Bieszczady National Park
Bieszczady National Park
Bieszczady National Park
5
About
Poland's largest national park, measuring 27,064 hectares, includes the dramatic Bieszczady Mountains, forests, open meadows and a variety of wildlife.
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3 within 3 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
158 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
17
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Basia_Poznan
Poznan, Poland80 contributions
Jun 2021
This is an absolute heaven for hikers! The trails are not demanding in the sense of climbing: no chains or special equipment is needed, but still not easy as they are long, with no shelters or shops on the way. But the nature and the views are stunning!
There are plenty of paths (3-8 hours long) to chose from. The most popular are: Polonina Carynska, Polonina Wetlinska, the highest mountain of Tarnica, but also the top of Smerek, the trail from Mała Rawka to Wielka Rawka are worth trying. From Wielka Rawka it takes only 45min to the point where the borders of Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine meeet.
There are a few things one have to bear in mind before going:* take food and drinks with you (no shops outside the villages);* most trails take you to a distant place from your starting point therefore there are small busses going to the most popular destinations (you have to wait until all the seats are taken before you go, so there is no timetable) or you can hitch-hike;* the entrance to the National Park is paid - 8PLN ( 2Euro); *no pets are allowed to the park; *and it is not "the forgotten end of the world" any more, so if you want to aviod crowds I'd recommend weekdays.
And it's beautiful all year round! with crispy fresh air and silence.
There are plenty of paths (3-8 hours long) to chose from. The most popular are: Polonina Carynska, Polonina Wetlinska, the highest mountain of Tarnica, but also the top of Smerek, the trail from Mała Rawka to Wielka Rawka are worth trying. From Wielka Rawka it takes only 45min to the point where the borders of Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine meeet.
There are a few things one have to bear in mind before going:* take food and drinks with you (no shops outside the villages);* most trails take you to a distant place from your starting point therefore there are small busses going to the most popular destinations (you have to wait until all the seats are taken before you go, so there is no timetable) or you can hitch-hike;* the entrance to the National Park is paid - 8PLN ( 2Euro); *no pets are allowed to the park; *and it is not "the forgotten end of the world" any more, so if you want to aviod crowds I'd recommend weekdays.
And it's beautiful all year round! with crispy fresh air and silence.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oskar Kawulicz
4 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Hi,
Bieszczady are stunning. Full of big predators. Unesco Carpathian beech forests, remote , aside of main Poland. 4 seasons here are very cool. Best places?
From Tarnica to Rozsypaniec
Bukowe Berdo
Połonina Wetlińska
Wooden churches hide in the woods
Little Alaska
One of last primeval forests in Europe.
Bieszczady are stunning. Full of big predators. Unesco Carpathian beech forests, remote , aside of main Poland. 4 seasons here are very cool. Best places?
From Tarnica to Rozsypaniec
Bukowe Berdo
Połonina Wetlińska
Wooden churches hide in the woods
Little Alaska
One of last primeval forests in Europe.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher B
Annapolis, Maryland, USA31 contributions
Jul 2011 • Couples
My wife and I went to Bieszczady for our honeymoon. We are not expert hikers, but we like being outdoors. I am from the southeast United States and found the Bieszczady mountains to be very much like the southern Appalachians in terms of morphology and foliage. I also expected the trails to be much like those in North Carolina or Georgia. I a very amateur hiker and found the trails in Bieszczady to be somewhat more difficult than those I know at home. Generally Bieszczady trails are longer with a much wider variety of terrain, including mixed forests, pine forests, prairies, and rocky outcroppings. There are very few "beginner" or "easy" trails. Most would best be classified as "moderate" to "strenuous." Despite the difficulty of trails, the views are absolutely amazing!!
In the Ustrzyki Gorne region, I recommend one of the Polonina trails to start, then do the Bukowe Berdo on a subsequent day. Bukowe Berdo is particularly taxing, taking you across several peaks with no switchbacks, only straight up, a little flatness, then straight down. Take more water than you think you'll need! In the middle of the Bukowe Berdo trail, there is a small natural spring (it's marked on the map as "zr") where you can fill up your water supply. The water is very cold and fresh! Highly recommended.
There is cost for entering each trail is $2 USD per person. Be aware of this. Also, the trails do not loop back, so you will need to take a bus at some point (or arrange for someone to pick you up). We were apprehensive about this at first, but it was very easy. Just do what everyone else does and you'll be ok!
