A lot of routes and itineraries run across the Eastern Carpathians. Most of them are half-wild, not marked, and used only by the travellers and tourists who know the area. These routes need additional elements of access and diversification of options for visitors: nature observation, learning about local nature straight on the way. Owing to the determined efforts by the team of the project “No Frontiers: a Network of Nature Itineraries in the Eastern Carpathians” on the development of a safe system of itineraries for tourists, the number of routes on the territory of the Carpathian National Nature Park that are appropriate for visitors not knowledgeable in map reading has increased significantly. These routes have also been fitted out with new ecological constructions that facilitate access to unique nature attractions and enable nature observation and learning new things about it.
It should be noted that route marking in the Carpathians in Ivano-Frankivsk Region was also done earlier. However, the activities in terms of improvement of infrastructure within the project framework were preceded by the study by the Tourist Association of Ivano-Frankivsk Region of the best practices of access and interpretation on the ecotourism routes in the Alps and other mountain systems of the world. Besides, in order to create interactive nature centres and specialized places for environmentally-friendly recreation of guests, the representatives of the Tourist Association of Ivano-Frankivsk Region and the Centre for Social and Business Initiative of Jaremche visited fantastic national parks in Austria, with a carefully planned infrastructure and unique nature interpretation centres.
When working on the objective of improving the quality of infrastructure and the range of nature tourism products, we used appropriate approaches to marking – with the use of educational interpretation stands, maps and guides as well as infrastructure for the observation of birds and mammals. The system of nature itineraries was developed, taking into consideration the options for nature observation by responsible tourists and the creation of special educational niches amid wild nature. 12 complex packages of topical tours were developed: for instance, observation of birds and mammals, a butterfly route, a tree route, wild flowers, etc. Different ways of travelling were taken into account when developing the itineraries: hiking, biking and horse-riding, as well as the place and the interests, the level of difficulty depending on the length, the slope and the relief. A marking system with clear directions was developed for the itineraries and represented in maps. The monitoring of the routes was done to determine their need in modernization.
For instance, in autumn 2012 and spring 2013 the project experts audited four hiking itineraries: to Hoverla Mountain, to the Nesamovyte Lake, to Khomiak Mountain and to the Stavnyi Hrun mountain valley. The total length of the inspected routes made up 48.9 km. The inspection resulted in detailed reports on the itineraries with photos and coordinates of the points that require improvement as well as in the survey and processing of the GPS tracks of all the itineraries.
The field work on these itineraries started in May 2013. It included the installation of additional sign posts and signs indicating the travelling direction, of information stands with the itinerary map and information on animals and plants, the construction of small bridges across wet parts of the path and on crossings with brooks as well as railing and stairs in the steepest parts. In addition, on the itineraries leading to the Nesamovyte Lake and Khomiak Mountain, wooden towers 6.5 m high were set up for bird observation. And on the route to the Stavnyi Hrun, a 10-metre tower for mammal observation was installed (for instance, deer and wild boars).
Visitors are especially impressed by a pedestrian plank bridge across the swampland of the Rudiak Bog on the territory of Vorokhta Environment Protection Research Unit. The bridge makes it possible to get to the very heart of the bog without soaking your shoes and feet and to observe the plants that are exotic for the Carpathians as this unique swampland is a solid peat mass inhabited by over 200 animal and plant species.
On the hiking routes of the Carpathian National Nature Park, 300 information signs were installed, with information on the itinerary and the distance to nature locations (arrows pointing the direction, crossings, marking, etc). In various interesting spots, 40 interpretation stands were installed, with detailed information on the animal and plant species that can be encountered on the way. At the beginning and along the routes, one can find local maps (stands) identifying the surroundings and locations.
Finally, an important step was taken to implement the Carpathian National Nature Park’s plans: to create in the future a full-fledged nature attraction (Nature Educational Centre) near the highest peak in the Ukrainian Carpathians – Hoverla – which attracts thousands of people from all over Ukraine and abroad. The Centre will provide facilities and opportunities for modern expositions and learning related to Hoverla and the surrounding area and represent the nature treasures in the conservation areas of Ivano-Frankivsk Region, thus providing the necessary knowledge and experience for travellers and visitors. For this purpose, design documentation was developed within the project framework for the future construction of two units on the territory of the Carpathian National Nature Park: the Nature Educational Centre in the tract of Zarosliak and an eco-camp model.
At present, owing to the existing nature monuments and the functioning of the ecological tourist visit centre on its territory, the Carpathian National Nature Park is on top of several rankings of nature parks in Ukraine in terms attractiveness and the biggest number of nature observation spots. Yet, probably, the most important contribution to the increase of the park’s popularity and attractiveness lies in the infrastructural transformations implemented by the project, enabling access for responsible visitors and explorers to the unknown and fascinating places in the Eastern Carpathians on the territory of Ukraine.
