RECIPE FOR BIESZCZADY

The key phrase here is the Large Ring-Road of Bieszczady. The route leads from Lesko, via Lutowiska, Ustrzyki Górne, Baligród and then back to Lesko. It will take you around Lake Solina, through the most beautiful areas of these poland mountains. The Ring-Road is about 150 kilometres long and a non-stop drive would take more or less three hours. Yet, you would have to be crazy to travel along such a beautiful scenic route without taking any breaks. 

in Uherce Mineralne, you will drive by the station of Rail-Cycle Draisines, and then in Olszanica you will see Pałac Biesa

Along the way you will drive past dozens of interesting places deserving of your attention, and looking great in the eye of your camera. Here we will mention only some of the attractions. A few kilometres away from Lesko, in Uherce Mineralne, you will drive by the station of Rail-Cycle Draisines, and then in Olszanica you will see Pałac Biesa, one of the most picturesque old mansions in Podkarpackie.

As you drive through villages, further and further away from Ustrzyki Dolne, the green hills grow higher and higher. This is a sign that you are approaching the heart of poland Bieszczady. Up the road, shortly before the village of Lutowiska all travellers touring the area by car simply must take a break. To the right there is a scenic overlook, with a convenient car park; from here you can admire an awesome view of High Bieszczady and the village.

In the village of Smolnik nad Sanem. Here you can see one of the six landmarks of Podkarpackie, listed by UNESCO.

Another obligatory stop is located slightly south of Lutowiska, in the village of Smolnik nad Sanem. Here you can see one of the six landmarks of Podkarpackie, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. This is the best preserved Bojko-style tserkov, one of only three surviving churches of this type.

After a short break, take to the road again. You will drive past the village of Ustrzyki Górne, where a number of hiking trails cross. Here you can meet tourists coming back from or setting off towards mountain tops. Even more tourists wearing hiking boots can be seen 15 kilometres further, in the area of the Wyżna Pass. Even if you do not go hiking, it is a good idea to stop here, as it is another excellent scenic overlook.

In the mountains many people feel appetite for reaching a summit. You can start gently, from a trip up to Mount Połonina Wetlińska. The yellow trail from the Wyżna Pass is rather short and extremely popular. It may also be crowded. On the other hand the trail has some specific advantages. Even at the starting point you will get a beautiful view of Bieszczady, and you can reach the top within one hour.

Yet, if you feel like setting ambitious goals, during your first visit to these poland mountains you can reach the tallest Polish summit of this mountain range, that is Tarnica (1346 metres above sea level). The “express” trail starts in Wołosate. It will take you slightly more than two hours to get to the top, and then about an hour and a half to come down.

The first one is a classic option. We recommend a hiking trip along the entire ridge of Mount Połonina Wetlińska. The most popular grass-covered mountain ridge can really give you a surprise. In fact, one of the shortest hiking trails (mentioned in the previous subchapter) leads to this very summit. Yet, a walk along its entire ridge will require eight hours, because Mount Połonina Wetlińska is really a large massif with a number of summits. You will need a bit less than three hours to climb to the top of the first one, Smerek (to which you set off from the village bearing the same name). And then the most interesting part of the trip starts; you go down a bit, and then up again, to more summits, and near Roh (1255 metres), the tallest summit which you pass by on the southern side. It takes more or less two hours to walk across the mountain meadow. If you decide to take the hiking trip along the ridge of Mount Połonina Wetlińska, this will definitely be one of the most beautiful strolls in your life.

Our second suggestion for those into active leisure is a “2 in 1” option, or a hiking trip to the massif of Bukowe Berdo and Mount Tarnica. The part of the trail leading to Mount Bukowe Berdo is less popular among hikers, unlike Mount Tarnica which is part of a standard hiking itinerary. You start off in Pszczeliny by following the blue trail to the ridge of Bukowe Berdo, which will take over two hours. Beyond the tree line you can take a deep breath of air, and set off for a hike along the ridge of Bukowe Berdo. This route will take you to Mount Krzemień and then further to Tarniczka, a point located several minutes away from the very top of Mount Tarnica. To descent Mount Tarnica follow the trail along the massif of Szeroki Wierch which will take you straight to Ustrzyki Górne; there you can get food, and accommodation or take a bus (during high season) to selected places in these poland mountains. Importantly, it will not take more than eight hours to walk the trail, but this option is more demanding than the hike along the ridge of Mount Połonina Wetlińska.