Ruscova – Nature, Trails and Ukrainian Culture

The Conacul Drahneilor, a traditional MaramureÈ™ manor house on the Valea Dragmirov, is located in Ruscova. It was built from carved fir wood on a stone foundation and has a shingle roof typical of traditional buildings in MaramureÈ™.

Landscape and Nature

Ruscova has a varied, mountainous-looking relief; hills between 600 and 900 m predominate. The village is located in the Munții Maramureșului Nature Park and belongs to the Ukrainian-influenced communities along the Ruscova Valley. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is permanently present in the Vișeu catchment area and also occurs along the Ruscova River.

Water and Trails

From Ruscova, an approximately 4 km-long paved road crosses the Ruscova River and runs through the Valea Dragmirov to the Conacul Drahneilor. The Ruscova and Dragmirov valleys have rapids and cascades that are considered attractions for water sports involving inflatable boats. This water sport takes place in summer at the confluence of the Ruscova and Vișeu, when the water is warm.

One route crosses the Ruscova Valley and then follows the path through the Valea Paulic for approximately 500 m. It passes through the clusters of houses in Smereca, through a mixed beech and spruce forest, past Piatra Socolău and across two clearings to the Stânișoara alpine pasture. The marked trail then climbs below the Mihailecu Ridge and continues along the ridge, with its karst formations, to the 1,917 m-high Vf. Mihailecu before descending to Lacul Vinderel.

On the Paltin–Lespedea–Lupului–Obcina–Drahmirov route, the trail runs from the Valea Lespedea along the DJ 187 for approximately 10 km, parallel to the Ruscova River, then turns into the Valea Lupului and follows a cart track to the Obcina Ridge. From there, it descends through the Valea Drahmirov, also on a cart track, to the DJ 187.

The two route descriptions can be considered separately when distance, trail surface and the sequence of landscapes are to be included in the day’s planning.

When preparing a trip to Ruscova, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the offer pages. This allows you to check a hotel according to your own dates and preferred room selection for your personal planning.

Other Places

Other places: Botiza, Sighetu Maramăţiei, Poienile Izei, Firiza, Vadu Izei, Săcălaşeni, Mittelstadt, Hoteni

Culture

The Ukrainian monastery „Nașterea Sf. Ioan Botezătorul“ is located in Ruscova-Oblaz in Maramureș County. The monastery’s feast included a procession with young people in traditional costume, priests and worshippers. On Sunday, 15 April 2018, the „Festivalul cântecului şi dansului ucrainean“ was held in Ruscova; all artistic groups from Ukrainian-influenced places in Maramureș as well as two artistic groups from Ukraine were invited. The wooden church „Sfântul Ierarh Nicolae“ in the hamlet of Oblaz was built in 1954 at its present location from the wood of the former parish church in Ruscova.

For the higher-level travel overview: MaramureÅŸ.