THE CARPATHIAN TRAIL IN POLAND: 14-DAY ITINERARY

The Carpathian Trail is Poland’s third-longest hiking trail, stretching for around 430 km from Rzeszów to Grybów, close to the borders with Ukraine and Slovakia. This so-called “border trail” or “blue trail” crosses the breathtaking Bieszczady Mountains, as well as the less-visited Sanok-Turka Mountains and Low Beskids. In a separate post, you will find everything you need to know before hiking the Carpathian Trail. In this blog post, I’m sharing my own detailed day-by-day itinerary, including accommodation and resupply points.

DAY 1 | Rzeszów Biała – Dynów

The trail starts in Rzeszów, in the Biała district, right next to the Sikorskiego/Rodzinna bus stop. I stayed the night at Hotel Villa Riviera, just about a kilometre from the trailhead. It’s a perfect spot if you want to start your hike early in the morning. The first day covers quite a long distance, a fair amount of asphalt and a few sections with inconsistent markings. However, navigation shouldn’t be an issue if you have the mapy.com app downloaded on your phone. The route on the app matches the trail perfectly, so make sure to use it.

Walking track: 41,5 km, 12 hours 20 minutes
Elevation gain: 844 m
Elevation loss: 807 m

Accommodation: Dom Weselny Aleksandria in Dynów (has a restaurant)
Resupply points: Groszek shop in Borówki, Premium shop in Jawornik Polski, Biedronka in Dynów
Water points: bottled water

DAY 2 | Dynów – Nowa Wieś

Day two has less asphalt, although there are still some sections with poor signage, and as a bonus, some overgrown paths as well. For me, it wasn’t a big deal as I had already hiked in more demanding terrain before, for example in Tasmania or on Kom-Emine in Bulgaria. The trail passes through bear habitat, so make sure you’re extra cautious in this area. My accommodation was around 2 km off the trail, so if you want to sleep indoors, be ready to add 4 km to the overall distance. Day 2 adds up to 27 km in such case.

Walking track: 27 km, 8 hours
Elevation gain: 506 m
Elevation loss: 505 m

Accommodation: Pod Cisowym Gajem in Nowa Wieś (dinner & breakfast included)
Resupply points: only in Dynów, no shops on the way to Nowa Wieś
Water points: bottled water

DAY 3 | Nowa Wieś – Dybawka

Despite walking the Carpathian Trail in autumn, October 2024 to be exact, I got pretty lucky with the weather. It only rained for about a day and a half – and Day 3 was the one. The rain wasn’t that heavy, but nonetheless, the trail turned super muddy. On top of that, the route runs through agricultural fields, so by the end of the day, I couldn’t really tell whether that nasty stuff on my shoes was mud or… fertilizer. You know, the natural one. The trail markings were again not the best, but the mapy.com app kept me on track.

Walking track: 28,4 km, 8 hours 40 minutes
Elevation gain: 653 m
Elevation loss: 688 m

Accommodation: Agroturystyka Chrobakowo in Dybawka
Resupply points: ABC Wojtuś shop in Korytniki, Piotruś Pan shop in Krasiczyn
Water points: bottled & tap water

DAY 4 | Dybawka – Kalwaria Pacławska

The Carpathian Trail offers spectacular views, especially in the Bieszczady Mountains. This particular range is stunning, but the Dynów Foothills, the Przemyśl Foothills, the Sanok-Turka Mountains have their own charm too. For much of the Carpathian Trail, you will be walking through dense forests with limited views, but when the landscape finally opens up, it’s usually something special. That’s exactly what happened on day 4. Hours of walking through the woods, followed by a beautiful panoramic view at the end of the day.

Walking track: 26,5 km, 8 hours 20 minutes
Elevation gain: 782 m
Elevation loss: 559 m

Accommodation: Agroturystyka Pod Wiśnią in Kalwaria Pacławska
Resupply points: grocery shop in Huwniki
Water points: bottled & tap water

DAY 5 | Kalwaria Pacławska – Ustrzyki Dolne

It was going to be a long day, so I started the hike before dawn. The first section through hills is unmarked, but if you look closely, you will most likely notice a blue thread. After that, navigation is pretty straightforward. The only issue is the way the trail was routed. In Wola Maćkowa, right before the steep ascent up Mount Mosty (640 m), there’s a barrier with a clear “no entry” sign. Bypassing that section is possible, but given the possible options, it means following the asphalt road all the way to Ustrzyki Dolne.

