If you are outdoors lover, traditional tour routes might not be very interesting for you. After all, one can visit a limited amount of cathedrals during a trip, before it becomes mundane and boring. So what to do, if your heart wants adventures? Well, Lviv, of course, is a great place for travelers like you. It is rather compact and small, and has enough diverse nature in and around it to satisfy your risk-taking nature. Save our checklist of adventure activities in Lviv below!

Best adventure activities in Lviv

1. Cycle in Lviv parks

Cycle away at Lviv parks

For those who are looking for some active vacationing, Lviv has plenty to offer as well. While cycling along the main streets is still not that common (though definitely improving, with the addition of cycling lanes), city has a number of parks, that are just perfect for an afternoon getaway. Among most popular ones are Znesinnia (also known as Kaiservald), Stryjsky, Pohulianky, and Zalizni Vody parks.

Znesinnia park is easily accessible from the city center. You can enter it from the High Castle. When you get to the hill, look to your right, and you will find an entrance to the park. Roads there are not paved, so get ready for some rough cycling. With over 312,1 hectares of ravines, hills and forests, park offers plenty of cycling routes.  Combine them with a picnic at the Lysa Hill (Bold Mountain).

Stryjsky park is more well-maintained than the others, and cycling there can be suitable even for smaller kids. Park's entrance is located between the streets Ivan Franko and Stryiska, a mere 15 min walk from the city center. Park is much smaller than Znesinnia, but has a lovely pond with swans, greenhouse, rock garden and linden alley.

Bike rental shops are available throughout the city center.

 

Where to find: Znesinnia park entrance is located right at the High Castle Hill (Vysoky Zamok). Stryisky park is situated between the Ivan Franko and Stryiska streets. Pohulianky park is a bit further into the outskirts - take a tram #7 and get off at the Pohulianka street.

 

When to visit: April through September are definitely the best months for cycling in Lviv

 

How much to pay: renting a bike typically costs 5 EURO per hour (you will be asked to leave your passport, driving license or a substantial sum of money as a deposit for the bike)

Also, explore our FREE ultimate guide on how to take one day bike tour from Lviv to castles.

2. Go ice-skating at the Rynok Square

Ice-skating ring in front of the City Tower Hall

If you get bored with endless coffee shops and street walks during Lviv's winter, head off for some action at the city's skating ring. It welcomes skaters starting from December and is an exciting city attraction for visitors of all ages.

 

Where to find: near City Town Council

 

When to visit: December - February

 

How much to pay: 40-50 UAH for skates rental

3. Go climbing to Devil Rocks

Exciting challenge just few hours outside of Lviv

Climbing the Devil Rocks (414 m) is another adventure to add to your check-list in Lviv.Located in the city outskirts, they are a major attraction in Vynnykivsky Forestry Park. Their name is, of course, related to a local legend, in which the Devil carried a huge rock to destroy the St. Yura's Cathedral in the city, but got crushed under the rocks weight. Getting there on your own is doable, but a bit challenging, especially if you don't know the language. Let us know, if you are interested, and we'll send you the detailed directions!

And, if you'd like to do it with support and oversight, contact us to arrange for a guided climbing trip there. 

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Where to find: next to Vynnykivske lake, close to Vynnyky town

 

When to visit: May-October

 

How much to pay: for free

4. Go birdwatching at Yanivski Lake near Roztochya Nature Reserve

Join our birdwatching tour!

Roztochchya is a unique territory which divides rivers in two basins – of Baltic and Black seas. You can see how the nature of Polissya wetlands and Carpathian mountains meet on these hills. Dozens of waterfowls, birds of reedbeds, neighbouring with forest ornithofauna. We can find White-tailed Eagle hunting as well as many other predators here.

Come early in the morning and stay exploring the vast territory until dawn to catch the best with your camera or binocular. Our experienced guide will show you the best of Roztochchya forest reserve.

You will enjoy a delicious lunch in the open air on a lake’s bank and share your birdwatching experience with your friends and the guide.

[In case you are short of time, we can guide you to Vynnyky forest right in the outskirts of Lviv to take a couple of hours walk for birdwatching]

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5. Take a day trip to Skolivski Beskydy National Park (Carpathian Mountains)

Drive only one hour way from Lviv and you will reach Skolivski Beskydy National Park, a part of Carpathian Mountains. While the mountains there aren't as high as the ridges in Ivano-Frankivsk region, views are still incredible, and hikes are still challenging enough. If you are up for an easy walk, go to Mt Trostian (1232 m). It is locafted in a famous ski resort and has a functioning ski lift to the top, working even in summer. You can hike uphill, stopping along the route to pick up delicious blueberries, have a picnic at the top, and ride down with a ski lift, enjoying impressive views on the way. 

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Which option is your favorite? Anything else we missed? Let us know in the comments!