There are many private homes where you can rent rooms. We stayed at a private home in Pszczeliny, right next to the Pensjonat Magura (http://www.bieszczady.net.pl/magura/). Magura is a very nice, small hotel with EXCELLENT and CHEAP food!! There is also a small store on the premises for stocking up on supplies at very cheap prices. I can't recommend this place enough. We didn't get to sleep in Magura because it was full when we arrived, but there are two private homes offering rooms that share the same parking lot. Thus, we slept in one of these places, but enjoyed the food, store, and FREE INTERNET of Magura. Great place! And the people are very dedicated to making it so.
In the Ustrzyki Gorne region, I recommend one of the Polonina trails to start, then do the Bukowe Berdo on a subsequent day. Bukowe Berdo is particularly taxing, taking you across several peaks with no switchbacks, only straight up, a little flatness, then straight down. Take more water than you think you'll need! In the middle of the Bukowe Berdo trail, there is a small natural spring (it's marked on the map as "zr") where you can fill up your water supply. The water is very cold and fresh! Highly recommended.
There is cost for entering each trail is $2 USD per person. Be aware of this. Also, the trails do not loop back, so you will need to take a bus at some point (or arrange for someone to pick you up). We were apprehensive about this at first, but it was very easy. Just do what everyone else does and you'll be ok!
There are many private homes where you can rent rooms. We stayed at a private home in Pszczeliny, right next to the Pensjonat Magura (http://www.bieszczady.net.pl/magura/). Magura is a very nice, small hotel with EXCELLENT and CHEAP food!! There is also a small store on the premises for stocking up on supplies at very cheap prices. I can't recommend this place enough. We didn't get to sleep in Magura because it was full when we arrived, but there are two private homes offering rooms that share the same parking lot. Thus, we slept in one of these places, but enjoyed the food, store, and FREE INTERNET of Magura. Great place! And the people are very dedicated to making it so.
Written July 25, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
unicorn_8
southern england1 contribution
Myself and a group of friends visited the Huzul horse trail riding from Wolosate in the Bieszczady National Park in 2007 and were appalled and shocked at the conditions both in relation to the horses and the trails. We booked through a reputable specialist horse riding agent.
We found our selves in a situation where the horses were abused and we promised a choice of 20 horses and when we got there the management had over booked and there were only 9 horses for the 9 people taking part. This meant when there were injuries to the horses because the tack didn't fit properly there were no spare horses. Riders were blamed for the injuries and it was down to ill fitting tack and a stable manager who didn't care.
These incredible little horses where expected work their way through mud, usually up to their knees but on some occasions above their chests to the point that they had to jump their way out of the deep sticky mud because otherwise they would have been stuck. To add to the problems there were endless slippery ravines, deep dykes, deep muddy ditches to be crossed. The horses had to slide down and put all their effort into scrabbling out the other sided. Meanwhile at the bottom they would usually have to negotiate a deep muddy ditch.
This was horrendously dangerous to the riders and and frankly cruel to the horses, to ask this of them again and again everyday. Some of the horses were not sufficiently fit to do the job.
To add to the problems there are only specific trails the horses can use and these have not been properly maintained by the park authority making the problem 10 times worse.
If you book this holiday be sure you insist on what you have paid for. As a result of pre eastern block mentality, everyone appears to be taking a cut of something and therefore the accommodation, meals, drinks and anything else which can be left out or down graded usually is. If you book this insist you get the accommodation, meals, drinks, transfers and anything else you have paid for.
The best day of this holiday is the meadows but watch out because as the grass grows it covers deep footings and wells from previous settlements and your horse can canter straight into it. Which is seriously dangerous for you both.
If you are told there are potential wildlife sightings for bear, lynx, bison, etc be sure you are very unlikely to see any of these things.
Top tip: Check the seasonal rainfall because obviously this has an impact on the terrain.
The walking trails however seemed to be much better than the horse trails and we would thoroughly recommend a stay at U Joski at Wolosate. This lady was very hospitable and kind and did not cut corners.
We have been informed that the situation is now improved but please be very very careful if you book this.
We found our selves in a situation where the horses were abused and we promised a choice of 20 horses and when we got there the management had over booked and there were only 9 horses for the 9 people taking part. This meant when there were injuries to the horses because the tack didn't fit properly there were no spare horses. Riders were blamed for the injuries and it was down to ill fitting tack and a stable manager who didn't care.
These incredible little horses where expected work their way through mud, usually up to their knees but on some occasions above their chests to the point that they had to jump their way out of the deep sticky mud because otherwise they would have been stuck. To add to the problems there were endless slippery ravines, deep dykes, deep muddy ditches to be crossed. The horses had to slide down and put all their effort into scrabbling out the other sided. Meanwhile at the bottom they would usually have to negotiate a deep muddy ditch.
