Mountains

Making up some 5% of Ukraine's land are the Carpathian Mountains in the west and the Crimean Mountains in the South. Ukraine's mountain ranges create a wonderful habitat for a variety of fauna and flora, ideal forecotourism. The highest mountain in Ukraine is Mount Hoverla, part of the Carpathian range, measuring some 2061m high.

The Carpathian Mountains form a 1 500 km curve, cutting through Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Austria and Slovakia. Of a medium height, the Ukrainian Carpathians feature small ridges and valleys as well as deep valleys with steep slopes. Many rivers originate in the Carpathian Mountains. Dniester River has many tributaries flowing through the Ukrainian Carpathians. Winter temperatures in Ukraine's Carpathian Mountains tend not become colder than -10 to -1°C. This range receives around 800 to 1 600 mm of precipitation. Summer is warm and has many thunderstorms. Flash floods often occur during spring and summer. Due to the lovely climate and mineral springs, the Ukrainian Carpathians attract many visitors. Mount Hoverla of the Carpathian Mountains is situated in the Eastern Beskides. Along its slopes, beech and spruce forests have sprung up. Further up is a sub-alpine meadow belt. The Prut River originates on this great mountain.

The Yayla Mountain range lies parallel to Crimea's south-eastern coast. Its tallest peak, called Roman-Kosh, measures 1520m in height.

Mount Chatyrdag, located in Crimea not far from the Simferopol-Alushta highway, is made up of two plateaus. On the lower northern plateau you will discover steppe grass culminating in juniper glades and beech forests. A lovely grove of yews grows on the eastern side. The upper southern plateau looks much like a giant bowl with several peaks. Alpine meadows layer this area. This mountain is excellent for hiking and the natural splendor of the area is breathtaking. Lovely caves can be explored on the lower plateau and include Mramornaya, Fur-tree, Vyalova, Emine Bair Hosar, Artuch-coba and Obval'naja.

When visiting Ukraine why not make a point of visiting one of these natural attractions. Enjoy a day walk on the slopes of one of the mountains in Ukraine or spend more days exploring this vast landscape of mountains and rivers in Ukraine. These are memories that will last a life time.