Pidpula (1629 m a.s.l.) is a rewarding summit in the north-western part of the Svydovets massif in the Ukrainian Carpathians, sitting on the Shasa ridge — the largest north-western spur of the main Svydovets range. It offers a classic blend of forested lower slopes, open alpine meadows and sweeping mountain views, all in a quietly unspoilt corner of Zakarpattia.
The lower flanks of Pidpula are clothed in dense forest, while the terrain opens up closer to the top into wide polonyny — traditional Carpathian highland pastures — carpeted with bilberry. The northern, north-eastern and south-eastern slopes are gentle and easy to walk, while the western, southern and eastern faces drop away more steeply. From the summit area you can take in a fine panorama of neighbouring peaks: Tataruka (1707 m) to the east, Unhariaska (1707 m) to the south-east, Mala Kurtiaska (1644 m) to the south and Berliaska (1555 m) to the north-west. The closest villages are Chorna Tysa, Ust-Chorna and Krasna.
How to reach the summitKeep an eye out for the delicate white blooms of the narrow-leaved daffodil scattered across the polonyny — spotting this protected and rare flower in the wild is one of the quiet highlights of a visit to Pidpula.