Magic Earth: Dzembronya - hidden gem of Ukrainian mountains

Ukrainian Carpathians - a great place. The heights of these mountains are not so big that you have no trouble with breathing. Local people are extremely friendly. The cuisine is delicious. And nature is just extraordinary, regardless of the season.

But, of course, there are special places in the region. About which the locals themselves do not particularly tell tourists. And where civilization did not get in all its wealth. Here you will not find premium full-service hotels, there is almost no mobile Internet. But there is plenty of true Carpathian magic. This is a highland village Dzembronya in Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine.

Fantastic landscapes, pure mountain air, forests and "polonyny" (local alpine meadows) - all this will immediately win your heart. But be prepared that getting here is a little more difficult than to other tourist centres of the Carpathians.

If you travel by car, everything is simple. If by bus, then you need to go from Ivano-Frankivsk through Vorokhta to the village Iltsy. And from there you will have to cope with another 12 kilometers , travelling to the final destination. Or you can take a direct bus from Verkhovyna. But be ready that Ukrainian mountains are not so civilised and not many people understand English.

Researchers of the Carpathians believe that the village is in a real place of magic power. And on the day of the summer solstice near Dzembronya, on the rock Eared Stone, the Hutsul wizards offered sacrifices to the pagan gods. It is good that at least under their knives were not young virgins, but white bulls.

By the way, it was Dzembronya which inspired well-known Soviet director Sergei Parajanov to create his legendary film "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors". Although the filming took place not here, but at Verkhovyna and Krivorivnya (same region actually).

Entertainment here is pure touristic. In the south-west direction, there is a mountain stream Munchil with a fantastic cascade of waterfalls, the total height of which reaches 100 meters. The largest cascade is 10 meters. And to the north of the village lie the valley of Kosarishche and Stepansky - a great place to admire the Chornohora mountain ridge.

Well, for real hikers, I propose to climb Mount Pip Ivan through the aforementioned Eared Stone. The total time on the road - about 10 hours, a distance of 20 kilometres. But remember that the height difference here is significant and for an unprepared tourist it can be difficult. After all, Pip Ivan is one of the highest mountains in the Ukrainian Carpathians. 2028 meters.

Disclaimer: all photos are taken from the free sources.