Route: Mykulychyn – Kichera Ridge – Synevyr Pass – Mount Kam'yanka (1496 m) – Mount Ozerna (1578 m) – Lake Synevyr. Total length of the route – 24 km
Будь-який поважний турист хоча б один раз в житті повинен відвідати озеро Синевир – справжній перлині Карпат, яка вважається однією із найзагадковіших, найкрасивіших і найбільших гідрологічних пам’яток природи українських гір. Найпростіше та найшвидше добратися до озера – з села Синевирська поляна. Але мандрівникам, які пройшли горами сотні кілометрів та стоптали не одну пару взуття, такий варіант абсолютно не прийнятний…
An alternative and, in my opinion, much more interesting way to visit Lake Synevyr is a 24-kilometer picturesque route from Mykulychyn: through Kichera Ridge, Synevyr Pass, the mountains Kam'yanka and Ozerna.
Route Selection
While browsing the internet in search of interesting routes in the Carpathians, I accidentally came across this phrase: "Once, a popular hiking route to Lake Synevyr from Mykulychyn, through Kichera Ridge, Synevyr Pass, the mountains Kam'yanka and Ozerna, was popular among tourists, but now it seems that tourists have become somewhat different... They arrive at the lake by car and are very afraid to tire their legs."
The challenge from an unknown author, who unjustifiably became disappointed in our tourists, was accepted immediately, discussed in the circle of potential participants of the hike (yes, precisely potential, because, as experience shows, there are far more of those who say "I will go anyway" than those who actually will go), and a date for the trip was set, which, by the way, coincided with the birthday of one of the participants.
Outside, it was golden October, and each of us had a premonition of pleasant moments of the hike, which, although tiring the legs, filled the body and soul with happiness and joy, allowing us to enjoy communication with friends and the nature of the majestic Carpathians and escape from the city for a few days.
October 23. Day One: Lviv/Kyiv/Ivano-Frankivsk – Mykulychyn – Kichera Ridge
Despite the fact that there were typically about 25-30 people wishing to join three weeks before the hike (a familiar situation for everyone), two weeks before, the number shrank to 10-15, and in fact, only 6 remained. Well, as they say, "the woman from the cart, the horses are easier..."
Since all participants were from different cities, it was decided to get to Mykulychyn independently, but on the condition that we would meet at the bus station around lunchtime. Without delving into all the details, everyone met around 15:00. And at this time of year, at this hour, one should already plan where to arrange for the night.
We decided, without wasting time, to head to Kichera Ridge (the ascent begins from Sadova Street) and look for a place to spend the night there. Said – done. In about 15-20 minutes, we find ourselves at the beginning of the ridge, another 30-40 minutes – and the group is already above Mykulychyn. The walk is quite easy, with no sharp elevation changes.
Approximately halfway along the ridge, we stumbled upon a shepherd's hut (located to the left of the road, about 100 meters down), where we decided to spend the night. The owners were not present, as in October all flocks have long been driven down to the valley, so the huts will remain empty until the next season. Not far from the hut, a little to the left and closer to the forest, there is a spring, so everything necessary for the camp was available.
As expected, no one planned to go to bed quickly. Therefore, the evening stretched into the late night – with conversations, anecdotes, interesting stories, and songs by the campfire. The first day came to an end...
October 24. Day Two: Kichera Ridge – Synevyr Pass – Mount Kam'yanka
As a result of the late-night sitting, in the morning no one was in a hurry (especially since we had plenty of time). After breakfast and packing up the camp, we set out on the route around 10:00-10:30. We continued moving along Kichera Ridge.
I note that sometimes along the route you can see red markings, but at this time of year, they are not very necessary – almost to Synevyr Pass, there is a well-trodden field road. The only moment worth mentioning is that at the end of the ridge, there is a fork – to the right leads the Carpathian tourist route, to the left goes our road.
At the pass, we decided to rest and have lunch. We settled in the backyard of a roadside café, brewed tea/coffee. An hour (or maybe a little more) flew by instantly. Gathering our strength, we set out on the route.
About 400-500 m along the road to the entrance to the territory of the national natural park "Synevyr" begins the route to Lake Synevyr through Kam'yanka and Ozerna, which is marked in green. We decided not to make more prolonged stops and to proceed until we find a good place for the night.
We are gaining altitude, while collecting mushrooms – they are everywhere, which is quite pleasing. Following the well-marked route, we reached the foot of Mount Kam'yanka, where we decided to spend the night. It was October 24, and the air temperature felt like the first days of December. What can I say – mountains.
After setting up the tents and preparing the place for the night, we got to cooking mushrooms. There were so many that we decided to have dinner only with them, fried with bacon and onions. No one refused such a delicious menu. The steep ascent and hearty dinner did their job; everyone slept like puppies.)))
At night, the air temperature dropped to about -2-3°C, and a light snow fell.
October 25. Day Three: Mount Kam'yanka – Mount Ozerna – Lake Synevyr
The morning was surprisingly pleasant – a slight frost was felt, and everything around was covered with the first (or maybe not the first) snow. After breakfast, we packed up the camp and set out on the route. We started around 10:00.
The ascent to Kam'yanka ahead is steep but not long. In about an hour, we were already at the top, which greeted us with thick clouds. But there was no need to worry about getting lost – clear green and white markings were visible everywhere. No one wanted to linger at the top, as the thick gray cloud was doing its job with great skill – our clothes, shoes, backpacks, and exposed areas of the body got wet instantly. So, we moved on. Descending into the valley, we were greeted by the sun.
After walking a few kilometers, we decided to take a break. Today is the birthday of one of the participants of the hike, so we decided to congratulate him and have a little "mattress party". Next – the last push to the ridge, then – to Mount Ozerna. Here we are at the top, and down there, the blue expanse of Lake Synevyr is visible.
The descent from Ozerna is very steep, especially when it has rained or snowed, so one must be very careful. Therefore, we do not rush. However, the glade quickly ends, and we enter the dark spruce forest. Here, there is a good path that we follow without turning until we exit the forest onto the glade.
At the exit, we come across huts. Two roads lead down from them. To reach the lake, you need to keep to the left side of the glade (in the end, you will come out onto the road with green markings). If you go out on the road on the right side and descend it, you will reach the village of Synevyrska Polyana.
30-40 minutes down the road, and we reach our goal – Lake Synevyr. In October, it does not look as full as in spring or early summer, but still, the pearl of the Carpathians is before us. After taking photos, walking around, and feeding the fish with bread, we decide to head to the village. We reached the highway as it was getting dark, so it was no longer possible to get to Synevyrska Polyana itself. Setting up tents in one of the roadside glades, we decided to spend the night.
The next day at 06:00 we were already heading to Mykulychyn. And from there, the road home.
Despite the fact that our group managed to stretch the 24 km route over almost three days, no one was disappointed with the hike; everyone remained satisfied, forever engraving the happy moments of the journey in memory, which can be shared with friends, relatives, and loved ones with pleasure.
