Bieszczady or Zakopane?

If you were able to only go to one mountain area which one would you pick
Bieszczady or Zakopane?

I think zakopane it has lakes hitchhiking in the summer,
skiinig in winter ,and cable car

ah, that's hard!

All the time. Zakopane is too over-crowded and too expensive. Views are nice but I would prefer the wildness of Bieszczady every time.

i must agree here...

still, that's a hard decision.. flip a coin and have fun wherever you go.. both places are superb.

i agree

pluss its very close to home for me :)

I have never been to Bieszczady but I happened to be in Zakopane several times...it is over crowded indeed especially in the summer but if you accomodeate yourself in a calm place (suburbs of the town or any village nearby) and avoid Krupowki street during rush hour than you will find yourself enjoying the place a lot:)...the Tatras have irresistible charm and are certianly worth it!

Bieszczady everytime

The problem is that the wildness of Bieszczady is becoming no more. I was there this summer - and the amount of unregulated building in places like Wetlina is completely destroying the area. Polanczyk is nothing more than a seaside resort now, and even places within the park such as Wolosate are now becoming clogged with tourists. The national park appears to be completely unable to respond to the problems except by increasing fees - but let's be honest, 6zl per person isn't going to break anyone's bank.

However, apparently the Ukranian side is absolutely beautiful and wild.

Well, hard choice, those are two different kind of the mountains actually... It depends how much you like trekking...
As a trekking type of a man I can offer a few hints:
a) If you prefer smaller version of Alps like mountains go to Zakopane and Tatra mountains
b) If you prefer more hills like mountains choose Bieszczady.

Ad. a) Tatra mountains in the summer are terribly overcrowded but there is a way to avoid this, but maybe a little chalenging. The thing you should do is to not even stop in Zakopane or maybe just for one day. Instead of that go with your backpack straight into the mountains and Tatra National Park. There is a couple of nice refuges there. So if you start trekking from the refuge early enough in the morning, the feel of emptiness, wild and beauty will be your reward. Personally I see no point in other approach to the Tatra mountains in the summer, there is just to many people. As for refuges there is probably no way you can book anything right now, but at least in last year, except from refuge "Piec Stawow", in every refuge you will find shelter but sometimes on the floor.. It is a hazard, but when in last year I was doing backpacking through refuges line, we get some beds everytime...

Ad. b) I've not been to Bieszczady for ten years but I've heard it tends to be overcrowded in the summer to in those days... But if you go there it is not a bad idea to spend a couple of days around Solina lake.

meaning mountain huts



there is also a way to camp but you have to be a member of PTTK or a reciprocal mountaineering club of another nation.

Well, I don't really know how to call it in English. It is not hotel, rather not hostel, it is better than refuge or chalet... I propose to visit and eat "szarlotka" in every one of them ;-)

bieszczady rulez...

Presumably it has to be agreed/confirmed/booked in advance and I believe there are some determined spots as I doubt that you can pitch a tent anywhere you want, correct?

useful site with maps online about polish mountains:
e-gory.pl/index.php/Mapy-online

Thanks for the advice.
Although I would love to backpack (The best trip I ever took was a backpacking trip in California from Toulume Meadow to the high sierras for 8 days back in 2002) I have a 3 years old daughter so that's not going to happen. A few more years until that happens.

I think we will definately go to Bieszczady as my husband wants to fly-fish the San River which apparantely is awsome for that. The girls will be left alone to sight see and take some shorter hikes around the area. Maybe rent a kayak for an afternoon.

Are there any spas - natural spring type places to go to in that area?

If we have the time we may stop in for a day to Zakopane but the majority of the trip will probably be in Bieszczady.

correct.. camping only at the few disignated "campgrounds".. not sure about reservation, however.. probably wouldn't hurt??


i told you.. huts


yup.. can't recall the names at the moment.. you may be able to google them though.

Merged: Winter Break in Bieszczady- Advice Please

I'm going to be taking my son to Bieszczady over Feria (2 weeks from now) and I'm looking for advice on what to do. As it stands right now there is no snow so I am looking for alternatives to skiing. Can anyone suggest some easy and safe walking trails? Where I might find somewhere to ice skate? And if there will be snow, where can I go for cross country skiing? Also if you know of any other interesting attractions in the region I'd love to know about them. We will be staying in Polanczyk but we have a car so mobility isn't an issue.

- There is an ice rink in Sanok, but I am not sure if it is available for public skating.
- If the Bieszczady railway is running in winter, it is worth a trip.
- There is snow, according to webcams.
- Perhaps a trip to L'viv? It isn't far to the Kroscienko border crossing and L'viv is a wonderful city.

Naturally, Bieszczady. They are less crowded. See the difference:

• 
  Zakopane
  
• 
  Bieszczady
  

Zakopane - nearest restroom 100 feet
Bieszczady - 10 km.

Yes, but in Zakopane you wait 10 minutes in the line to the toilet, while in Bieszczady - 10 seconds. Besides, toilets spoil the views. ):)