Walking track: 40 km, 12 hours 20 minutes
Elevation gain: 1133 m
Elevation loss: 1120 m

Accommodation: guest rooms Przystanek Bieszczady in Ustrzyki Dolne
Resupply points: grocery shops in Ustrzyki Dolne, Piwniczka restaurant (great food)
Water: bottled water

DAY 6 | Ustrzyki Dolne – Polana

First stop: Równia. There’s a stunning Orthodox church (49.4065500N, 22.5916811E) right by the trail, definitely worth taking a look at. Next comes a steep ascent up Mount Zawał (768 m). I didn’t really expect any bears on the trail that day, but I almost crossed paths with one. Yikes! Luckily, it wasn’t a face-to-face encounter, but rather with its… fresh poop. Anyway, it felt pretty close. Glad that I didn’t turn up there a few minutes earlier. I stayed overnight in a youth house in Polana, a place run by a priest at the local parish.

Walking track: 26 km, 8 hours
Elevation gain: 685 m
Elevation loss: 706 m

Accommodation: youth house St. Jan Bosko in Polana
Resupply points: grocery shop in Teleśnica Oszwarowa (49.3761769N, 22.5435464E), Groszek shop in Polana (49.3029228N, 22.5775236E)
Water: bottled water

DAY 7 | Polana – Dwernik

It was my shortest day on the trail! I reached my destination early, so I finally had a chance to get some proper rest. This whole day is essentially a hike across the Otryt Range. Right by the Otryt Wyżny (898 m) peak, there’s Chata Socjologa, a legendary place on the Bieszczady map. Don’t count on food there, though. It’s not a typical mountain hut, but still well-worth visiting. A bit further, you’ll face a steep descent to Dwernik village, and on the right side, Caryńska Resort & SPA, where you can stay the night or have a meal.

Walking track: 18,5 km, 6 hours
Elevation gain: 621 m
Elevation loss: 530 m

Accommodation: guest rooms Pod Lasem in Dwernik
Resupply points: Groszek shop in Polana (49.3029228N, 22.5775236E), no shops on the way to Dwernik, Caryńska restaurant in Dwernik (tasty food, but small portions)
Water: bottled & tap water

DAY 8 | Dwernik – Ustrzyki Górne

Day 8 starts with a steep ascent up Magura Stuposiańska (1016 m), then a descent down to the pass, and yet another long ascent – to Bukowe Berdo (1311 m) this time. The Bieszczady mountain meadows look absolutely stunning in autumn, I was in awe! Tarnica (1346 m), the highest peak of the Polish Bieszczady Mountains, isn’t right on the Carpathian Trail, but it only takes a short detour to get there. Mind that there’s no heating in the PTTK Kremenaros hut. I slept in a sleeping bag, covered with two duvets.

Walking track: 32 km, 11 hours 20 minutes
Elevation gain: 1562 m
Elevation loss: 1444 m

Accommodation: PTTK Kremenaros mountain hut (bar open until 8:00 PM, packed breakfast included)
Resupply points: shop “Ostatni na Szlaku” in Wołosate (closed in October), pizzeria „W Górach” in Wołosate (open in October)
Water: bottled & tap water

DAY 9 | Ustrzyki Górne – Roztoki Górne

If I had to choose the most scenic section of the trail, it would definitely be this one. Day 9 leads through Wielka Rawka (1304 m), then Krzemieniec (1221 m) – where the borders of Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine meet – and then winds through the forest along the border, offering breathtaking views every once in a while. My favorite viewpoint is definitely Rabia Skała (1191 m). The accommodation in Roztoki Górne is located around 1,6 km off trail, so it requires some extra walking to get there, and get back the next day.

