Crocuses on Chorna Klyva

Why this tour?

At the time of the massive crocus blooming, snow still covers most of the Carpathian slopes. Purple crocus fields (specifically, their local Carpathian variety Crocus Heuffelianus) cover all the sunny spots, first in the lower altitudes, and then going higher as snow melts. To contemplate the ephemeral beauty of these fragile yet brave early spring flowers, we will go on a 2-day walk to the Chorna Klyva Mountain. It is relatively easy to ascend; tourists can use shepherd summer sheds as shelters during the cold spring nights. The summit of Chorna Klyva offers great vistas of surrounding ridges (Chornohora, Svydovets, and Gorgany) and fantastic sunrises.
2 days
on request

Tour description

day 1

On the first day, we will ascend to Poharska Meadow (5 km)
  • departure from Lviv (7:00)
  • transfer to Chorna Tysa village
  • snack break
  • walk to Poharska Meadow
  • tent camp set up and campfire dinner

day 2

Ascend to the summit of Chorna Klyva Mountain (14 Km)
  • breakfast
  • ascend to the summit of Chorna Klyva Mountain
  • snack break
  • descent to Chorna Tysa village
  • return to Lviv (appr. 22:00)

Price includes:

  • bus transportation
  • meals during the hike
  • guiding services

Price does not include:

  • equipment rent
  • extra drinks and meals
  • travel insurance

Special Terms

The program of the tour is designed for physically healthy people who are interested in outdoor activities. The average distance of the daily walks is 5-14 km. Sections of rocky terrain or sometimes with snow may increase the complexity of the path. This tour is of moderate complexity and recommended to those who have the experience of day-long mountain walks. During the tour, everybody carries his/her own backpack with personal equipment and a share of common food supply for the group.

Higher in the mountains, the temperature may be significantly lower than that at the foothills, and strong winds may occur. Unpredictable weather changes are possible, too.

The guide reserves the right to make changes in the program depending on the weather or the condition of the participants.

Recommended Equipment

  • Backpack for hiking (40-50L for women, 50-70L for men) with a rain cover
  • Tent
  • Sleeping pad
  • Winter sleeping bag (comfort rating -5..-10 Cº)
  • Waterproof trekking shoes and a spare pair
  • Gaiters
  • Warm socks (1 pair per day, 1 spare pair)
  • Thermal underwear (both top and bottom)
  • Wind stop and waterproof pants and a light jacket
  • Warm jacket
  • Fleece jackets or sweaters (1 light and 1 warm)
  • Warm hat and buff
  • 2 pairs of gloves, a light and a warm pair (waterproof and wind stop)
  • Warm socks (1 pair per day, 1 spare pair)
  • Polyurethane sitting mat with a fixing belt
  • Thermos with hot tea
  • Small plastic bottle of water
  • Individual dinner set (spoon or spork, mug, pot, knife)
  • Headlamp
  • Cellphone
  • Trekking poles
  • Personal portable first-aid kit and toiletry
  • Sunglasses or goggles
  • Sunscreen
  • Set of clothes for transfers during the tour (shoes, socks, underwear, outerwear): please mind that the clothes after hiking may be wet or dirty

Highlights

Yasinya is a Hutsul village at the foothills of two mountain ranges, Chornohora and Svydovets, by the river called Chorna Tysa (Black Tysa). Yasinya is located in the Rakhiv district of Zakarpattya region. The first written mention of the village is dated by 1555. A local legend about the founding of this settlement says that a shepherd named Struk had to leave his sheep in the ash forest on this desolate side of the mountain because of the sudden heavy snowfall. He built an ash-tree shelter for them, and was surprised to find them alive and well upon his return. He then built a small chapel as a gratitude for this miraculous escape, and eventually a village emerged around the chapel. The name Yasinya literally means «Ash tree village» a sheep and an ash tree were featured on its coat of arms. In the XVIII century, Yasinya residents were active members of «opryshky», the Carpathian peasant rebel movement. After the desintegration of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire in 1918, the village became a center of the self-proclaimed Hutsul republic, which existed until 1919. Local XIX-century wooden church is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
Poharska Meadow (1420 m asl) lies at the foothills of the Chorna Klyva Mountain, 5 km away from the Chorna Tysa village. Chorna Klyva and Poharska Meadow are located in the Gorgany Watershed Range. Meadow is used for cattle grazing by local residents during the summer period, so you can see small cottages and cattle barns. Beyond the grazing season tourists use these building as shelters. The meadow enjoys great panoramas of Chornogora and Svydovets ridges and, given the favourable weather conditions, fantastic sunrises.
Crocus Heuffelianus is perhaps one of the brightest early spring flowers in the Carpathians, which starts blooming when the snow is still covering the slopes. It has bigger and more intensely coloured purple flowers, comparing to the other crocus varieties. It grows mostly in and around the Carpathians,although the flower could be also met in the Balkans. The species is named after the Austrian-Hungarian botanist Johann Heuffel, who devoted his life to exploration of the Carpathian flora. Crocus Heuffelianus is listed in the Red Book of Endangered Species of Ukraine. The local name of the flower is bryndushky.
Chorna (Black) Klyva (1719 m asl) is one of the mountains of the Bratkivsky ridge in the Inner Gorgany massif. Its slopes are covered with spruce forests, and in the higher altitudes with heavy thickets of the mountain pine. On the summit there’s still a border stone #35, which marks the former Polish-Czechoslovak border.

Accommodation

Tents (available for rent).

Meals

Cooked camp food (breakfasts and dinners); snacks for lunches.

Rules

  • No alcohol during the active walking part of the tour
  • Please stick to the tour schedule and do keep up with the group
  • Do not litter and take your waste with you
  • Children under 16 should be accompanied by adults

Language

English / German / Polish, and Ukrainian with consecutive interpretation to the aforementioned languages.

Additional information:

If you want to spend some time in Lviv and arrive before the tour, we are glad to offer the following services:
  • transfer from the railway station or airport
  • booking accommodation in hotels
  • guided tours
  • advice regarding your stay and leisure time in Lviv — don’t hesitate to ask!

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