About Adam Muzalewski Expertise Curious about Poland? Puzzeld by recent developments in this European
state or consider going there for exploration? I believe I can help.
Althoug I particularly welcome questions regarding tourism and sports activities I will also try and help bussines travelers or those who have odd, yet reasonable questions.
Experience I have been watching Poland very closely my whole life. Numbers of years from a distance of the Atlantic Ocean, as it a case at a present time. Sometimes it is a country, which is difficult to love, but which country is not?
I had lived in Poland for 30 years.
I have climbed, hiked, sailed, and skied there on numerous occasions. I used to be a member of Polish Associations of Climbing, Tourism, Yachting and Ski Instructors. I have also practiced physiotherapy in Poland.
Question My friend and I would like to do some hiking in Poland. We would also like to sleep outside most of the time--or in very modest accommodations. We are going to arrive in Krakow. (Eventually, after Poland, we're going to head to Budapest.) 1) So, we had an idea to go to Bieszczady National Park in the South-East. But now I wonder if we might get lost or eaten by a brown bear. What do you think? Is that silly? Could we safely sleep outside? We like to walk and camp, but we're not expert woodmen. 2) We also heard of Zakopane, of course; but we had two reservations: i) It seems so well-known that we were afraid it might be too expensive to stay there. Is it expensive? ii) Also, we would like to continue moving, rather than hiking and returning to the same jump-off point (Zakopane) at the end of each day. Is it easy to find routes from Zakopane which continue on through the foothills? 3) And just to ask a general question: What do you think is the best countryside area--small villages and lots of greenery--to hike, in the south of Poland? -Many thanks for any answers you can give.
Answer I will try and answer your question in a few parts.
Bieszczady is the wildest and least developed part of the mountain region in Poland, which stretches alongside the south border of Poland. I have never hiked there but I always considered Bieszczady quite risky for exploration. They are not that high or threatening you with cliffs or snow showers in summer but the fact that they are so remote and expand into Ukraine and Slovakia getting lost could be very dangerous. If it comes to wild animals it is also somewhat increased risk comparing to other parts of Polish mountain ranges. On the other hand many people say that Bieszczady are the “only” real mountain adventure left in Poland.
Zakopane is a town, which lies in foot of the Tatra Mountains – the only mountains in Poland, which have clearly Alpine character. There are some trails in Tatras which are secured by safety chains and you have to use metal ladders on them – fear of heights may be an obstacle one may not be able to overcome on these trails. Also overhanging cliffs, everlasting snow in some parts and sudden temperature drops in summer (snow showers do happen) are making Tatras quite dangerous at times.
Bieszczady are less crowded and less expensive than Tatras but also you have weaker network of mountain hats and other support infrastructure. All mountain ranges in Poland offer network of mountain hats and also camp sites. There are as well professional and volunteer rescue mountain squads in all ranges so it is always a good idea to leave a message somewhere where are you going and what is your goal for next leg of your trip.
Unfortunately for you (unless you know Polish) I am not aware of any decent website, which would cover Tatras or Bieszczady in other language that Polish and same goes for guide books. In case you manage to learn some Polish (good idea anyway for your trip) check out: www.gopr.pl, www.topr.pl, www.bieszczady.pl and one in English version http://www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~zbzw/ph/pnp/tatr.htm .
The best would be to hook up with some Polish to do your trip. Perhaps when you are already there you will have a chance to meet some folks now and then who will help you out to point you in a right direction. But again speaking basic Polish is a way to go in the mountains – locals, besides big cities are not that big on foreign languages.
If it comes to my favorite place – I would pick Beskidy since I spent a lot of summer and winters there hiking, biking and skiing. I do not really have a favorite village though – I like them pretty much all – however they might be difficult to enjoy for an “outsider” – these are definitely not Austrian or Swiss villages, locals rule and still can be quite resistant to tourist. Zakopane in Tatras or Wisla in Beskidy are commercial tourist towns – they might be better choice for you.
