Mount Mykhalkova (Kosiv)

Mount Mykhalkova (Mykhalkiv), with a height of 812 meters, is part of the Pokuttya Carpathians. The highest point of the city of Kosiv and the village of Horod. One of the most popular tourist routes among the locals and guests of the city. From the summit, a breathtaking panorama opens up – Kosiv is visible as if in the palm of your hand (in the photo) along with the surrounding villages.

A walk with a long rest at the very top (which is a wonderful place for viewing in all directions of the horizon) will take 3–3.5 hours. From the tourist complex "Carpathian Stars", tourists descend along the path down to the Rybnytsia River, approach the Bansky Bridge via Nad Huk Street, and after crossing it, you will reach Franka Street, where you turn onto Irchana Street near the chapel. After walking a few dozen meters, you will go straight into the alley, cross the bypass road – and you are already on the direct path to the desired summit. For tourists who have arrived from the lowlands and have never been to the Carpathians, this will be the first highest mountain.

On a dirt road that slowly ascends, you will reach a fork where three roads converge. Keep to the right side. This road will lead you to the ski lift, built back in 1975. Here you can rest and drink spring water.

In winter, you can rent skiing equipment here, and in summer and autumn, as you ascend, you can enjoy forest berries (but eat only those you know well), and if you are particularly lucky, you might even find a true porcini mushroom. Do not take mushrooms you do not know, especially beware of the death cap.

And here you are on Mykhalkova Mountain. Such beauty is hard to find elsewhere. From the summit, you can see the panorama of Kosiv and the surrounding villages, and over there to the right, the swift Cheremosh River winds in the distance, dividing two beautiful regions of Ukraine – Bukovyna and Halychyna. And before you, from east to west, is a fantastic panorama of mountains. It seems there is no end to them. In good weather, you can even see the faint outlines of the queen of the Ukrainian Carpathians – Mount Hoverla – in the southwest.

If you also have a habit of not returning the same way from your travels, I can suggest three options:

• The first – descend the path to the pond at Levady and back to Kosiv via the "traverse road" I mentioned earlier;
• The second – go right from Levady, to the hamlet of Sokyry and descend in the village of Horod;
• Or you can turn left and walk along the forest road to the hamlet of Voliytsi in the village of Cherhanivka (in the photo). Among the interesting features of this route is the opportunity to see Mount Mykhalkiv and the Halytsia Ridge from a completely different side. Often, a small river Voliytsia crosses the road. Overall, its water is also very popular among the residents of Kosivshchyna! At the end of the journey, you will come out again onto Druzhby Street (the bypass) and into the village of Smodna.

Interesting facts about Mykhalkova Mountain

1. On May 6, on the feast of St. George (Yuriy) the Dragon Slayer, huge bonfires are traditionally lit at the summit of Mount Mykhalkiv, which can be seen from all corners of Kosiv. This custom has come down to us from ancient times, but has survived to this day. Previously, this was done by scouts, as St. George is their patron, but in recent years, anyone willing can light the bonfires.
2. In good weather, from Mykhalkova, you can even see the highest point of Ukraine – Mount Hoverla (to the southwest).
3. On Mount Mykhalkiv, there is a ski lift built back in 1975. Its length is 1400 m, and the height difference is 250 m. There are trails of medium and high difficulty, but overall the "cable car" is in a neglected state and has long been outdated.
4. The best time to conquer Mykhalkova is, of course, the night from December 31 to January 1! I have already celebrated New Year twice at the summit, and it was wonderful! From the height of the mountain, you can see how fireworks and New Year lights explode not only in Kosiv and the villages of our district but also in Verkhovyna, Kolomyia, and many other settlements. By the way, for some reason, Kosiv starts to "shoot money into the sky" when everyone else has long finished, sometimes you have to wait 15-20 minutes.
5. On the slopes of the mountain, there is also a bike trail for "downhill" training. There, young extreme sports enthusiasts from Kosiv have fun not only in summer but also in winter.
6. At the very summit of Mount Mykhalkiv, there is a communication tower with an electrical substation. Perhaps it helps people hear each other well on mobile phones, and this is our blessing of civilization, which with its terrible constant buzzing significantly reduces the tourist attractiveness of the mountain.
7. It is said that in the 2000s, there were investors in Kosiv who wanted to buy the territory of the mountain and build a good ski resort with a hotel, like in Bukovel. However, they received a refusal from the authorities. Supposedly because during the winter period, the mountain brings 60,000 UAH to the district treasury, which then goes to children's sports in the area. And new owners would only pay minimal taxes. Later, these same people decided to forget about Kosiv and built a wonderful resort in the village of Myhove (Vyzhnytsia district of Chernivtsi region), which is still quite popular today.
8. Once, at the end of the 90s, with state funds, before the elections, a special covering was made on Mykhalkova – for skiing not only in winter but also in summer. The same covering is in Yaremche and Vorokhta – for training athletes. However, the initiated project was never completed, as often happens with Kosiv officials. As a result, our Hutsuls beautifully stretched it out in their houses, using it as mats for wiping feet.
9. I wouldn’t want to scare people for no reason, but after sunset, in the forest, near the 8th and 10th supports of the cable car, strange animal or bird voices can be heard.