Shipit Waterfall Pylypets – 3 km
In a cozy corner of the Carpathian Mountains, among the evergreen mountain forests and steep sharp rocks, lurked the deepest and most beautiful waterfall in Transcarpathia – Shipit – the deepest in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Not surprisingly, it is one of the seven natural wonders of Ukraine, because it captivates at first sight and leaves unforgettable feelings and emotions in all who visit it.
The water flowing down from the Borzhava mountain meadow falls in picturesque cascades from a height of 14 meters. From afar you will hear the roar of a waterfall, reminiscent of a whisper. You can admire the cascades in any season: in winter the river does not freeze completely, so you can see how the crystal stream breaks off the rocks. You can approach the waterfall from above and below – the landscape will be equally attractive. However, the best time to meet Shipot is in the spring, when the snow on the slopes of Gimba melts, filling the stream. In the summer, on Ivan Kupala, informal young people from different countries gather near the waterfall, who gather for the annual festival “Shipit”. The waterfall is located about 6 km from the nearest settlement – the village of Pylypets and 10 km from the railway station. A peculiar landmark indicating its location is the lift – from it to the waterfall is only 300 m. Visiting this place is part of many excursion programs. Not far from the waterfall, if you go to it near the village of Pylypets, you will find souvenir shops and numerous vendors of hot wine – in winter, or soft drinks – in summer.
Shipit is considered one of the seven non-manufactured wonders of Ukraine, because this waterfall is the most beautiful and most visited waterfall in Transcarpathia, which can be admired at any time of year. Each time it enchants its visitors with unique sounds and incredibly picturesque nature.
Shipit is located on one of the northern slopes of the Borzhava mountain meadow at the foot of Mount Gimba (1491 m) on the river Ploshanka, which originates from underground springs on Mount Velykyi Verkh (1598 m). Starting its way high in the mountains, the stream runs down a picturesque gorge, merging with other small streams. On one of the steep descents Ploshanka forms an extremely beautiful 14-meter waterfall, formed of numerous picturesque cascades.
Every year a huge number of tourists come to see such a work of art of Mother Nature. Although Shipit is beautiful at any time of year, but in summer, especially when there is a drought, the mighty waterfall turns into a small stream that runs to the bottom on several ledges of rock. In winter, the waterfall partially binds the ice, forming bizarre figures.
However, Shipit is most attractive to tourists either in the spring, when the snow begins to melt on Borzhava, or in the fall, when the mountains are flooded with abundant autumn rains. It is at this time that the full-bodied handsome waterfall sounds loudly to all around, as if telling its listeners an ancient legend, and perhaps a tragic love story…
Waterfall legend
Once upon a time, two families lived in the village of Pylypets. In a richer family grew up a beautiful daughter Marichka, a real pride of parents. Being both noble and good, the girl attracted many wealthy suitors. However, Marichka loved Ivanka, who came from a poor family. And so that the parents did not learn anything about their feelings and did not separate them, the lovers decided to meet secretly, and the place of frequent romantic encounters was at the foot of the Great Top, where only nature could witness their meetings.
However, as soon as Marichka and Ivanko did not hide their feelings from strangers, “she did not hide in a bag.” The girl’s mother also found out about their love. One day she was following her daughter when she went to meet Ivanka. In a terrible rage, she began to scold lovers. And during that curse, the sky rumbled terribly, lightning appeared and a terrible downpour began. A turbulent stream of mud immediately picked up the young man and the girl and carried them into the abyss. At first, Ivanko and Marichka held hands, but the waterfall forcibly separated their hands and threw them in two opposite directions.
Since then, the mother, who saw the terrible tragedy with her own eyes, came to the hot spring every day. Until one night, on the night of Ivan Kupala, she heard the voice of her daughter whispering to her lover. Stunned and bewildered, her mother cried out loudly, “Do you hear a whisper? So they are whispering to each other! ” Since then, they began to call the waterfall “Shipit”.
However, there is another version of the origin of the name of the waterfall, not as romantic as the previous one, according to which the name “Shipit” was given to him for his loud voice, which in the distance can be heard as a human whisper.
