Tustan Reserve. A cliff fortress above the village of Urych with wooden stairs, viewing platforms and Carpathian panoramas
The Tustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve protects the cliff-top defensive complex of an ancient fortress above the village of Urych in the Carpathians. An important route from Drohobych to Zakarpattia once passed here, and today wooden stairs and walkways lead from cliff to cliff and open up wide views. It is one of the most striking places in the Carpathian foothills for a walk and photos.
Why visit
- A cliff-top defensive complex with the huge Kamin, Ostryi Kamin, Mala Skelia and Zholob cliffs among Carpathian forests
- Wooden stairs and walkways lead from cliff to cliff and open up panoramic views of the Carpathian ridges
- A reconstruction of the wooden fortifications shows how the fortress that guarded the route from Drohobych to Zakarpattia might have looked
- In autumn the slopes are covered in golden and orange leaves, so the views from the cliffs make for strikingly bright photos
- The fortress is first mentioned in the Kraków Cathedral Chronicle, and the reserve preserves moats, ramparts and ancient cultural layers
- There are family tickets, and a guided tour can be booked for groups from one person to more than forty
Good to know
Ticket prices
Adult ticket UAH 200, reduced (for children, students and pensioners with a document) UAH 100. Family tickets: 1 adult with children UAH 400, 2 adults with children UAH 500.
Opening hours
From October 25 the autumn and winter schedule applies: daily from 9:30 to 17:00. In the warm season the reserve is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Guided tours
A group tour costs UAH 500 (up to 10 people), UAH 600 (11–20 people), UAH 800 (21–40 people) and UAH 1,000 (more than 40 people); admission tickets are paid separately.
Best shots
The most striking views open up from the viewing platforms on the cliffs. Especially bright photos come in autumn, when the slopes turn golden, and on clear days, when you can see the distant ridges.
Good to know
The climb on wooden stairs and uneven paths calls for comfortable shoes. Allow at least an hour and a half to two hours for the walk.
Getting there
The fortress is in the village of Urych in the Skole community. By car from Lviv, take the Kyiv–Chop highway to Urych; by public transport, go to Stryi or Skole, then take a bus to Urych. From Truskavets it is easiest to go by car or with a tour.
