It seems that these lines of poet R. Gamzatov are dedicated to this very corner of the Ukrainian Carpathians: there are both proud and crystalline sky peaks here. Gamzatov’s lines are dedicated to this corner of the Ukrainian Carpathians: there are proud peaks pointing to the sky, and crystal clear mountain rivers, and springs with healing water, and dense forests, and endless meadows, and the purest air that fills with strength and health. Vizhnytsia National Nature Park is a unique place that gives all its guests the brightest impressions from contemplating the dizzying natural beauty.
The territory of Vizhnitsky National Nature Park stretches in the Bukovyna Carpathians within Vizhnitsky district of Chernivtsi region. It was established in 1995 by the Decree of the President of Ukraine for the purpose of rational use and preservation of unique natural landscapes and now occupies nearly 8 thousand hectares. It is one of the smallest national parks in the country, but at the same time all the altitude-belt zones of the Carpathians are represented here — in most other national parks you can see only medium and partly high-mountainous landscapes.
The flora of the protected area is mostly landscapes characteristic of the low-altitude part of the Carpathians. The overwhelming part of the park — more than 95% — is occupied by beech and spruce, fir and beech forests. There are also truly fairy-tale corners, where since ancient times grow giant trees, reaching almost 1m in diameter, and up to 40 meters in height — that’s 1.5 nine-storey houses! Once in such a place, it is impossible not to tremble at the emerging feeling of the boundless greatness of nature — the most powerful and talented Creator!
Not only giant trees can cause admiration — there are other interesting representatives of flora in the Vizhnitsa National Nature Park. Only here you can see all three species of ferns from the genus Bagatoregonica (spear-shaped, Brown’s and spiky ferns). Among the relict plant species are those that have survived from the past geological epochs: lunnik, Carpathian censer, common ivy. Nowhere else in the Carpathians you will find places where one of the rarest species of orchids grows — the leafless orchid. Valuable medicinal species, such as belladonna and mountain arnica, also grow here. In total, the park has 960 species of vascular plants (40 are in the Red Book of Ukraine) and 236 species of mosses.
Fauna of Vizhnitsky National Nature Park includes 52 species of mammals, 141 species of birds, 20 species of fish, 12 species of amphibians, 7 species of reptiles and 1 species of roundworms, of which 62 species are included in the Red Book of Ukraine, 11 — in the European Red List. The park is home to such amazing animals as white stork, forest cat, long-tailed owl and many other interesting inhabitants of the forest and mountains.
Vizhnica National Nature Park is a stunning landscapes and breathtaking pictures painted by the light brush of the best painter — Mother Nature. Traveling along the ecological and hiking trails, which are developed for tourists by the park staff, you can see not only magnificent mountain and forest panoramas, but also bizarre rocks, turbulent waterfalls and enchanting gorges. The variety and spectacularity of the panoramas impress all those who travel through the park, wishing to get aesthetic pleasure from contemplating the natural beauty, as well as to be charged with the invigorating energy of these magical places, including the opportunity to drink healing water from the mineral springs, of which there are many.
In addition to natural beauties, on the territory of the park you can see man-made sights of the Carpathians: St. Michael’s Church, St. Nicholas Church, St. Dmitriev Church, St. George’s Church, St. Ivan’s Church and many other cultural and historical monuments. On the territory of the park tourists are engaged, in addition to hiking along ecological and informative trails, rafting on the Cheremosh River, have a rest in guest houses and campgrounds located in the bosom of virgin nature, visit bus excursions. In the village of Zelenov you can visit the Museum of Nature, varied and interesting and vacation in Vizhnica — the city, considered the gateway to the Vizhnica National Nature Park. If you want your vacation in the Carpathians to be remembered for a long time and leave vivid impressions that will not leave indifferent even those who have not been here yet and have seen this stunning corner of Ukraine only in photos, be sure to visit this amazing place.