Bieszczady National Park

Bieszczady National Park is the largest mountainous national park in Poland located in the range of Bieszczady which is subpart of Beskids mountain range which is part of the larger Carpathian Mountains range. Due to its remoteness and lack of economic/strategic relevancy it contains some of the most pristine nature in Poland. Commonly regarded in Poland as quiet refuge it is great spot for hiking or even simple rest.

Understand

Bieszczady National Park is located in southeastern tip of Podkarpackie voivodeship of Poland bordering with Slovakia in the south where its counterpart Poloniny National Park is located and in the east it borders with Ukraine on San river valley.

History

Bieszczady region was always remote and serious settlement began only in late 14th century with small pastoral and logging communities. It never expanded much and since 17th century region went into decline which forced local residents to plunder caravans passing through the mountains into Hungary. During Second World War area was witness to partisan warfare which culminated in expulsion of local population in 1950s and depopulation of many villages, whose ruins can be seen to this day. In 1973 the national park was created and in the next two decades its area was further expanded.

Landscape

Połonina Wetlińska

Mountainous and hilly, but not alpine. Most mountains are covered in beech forests with only the tallest mountains uncovering plain on their top referred locally to as połonina. Region is depopulated and few people live in valleys.

Flora and fauna

Flora consists mostly of primeval beech forests and abandoned agricultural land. Many animals can be found including: European bison, brown bear, wolf, aesculapian snake and black stork.

Climate

Bieszczady have quite warm summer with temperatures around 15°C. Weather is wet all year-round, rain is sudden and frequent especially in summer. Thunderstorms are also possible so prepare beforehand. In winter it is cold at -5°C. In mountains it is about 2 to 5 degrees colder. On połoniny it may be also very windy which may reduced felt temperature by 10 degree Celsius.

Get in

By car

There are three hilly roads of good quality going to the park. Tank your car well before arriving as there are few petrol stations in the park.

By taxi

If you feel lucky you can try ridesharing apps. Sometimes you can get this way to more popular places like Wetlina. In other cases you are forced to use more expensive local taxi companies which operate during day.

By bus

You can reach Sanok or Ustrzyki Dolne as these cities are well connected to other parts of Poland and then continue on bus from these cities. Flixbus line goes from these cities to Wetlina and Ustrzyki Górne and takes about 2 hours. Other local private bus companies may also arrive. In all cases however it is quite unreliable mode of transportation and local private buses often do not have regular schedule.

Fees and permits

Most paths cost symbolic 9 zł per adult (4.5 zł for students and pensioners). Ticket booth is usually located on start of track, paying online is also possible.

Get around

By car

The only reliable way of traveling in Bieszczadzki National Park. All hikes start from a parking lot which are usually only accessible by car. Take cash with you, parkings is usually paid 20 zł for whole day. Prefer main roads, as local roads may cross through fords (dry during summer) and are of poor quality.

By bus

There is no public transport working in the park. Private bus drivers do courses only between the most popular hiking trails (Połonina Wetlińska/Caryńska back to parking lots, Ustrzyki Górne-Wołosate, Cisna-Wetlina-Ustrzyki Górne) in this area. They work only during day (9:00-17:00) have irregular schedule and wait until full. Take cash with you as they are unlikely to have card terminals.

By taxi

Most taxis are work only during day. Keep number for nighttime taxis as these are quite rare but may come handy, price is quite hefty though. Ask locals in your hotel/at parking lot for good companies. Take cash with you as taxis are unlikely to have card terminals.

See

Tomb on cemetery in Beniowa

• 1 Zagroda Pokazowa Żubrów. Place where you can see European bison (updated Aug 2024)
• 2 Ostrowski Waterfall. Small waterfall located on typical Bieszczady river. (updated Aug 2024)
• 3 Beniowa church and cemetery. Remains of former Ukrainian village, burned during Second World War and then razed after war finished (updated Aug 2024)
• 4 Tarnawa Bog. Short trail where you can look for animals and plants. Former hunting grounds of Communist Poland elite. (updated Aug 2024)

Do

Hike

• 1 Połonina Wetlińska. Main tourist magnet in Bieszczadzki National Park. In the past used as pasture, it offers great views of local valleys. Also there is mountain shelter in the middle of it. (updated Aug 2024)
• 2 Połonina Caryńska. To the east and less crowded than Połonina Wetlińska. (updated Aug 2024)
• 3 Tarnica. Tallest peak in the park (though not mountain range) and probably the most popular hiking site in whole park. (updated Aug 2024)

Buy

Come well stocked into park as there are very few shops inside. Park is mostly served by convenience stores and Delikatesy Centrum supermarket chain so you will be overcharged. For larger supermarkets go to Lesko or Ustrzyki Dolne.

Eat

• 1 Chatka Puchatka. Famous mountain shelter on top of Połonina Wetlińska. Make sure to visit if you are on trail. (updated Aug 2024)

Drink

Tap water is safe to drink. There are no bars, nightlife or any particular local beverage that you can drink in the park. You come here to hike and explore. If you want nightlife go to Solina.

Sleep

Lodging

Multiple hotels are available inside park and even more outside it. Hotels outside park are cheaper, but may involve a lot of traveling to trails.

Camping

It is legal to camp only in designated spots. Look for objects named Pole namiotowe. These will also contain tap water and power outlets.

Backcountry

It is illegal to sleep in the wilderness in the park.

Stay safe

Arrive with full tank if driving by car. There is only one local petrol station in whole park and a few also local stations further from the park. Fuel quality should be okay there but one never can be sure. Closest major brand stations are located in Lesko and Ustrzyki Dolne about 40 km from park (through hills).

Watch out for dangerous animals mostly bears and boars (rarely wolves).

Get off the mountains before 17:00. Local bus drivers stop their work after and you may be unable to return to your car/hotel. Also night is very dark in Bieszczady and you may be unable to see anything while trying to return.

Go next

• Poloniny National Park - just across the border
• Sanok - closest town with charming centre
• Solina - if you need some fun, probably the only resort in this part of Polish mountains
• Rzeszów - capital of Podkarpackie region
• Kraków
• Lviv
• Budapest - may sound unlikely but it is actually only 300 km apart.