summit most viewed by Karpaty.rocks readers. Length and ascent come from our track and a digital elevation model, time from Naismith's rule (without stops).
- Dzembronia village, via Mount Brebeneskul and Mount Menchul to Dzembronia village — 24 km, ascent 1,455 m, ≈8.5 h of walking, loop
- Dzembronia village, via Mount Smotrych, Mount Dzembronia, Mount Shpytsi and the Pid Haiem tract to Dzembronia village — 32.5 km, ascent 1,832 m, ≈11 h of walking, loop
- Zaroslyak base, via Mount Shpytsi, Mount Rebra, Mount Menchul, Mount Turkul and Mount Pozhyzhevska to Zaroslyak base — 29.3 km, ascent 1,632 m, ≈10 h of walking, loop
- Dzembronia village, via Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi to Mount Hoverla — 26.8 km, ascent 2,459 m, ≈11 h of walking
- Zaroslyak base, via Mount Hoverla, Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi and Mount Smotrych to Dzembronia village — 29.8 km, ascent 1,975 m, ≈10.5 h of walking
- Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi, via Mount Hoverla and Mount Petros to Kvasy village — 39.7 km, ascent 1,467 m, ≈12.5 h of walking
All routes over the summit (71)
Weather and safety
The summit is above the tree line: fog, strong wind and thunderstorms are possible even in summer, and the weather can change within hours. Check the forecast before you set off, take water, a rain jacket and a warm layer, and plan to reach the top before midday. Summit weather forecast.
In an emergency call 101 or 112. Carpathian mountain rescue contacts.
FAQ — Brebeneskul
Brebeneskul: how high is the summit?
It rises to 2035 m above sea level and belongs to the Chornohora range.
Brebeneskul: how long does it take to reach the summit?
The shortest of the popular routes is “Dzembronia village, via Mount Brebeneskul and Mount Menchul to Dzembronia village”: 24 km with 1,455 m of ascent, about 8.5 h of walking without stops. Allow extra time for rests, photos and the weather.
Brebeneskul: when is the best time to go?
June to September, when the paths are free of snow. In winter the ascent is only for experienced hikers with avalanche gear and after checking the forecast.
Brebeneskul: do I need a border guard permit?
Border regime: Mount Brebeneskul is named in order No. 1663-AH of the 31st Border Guard Detachment (23.05.2024) among the places in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast closed to tourists. Before your hike, check with the 31st detachment (Chernivtsi), or with the 27th detachment (Mukachevo) from the Zakarpattia side (Luhy, Kvasy). How to get a border guard permit (in Ukrainian).
Brebeneskul: where to stay nearby?
The nearest settlement in our data is Bystrets. Places to stay nearby: hotels, guesthouses and cottages.
Location on the map
Water and shelter nearby
- Spring below Mount Brebeneskul370 m · Not verified · 1 921 m
- Spring below Mount Brebeneskul (3)400 m · Not verified · 1 946 m
- Spring below Mount Brebeneskul (2)550 m · Not verified · 1 908 m
- Spring below Mount Brebeneskul (4)730 m · Not verified · 1 906 m
- Spring below Mount Menchul940 m · Weak flow · 1 905 m
- Spring below Mount Hutyn Tomnatyk (4)1.3 km · Not verified · 1 797 m
- Spring below Mount Hutyn Tomnatyk1.5 km · Has water · 1 791 m
- Spring below Mount Hutyn Tomnatyk (3)1.5 km · Not verified · 1 881 m
- Spring below Mount Hutyn Tomnatyk (2)1.6 km · Not verified · 1 918 m
- Spring below Mount Menchul (2)2 km · Not verified · 1 827 m
- Spring below Mount Menchul (3)2.4 km · Not verified · 1 652 m
- Dovbush's Well2.7 km · Not verified · 1 315 m
- Spring on Polonyna Hadzhyna (2)2.7 km · Not verified · 1 629 m
- Spring (Dzembronia, 2)2.8 km · Not verified · 1 333 m
- Spring on Polonyna Hadzhyna2.8 km · Not verified · 1 646 m
Comments
Places to stay nearby
All stays
