The Bieszczady fill the south-eastern corner of Poland, where it meets Slovakia and Ukraine. After the Second World War the region’s Boyko and Lemko villages were depopulated, and nature took back the valleys. The result is one of the wildest landscapes in the EU: beech forests, abandoned orchards, bears, wolves, lynx and a reintroduced herd of European bison.
Above the forest line rise the połoniny — broad, grassy ridges that turn gold and red in autumn. The most famous hikes are on Połonina Wetlińska and Połonina Caryńska and up Tarnica (1,346 m), the highest peak in the Polish Bieszczady, all within Bieszczady National Park.
Top things to do: Bieszczady
Hike the połoniny
Połonina Wetlińska from Przełęcz Wyżna, with the famous Chatka Puchatka hut, and Połonina Caryńska from Ustrzyki Górne or Brzegi Górne, are half-day to full-day walks with enormous views.
Climb Tarnica
A 3–4 hour round trip from Wołosate leads to the summit cross of Tarnica, with views into Ukraine and Slovakia.
Wooden churches and Solina lake
Former Greek Catholic wooden churches (cerkwie) are scattered through the valleys; several in the wider region are UNESCO-listed. Solina reservoir to the north is a summer water-sports hub.
The Bieszczady forest railway
A narrow-gauge tourist railway runs from Majdan near Cisna through the forest in the summer season.
How to get to Bieszczady
- From Kraków: about 4.5–5.5 hours by car to Ustrzyki Górne or Wetlina; Rzeszów (with an airport) is about 2.5–3 hours away.
- By public transport: trains or buses to Sanok or Ustrzyki Dolne, then local buses in summer — slow and infrequent.
- Getting around: the “Great Bieszczady Loop” road links the main villages; a car is by far the easiest option.
Insider tips
- Services are sparse: fill up with fuel and cash in Sanok or Lesko.
- Autumn (late September–October) is peak season for colours; summer weekends are busy on the main ridges.
- The border zone with Ukraine is monitored — carry ID and do not stray off marked trails near the border.
- Bears are common here; make noise in the forest and store food properly.
