Mount Yavirnyk-Gorgan

Yavirnyk-Gorgan is the highest summit of the Yavirnyk ridge in the south-eastern Gorgany, 1,467 m high. It lies in the Nadvirna district of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, between Yaremche, Mykulychyn and Polianytsia; it rises 600–700 m above the Prut valley. The roof-shaped summit is built of sandstone, with boulder fields and scree near the top, then meadows, dwarf pine and mixed and conifer forest lower down. The ridge's second-highest summit, Gorgan Yavirnytskyi (1,431.6 m), lies on the same ridge; many hikers turn back there, although Yavirnyk-Gorgan is not much further.

How to get there

Yavirnyk is one of the most popular weekend hikes from Yaremche. On our site more than ten routes cross the summit, for example:

• Yaremche — Mt Yavirnyk — Yaremche, 12.7 km, about 1,000 m of ascent;
• Mykulychyn — Mt Yavirnyk — Yaremche, 19.3 km;
• Polianytsia — Mt Syniak — Mt Yavirnyk — Yaremche, 21.2 km;
• Zhenets — Zhenetskyi Huk waterfall — Yavirnyk ridge — Zhenets, 20.2 km.

Water, shelter and safety

Our map shows a shepherd hut on the Yavirnyk meadow about 1.6 km from the summit and several tent spots nearby (the closest about 900 m away). A seasonal spring lies about 1.9 km away but may dry up in summer, so carry water. The boulder fields on the summit are awkward and slippery after rain, so wear boots with a good grip. In an emergency call 112 or 101 — the mountain rescue units work around the clock.

Interesting facts

• From the summit you can see Khomiak, Dovbushanka and the Syniak ridge, and to the south-east the Chornohora massif with Hoverla.
• The slopes of the ridge are cut by tributaries of the Prut — the Zhenets, Bahrovets, Zhonka and Yavirnytskyi streams.

Photos: Славутич 18, CC BY-SA 4.0; Славутич 18, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.