Borzhavatour
Borzhava is a long grassy ridge in Zakarpattia: open sky all the way, blueberries in August and almost no crowds. We are locals: we know the trails, the drivers at Volovets station and where to find a room for the night.
We reply in English, usually within a day.
Routes we recommend, from an easy first walk to the full ridge. Times are for a normal pace with short stops.
Volovets → Velykyi Verkh → Stiy → Vovchyi
The whole Borzhava ridge in one go: Velykyi Verkh, then Stiy, at 1681 m the highest summit of the polonyna, and down to Vovchyi. Long, exposed and with no water on the ridge. For fit, experienced hikers, or split it over two days with a tent.
Shypit waterfall → Velykyi Verkh → Volovets
From Shypit, one of the best-known waterfalls in Zakarpattia, up to Velykyi Verkh, the classic summit of Borzhava, then along the open ridge down to Volovets. We can arrange a transfer to the start.
Zanka stop → Temnatyk → Volovets
Made for train travellers: get off at Zanka stop and walk straight onto the trail. Six kilometres of steady climbing, steep in places, then ridge views and a steep descent into Volovets, where trains leave for Lviv and Mukachevo.
Volovets → Plai → Temnatyk → Volovets
A loop over two summits right above Volovets. Steeper and longer than Bozeva, with the first wide views of the Borzhava ridge from Plai.
Bilasovytsia → Pikuy → Shcherbovets
The shortest way up Pikuy, the highest peak on the border of the Lviv and Zakarpattia regions. A steady climb, the summit, then a very steep descent: about 300 m down in one kilometre. Wear boots with good grip; poles help.
Volovets → Bozeva → Volovets
The gentlest route near Volovets. Four flat kilometres along the valley, a steady climb to Bozeva and the same easy way back. You finish where you started, so no transfer is needed.
We meet you at Volovets station, book a guesthouse, take you up the ridge with a guide and drive you back to the train. Tell us your dates and group size, and we'll send a price.
Ask about datesRest days between hikes. Price per person, depends on group size; transport included.
A mountain village that became an open-air museum: old farmsteads, a narrow-gauge railway and the story of the outlaw Mykola Shuhai.
Price on request
The largest mountain lake in the Ukrainian Carpathians, a brown bear rehabilitation centre and the Valley of Wolves eco-park.
Price on request
The Schönborn counts' castle in Mukachevo and a Second World War bunker in Verkhnia Hrabivnytsia.
Price on request
Ruins of Khust castle, exotic animal farms and a cheese dairy.
Price on request
Hot mineral pools. Best after a few days on the ridge.
Price on request
Thermal pools and exotic animal farms.
Price on request
A mountain guide and co-founder of the Árpád Line bunker museum leads walks on the military history of Zakarpattia.
Volovets is the gateway to Borzhava. It sits on the Lviv–Mukachevo railway, and most routes start in the village.
Zakarpattia is in the far west of Ukraine, a long way from the front line, and has stayed relatively calm. Ukraine is under martial law: air-raid alerts sound across the country and a night curfew applies.
Before you book, check your government's travel advice and make sure your travel insurance covers Ukraine. We'll tell you honestly what the situation is when you write.
On the ridge: there is almost no water, the weather turns fast and fog comes in within minutes. Emergency number: 112.
Tell us when you're coming and what you'd like to do. We'll suggest a route, a place to stay and a transfer.
Email: borzhavatour@gmail.com
Telegram channel: t.me/borzhavatour