The Maramureș Mountains are one of the last truly wild corners of the Eastern Carpathians — a vast, largely untouched range straddling the border of Romania and Ukraine, where ancient forests stretch as far as the eye can see. If you crave mountains without crowds and with genuine wilderness, this is your destination.

The scenery here is raw and sweeping. Dense beech and spruce forests cloak the ridges, tumbling down into deep river valleys, while the higher slopes open up into broad alpine meadows with views spanning dozens of kilometres. Wildlife thrives undisturbed — bear, lynx and wolf tracks are not uncommon on the trails. Protected on both sides of the border, the region's rivers run crystal clear, and the silence is something you can almost touch.

• Hoverla (2,061 m) — the highest peak in the entire range, located on the Ukrainian side; a classic and rewarding summit.
• Farcău (1,957 m) — the highest point on the Romanian side, offering stunning views over the Maramureș Depression.
• Vinderelu Lake — a peaceful mountain lake nestled among open meadows, a perfect resting spot mid-hike.
• Maramureș Mountains Natural Park — a large protected area on the Romanian side, home to primeval forest ecosystems.

• Best season: June–September — trails are accessible, alpine meadows are green, weather is reliable.
• Base towns: Borșa or Vișeu de Sus (Romania); Rakhiv or Yaremche (Ukraine).
• Trail difficulty: moderate to demanding — long ascents, limited infrastructure on many routes.
• Getting there: best by car; from Romania via Borșa on the DN18 road, from Ukraine via Rakhiv.

A compelling piece of history: in October 1950, Romania's secret police tracked down a group of Greek Catholic priests and monks who had been hiding in these mountains for two years after their church was banned — surviving thanks to the loyalty of local mountain villagers.