Shipit Festival
Shipit also owes its popularity to the eponymous festival of subcultures held on the lawn near the waterfall since 1993. Since then, many informals from all over the world gather every year for the holiday, which lasts from July 1 to 7. As part of the festival on the night of Ivan Kupala on both sides of the waterfall are exciting fairy tales with hints of local traditions and special flavor.
The celebrations are very loud, so knowledgeable people say that for fans of peace and comfort, as well as for families with young children, early July is not the best time to get acquainted with Shipot, because these days it is noisy and not always clean, and guests of the festival they like to relax in the costumes of Adam and Eve for the joy (or, conversely, not for joy, here as to anyone’s liking).
Shipit Waterfall is considered to be one of the seven non-manufactured wonders of Ukraine, because this waterfall is the most beautiful and most visited waterfall in Transcarpathia, which can be admired at any time of the year. Each time it enchants its visitors with unique sounds and incredibly picturesque nature.
Shipit waterfall is located on one of the northern slopes of the Borzhava mountain meadow at the foot of Mount Gimba (1491 m) on the river Ploshanka, which originates from underground springs on Mount Velykyi Verkh (1598 m). Starting its way high in the mountains, the stream runs down a picturesque gorge, merging with other small streams. On one of the steep descents Ploshanka forms an extremely beautiful 14-meter waterfall, formed of numerous picturesque cascades.
Every year a huge number of tourists come to see such a work of art of Mother Nature. Although Shipit is beautiful at any time of year, but in summer, especially when there is a drought, the mighty waterfall turns into a small stream that runs to the bottom on several ledges of rock. In winter, the waterfall partially binds the ice, forming bizarre figures.
However, Shipit is most attractive to tourists either in the spring, when the snow begins to melt on Borzhava, or in the fall, when the mountains are flooded with abundant autumn rains. It is at this time that the full-bodied handsome waterfall sounds loudly to all around, as if telling its listeners an ancient legend, and perhaps a tragic love story…
Waterfall legend
Once upon a time, two families lived in the village of Pylypets. In a richer family grew up a beautiful daughter Marichka, a real pride of parents. Being both noble and good, the girl attracted many wealthy suitors. However, Marichka loved Ivanka, who came from a poor family. And so that the parents did not learn anything about their feelings and did not separate them, the lovers decided to meet secretly, and the place of frequent romantic encounters was at the foot of the Great Top, where only nature could witness their meetings.
However, as soon as Marichka and Ivanko did not hide their feelings from strangers, “she did not hide in a bag.” The girl’s mother also found out about their love. One day she was following her daughter when she went to meet Ivanka. In a terrible rage, she began to scold lovers. And during that curse, the sky rumbled terribly, lightning appeared and a terrible downpour began. A turbulent stream of mud immediately picked up the young man and the girl and carried them into the abyss. At first, Ivanko and Marichka held hands, but the waterfall forcibly separated their hands and threw them in two opposite directions.
Since then, the mother, who saw the terrible tragedy with her own eyes, came to the hot spring every day. Until one night, on the night of Ivan Kupala, she heard the voice of her daughter whispering to her lover. Stunned and bewildered, her mother cried out loudly, “Do you hear a whisper? So they are whispering to each other! ” Since then, they began to call the waterfall “Shipit”.
However, there is another version of the origin of the name of the waterfall, not as romantic as the previous one, according to which the name “Shipit” was given to him for his loud voice, which in the distance can be heard as a human whisper.
Shipit Festival
Shipit also owes its popularity to the eponymous festival of subcultures, which has been held on the lawn near the waterfall since 1993. Since then, the festival, which lasts from 1 to 7 July, annually gathers many informals from all over the world. As part of the festival on the night of Ivan Kupala on both sides of the waterfall are exciting fairy tales with hints of local traditions and special flavor.
The celebrations are very loud, so knowledgeable people say that for fans of peace and comfort, as well as for families with small children, early July is not the best time to get to know Shipot, because these days it is noisy and not always clean, and guests of the festival love for joy (or, conversely, not for joy, here as someone to the liking of others to rest in the costumes of Adam and Eve.