Mount Klyuch

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Mount Klyuch is one of the peaks of the ridge in the Skole Beskydy, which starts from the Sukel River (Bukivets village of Bolekhiv City Council) and closes the valley of the Kamianka River(Skole district). The most convenient exits are from the villages of Trukhaniv or Kamianka. The mountain is 927 meters above sea level. The top of the mountain is partially forested and therefore does not allow you to see the surrounding landscapes. The mountain is known as a place of battles and burial of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen soldiers who died here during the First World War. In October 1914, there were fierce battles between units of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen (part of the Austro-Hungarian army) and the Moscow army, in which the riflemen won.

A memorial grave and a cross located at the very top of the mountain testify to those tragic events. The place is constantly visited by tourists and residents of the surrounding villages. On one of the Sundays (on the Feast of the Holy Trinity), a service is held annually. However, not much is known about the three groups of rocks, the canyon, and dozens of vertical caves that are hidden in the middle of the spruce forested slopes of a relatively low, gentle, and short ridge. Its length is only 10 kilometers. Of all the areas of the Skole Beskydy, this one hides perhaps the greatest number of geomorphological secrets.

Mount Kliuch is located a few kilometers southwest of the village of Trukhaniv. It was on this mountain, which is located in the Skole Beskydy, that bloody battles between the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen and the Russian army took place during the First World War. Under the very top of the mountain is the grave of the Sich Riflemen who were killed in the battles on October 28, 1914. In the late night hours, the Russian army attacked the Ukrainian soldiers when they were asleep. As a result of the attack, 13 soldiers were killed and 14 were wounded, including Centurion Stroposky.

Today, the echoes of these tragic events are a memorial burial site and a tall metal cross and chapel located on the lawn at the top of the ridge. Two postcards depicting the military grave on Mount Kliuch have survived to this day, published in Kolomyia by Yakiv Orenstein.

In early June 2014, events dedicated to the centennial of the Sich Riflemen's victory over the Russian invaders took place on this mountain. As a result, garlands and baskets of flowers, wreaths from the public, and a large number of candles were laid on the grave of the fighters for the freedom of the Ukrainian people. Later, the participants honored the dead with a minute of silence, and the priests served a memorial service for the deceased sons of Ukraine. Every year since the 1920s, local residents of Trukhaniv and all interested Ukrainians have been commemorating the anniversary of these battles at this grave on Green Holidays.

As you climb Mount Klyuch from Trukhaniv, the area is first covered with thick tall grass, then the grass becomes smaller, and then a washed-out road leads upwards, almost without stones. You can also get here from the valley from the Kamianka waterfall, then climb the ridge, and then follow the path that goes along the top of the ridge, or follow the paths from the village of Kamianka. We do not recommend going here for the first time without a guide, or at least (in good weather) without a GPS navigator. Don't be fooled by the low altitude of the Klyucha ridge: it is characterized by many trails that tend to disappear, cluttered clearings and thickets of young trees and bushes, and impassable stream valleys. Orientation here is difficult, there are almost no clear landmarks!

Further east of the grave, a large clearing begins, on the edge of which you can see an interesting canyon and a group of rocks called Stonehenge. There is water in the lower part of the clearing. The Tomb of the Sich Riflemen on Mount Klyuch in Skole district is one of the most famous riflemen's graves and is a national historical monument.

For lovers of outdoor activities, Mount Klyuch is just the perfect option. During the climb, you will see a magnificent panorama of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Of course, Mount Klyuch cannot be compared to Mount Hoverla, but there is something to see here as well. The beauty of high mountains covered with forests is sometimes impossible to describe, it is so wonderful here that you do not want to return to everyday worries. You can start your route from the village of Dubyna, which is located near the Kyiv - Chop highway (near Skole). Then turn off the highway towards the village of Kamianka. After 4 km you will see a magnificent 7-meter Kamianets waterfall, which attracts many tourists in the summer. Here you will have the opportunity to have lunch or buy souvenirs, mushrooms, berries. Just above the waterfall, on a cozy meadow, you can spend the night in a tent among the wildlife. After all, there is nothing more beautiful than meeting the sunrise or sunset in the Ukrainian Carpathians, walking barefoot on the morning silky grass or listening to birds singing and rustling leaves far away from the modern world. If you walk above the waterfall, above the road itself, you will see a spring of living water and a pointer to the beautiful Zhuravlyne Lake, also called Dead Lake. From the lake, I recommend that inexperienced tourists return to the road so as not to get lost and continue their route to Mount Klyuch. After walking along the road for about a kilometer or so, you will see the place where the Luzhky stream flows into the Kamianka River. Next, you need to leave the main road and continue your route along the field road along the stream. After walking a small section of the road, you will pass by 2 streams, they will flow into Luzhky on the left. As soon as you come to the confluence of the third stream, you will cross the Luzhky, the road leading from Kamianka to Trukhanove. It is from this section of the route that you will begin your ascent to the ridge of Mt. Klyuch. I tried to describe the route in detail, but I recommend hiring a local guide if possible, so you will feel more comfortable. During the ascent you will see bizarre rocks, the Pilgrim Cave. Climbing the ridge path, you will get to the memorial complex of the Sich Riflemen. From the top you will see a magnificent panorama that will take your breath away. Further west along the ridge, you will see another group of rocks. After admiring the unique beauty around you, you can start descending in a westerly direction to the Opir River.