Five most beautiful routes in the Bieszczady

The trails leading to the summits of Połonina Wetlińska, Połonina Caryńska and Tarnica, owing to the moderate level of difficulty, are very popular with both the young and the elderly; along the way you can even meet families with children. Many say that if you are in the Bieszczady but do not stop by the iconic Chatka Puchatka it is as if you have never visited these mountains at all. Before you come to this lovely area, it is a good idea to carefully plan each day. Here are the five most beautiful Bieszczady routes.

Mount Połonina Wetlińska, with the legendary hostel Chatka Puchatka (Pooh’s Cottage) located near the summit, is one of the most distinctive massifs in the Bieszczady. At its foot, there are the popular villages of Wetlina and Smerek, which are excellent starting points for hiking. Owing to the characteristic vegetation layers with a dense beech forest covering the slopes and a completely exposed summit, the mountain is easily recognisable even from a large distance. A walk along the ridge of Mount Połonina Wetlińska will be a real feast for your eyes and your soul. The extremely varied terrain, beautiful views and a sense of immense space make a great impression even on the most experienced hikers. Unforgettable adventure guaranteed!!
Duration of the walk uphill: 1h 15 min.

Mount Połonina Caryńska is another must-see place in the Bieszczady. The range, four-kilometres long, has four summits; three of these are located along the tourist trails. It takes its name from the village of Caryńskie once located at the foot of the mountain. Before World War II, farm animals used to graze on the meadows high on the mountain. Today, it is tourists that walk along the grass-covered summits, enchanted by the magical views. From its top, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the entire Western Bieszczady and the Sanocko-Turczańskie Mountains. You can admire Połonina Wetlińska, Dwernik-Kamień, the Caryńskie valley, the range of Otryt, as well as Mounts Tarnica and Rawka.

Duration of the walk uphill: about 1h 30 min.

Mount Tarnica is the highest peak in the Polish Bieszczady (1346 m). Those who get to the top can admire magnificent views of both the Polish and Ukrainian parts of these mountains. The nature and history trail Orlik krzykliwy (Lesser Spotted Eagle) runs almost parallel to the blue trail. It was delineated by the Bieszczady National Park and marked in green. It starts in Wołosate at a site once occupied by a Greek-Catholic church and ends on top of Mount Tarnica. The trail leading through meadows and forests is greatly varied. Along the way you will encounter steep slopes, footbridges and... stairs. The summit, with a characteristic “Papal Cross”, offers one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Bieszczady. Tarnica is the only summit in the Bieszczady included in the Polish Mountain Climbing Challenge, which consists of 28 peaks.

Duration of the walk uphill: about 2 h 30 min.

The trail from the Wyżniańska Pass is the fastest, although not the easiest, way to reach the Rawka Range. Although it is slightly less popular than Mounts Połonina Caryńska and Połonina Wetlińska, it is worth every effort. The trail first ascends rather gently through Mount Wierch Wyżniański to the hostel Bacówka pod Małą Rawką, and then climbs steeply towards the summit. The way up, although demanding, is short and the hardships are soon rewarded by the beautiful views. After you reach the peak of Mała Rawka (1267 m), you can follow the yellow signs for 15 more minutes to reach the top of Mount Wielka Rawka (1307 m). Wielka Rawka is famous for its magnificent panorama comprising Połonina Wetlińska, Połonina Caryńska in its entire length, Tarnica as well as Bukowe Berdo. If time allows, you can follow the blue trail to a unique place known as Kremenaros or Krzemieniec (45 min.). This is the meeting point of borders of three countries: Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia. A selfie with the symbolic obelisk is obligatory!

Although Muczne is an inconspicuous little village at the foot of the mountains, it is an excellent location for a base camp for trips to the higher parts of the Bieszczady. It is a good starting point to get to Bukowe Berdo, and from there to Tarnica or Halicz. The yellow trail, starting at the Forestry Promotion Centre, runs parallel to the Bukowe Berdo Nature Trail. An opportunity to see the wildlife in the Bieszczady National Park is a real treat for both younger and older hikers. The trail is rather varied along the way. At times it climbs gently through the forest, then it takes a turn into a wider clearing, to unexpectedly go up following a much steeper path. When you reach the mountain ridge, that is where a real treat begins. From Bukowe Berdo you can see the villages of Lutowiska and Muczne, the valley of the Terebowiec stream and Mounts Kopa Bukowska, Krzemień, Halicz, Rozsypaniec, Szeroki Wierch, Połonina Wetlinska, Połonina Caryńska and Rawka. On a clear day you can even get a glimpse of Ukraine. According to many hikers this is the most beautiful scenic route in the Bieszczady.

Duration of the walk uphill: about 2 h