Amazing place. Lovely scenery. Walking shoes required as narrow in places. Lots of people to chat... read more
Amazing place. Lovely scenery. Walking shoes required as narrow in places. Lots of people to chat... read more
Tarnica would be the trail to be in! Especially when you reach the peak, there is a long walk on... read more
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.









