The Skolivski Beskydy are one of Ukraine's best-kept mountain secrets — a sprawling, almost entirely forested range where you can hike for hours without meeting another soul. Wild, raw and refreshingly off the beaten track, this is the Carpathians as they once were everywhere.

Stretching along the northern edge of the Eastern Beskids, the range is defined by the Stryi River to the north and west, and the Sukiel valley to the south. Unlike the more open ridges of the Eastern Beskids, the terrain here forms a dense web of branching spurs and connecting ridges, blanketed in deep forest. Alpine meadows — the Carpathian 'polonyny' — appear only near the highest summits, making them feel like hard-earned rewards. The valleys are quiet, the air is clean, and the landscape has a timeless, unhurried quality that is increasingly rare in Europe.

Highlights:

• Mahura / Magura (1,362 m) — the highest peak in the range, crowned with an open meadow and sweeping panoramic views.
• Skolivski Beskydy National Park — protects the majority of the range and is among Ukraine's most valuable forest reserves.
• Stryi River — the scenic western boundary of the region, popular with kayakers and anglers.
• Summit polonyny — rare open alpine meadows above the treeline, rich in wildflowers in summer.

Practical info:

• Best season: June–September — trails are accessible, meadows are in full bloom, and the weather is most reliable; October brings spectacular autumn colours.
• Base town: Skole — a small town at the foot of the mountains with guesthouses and basic amenities.
• Trail difficulty: Moderate to demanding — forested terrain, limited signage and infrastructure, paths can be muddy.
• Getting there: By car or bus from Lviv (approx. 100 km); the Lviv–Uzhhorod train stops at Skole.

Worth knowing: the Skolivski Beskydy are a confirmed habitat for brown bear, lynx and wolf — making this one of the last truly wild mountain ranges within reach of Western European travellers.