Mount Grofa

Mount Hrofa (height - 1748 m) is a well-known peak among lovers of the Ukrainian Carpathians, located in the Gorgan Mountains within the landscape reserve of the same name of national importance. It is located in Ivano-Frankivsk region.

Grofa, like some other Gorgan peaks, has a rather beautiful conical shape. Glacial pits (natural bowl-shaped depressions in the summit area) and massive moraine ramparts have been preserved here. Looking at Mount Grofa in the Carpathians, you will think that walking on it is a pleasure. But before you start climbing to the top, you need to know that the best way to get here is by car. Because the village of Osmoloda, near which Grofa stands, is difficult to reach: the roads are broken, and buses run very rarely. And in winter, there is a threat of avalanches, which is warned by appropriate signs and uprooted trees. Therefore, it is better to come here when the snow melts. And snow can remain in the mountains until May.

Up to the line of 1350-1450 meters, the slopes of the mountain are covered with centuries-old spruce forests, above this line - with dense thickets of alpine pine - fir. However, there is a fairly decent path through the bushes to the very top, so you shouldn't worry about getting lost.

Having conquered Grofa, tourists can enjoy beautiful views. Thus, from the top you can see Mount Moloda (in the northwest), Mount Parenky and Mount Velyka Popadya (in the southwest), as well as Igrovets and Velyka Syvula in the east and southeast, respectively. There is something fascinating about walking along the trails of Grofa. Here you feel alone with nature, and no one will disturb your peace, because there are few tourists here. There are practically no steep descents and ascents. You just walk through the forest and enjoy the mountain nature.

If you get a little tired, there is a tourist shelter down in the Plisce meadow. Here you can warm up and spend the night, and in the morning wash your face with cold spring water. By the way, you don't have to pay for a place in the shelter. You will be paid for leaving a clean place behind and sharing some things you need in the mountains, such as candles, medicines, extra firewood. It may happen that there is no free space in the shelter. You can pitch a tent not far away, in a clearing.

The nearest settlement, as well as the starting point of the ascent to Grofa, is the village of Osmoloda.

The legends of Grofa say thatonce upon a time there was a Mr. Grof (count). He was very fond of the wife of a local priest. One day he kidnapped her. Whether it was her wish or not, history is silent about this. They didn't get very far. First, he lost his horse near the mountain that is now called the Hrofetskyi Horse, and the count died near the modern-day Hrofa. Either out of great shame (or love), the captive committed suicide near the top of the mountain called Velyka Popadia.

It is worth noting that getting to Osmoloda by public transportation is quite a quest. This is because the village is quite far from the main highways and the road here is extremely bad. In addition, there are no direct bus services to Osmoloda from the regional center. Therefore, the best solution is either to rent a car or to get there on your own - this way you can save not only time, but also nerves and even health.