Polish backpackers getting ready to take a picture on the summit of Mt. Hoverla

Recreation opportunities in the Carpathians

The Ukrainian Carpathians have great recreational potential. Besides the natural geography of the mountains, one of the main reasons is that there are scattered settlements throughout the entire mountain range, and there are many people in the region who are self-employed or partially employed who are more than happy to cater to tourists.

Skiing in the Carpathians

This website is dedicated to skiing in the Carpathians. Read more about skiing in the ski resorts section. There are plenty of small-scale ski resorts around the Carpathians. Cross-country skiing is possible, however, usually not at the resorts themselves (except for Tysovets) but along logging trails through the mountains.

Hiking and Camping in the Carpathians

The vast majority of the Carpathian region is public land, and hikers freely move about and climb the mountains. Camping is prohibited only in special nature reserves. Many backpackers spend nights in mountain cabins built by local shepherds. Most stay in tents. There are no hikers' shelters yet in the Ukrainian Carpathians, in contrast to Slovakia and Poland.

For detailed information on hiking in the Carpathians, visit this article from TryUkraine.com.

Cycling in the Carpathians

The Carpathians are well-suited for road cycling and for mountain biking. With small villages scattered throughout the mountains, there are roads everywhere which are generally in fair condition. In the mountains are innumerable logging roads which double as hiking trails. There are also nicer gravel roads to some ridges were weather stations or military objects are located or used to be located. One obstacle to mountain biking is the high frequency of mud on logging roads (these roads are not paved, of course).

For detailed information on cycling in the Carpathians, visit this article from TryUkraine.com.

Other recreational opportunities

The Carpathians have several rivers that are big enough for rafting and kayaking, especially during the spring snowmelt period. People also fish in these rivers and in a few other locations.

Jeep tours and horseback riding are becoming more popular forms of recreation in the Carpathians. Local tourist agencies organize these activities using local guides.