Mount Darvaika

Darvaika is a mountain of the Inner Gorgany, in the south-eastern part of the Pyshkonia ridge. It lies in the Mizhhiria district of Zakarpattia Oblast, north-east of the village of Kolochava. It is 1502 m high (other sources give 1506 m). The village of Nehrovets is also nearby.

The summit is treeless, the slopes are steep, especially the eastern and western ones, and the foot of the mountain is forested. In places there are scree fields. North of Darvaika rises Yasnovets (1600 m), to the south-east Strymba (1719 m) and the ridge of the same name. Thanks to its open summit, Darvaika offers a good view of Kolochava and the surrounding ridges of the Gorgany and Polonyna Krasna.

How to get there

The “Along the peaks of Pyshkonia” hiking route crosses the summit. Our site has the loop Kolochava – Darvaika – Nehrovets – Kolochava, 21.9 km long with about 1500 m of ascent — a full day for fit hikers. After Darvaika the route climbs Nehrovets (1707 m), one of the highest peaks of this part of the Gorgany. Part of the long traverse Synevyr – Nehrovets – Mereshor – Krasna ridge – Ust-Chorna – Svydovets ridge – Kvasy (100.3 km) also passes close to Darvaika.

Water, shelter and safety

Our map shows the “Pid Darvaikoiu” hut about 750 m from the summit. There are no springs at the top, so carry water. The steep scree slopes are slippery after rain — wear boots with a good tread and descend carefully. Weather in the Gorgany changes quickly, and it is easy to lose the path in fog. The best season is from May to October. In an emergency call 112 or 101; contacts of the nearest units are on the mountain rescue page.

Photos: I kynitsky, CC BY-SA 4.0; ValeriySh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Andrnator, CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons.