Vovchyi village — to Podobovets village, via Mount Stiy
Unmarked trailmore
It may be partly marked. Unmarked trails have no information boards, signposts or auxiliary signs (water, campsite, etc.). The decision to walk the trail is entirely your own responsibility.
Trail map
Where to stay nearby
About the trail
Route Vovchyi village, via Mount Stiy to Podobovets village. Along the route you will see: Mount Stii, Mount Veliky Verkh, Mount Gemba, "Shypit Waterfall" Pylypets.
At a glance
A route of 25.5 km with 1,723 m of ascent from Vovchyi village to Podobovets village. Estimated walking time: about 9.5 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking is missing or partial.
Route stages
- 0–5 kmGentle ups and downs at 290–520 m
- 5–13 kmClimb of 1,120 m to Mount Stii (1,681 m)
- 13–23 kmDescent of 910 m (down to 719 m)
- 23–26 kmGentle ups and downs at 630–720 m
Steepest kilometre: km 22–23, a descent of 300 m (≈30%).
Water and overnight stays
Springs near the trail: at km 0, 12, 19 and 21. There are no springs between km 0 and 12 — carry at least 2.5 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.
Places to stay near the start: Svalyava; near the finish: Pylypets.
A possible split into days:
- Day 1: km 0–11, ≈4.5 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
- Day 2: km 11–26, ≈4.5 h — finish
When to go
Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 3 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.
Getting there
Start: Vovchyi village. Most places to stay near the start are in Svalyava. This is a one-way route: the finish is 18 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated walking time: about 9.5 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days.
- Is there water on the route?
- Springs near the trail: at km 0, 12, 19 and 21. There are no springs between km 0 and 12 — carry at least 2.5 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Places to stay near the start: Svalyava; near the finish: Pylypets.
Water and shelter on the route
- Captured spring (Vovchyi)km 0.1 from the start · 50 m off the path · Not verified · 296 m
- Spring below Mount Stiikm 11.6 from the start · 230 m off the path · Not verified · 1 257 m
- Spring below Mount Hembakm 19.2 from the start · 40 m off the path · Not verified · 1 314 m
- Spring below Mount Hemba (8)km 21.2 from the start · 290 m off the path · Not verified · 1 026 m
Comments
What to see on the trail
Mount Stiialtitude 1 681 mStiy (also known as Stoy) is the highest peak of the Polonyna Borzhava mountain range on the Polonyna ridge (Polonyna Beskyd), located in the inner...
Mount Veliky Verkhaltitude 1 598 mMount Velykyi Verkh is a 1,598-meter peak of the Ukrainian Carpathians, located within the Borzhava Polonyna.
Mount Gembaaltitude 1 491 mHemba (also known as Hymba) is a very popular mountain in the Ukrainian Carpathians, located on the border of two districts of the Zakarpattia...
"Shypit Waterfall" Pylypetsaltitude 615 mIn a cozy corner of the Carpathian Mountains, among the evergreen mountain forests and steep, sharp cliffs, lies the most full-flowing and...Trails nearby
All trails
ModerateOne-dayUnmarkedPylypets village loopvia Mount Hemba, Mount Velykyi VerkhElevation profile746–1 635 m10.6 kmascent 737 m≈ 4 h walking
ModerateTwo-dayUnmarkedPylypets village loopvia Mount Hemba, Mount Velykyi Verkh +1Elevation profile686–1 593 m15.2 kmascent 1 139 m≈ 6 h walking
ModerateTwo-dayUnmarkedShypit Waterfall to Volovetsvia Mount Velykyi VerkhElevation profile489–1 570 m15.8 kmascent 1 044 m≈ 6 h walking