Highlights:
- Unique and unknown destination in the Polish Carpathians
- Exceptional national park known for its fauna and many protected species of large European mammals
- Exceptional evenings with tasty meals and with highland traditions
- One evening and one day in Krakow; the most beautiful city in all Poland.
Introduction:
The Carpathian Mountain Range is a long crescent which extends from the Czech Republic to Romania, and passes through Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine. This mountain range stretches across 450km of the south of Poland. The most well-known, the most alpine and also the most popular with tourists is the Tatras range with its famous ski resort Zakopane. Poland also possesses ranges of lower altitude, and others more off the beaten track and better protected: the Beskids, Gorce, Pieniny or Bieszczady (whose names are unpronounceable!) still unknown to Europeans.
Our hike takes place in the range of Bieszczady. This range is situated in the east of Poland, on the border with Ukraine and Slovakia. The highest peak is Tarnica: 1346m. The greater part of our hike is going to take place in National Park of Bieszczady. The mountains are gentle with grassy ridges, they offer wonderful views and are surrounded by vast wild forests.
The mountain has rich fauna; The national park which we will cross is the richest park in Poland and is inhabited by large European mammals. There one can find a colony of 200 bisons, 30 brown bears, about 50 lynx, about a hundred wolfs and many varieties of game. With a little luck, we may encounter such animals on our itinerary.
This is a wild region and has the smallest population in the whole country. Bieszczady has only existed in its present form since 1951 when the Ukrainian part was returned to Poland, a process involving the exile of 135,000 people. The process of repopulation by the Polish took some time; which is why this region is today the most wild in Europe; the number of inhabitants is very low; the fauna and forests predominate. We will meet many abandoned villages on our way.
Day by day:
D1: Krakow
Arrival in Krakow. Time to visit one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The Old Town was added to UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage in 1978. Possible places of interest are the Krakow’s Jewish district, where the film “Schindler’s List” was shot. There are also numerous churches, the Wawel castle, the market square and the university. There are also plenty of cafés and restaurants to enjoy
D2. Krakow. Transfer to the Bieszczady Mt
We continue exploring The Old Town. After lunch our bus takes us to the boundary of European Union, to the heart of Bieszczady Mt. Accommodation for 5 nights in a comfortable pension
D3: Abandoned villages and meadows of Polonina Carynska
Short tsf to Dwernik in the valley of Dwernik River. We walk along the valley, where we can see abandoned villages. Surely, we won’t meet many people on the trail. Later we climb the meadows of Polonina Carynska, from where we can admire splendid views of Polonina Wetlinska and the highest peaks of polish Bieszczady. Descending to Ustrzyki, tourist center of this region
D4: Meadows of Wetlina
After a short transfer, we began our hike through fields; we pass near the chalet of Jaworku and we continue the climbing through the forest. At about 1000m of altitude we reach meadows of Wetlina; Bieszczady are famous by their characteristics meadows, which light up landscapes in the middle of big forests. We are going to reach the peak of Smerek (1222m) ; and we continue our walk on the ridge for 6km, passing by ravines and little peaks; along this itinerary there are beautiful views in the massif of Bieszczady, and if the whether is good, beautiful view on Ukraine and even on Tatras! We reach the hut of Puchatka (1231m); it’s the only one hut in the altitude of Biesczady; it is a chalet without water nor electricity, but with very pleasant climate. After short break we walk down and our bus takes us to the pension
D5: The highest peak of Bieszczady – Tarnica (1346 m)
This day is a culminant point of our tour; its form is round and very characteristic and from the peak the view is exceptional. Early in the morning we leave to walk the ridge of Szeroki which leads us progressively to Tarnica. Over 1000m, we leave forest and reach characteristic meadows of the region. From the peak we take a northern direction and go through 2 passes, 2 internals valleys before being on the ridge Bukowe Berdo; this massif belongs to the most beautiful places in Bieszczady. It is known for its characteristic undersized beeches formations. We go down to the little village called Muczne. Muczne is certainly the most picturesque village; where leave essentially foresters, the village has conserved it wooden architecture.
D6: Meadows of Rawka and tri-border area
Our last day in Bieszczady we spend on exploring the massif of the Rawka Peak. We start climbing Kremenaros. It is a peak situated on tri-border area between Poland, Slovakia and Ukraina. We continue to Rawka, from where we have marvellous views on the meadows of Carynska, Wetlina and Tarnica. Long descend along the ridge overgrowed by unique flora to the village of Wetlina. Short tsf to the pension
D7: Return Krakow
After breakfast we leave Bieszczady and go to Krakow. Free time to explore the city
D8: End of a trip
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