Rakhiv — to Iltsi village, via Mount Pip Ivan Marmaroskyi, Mount Mika-Mare, Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi

At a glance

A multi-day route of 88.2 km with 3,671 m of ascent from Rakhiv to Iltsi village. Estimated time: 4 days of 6–8 h of walking (about 28 h in total, not counting stops). Difficulty: hard. Waymarking is missing or partial.

Route stages

1. 0–23 kmClimb of 1,360 m to Mount Pip Ivan of Marmarosh (1,936 m)
2. 23–58 kmAlong the ridge at 1,370–1,800 m, past Mount Mezhypotoky, Mount Mala Nenieska, Mount Mika-Mare, Mount Steavul
3. 58–64 kmClimb of 610 m to Mount Pip Ivan of Chornohora (2,028 m)
4. 64–75 kmDescent of 1,160 m (down to 817 m)
5. 75–88 kmGentle ups and downs at 620–820 m

Steepest kilometre: km 63–64, a climb of 290 m (≈27%), near The White Elephant Observatory on Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirsky.

Water and overnight stays

Springs near the trail: at km 8, 11, 19, 21, 22, 25, 28, 30, 41 and 43 etc.. There are no springs between km 30 and 41 — carry at least 2 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.

Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Mount Berlebashka (km 18), Carpathian Biosphere Reserve house (km 21), Hut on Polonyna Lysycha (km 21), Shepherds' hut on Polonyna Radul (km 51), Hut on Mount Shchivnyk (km 53), Mountain shelter on Mount Vykhid (km 56), Hut on Polonyna Hropa (3) (km 60), Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (km 64) etc.. Places to stay near the start: Rakhiv; near the finish: Verkhovyna.

A possible split into days:

1. Day 1: km 0–21, ≈7.5 h — overnight: Carpathian Biosphere Reserve house (hut)
2. Day 2: km 21–41, ≈6.5 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
3. Day 3: km 41–64, ≈8 h — overnight: Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (hut)
4. Day 4: km 64–88, ≈6.5 h — finish

When to go

Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 29 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.

Getting there

Start: Rakhiv. This is a one-way route: the finish is 43 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.

Directions to the start in Google Maps

FAQ

How long does the route take?

Estimated time: 4 days of 6–8 h of walking (about 28 h in total, not counting stops).

Is there water on the route?

Springs near the trail: at km 8, 11, 19, 21, 22, 25, 28, 30, 41 and 43 etc.. There are no springs between km 30 and 41 — carry at least 2 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.

Where can I stay overnight?

Huts and shelters near the trail: Hut below Mount Berlebashka (km 18), Carpathian Biosphere Reserve house (km 21), Hut on Polonyna Lysycha (km 21), Shepherds' hut on Polonyna Radul (km 51), Hut on Mount Shchivnyk (km 53), Mountain shelter on Mount Vykhid (km 56), Hut on Polonyna Hropa (3) (km 60), Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (km 64) etc.. Places to stay near the start: Rakhiv; near the finish: Verkhovyna. Possible overnight stops: Carpathian Biosphere Reserve house (km 21), Mountain shelter “White Elephant” (km 64).