BIESZCZADY NATIONAL PARK TRAIL - POLAND
more photos | enquiry | availability check | ride reviews
In the far southeast of Poland, on the borders of Slovakia and Ukraine we find a mountainous international biosphere reserve totaling 2132km2. Here we offer a 7 day horseback trek for intermediate riders onwards, accompanied by a nature guide, in one of the most remote areas of Poland. Riding the local rare breed Huzul horses (a cross of primitive Tarpan and Mongolian horses with later additions of Arabian and Turkish blood) we climb steep primeval forest slopes covered in beech, sycamore and silver fir, canter across high sub alpine meadows, cross fast flowing rivers and enjoy endless views from high peaks. This beautiful area is also home to European bison, wolves, lynx, brown bear, red deer, golden eagle and many more. Accommodation is in comfortable and clean B&B rooms or forest chalets with 2 or three person with hot showers available every night.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - BIESZCZADY NATIONAL PARK TRAIL
Day 1
Arrival and transfer to Wolosate, the center of the Bieszczady National Park and headquarters of the Huzul breeding programme. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Breakfast at 8am followed by a welcome from the guide and explanation of the week's riding holiday. Visit the Huzul horse breeding farm and allocation of horses. Depart on a 2 hour trial ride in the area of Wolosate to get to know your horse. Lunch at 2pm followed by an afternoon ride to visit the remains of a Greek-catholic church above Wolosate. Here we leave the horses and take a short walk to a view point. From here we can see many of the highest mountains of the Bieszczady National Park. Overnight in Wolosate. 20km/4 hours riding
Day 3
Breakfast again at 8am, a hearty start to our day long trek. We depart in the direction of Tarnawa Nizna. Riding along the disused railway track of Bieszczady and following the Wolosate river we find an open Valley and Tarnawa Nizna. This was the largest cow breeding collective farm in the Soviet era. Three of the eight very large sheds which housed 1000 breeding cows in their heyday are now used as stables, hay store and indoor arena respectively. Administrative buildings are empty and derelict, some have been converted to backpackers accommodation. We leave the horses in their grand stable and drive to the nearby village of Muczne where we stay overnight in chalets adjacent to a Ukrainian theme restaurant/bar/old hunting lodge. If we are lucky the Ukrainian band is performing that night to add to the atmosphere. 30km/ 6 hours riding
Day 4
Breakfast at 8am and back to our horses,. After grooming and saddling we head off via Dzwiniacz Gorny, Lokiec, Widelki, Przelecz Przyslup Carynski and Nasiczne to Dwernik where we overnight at a welcoming B&B. A variety of terrain today from forest to some roads we can ride faster along and meadows. 24km/5 hours riding.
Day 5
Breakfast at 8am and today we ride again via Nasiczne, then Zatwarnica, Sekowiec-Krywe, Hulskie to Suche Rzeki where we leave the horses after the longest day of 36km and 8 hours riding. En route we stop for lunch near an old Ukrainian Orthodox church cemetery and we enjoy a lunch consisting of regional specialties prepared by nearby shepherds. We leave our horses in comfortable stable and overnight ourselves at a nearby guesthouse with wonderful views and welcome hot showers.
Day 6
The usual 8am breakfast and today we head out over the highest point of our trail, the saddle of Orlowiecza where we stop for lunch to enjoy spectacular views. After 20km and 5 hours of riding we stop in the cozy wooden chalets at Gorna Wetlinka with our horses again in post soviet sheep stables on site.
Day 7
8am breakfast and departure. We stop for lunch near Ustrzyki Gorne at a shepherds hut and taste the typical cheeses of the region made from ewe's milk or of goats milk. There is an opportunity to purchase some to take home if you like them! We continue on the trail back to Wolosate. Tonight there is an optional excursion to Muczne for the Ukrainian music for an extra fee to be split between the group if wanted.
Day 8
Departure after breakfast and transfer back to Rzeszow or Krakow. The itinerary is for guidance only and may be altered depending on the weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
NOTES - BIESZCZADY NATIONAL PARK TRAIL
GETTING TO the Ride
You have a choice of two airports - Krakow or Rzeszow.
As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book you flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.
The weight limit for this ride is 19 st/264 lb/120 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfer from meeting point for 4 or more riders, all accommodation, meals, English guiding, luggage transfers, all riding and equipment as per itinerary, wine and beer with dinner.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transfer from meeting point for less than 4 riders, imported spirits or drinks other than with dinner, gratuities and other personal items.
CLIENTS WHO BOOKED THIS RIDE ALSO ENJOYED :-
- Luxury Sacred Valley
more photos | enquiry | availability check | ride reviews
