The Carpathian National Nature Park is the wild heart of the Ukrainian Carpathians — a place where ancient primeval forests, alpine meadows and glacier-carved peaks come together in one of Central Europe's most spectacular mountain landscapes. Home to Hoverla (2061 m), Ukraine's highest summit, the park is a must-visit for anyone seeking genuine mountain wilderness.

Stretching 55 km from north to south across the Chornohora and Gorgany massifs, the park covers over 50,000 hectares of breathtaking terrain. The landscape shifts dramatically with altitude: beech and fir forests in the valleys give way to dwarf pine scrub and open polonynas (alpine meadows), then bare rocky ridges high above the treeline. Summer brings wildflowers carpeting the highland meadows, autumn paints the forests in gold and amber, while winter transforms the park into a snow-covered wilderness popular with ski tourers and snowshoers. The Prut River, born at the foot of Hoverla itself, flows through the park for 50 km, fed by numerous tributaries that form stunning waterfalls like Zhenetsky Huk and Divochy Slezy.

• Yaremche or Vorokhta — main gateway towns with trailheads for Hoverla and the Chornohora ridge; routes range from moderate to demanding
• Tatariv — western access point, convenient for exploring the Gorgany massif

• The park is divided into strict reserve zones, regulated recreation zones and open recreation zones — access to the strict reserve areas is restricted
• 48 marked hiking routes are available, along with eco-trails and guided educational paths
• Entry fees apply in certain areas; check with the park administration before visiting
• Open year-round; best hiking season runs from May to October

Keep an eye out for the park's extraordinary wildlife — brown bears, lynx, wolves and the rare fire salamander all call these forests home, while the glacial lakes Maricheyка and Nesamovyte, perched high in the Chornohora range, are among the most hauntingly beautiful spots in all of Ukraine.