Walking track: 32 km, 11 hours 30 minutes
Elevation gain: 1623 m
Elevation loss: 1579 m

Accommodation: guest rooms Cicha Dolina in Roztoki Górne
Resupply points: be sure to stock up at the PTTK Kremenaros mountain hut – there are no shops on the way to Roztoki Górne
Water: bottled & tap water

DAY 10 | Roztoki Górne – Łupków

Between Ustrzyki Górne and Wysowa Zdrój, there are only two resupply points. One of them is the Balnica station, a small shop selling souvenirs and sweets. Sometimes you can also get a simple meal there, Polish dishes like bigos or grochówka. Chatka na Końcu Świata is yet another legendary spot in the Bieszczady Mountains. It’s a private mountain hut with an amazing vibe, located far away from civilization. They don’t offer meals, but you can spend the night in the attic. You have to bring your own sleeping bag, though.

Walking track: 32,5 km, 11 hours
Elevation gain: 1149 m
Elevation loss: 1281 m

Accommodation: „Koniec Świata” mountain hut in Łupków
Resupply points: Balnica station (a small shop with souvenirs and sweets)
Water: bottled & tap water

DAY 11 | Łupków – wild camping

Day 11 was a bit of a slog. Definitely too much hiking through the forest. On top of that, lodging options in this area are limited, and any decent accommodation lies far off the trail. That’s exactly why I decided to go wild camping that night. Despite the cold nights and morning frosts, I slept in a basic shelter located exactly here: 49.3924036N, 21.7784706E. Inside, there are two narrow benches and a small table, and the door can be locked from both the inside and the outside. Obviously, a sleeping bag is a must to survive the night.

Walking track: 37 km, 11 hours 30 minutes
Elevation gain: 920 m
Elevation loss: 953 m

Accommodation: trail shelter (49.3924036N, 21.7784706E)
Resupply points: no shops on this stretch
Water: bottled water

DAY 12 | Wild Camping – Grab

Day 12 starts with an easy walk along the border, passing the Dukla tower, down to the village of Barwinek, where you can find a gas station and a bar serving hot meals. It’s definitely worth stopping there to eat and restock. The ascent up Baranie (754 m) is quite steep and tiring, but after that it’s smooth sailing again. In Ożenna, there’s a war cemetery, and literally 3 km further, accommodation for the night. Unfortunately, once again a bit off the trail – around 1,6 km away. The youth hostel has no heating. Sleeping bag is a must.

Walking track: 36 km, 11 hours 15 minutes
Elevation gain: 1034 m
Elevation loss: 1086 m

Accommodation: Szkolne Schronisko Młodzieżowe in Grab
Resupply points: bar by the border (49.4198597N, 21.6943608E), gas station in Barwinek village (49.4243669N, 21.6927867E)
Water: bottled water

DAY 13 | Grab – Wysowa Zdrój

It was my first such a long visit to the Low Beskids and I must admit, I was surprised how big of a challenge that was! The mountains are not too high, but you still end up doing about 1000 m of elevation gain a day, which can be pretty exhausting – especially after walking nearly 400 km. The most damanding stretch of the day was the ascent up Jaworzyna Konieczniańska (881 m). Reaching Wysowa Zdrój means you’re back to civilization. I highly recommend grabbing lunch at Gościnna Chata (amazing food!) and restocking in town.

Walking track: 29,4 km, 9 hours 30 minutes
Elevation gain: 920 m
Elevation loss: 892 m

Accommodation: Karczma Dziurnówka in Wysowa Zdrój
Resupply points: grocery shops in Wysowa Zdrój, Gościnna Chata restaurant (great food)
Water: tap water

DAY 14 | Wysowa Zdrój – Grybów

I think the last day was the one that got me the most. The Low Beskids have no mercy, even at the end, and at that point my body needed a full day of rest. The ascent up Chełm (770 m), right before the finish, is sometimes so steep that it’s hard to push forward. The Carpathian Trail ends at the train station in Grybów – that’s where the last blue trail blaze is placed. Personally, I’m not a fan of overnight train rides, so I decided to stay the night in town. I got a good night’s sleep in a warm bed and headed home the next day.

Walking track: 38 km, 12 hours
Elevation gain: 1023 m
Elevation loss: 1205 m

Accommodation: guest rooms Markiza in Grybów
Resupply points: grocery shops in Grybów
Water: bottled water

This was my 14-day itinerary for hiking Carpathian Trail in Poland. Are you planning to go wild camping or stay under a roof? Let me know in the comments!

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