Active recreation in autumn: quiet hunting, hiking and jeep tours in Skhidnytsia

Autumn in the Carpathians is not a reason to sit in a chalet with a blanket (although that is also a great option, let's not judge). This is the season when the forest turns copper and gold, the air becomes transparent, and there are significantly fewer tourists around than in summer. The perfect moment to get a little moving and try activities that in summer you often don't have time or desire for because of the heat.

Phoenix Medical Resort Skhidnytsia has a whole arsenal of active ingredients just for such cases. leisure: from paddle courts to jeeps that take guests along mountain roads. We'll tell you what to try in the fall and why this season is perfect for it.

Forest walks and mountain hikes

Skhidnytsia is surrounded by 50 hectares of protected forest, and in autumn it is especially beautiful: it smells of pine needles and fallen leaves, and the trails are not filled with crowds, as they are in the height of the summer season. One of the most atmospheric locations is forest trail from Phoenix to natural mineral springs. The road to spring #3 takes about 20-30 minutes, and for those who want to walk longer, the trail leads further to spring #1, which is about an hour's walk one way.

Along the way, you will come across local squirrels who have long been accustomed to guests and are not averse to being treated to nuts. The difficulty level is easy, the route is suitable for both a leisurely morning walk and a full-fledged cardio workout at a fast pace. A nice bonus of such a walk is the opportunity to drink fresh mineral water straight from the sources, and not only from the tap in the pump room. And also from the territory of the complex they organize excursions to the Tustan rocks, one of the most famous archaeological and historical sites in the Carpathian region, so for those who like to "walk and see", there are plenty of options.

Silent hunting: mushrooms of the Carpathian forests

Autumn in the Carpathians is also the season of “quiet hunting,” as mushroom picking has long been called in Ukraine. And Skhidnytsia is no exception: after warm days and night rains, the pine and beech forests around are replaced by mushroom glades, and an ordinary walk along a forest path easily turns into a small mushroom expedition with a basket in hand.

The best time for quiet hunting is the morning after a rain, when the air is damp and the mushrooms have not yet had time to dry in the sun. In the Carpathian forests in autumn, the following are most often found:

• porcini mushrooms, or boletus mushrooms, a real trophy for any mushroom picker;
• chanterelles, bright yellow and almost always without wormholes;
• aspen and birch trees;
• honey agarics, which often grow in whole families just on stumps;
• buttercups, with a characteristic cap that is slippery to the touch.

Here it is worth pausing and adding an important caveat: quiet hunting is not the kind of active recreation where you can rely solely on intuition or photos from the Internet. If you do not have your own experience in mushroom picking, the safest option is to join one of the locals who knows the Carpathian forest inside out, or simply admire the mushrooms without intending to take them to the kitchen. Mushrooms purchased at a trusted local market are always a safer choice than a dubious find under a pine tree, although the excitement in this approach is, of course, much less.

After a few hours in the forest with a full or not so full basket, the appetite returns by itself, so a warm dinner in a cozy restaurant after such a walk seems like a well-deserved reward.

Jeep tours in the Carpathians: off-road, drive and views

If you want more adrenaline and less walking, at the guests' disposal jeep tours. You can create a route yourself with a guide, the list of locations includes Lazny waterfall, Carpathian Switzerland, Yamelnytsia, Urych, Sopit, Vitryaky, as well as an observation deck with a large swing (yes, the same one whose photo has already become an unofficial symbol of Carpathian tourism on social networks).

The duration of the tour is 3-4 hours, the capacity of one jeep is a maximum of 4 people, and the cost is 4500 UAH per hour. This format is for those who want to see mountain landscapes outside the usual walking routes: forests, dirt roads, climbs and open areas with a view of the Carpathians, which are much more difficult to reach on foot, and simply impossible in a regular car.

For those who want to drive themselves, quad bikes and buggies are provided. The routes vary in difficulty:

• easy route for beginners and families with children;
• route along the Cévennes mountain range towards Yablunytsia;
• a route with a climb to the peaks of Svinyanka and Polavets, for those who are already confident in their driving skills.

Before the start, all guests are instructed, and a guide accompanies them on the route, so even complete beginners feel confident. Buggies are available for two and four people, the start is traditionally near the reception of the complex. The autumn forest on such routes looks especially cinematic: yellow leaves, fog in the valleys and the feeling that for a minute you find yourself in an adventure movie somewhere in the Carpathians.

What else to try for active recreation

In addition to padel, hiking and jeeping, the territory offers Active Club Phoenix with its own activity program, and for families with teenagers there is a rope park among the pine trees, from which there is enough conversation for a whole evening over dinner in Hygge restaurant. Younger children will definitely like it. Kids Club with animators and programs for every day, while parents have time to go to the padel court and Aura Spa & Lounge.

A little practical advice for autumn activities: bring several layers of clothing, the mountains are noticeably colder in the morning and evening than the valley, and during the day the sun can quite warm the air to summer comfort. Comfortable shoes will also not hurt, both for the forest trail and for walks in the area between activities.

Why autumn?

In summer, all this activity is also available, but it is in autumn that the Carpathians have a special atmosphere: colors, silence, fresh cool air and fewer people on the routes and courts. And in the evening, after a paddle or a jeep tour, all you have to do is go to the spa or sit with a glass of hot drink by the fire in the Vatra zone, where the warmth from the bonfire warms you better than any conversation about plans for tomorrow.

Are you planning an active vacation in the Carpathians this fall? You can book accommodation at Phoenix Medical Resort and check the activity schedule at booking page, and a full list of all leisure options, on the page “"Leisure"”.