Dzembronia

Dzembronia is a scattering of Hutsul homesteads up a side valley from Verkhovyna, the last settlement before the mountains, and it exists in the walking world as a trailhead: the routes to Pip Ivan, Smotrych and the eastern Chornohora start from here. The valley is steep, the houses are spread far apart on the slopes, and the Dzembronia rocks, a set of sandstone outcrops above the hamlet, are a short walk with a view down the whole valley.

What you actually see

• The Dzembronia rocks - sandstone outcrops on the ridge above the hamlet.
• The scattered homesteads - Hutsul houses spread singly across steep pasture.
• The trailheads - routes up to Pip Ivan and the eastern Chornohora ridge.
• The valley - a steep dead-end valley with the mountains closing the head.

When to go

June to September is the walking season. The road up is difficult in snow and mud. Nights are cold at this altitude even in summer.

Honest expectations

The road in is rough and takes an hour from Verkhovyna. Accommodation is a handful of homestays with basic facilities. There are no shops to speak of; supplies come from Verkhovyna.

Nearby

Pip Ivan is above, and Verkhovyna is down the valley.