HotelPid Vukhatym KamenemDzembronia7.4 km from Mount BrebeneskulHot tubBBQParkingNearby: Polonyna Psarivka 2.3 kmMt Smotrych 4.5 km33 trailsfrom 1 210 UAH per night
−50%CottageKrasnyk HillsVerkhovyna14 km from Mount BrebeneskulPoolBBQParkingNearby: Museum of mushrooms 700 mPolonyna Krinta 3.8 km14 trailsfrom 4 000 UAH per night
HotelU IvanaDzembronia11 km from Mount BrebeneskulBBQParkingWi‑FiNearby: Polonyna Krinta 2.2 kmMuseum of Hutsul life 3.9 km32 trailsfrom 2 970 UAH per night
HotelBilyi SlonDzembronia11 km from Mount BrebeneskulSaunaBBQParkingNearby: Polonyna Krinta 2.2 kmMuseum of Hutsul life 3.9 km31 trailsfrom 2 800 UAH per night
HotelBiia HoverlyVorokhta12 km from Mount BrebeneskulBBQParkingWi‑FiNearby: Mt Kukul 3.5 kmPolonyna Kukul 4.0 km4 trailsfrom 1 320 UAH per night
HotelU HannusyVerkhovyna12 km from Mount BrebeneskulBBQParkingTransferNearby: Museum of Hutsul life 900 mPolonyna Krinta 4.3 km16 trailsfrom 1 190 UAH per nightTrails via Mount Brebeneskul
All 71
HardMulti-dayMarkedTranscarpathian Tourist TrailElevation profile202–2 061 m393.2 kmascent 17 790 m
HardMulti-dayVorokhta to Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyivia Zaroslyak base, Mount Hoverla +2Elevation profile746–2 061 m42.2 kmascent 2 222 m
HardTwo-dayDzembronia village loopvia Mount Brebeneskul, Mount MenchulElevation profile1 010–2 035 m24 kmascent 1 455 m≈ 9 h walkingNearby attractions
Mountain meadowPolonyna BrebeneskaLuhyaltitude 1 820 m · Chornohora rangeunder 1 km from Mount BrebeneskulBrebeneska Polonyna is a high mountain pasture on the south-western, Transcarpathian side of the main Chornohora ridge, between the peaks of Brebeneskul (2,035 m) and...
PeakMount MenchulDzembroniaaltitude 1 998 m · Chornohora range1.4 km from Mount Brebeneskul69 trails to the topMenchul (1998 m) is a peak in the south-eastern part of the main Chornohora ridge, 1.4 km from Brebeneskul; its slopes are gentle, so the ascent is easy.
LakeLake BrebeneskulLuhy1.5 km from Mount BrebeneskulBrebeneskul is the highest mountain lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians (1801 m above sea level), a hydrological natural monument of local importance (registered as Lake...Craft nearby
All craft places
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineZRUB Ethno Restaurant, IltsiIltsi14 km from Mount BrebeneskulZRUB Ethno Restaurant is a new log-built home of Hutsul cooking in the village of Iltsi, on the edge of Verkhovyna, the town often called the Hutsul capital.
Craft beer & breweriesVerkhovyna Brewery at the Pyvovar Motel, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna17 km from Mount BrebeneskulVerkhovyna Brewery operates at the Pyvovar motel on the approach to Verkhovyna, the Hutsul capital of the Carpathians.
Craft shopsKopalnia Bryndzy cheese shop and tasting, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna18 km from Mount BrebeneskulKopalnia Bryndzy (“The Brynza Mine”) is a small farm cheese shop with a tasting room on the edge of Verkhovyna, in the valley of the Zhabievskyi stream.
Ethno parks & homesteadsArt Ethno-Sadyba “Tsikava Sadyba”, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna19 km from Mount BrebeneskulTsikava Sadyba («The Curious Estate») is a private art homestead in the very centre of Verkhovyna that local housewife and artist Oksana Susiak has been shaping since...
Markets & fairsTorhovyshche Souvenir Market, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna20 km from Mount BrebeneskulTorhovyshche is a modern souvenir market right in the centre of Verkhovyna, the capital of the mountain Hutsul region.
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineStara Vorokhta Restaurant, VorokhtaVorokhta21 km from Mount BrebeneskulStara Vorokhta restaurant ("Old Vorokhta") is one of the best-known places for Hutsul food in Vorokhta: on Google Maps it is rated 4.6 from more than 6,300 reviews, a...