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Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)

2 028 m Tourist route to the mountain Pip Ivan Chornohirsky, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine
Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain) — 2Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain) — 3Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain) — 4Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain) — 5

Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi (2028 m) is the third highest mountain in Ukraine, at the south-eastern end of the Chornohora ridge, crowned by the former "White Elephant" observatory built in the late 1930s. The classic ascent is from Dzembronia: 10.2 km and 1243 m of climbing, about 4.5 hours of walking.

Where it is

The summit lies on the border of the Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia regions, in the Carpathian National Nature Park. The nearest villages are Dzembronia and Yavirnyk in the Verkhovyna district. Other names of the mountain are Pip Ivan and Chorna Hora (Black Mountain).

The "White Elephant" observatory

The astronomical and meteorological observatory was built by the Poles in the late 1930s. No scientific observations have been made here for a long time, but the building remains the main sight of the summit. The name "White Elephant" is linked to the way the building, covered in snow and ice in winter, looks like a huge white animal from afar.

Nature

Pip Ivan is a massive pyramid-shaped mountain. The summit is covered with boulder fields and subalpine vegetation; up to 1500–1600 m the slopes are covered with old spruce forest.

Where to start

Most hikers climb from Dzembronia: Dzembronia – Pip Ivan. From the Shybene side the path goes over the Vesnarka meadow and Lake Maricheika: Shybene – Maricheika – Pip Ivan. Experienced hikers walk the whole Chornohora ridge to Hoverla. The summit is in the border zone — see the current restrictions below.

The summit at a glance

  • Elevation: 2028 m above sea level
  • Also known as: Pip Ivan, Black Mountain
  • Range: Chornohora
  • Nearest settlement: Dzembronia
  • Routes over the summit on Karpaty.rocks: 93
  • Best time: June–September; in winter only with experience and gear (avalanche danger is possible)

Border regime: order No. 1663-AH of the 31st Border Guard Detachment (23.05.2024) closes Mount Pip Ivan and other places of Chornohora and the Chyvchyn Mountains in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast to tourists; the order makes no provision for tourist permits. Before your hike, write to the 31st detachment (Chernivtsi) and wait for a written answer; the Rakhiv side is covered by the 27th detachment (Mukachevo). 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).

All routes over the summit (93)

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 — Pip Ivan of Chornohora

Pip Ivan of Chornohora: how high is the summit?

It rises to 2028 m above sea level and belongs to the Chornohora range.

Pip Ivan of Chornohora: how long does it take to reach the summit?

The shortest of the popular routes is “Dzembronia village – Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi”: 10.2 km with 1,243 m of ascent, about 4.5 h of walking without stops. Allow extra time for rests, photos and the weather.

Pip Ivan of Chornohora: 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.

Pip Ivan of Chornohora: do I need a border guard permit?

Border regime: order No. 1663-AH of the 31st Border Guard Detachment (23.05.2024) closes Mount Pip Ivan and other places of Chornohora and the Chyvchyn Mountains in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast to tourists; the order makes no provision for tourist permits. Before your hike, write to the 31st detachment (Chernivtsi) and wait for a written answer; the Rakhiv side is covered by the 27th detachment (Mukachevo). How to get a border guard permit (in Ukrainian).

Pip Ivan of Chornohora: where to stay nearby?

The nearest settlement in our data is Dzembronia. Places to stay nearby: hotels, guesthouses and cottages.

Location on the map

Explore Pip Ivan of Chornohora in 3DStand on the summit: real terrain and views on every sidePlay

Water and shelter nearby

  1. Mountain shelter “White Elephant”20 m · Not verified · 2 003 m
  2. Spring below Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi (8)430 m · Not verified · 1 866 m
  3. Spring below Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi (7)1.4 km · Not verified · 1 796 m
  4. Spring below Mount Shuryn1.7 km · Not verified · 1 661 m
  5. Spring below Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi (6)1.9 km · Not verified · 1 635 m
  6. Spring below Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi (5)2 km · Not verified · 1 620 m
  7. Spring below Mount Vukhatyi Kamin (6)2 km · Not verified · 1 664 m
  8. Spring below Mount Shuryn (2)2 km · Not verified · 1 508 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

