Moloda (1,724 m a.s.l.) is one of the rawest and most untamed summits in the Gorgany massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Its treeless top, strewn with rocky scree fields and patches of mountain pine, rewards those willing to work for it with sweeping Carpathian views.

The south-eastern and north-western slopes are exceptionally steep and difficult to navigate — this is not a gentle stroll. Higher up, the mountain opens into open terrain of boulders and dwarf pine thickets, while lower elevations are swallowed by dense primeval forest. In autumn the contrast is breathtaking: golden woodland below, grey stone above, and open sky at the top. To the north-east lies Yaiko-Perehinske (1,596 m), and to the south-east across the Moloda river valley stands Grofa (1,748 m). The nearest settlement is the village of Osmoloda.

• Osmoloda village — the main starting point for ascents of Moloda; routes pass through steep forested terrain; difficulty: demanding

• The peak falls within or near the Carpathian National Nature Park — check current entry regulations before your trip
• The Rosokhan river, a right tributary of the Mshana, rises on the south-eastern slope of the summit

The Gorgany range remains one of the least visited and most pristine corners of the entire Carpathian arc — Moloda is a fine example of exactly that wild, unspoiled spirit.