This was horrendously dangerous to the riders and and frankly cruel to the horses, to ask this of them again and again everyday. Some of the horses were not sufficiently fit to do the job.
To add to the problems there are only specific trails the horses can use and these have not been properly maintained by the park authority making the problem 10 times worse.
If you book this holiday be sure you insist on what you have paid for. As a result of pre eastern block mentality, everyone appears to be taking a cut of something and therefore the accommodation, meals, drinks and anything else which can be left out or down graded usually is. If you book this insist you get the accommodation, meals, drinks, transfers and anything else you have paid for.
The best day of this holiday is the meadows but watch out because as the grass grows it covers deep footings and wells from previous settlements and your horse can canter straight into it. Which is seriously dangerous for you both.
If you are told there are potential wildlife sightings for bear, lynx, bison, etc be sure you are very unlikely to see any of these things.
Top tip: Check the seasonal rainfall because obviously this has an impact on the terrain.
The walking trails however seemed to be much better than the horse trails and we would thoroughly recommend a stay at U Joski at Wolosate. This lady was very hospitable and kind and did not cut corners.
We have been informed that the situation is now improved but please be very very careful if you book this.
Written June 23, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen W
Poole, UK195 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
If you're familiar with large forests in the UK you need to know this is nothing like them! When we told Polish friends we were visiting this part of Poland they were bemused 'not even most Polish people have been there!' We drove from Krakow which took the best part of the day (roads aren't great) and headed for the fascinating wooden churches of Rownia and others nearby. Then we drove down to Ustrzyki Gorne and finally to the surreal Hotel Gorski in Wetlina (like a 70s guest house, great fun!) Next day we went to Cisna for the brilliant Bieszczady forest railway which chugs into the wilderness with open carriages, to within just 200m of the Ukraine border. We wanted to experience the real Poland and this region is beautiful, wild and for the adventurous only...we met absolutely no-one who spoke English so you'll need at least a few basic words to get by. We didn't however see any bears, wolves, bison or other wold creatures, you'll have to go even more off the beaten track than the roads (which are basic, country, pot-holed).
Written September 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbertSalichs
Manresa, Spain11,252 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Bieszczady is a Natural Park located in the Southeastern part of Poland, close to the border witk Ukraine. It is a very beautiful zone with a lot of things to do like walk in the land, do excursions, visit some towns (especially Lesko, a little town with a very nice old synagogue and Jewish cemetery), see an interesting dam (where you can walk on the top and look the fantastic views of the river and surroundings) near the town called Solina, go up to a little hill called Góra Sobién and enjoy with the beautiful views of San river, visit an amazing and romantic ruins of a Carmelites monastery (it is really wonderful!) near the little town called Zagórz, or simply enjoy with nature and surroundings. We also do a route with a car and went to see a lot of wood churches located in the zone, like Średnia Wiés, Ustianowej, Rownia, Hoszowczyk, Hoszów, Rabe, Zlobek and Stefkova. They are amazing! Really they were the best sightseeing in the zone. Moreover, near the natural park there is a beautiful town called Sanok, which is interesting to visit.
We travelled around the South part of Poland and Bieszczady was a Top! We would like to return here and stay more days. So, it is essential, but please, buy warm clothing before arrive here!
(See also Dam in Solina and Ruiny Warownego Klasztora Karmelitow)
We travelled around the South part of Poland and Bieszczady was a Top! We would like to return here and stay more days. So, it is essential, but please, buy warm clothing before arrive here!
(See also Dam in Solina and Ruiny Warownego Klasztora Karmelitow)
Written February 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gosia Julia K
Berlin, Germany1 contribution
Sep 2013 • Family
I spent 3 beautiful days with my mum in Bieszczady. We stayed in a guesthouse in Polanczyk. We went to see the local sights like the Solina Lake, Solina Dam and the hills around the village. Our highlight however, was a hiking trip to the highest peak - Tarnica. I took many pictures and wrote about our trip on my blog: http://greenvana.eu/3-days-bieszczady-mountains-poland/
Written January 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yan W
Fochabers, UK244 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
I walked the the polish part called the bieszczady circuit,it's a very beautiful and stunning scenic route that starts and ends in a town called lesko,doing this route tends to take in more of the higher peaks,the mountain range bourders Slovakia and Ukraine(if you do go into ukraine remember to have your passport handy for inspection).
