«We drove up Nemchich Mountain and saw from there at sunset something so beautiful and silver, like a dream.»
Lesya Ukrainka
It is said that this is where one of the most stunning landscapes of the Ukrainian Carpathians comes into view. Nemchich Pass is a place that impresses everyone who has been here and remains in the memory forever as one of the most fabulous corners of our world.
Nemchich Pass is the border between Vizhnitsky and Putilsky districts of Chernivtsi region, as well as Kosovsky district of Ivano-Frankivsk region, which lies at an altitude of almost 600 meters above sea level. Today it is one of the most picturesque routes in the country, literally breathtaking: the road here winds serpentine, every now and then revealing beautiful natural panoramas. This highway can be compared only with the road leading to Yalta through Ai-Petri from the village of Sokolinoye through the Grand Canyon of Crimea — there are few such places not only in Ukraine, but also in the whole world.
From the pass opens a magnificent view of the valley of the mountain river Cheremosh, where lies the town of Vizhnitsa. And on the south-western slope stretches the territory of Vizhnitsa National Nature Park, where the brightest pearls in the necklace of natural beauties of Bukovina are gathered. The mountain path from the pass leads to the famous attraction of these places — Oleksy Dovbusha Cave. This cave is a truly stunning, fantastic place that seems to have been born from fairy tales themselves, or, on the contrary, thanks to it, the tale of Ali Baba and folk tales about heroes like Robin Hood came into being. Another path leading to the south of the pass leads to a unique geological natural monument of local importance called Protyatye (Pierced) Stones. These are unique rock massifs of bizarre shapes, mottled with passages and holes. The most famous among them is the Sokoliny Glaz rock, which resembles the eye of this bird of prey with its shape.
Another reason for the popularity of the Nemchich Pass as a tourist object is the presence of an international tourist and entertainment complex, where all the guests of Bukovina can enjoy a fascinating leisure time all year round. In summer you can stay here and join other tourists looking for bright impressions in hiking, river rafting and mountaineering. There are also organized trips by different types of transport, including bicycles and jeeps. And in winter the pass turns into a ski resort: there are three slopes of 150, 400 and 800 meters, which are served by two rope tow elevators. Interestingly, you can ski and snowboard here even at night! And among other entertainments — horseback riding and sledding, quad bikes and snowmobiles, and even on real Hutsul sledges «grinzholah», paragliding, jeeping, various excursions. There are also cafes, discos, baths and saunas on the pass.
Despite the developed infrastructure of rest, the atmosphere on the Nemchich Pass remains calm and peaceful. Who wants a quiet measured rest — he will find it, and who wants an active pastime and fun — he will have all the opportunities to organize such an exciting leisure. Those who plan to travel in the Carpathians and want to live closer to the pass, often decide to organize their holiday in Vizhnica — a small village, offering a variety of accommodation options. Or you can stay in a small distance from the pass, if you plan holiday in Putila — an old Carpathian town, impressing everyone with its Hutsul flavor. Whichever corner of Bukovina near the Nemchich Pass you decide to stay in, you will be able to enjoy all the charms of this Carpathian attraction, which will shake your imagination for a long time.