Mount Rokyta Velyka is one of those peaks that rarely make it into guidebooks, but is worth every step. It is located on the south-eastern outskirts of Mykulychyn, not far from the mountain road to Tatariv. Its height is 1111 meters, so the ascent here is moderate, but noticeable enough for those who have not been in the mountains for a long time.
The name “Rokyta” comes from the word “rakita” – a type of willow growing near water. When thick thickets of these trees grew on the lower slopes of the mountain, and local residents used the branches for weaving baskets. Hence the name – Rokyta Velyka.
The ascent to the top usually starts from the extreme part of Mykulychyn, from where a barely noticeable trail goes up through the mountain valley. Further, the path passes between old fir trees, opening wider and wider views. The ascent takes about two hours, and the descent takes less. Along the way, there are several beautiful places for recreation or a picnic.
At the top is a wide space with a panorama of the nearby mountains. You can see the Yavirnyk ridge, part of Gorgan, and even the peaks of the Chernogorsky massif in the distance. On the slopes, you can find the remains of old shepherds’ huts – a reminder that sheep and cows once grazed here.
Locals say that Rokyta Velyka is a “mountain for peace.” Crowds are rare here, and the air is fresh and saturated with the aroma of a coniferous forest. In summer it is a paradise for lovers of silence and nature, in autumn it is a place to contemplate colorful landscapes, and in winter it is a real panorama of the snowy Carpathians.
This peak will especially appeal to those who are not looking for popular tourist routes, but real, virgin nature. Climbing Rokyta Velyka is a way to see the Carpathians in a different way: quiet, deep and sincere.
Where is located
Mykulychyn, Ivano-Frankivsk region.