Walking in the mountains is better suited for more experienced walkers and map readers,the upper parts of the mountain regions there are lots of mountain meadows and boggy areas whilst the lower regions are made up of birch and rowan woods.
The area can be very wild at times and is very sparsely populated so be warned.
Walking in the mountains is better suited for more experienced walkers and map readers,the upper parts of the mountain regions there are lots of mountain meadows and boggy areas whilst the lower regions are made up of birch and rowan woods.
The area can be very wild at times and is very sparsely populated so be warned.
Written July 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariusz P
Fredrikstad, Norway43 contributions
One of the best places in Poland. Very beautiful and very wild. Many people in summer time but not so many like in Tatra Mountains. I'm really not sure if we should show this place to all the world or hide from them...
Written January 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LiseBB2014
Oslo, Norway316 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
After being to the Tatras in July, coming here was such a relief! Even though the Bieszczady mountains are different from the Tatras, I'd come back here any time, whereas the Tatras, perhaps if there is a day without tourists. Unfortunately, we only had two nights here, and of course, it had to rain. So we climbed Polonina Wetlinska on a very grey and misty day, we hardly saw five metres ahead, but we still made it. The first part is more or less continually uphill, the when you reach the top, the path winds its way along the ridge with some ups and some downs. If you choose such a wet day, you need to be very careful as the path is extremely slippery, not only the rocks and roots, but the ground itself. You really need very good footwear. Even though there are plenty of people here in the high season too, it isn't anywhere near as bad as the Tatras and the area have so many paths to choose from. Also, the people holidaying here seem to be of a different kind. It is remote now, but once upon a time, not that long ago in fact (a little more than half a century ago), it was much more densely populated by the Lemks and the Boyks that were blamed for the civil war that took place in this area just after WWII, hence they were removed. You can still see traces of their villages and orchards, many of the beautiful wooden churches around are also their legacy. I'd love to come back and explore the area more, and as somebody else wrote here, should we really tell the others, or should we keep it secret.
Written August 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnneMarieRichard1
Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK7 contributions
Hello. we are visiting Poland at the end of March.
Please can you advise a tour guide we could contact to hire at Bieszczady National Park?
Thankyou
Anne-Marie
Is it okay to visit this park without a car?
Kavulon
Gdansk, Poland
Yes, of course :) You buy tickets when entering the trail.
Hi, it is possible to visit the part with dog? Are dogs allowed? Thank you in advance :)
JaniceFen87
Island of Malta, Malta121 contributions
Hi. How can one reach the park from Krakow since I cannot find busses or trains which I can use. We would like to spend at least 2 days. Thanks.
Kasia O
Krapkowice, Poland14 contributions
You have to go to Rzeszów and than you can finde another bus to the destanetion place.
Terry F
Berkeley, CA2 contributions
Is there public transportation to the park? If so, from where? Can one get around the park without a car?
Where are some good places to stay near the park?
BogatyOgrodnik P
Lodz, Poland55 contributions
PT runs everyday so don't worry. You can start in Wetlina, Smerek, Cisna, Wolosate, Ustrzyki Gorne. There you find starting points to many hiking paths. A car isn't essential but remember that hiking trails are long, beautiful and breathtaking. Do not hesitate and come for it.
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Claim your listingBieszczady National Park (Lutowiska) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Bieszczady National Park
- Hotels near Bieszczady National Park:
- (0.00 mi) U Eskulapa
- (0.35 mi) Pensjonat Magura
- (0.50 mi) Chata Magoda
- (0.80 mi) Stanica Kresowa Chreptiów
- (2.64 mi) Wilcza Jama Adam Pawlak
- Restaurants near Bieszczady National Park:
- (0.25 mi) Gospoda Pod Żubrem
- (0.77 mi) Stanica Kresowa Chreptiów
- (2.64 mi) Wilcza Jama
- (8.89 mi) Karczma Siedlisko Carpathia
- (9.50 mi) Karczma Sielsko Anielsko
- Attractions near Bieszczady National Park:
- (0.16 mi) Galeria - Pracownia Stare Kino
- (3.04 mi) Cerkiew sw. Michała Archanioła
- (4.31 mi) Museum of Bieszczady History
- (9.72 mi) Polonina Wetlinska
- (7.79 mi) Zagroda Żubra w Mucznem
Bieszczady National Park Information
| Excellent Reviews | 137 |
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| Very Good Reviews | 17 |
| Bieszczady National Park Photos | 263 |

































