Vorokhta, The Heart Of The Ukrainian Carpathians

In the Ivano-Frankivsk region in Ukraine, next to the great Carpathian mountains, lays a cute village called Vorokhta. People say, that Vorokhta is the heart of Ukranian’s Carpathians and is an amazing place to visit in winter and summer.

Winter is ski season in the Carpathians and there are usually many tourists from all over Ukraine and neighbouring countries like Poland. The prices in the Ukrainian Carpathians are less than everywhere else in Europe and the quality of such holidays are a great value. The main city that accepts tourists is Bukovel. Although Bukovel is a great city for tourists, it can get overcrowded sometimes. Vorokhta more often than not isn’t full of tourists and for those who are looking for a quiet weekend, then this place is great.

Summer is another story. In summer, a small village becomes the centre of rafting, riding ATVs on the mountains, and other extreme sports that are getting more popular every year.

Because of COVID-19 all of our plans have were cancelled. Cody (my partner) and I have decided to travel more in Ukraine and so we went to this charming village to have our first experience with white water rafting. Along with the extreme sports we found out that there are lots of other things to do. Here is a list of must do things while you are travelling in the Ukrainian Carpathians and passing by the charming village, Vorokhta.

Table of Contents (Things to do in Vorokhta, the heart of the Ukrainian Carpathians):

1. Rafting
2. ATV’s
3. Hiking Hoverla
4. Kayak
5. Viaducts
6. Zip Line
7. Chany

Rafting

Rafting is one of the best activities in Vorokhta due to the close location of a few mountain rivers. There are a few companies that organize rafting for tourists in this area. Cody and I went with the company “Skyta”.

This company provides you with everything you need for rafting: waterproof clothes and shoes, helmets, life jackets, and detailed safety instruction. The team is very professional and the whole experience was amazing.

Read more: Rafting In The Carpathians

Price: 450UAH per person

Time: between 45minutes and 1,5 hour (depends on the weather and the river)

Location: 7B, присілок Луг, Krasnyk, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, 78705

ATVs

Driving ATVs on the mountain roads is amazing experience, especially if there was rain the night before the road is still wet. I mean, you of course will get dirty, but it is still worth it.

The guides usually are very flexible and give you time to have fun or start a small race with friends.

Price: 1500 UAH ($60) for an hour for two people on the ATV. Every next hour is 1000UAH ($40)

Time: one hour

Location: 7B, присілок Луг, Krasnyk, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, 78705

Hiking Hoverla

Hoverla is not just the tallest mountain in the Ukrainian Carpathians (2061 meters) but the tallest in the entire country. It is located 30 minutes from Vorokhta and is a great activity for people who like nature and physical activities.

Getting to the top of Hoverla will take you around 3 – 4 hours and around 2,5 hours to get back. And I know that it sounds like a long way up, but for those who like hiking I highly recommend trying Hoverla mountain.

Everything you need to know about hiking Hoverla you can find in my article: Hiking Hoverla, The Tallest Mountain In The Ukrainian Carpathians

Price: ticket to the National park 30 UAH ($1,2);

Time: to hike Hoverla you need 3 to 4 hours

Location: Zakarpattia Oblast

Kayak

Kayaking on the mountain rivers is extremely dangerous and more difficult than rafting. For those who haven’t tried either of these both activities I recommend starting with rafting and for those who want more of an adrenaline rush then kayaking can be a nice solution.

Same as with rafting, before going to the river you will have to listen to the safety instructions and learn how to act in different situations especially dangerous situations.

Price: 600 UAH ($24)

Time: between 45minutes and 1,5 hour (depends on the weather and the river)

Location: 7B, присілок Луг, Krasnyk, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, 78705

Viaducts

Two of the oldest and largest viaducts are located next to Vorokhta village. The were built at the end of the 19^th century when this part of Ukraine was under the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In year 2000, to save the longest viaduct in Ukraine, it was stopped being used and a new metal bridge next to the stone one was built. Nowadays you can walk on top of the viaduct, although there are no fences on either side. Therefore, I would not recommend running on it, letting kids walk without adults or sitting on the very edge.

Price: free of charge

Location (Viaduct #1): Danylo Halytskyi St, 23, Vorokhta, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, 78595

Location (Viaduct #2): Vorokhta, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, 78595

Zip Line

One of the great extreme and at the same time safe experiences you can get in Vorokhta village is to try a Zip Line. It is located 3 km from the village, and you can get there by walking, bicycle, or taxi.

Zip Line is split into two parts. The first one is the lowest part which is 200 meters. The second part is 500 meters. Adults fly all 700 meters whereas kids will be allowed to use just the lowest part (200 meters).

Before going to use the zip line everyone gets special equipment and listens to the safety instruction.

Price: adults 150 UAH ($6), children 80 UAH ($3,2)

Location: Vysochana Street, Vorokhta, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, 78595

Chany

Chany is kind of a Ukrainian hot tub. Traditionally in the water people add herbs and flowers that smell nice and are supposed to affect your skin in a positive way. As for me they smell really nice so it is worth it.

Ukrainians (especially western Ukraine) really like such SPA procedures. Usually after some time in the hot Chany people are jumping in a cold pool or right in the snow (in winter). Such a temperature contrast feels particularly good I must say, although not everyone should do such a thing (depends on ones health).

Vorokhta village is not an exception to such spa procedures and there are many places where you can relax in a Ukrainian hot tub with Carpathian flowers and herbs.

Price: 700 UAH ($28)- 800 UAH ($32)

Check out a weekend tour to the Ukrainian Carpathians Cody and I took last week- Adrenaline Tour In The Carpathians, Ukraine

Vorokhta, the heart of the Ukrainian Carpathians