The beauty of the Ukrainian Carpathians is legendary, they are sung in poems, and the splendor of the Carpathian landscapes has been repeatedly tried to convey on canvases by artists. Everyone who has been to the Carpathians at least once remembers for a long time this fabulous, incomparable atmosphere. One of the most picturesque massifs in this mountain system is considered to be the Svidovets Ridge — at any time of the year tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy unity with the pristine nature and admire the natural sights, which are so numerous here.
Svidovets Ridge is one of the highest in the system of Ukrainian Carpathians, it is located in their southeastern part, where the Carpathian peaks farthest rises into the endless sky. The massif proudly rises between two picturesque valleys of the Black Tisa and Teresva rivers, which can be admired from its peaks. There are nine peaks on Svidovets, the highest of them is Mount Bliznica with a height of 1883 meters, and the «smallest» is Berlyaska, which reaches 1555 meters above sea level. With each of its peaks, Svidovec pierces the clouds, revealing picturesque, fantastic pictures.
On the slopes of the massif there are many beautiful valleys and interesting places, and the most popular among tourists are considered the highest mountain in Ukraine mountain ski resort Dragobrat, geographical center of Europe (Svidovets surrounds it from the west), as well as the Kuzysky Reserve Massif, which is part of the Karpatsky Biosphere Reserve.
The Kuzisky massif stretches from the southern side of the Svidovetsky Ridge at an altitude of 350 to 1409 meters, its area is about 4925 hectares. Due to the peculiar climatic conditions (warm air flows upwards from the Maramoroše Valley below), the highest growing oak forests in the country can be seen here, growing at an altitude of over a thousand meters above sea level, as well as other heat-loving plants that usually grow in lower altitude zones. The highest point of the massif is Mount Lysina, 1409 meters high, covered, like the whole massif, with a dense ancient forest of fabulous beauty. Within the massif there are many abandoned tunnels and tectonic caves, which are inhabited by 8 species of bats, four of which are considered rare. The fauna of the massif is also represented by the forest marten, fox, lynx, forest cat, bear and badger.
There are several ecological trails in Kuzisky reserve massif, traveling along which tourists discover a real forest fairy tale, impressive pristine nature, giving not only pleasant emotions, but also energizing, healthy and strong.
But not only in the Kuzi massif — everywhere the nature of Svidovac offers magnificent pictures: its upper part is covered with alpine and subalpine vegetation, and on the slopes, beech, spruce-beech and spruce forests are green oases. The lakes scattered in the mountain valleys also attract tourists — their exact number is unknown, but the most picturesque ones include Dragobratskoe, Vorozheska, Gereshaska and Apshinets.
One of the most amazing phenomena on the Svidovets Ridge is the rapid change of weather: in a matter of minutes, storms can break out over its peaks, turning a bright day into a dark night. Many wonders await all tourists here, which will leave vivid and pleasant memories. For all those who prefer ecological tourism in Ukraine, traveling through Svidovets is an opportunity to gain the most unforgettable impressions.