The summer season in the mountains is coming to an end. However, there is one area in the Ukrainian Carpathians where hiking remains comfortable until late autumn — the Skole Beskids.
This region offers amazing potential, which is often overshadowed by the more famous Chornogora, Gorgany, Svidovets, and even Borzhava ranges. While locals from Lviv and Zakarpattia are well aware of its appeal for hiking, for others, it's a hidden gem worth exploring.
First advantage — convenient logistics. The railway line from Lviv to Uzhhorod is fast, making it perfect for a rich weekend adventure, and more.
Second temporary advantage — it's far from the border, so you won't have to deal with border-related permits or complications.
Third advantage — the lower altitude of the area means that snow arrives much later here than in Chornogora and retreats much earlier. This makes it possible to hike with small children in tents as early as May.
Now, let’s talk about the highlights. We recommend planning routes that pass by rock formations. Since the altitude is relatively low, the rocks are what catch the eye (and hands and feet if you have the experience).
One excellent guide we can recommend is the «Climbing Guide: Dovbush Rocks, Kniazi Rocks, Kykoshiv Kamin».
The most famous and interesting spot is, of course, the Dovbush Rocks in the Bubnyshche area. While it's not the most secluded place, a hike with climbs on the multipitch rock routes offers fantastic relaxation and adventure. For now, these are some of the longest multipitches in the Carpathians.
Across the road (the railroad, to be precise), there’s another rock massif—Yamelnytsia, with the nearby Kykoshiv Kamin rocks. It's not just rocks; this area also contains old UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army) hideouts, and it's a historically rich and beautiful place worth visiting. Additionally, there’s the Martyniv Vrk massif and a separate bouldering area.
Yamelnytsia pairs perfectly for a weekend trip with another local landmark—the Tustan Fortress. The entrance fee and guided tour are definitely worth it.
On the same side of the railway, there’s another massif near the village of Korchyn.
A lesser-known location is the Kniazi Rocks, located near the village of Tyshivnytsia, right on the banks of the Stryi River. It’s a wonderful spot, combining river scenery with climbing routes.
In a single hiking trip, you can pair these rocks with a local attraction — a rock monastery in the village of Rozgirche.
Other less popular spots include Mount Klyuch and the Ostrov Paskhy massif. The Klyuch area features its own rock massif, and nearby are several wild, undeveloped caves.
Ostrov Paskhy, near the Kamianka River, has hosted numerous climbing festivals and is a beautiful location in its own right.
It would be unfair not to mention the Skole Beskids' Mount Parashka, a popular year-round destination for Lviv hikers. It’s a beautiful, relatively low peak, though the ascent is not easy, especially in winter, but still quite accessible.
So, go hiking in the Carpathians this autumn—they are at their most beautiful then. And we must thank both the Extrem club and local enthusiasts, particularly Volodymyr Kushnir, for developing the climbing areas in the Lviv region.