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Places to stay nearby

All stays
Pid Vukhatym KamenemHotelPid Vukhatym KamenemDzembronia7.3 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Hot tubBBQParkingNearby: Polonyna Psarivka 2.3 kmMt Smotrych 4.5 km33 trailsfrom 1 210 UAH per nightKrasnyk Hills−50%CottageKrasnyk HillsVerkhovyna15 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)PoolBBQParkingNearby: Museum of mushrooms 700 mPolonyna Krinta 3.8 km13 trailsfrom 4 000 UAH per nightU Vasylia IvanovichaHotelU Vasylia IvanovichaVerkhovyna9.2 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)BBQParkingWi‑FiNearby: Museum of Hutsul embroidery 2.0 kmMt Rozticka 3.7 km2 trailsfrom 700 UAH per nightBilyi SlonHotelBilyi SlonDzembronia10 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)SaunaBBQParkingNearby: Polonyna Krinta 2.2 kmMuseum of Hutsul life 3.9 km31 trailsfrom 2 800 UAH per nightU IvanaHotelU IvanaDzembronia10 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)BBQParkingWi‑FiNearby: Polonyna Krinta 2.2 kmMuseum of Hutsul life 3.9 km32 trailsfrom 2 970 UAH per nightEko-MiiivkaHotelEko-MiiivkaVerkhovyna13 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Hot tubJacuzziBBQNearby: Museum of Hutsul life 1.7 kmPolonyna Krinta 1.8 km14 trailsfrom 1 650 UAH per night

Trails via Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)

All 93
Transcarpathian Tourist TrailHardMulti-dayMarkedTranscarpathian Tourist TrailElevation profile202–2 061 m393.2 kmascent 17 790 mDzembronia village – Mount Pip Ivan ChornohirskyiModerateOne-dayMarkedDzembronia village Mount Pip Ivan ChornohirskyiElevation profile819–2 028 m10.2 kmascent 1 243 m≈ 5 h walkingVorokhta, via Zaroslyak base, Mount Hoverla, Lake Nesamovyte and Mount Dzembronia to Mount Pip Ivan ChornohirskyiHardMulti-dayVorokhta to Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyivia Zaroslyak base, Mount Hoverla +2Elevation profile746–2 061 m42.2 kmascent 2 222 m

Nearby attractions

The White Elephant Observatory on Mount Pip Ivan ChornohirskyArchitectureThe White Elephant Observatory on Mount Pip Ivan ChornohirskyDzembroniaunder 1 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)The construction of the White Elephant Observatory on Mount Pip-Ivan Chornohirsky(the route along the Chornohirsky ridge starts from this two-thousand meter high peak)...Mount VaskulNatureMount VaskulYavirnyk (Shybene)1.6 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Vaskul (Vaskul) is a mountain in the Chornohora massif (Ukrainian Carpathians). Vaskul (1730 m) is the foothill of Pop Ivan on the southwestern side.Lake MaricheykaLakeLake MaricheykaYavirnyk (Shybene)2.7 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Lake Maricheyka is one of the most picturesque high-altitude glacial lakes in the Carpathians, located on the northeastern slope of Mount Shuryn, in the Chornohora...

Craft nearby

All craft places
ZRUB Ethno Restaurant, IltsiKoliby & Hutsul cuisineZRUB Ethno Restaurant, IltsiIltsi15 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)ZRUB 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.Verkhovyna Brewery at the Pyvovar Motel, VerkhovynaCraft beer & breweriesVerkhovyna Brewery at the Pyvovar Motel, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna18 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Verkhovyna Brewery operates at the Pyvovar motel on the approach to Verkhovyna, the Hutsul capital of the Carpathians.Kopalnia Bryndzy cheese shop and tasting, VerkhovynaCraft shopsKopalnia Bryndzy cheese shop and tasting, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna18 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Kopalnia 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.Art Ethno-Sadyba “Tsikava Sadyba”, VerkhovynaEthno parks & homesteadsArt Ethno-Sadyba “Tsikava Sadyba”, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna19 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Tsikava 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...Torhovyshche Souvenir Market, VerkhovynaMarkets & fairsTorhovyshche Souvenir Market, VerkhovynaVerkhovyna20 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Torhovyshche is a modern souvenir market right in the centre of Verkhovyna, the capital of the mountain Hutsul region.Babyna Koliba, KryvorivniaKoliby & Hutsul cuisineBabyna Koliba, KryvorivniaKryvorivnia23 km from Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (Pip Ivan, Black Mountain)Babyna Kolyba («Granny's Koliba») serves authentic Hutsul food in Kryvorivnia, a village sometimes called the «Ukrainian Athens»: Ivan Franko, Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi...