The Eastern Bieszczady are one of the Carpathians' best-kept secrets — a wild, forested mountain range stretching entirely across western Ukraine, far from the well-trodden tourist circuits. Expect silence, mist-covered ridges and the kind of raw natural beauty that feels increasingly rare in modern Europe.

The range runs from Uzhok Pass in the west to Vyshkiv Pass in the east, split into two distinct sub-ranges: the Skolivski Beskids to the north and the Verkhovyna Ridge — the main watershed — to the south. Dense beech and fir forests blanket the slopes almost to the summits, and the reward for a long climb is a sweeping panorama of rolling green hills dissolving into the horizon. Spring brings roaring mountain streams, summer offers lush verdant trails, and autumn transforms the beech forests into a breathtaking display of amber and copper.

• Pikui (1,408 m) — the highest peak in the entire Bieszczady chain, an unmissable target for any serious hiker in the region.
• Skolivski Beskids — the northern section with charming villages and relatively accessible trails.
• Verkhovyna Ridge — the main watershed ridge, perfect for long, peaceful ridge walks.
• Uzhok Pass (853 m) — a historic mountain pass with preserved WWI fortifications and fascinating atmosphere.

• Best season: June–September — trails are passable and the weather is reliable; September brings spectacular autumn colours.
• Base towns: Skole, Turka — small Ukrainian towns with accommodation options.
• Trail difficulty: moderate to demanding — waymarking is less consistent than in Polish mountains, so carry an offline map.
• Getting there: by car via the Krościenko or Medyka border crossings, then via Sambir or Stryi; buses run from Lviv to Skole regularly.

Pikui stands taller than any peak in the Polish Bieszczady — including the famous Tarnica — yet it remains gloriously uncrowded. That quiet anonymity is precisely what makes this corner of the Carpathians so rewarding.