Winter Carpathians:
from Parenky to Grofa

Why this tour?

We designed this 2-day tour specifically for winter time. While trekking two high tops over 1700 meters asl in the remote wilderness, you will still spend the night safely in the trekking shelter. Daily walks do not exceed 15 km, but winter conditions add up to the challenge, therefore we recommend this trip for experienced hillwalkers with winter equipment. Avid photographers will have a great opportunity for the night photoshoot: impressive solitude of winter landscapes and stark beauty of Western Gorgany Range will guarantee excellent result!
2 days

95 €

per person
all inclusive
on request

Tour description

day 1

  • departure from Lviv (5:00)
  • transfer to Osmoloda village
  • snack break
  • hillwalk to the Plistse meadow
  • unpacking and settling in
  • hillwalk to Parenky Mount
  • dinner
  • a night in the trekking shelter

day 2

  • early morning ascent to Grofa Mount
  • return to the shelter and breakfast
  • return to Osmoloda
  • snack break
  • 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 15-16 km. Snowy terrain may increase the complexity of the path. This tour is of high complexity and recommended to those who have the experience of mountain walks. During the tour, everybody carries his/her own backpack with personal equipment and a share of group equipment and 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. Please be warned that some Gorgany summits are covered with snow till May.

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

Gorgany Range is one of the wildest and most unusual parts of the Carpathian Mountains. Here you will not see the picturesque green meadows dotted with grazing sheep flocks; Gorgany slopes are covered with scattered stones and vast stone fields, commonly called ‘gregots’ and ‘tseckots’, and almost impenetrable alpine pine forests. Local people call these formations «gregoty», mimicking the sound of rolling stones; hence the name of the range. This type of terrain is not found anywhere else in the Carpathian mountain system, and you will be mesmerised by the stark beauty of these desolate landscapes.
Osmoloda village is an old settlement of lumbermen in the highland valley of the Limnytsia River, founded in 1873. The name of the village comes from the nearby Mount Moloda ("Here is Moloda"). In the end of 19-beginning of 20 centuries, the surrounding land used to belong to the Lviv Greek-Catholic Metropolitan and was their place of recreation and recuperation. The Metropolitan's summer residence, called Cedar Chambers, was built here in the beginning of the 20th century. The place was accessible by the narrow-gauge railway Broshniv-Osmoloda. Metropolitan also owned many sawmills in the village. A small current number of inhabitants, appr. 60 people, explained by the village’s desolate location and labour migration of the local people.
The Limnytsia River, a natural site of national significance, is considered as one of the cleanest rivers in Europe. Down the river there is the Pidlute Ravine, famous for its natural mineral springs rich in hydrogen sulfide.
Angelivska Blast Furnace is an interesting example of industrial heritage, which was built in 1810 with the support of Metropolitan Anthony Angelovych. The company also owned 12 coal mines, 2 iron processing factories, and a smithy for nail manufacturing. The complex had been functioning only for 6 years (1812-1818). It was considerably damaged during the First World War.
Cedar Chamber, also known as Sheptytskyy Residence. Metropolitan Sylvester (Sembratovych) built the cedar cottage with chambers in 1892. Local mineral springs were the reason to build the residence here. Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky actively developed the resort-residence; he added new buildings, three pools with mineral water, and the narrow gauge railway Broshniv-Osmoloda (later destroyed). The nobility of Austria-Hungary and Poland visited for treatment and recreation. During the Soviet times, Soviet officials came here to hunt, but the resort slowly fell into full decay. Nowadays, this place is being renovated as the main building resembling the former cedar house was rebuilt. Also, the greek-catholic center and the church decorated with the wall mosaics were added.

Accommodation

In the trekking shelter.

Meals

Cooked camp food for dinner and breakfast, snacks for lunch.

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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