Poland's largest dam and largest artificial lake are located at the foot of the Bieszczady Mountains, in Solina. Sailing boats and pedal boats hold the rein on the water, watched by the green hills on the horizon. Along the shore, amidst the hills, there are dozens of small bays, so you can find one that is right just for you. If you like to have fun on a sandy beach, the nearby village of Polańczyk offers lots of attractions, as well.
This gigantic dam and the hydroelectric power station were launched in 1968. When the dam was completed, the accumulated waters of the Bieszczady rivers San and Solinka spread amidst the hills, creating a huge and beautiful lake, with secluded bays and islands. A reservoir with a surface of 22 square kilometres and a capacity of half a billion cubic metres is attractive even for big time sailors. A canoe or boat trip will make it possible for you to explore various locations of the 160 km long shoreline. In the villages of Solina, Polańczyk, Bóbrka, Chrewt, Wołkowyja and Bukowiec there are lots of hotels and guesthouses. From these areas you can also follow hiking routes to the nearby hills where you will get excellent view to the Bieszczady mountains. You can also take a cruise and have a cup of coffee in the middle of the lake in the restaurant on the boat. You can visit the Solina power station and dam with its 2.5 km long passageways. Nearby there are lovely pubs and restaurants, some referring to nautical themes, some bringing back memories of the old oil drills that were once part of the landscape in this part of the Carpathians.
The water of Lake Solina spread into the nearby valleys after the dam was built, and the depth of the reservoir varies greatly. There are shallow pools, as well as 60 metre deep areas, and the lake bottom holds many secrets. There are lots of fish to the delight of anglers, who sneak down to the shore of the lake at dawn to catch a precious catfish, zander or even pike. And then they are joined by those who have come down to Solina to sail, swim and sunbathe.
There are lots of fun options for everyone.