Gorgany Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Nadvirna Raion, Ukraine.
The Gorgany Nature Reserve is a protected forest area in Nadvirna Raion in the Carpathian Mountains with slopes and ridges. It contains thick woodlands, vast rocky fields, and mountain crests topped with low shrubs and stunted pine trees.
The area received protected status to preserve ancient forest ecosystems and rare mountain species living on these slopes for millennia. This protection made it a key refuge for wildlife in the eastern Carpathians.
The name Gorgany comes from Romanian, referring to the stone formations that define this part of the Eastern Carpathians. This language connection reflects the historical links between peoples who have lived in these mountains.
Visitors need special permits to hike the marked trails in the reserve, which open from May through October when weather allows safe travel. Summer months offer the best conditions for exploring, when snow and ice do not block the paths.
The reserve holds one of Europe's largest brown bear populations, finding shelter in its mountain forests. The vast stone fields form natural barriers that isolate and protect rare plant communities living in these alpine zones.
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