Połonina Wetlińska and Chatka Puchatka - routes, where to get out, how to get there, parking, bus timetable, weather

Połonina Wetlińska - view from the Silver Pass

Połonina Wetlińska (next to Połonina Caryńska) it is the most visited place by beginners from Bieszczady. It is here that most of the Bieszczady lovers become infected with love for them. Połonina Wetlińska is easily accessible and can be reached in several ways. I will try to describe them all, but I would especially recommend one that should appeal to those who are just starting to get to know the Bieszczady Mountains.
I will also add a lot of specific information, from which I had a problem finding myself and answers to many questions that I asked myself as a beginner amateur of the Bieszczady Mountains.

Połonina Wetlińska - weather

Before we go to the mountains, however, the most important thing is the weather. Below you can find information about the weather for the next 7 days. The data is updated in real time, so whenever you enter here you will get the current weather. However, to be precise, I must add that these are weather data for Wetlina. Połonina Wetlińska is located about 600 m higher, so the temperature difference, taking into account the change in altitude, is about 3-4 degrees Celsius. At the summit of Połonina Wetlińska, expect the temperature to be about 3-4 degrees lower than that indicated in the forecast below.

Połonina Wetlińska WEATHER

How to get to Połonina Wetlińska?

The answer to these questions is difficult because the routes leading to the meadows are not closed. This means that it is not possible to climb the mountain pastures by one trail and return to the starting point by another. You have to go back the same road you took, or if you still want to go back a different road, the only choice will be a few kilometers walk along the edge of a busy road with no shoulder (no pleasure - I do not recommend it).
Fortunately, the need is often the driving force behind cool solutions and this is the case in the Bieszczady Mountains. The solution is small private buses that run around the area without any schedule, according to more or less known but nowhere described rules. Thanks to these buses, you can quite neatly organize a pleasant visit to the entire meadow, without having to go back the same way and unnecessary driving kilometers in the mountains or, even worse, on the asphalt.

A fragment of the descent from the Silver Pass towards Smerek.

How do buses run in the Bieszczady Mountains?

To understand the functioning of buses, you need to look at the map. On the map I have marked the route of the buses (blue arrows), the location of the route leading through Połonina Wetlińska and the routes that allow you to get to this mountain pasture.

Map of routes related to Połonina Wetlińska and the mini-bus traffic and the location of parking lots for tourists.
Of course, the buses go both ways, not only in the direction of the arrows.

As you can see, there are several starting points for the mountain pasture.
The most popular of them are:
- Kalnica - the red trail leads from here, it is the main trail leading through the entire meadow from its western end towards Brzegi Górne
- Wetlina - the yellow trail leads from here, and after reaching the mountain pasture itself, we go to the red trail
- Upper Wetlinka - the black trail leads from here, which first turns yellow and then red
- Wyżnia Pass - the yellow trail leads from here, which then turns into the red trail
- Brzegi Górne - the red trail leads from here, it is the main trail leading through the entire meadow from its eastern end towards Kalnica.

The main bus stop is in Wetlina iw Brzegach Górne (in Kalnica, unfortunately, I did not notice any increased bus traffic, rather single courses). Stops where buses are waiting for tourists are marked on the map with large blue letters "BUS". Buses therefore run mainly between these two points, stopping if necessary at intermediate points, i.e. in Górna Wetlina and Wyżnia Pass.
By organizing a trip to Połonina Wetlińska, you can go by car, for example, to Brzegi Górne, where you leave the car in the parking lot. Then, in Brzegi Górne, you immediately jump on a bus that will take you, for example, to Wetlina, then from Wetlina take the yellow trail to Połonina Wetlińska and return along the mountain pasture to the starting point, to the parking lot in Brzegi Górne, where your car will be waiting in the parking lot. .
I do not recommend the reverse order, i.e. first walking the assumed route, and then searching for a bus to return to the starting point next to the car. Buses run only when there is tourist traffic. If nothing happens, they just go home. In the second part of the day, or with little traffic, you may find that you have nothing to get back to where you started.
Therefore, it is better to first take the bus to the starting point of the hike and go back on the planned trail to the starting point.
I also marked the location of large parking lots on the map (with the letter P on a blue background), where you can leave your car for the duration of your trip. GPS coordinates of all parking lots visible on the map are placed at the end of the entry.

Połonina Wetlińska

Itinerary through Połonina Wetlińska

Out of all the possibilities of passing Połonina Wetlińska, I would like to highlight and propose one route. There are several reasons for her choice.
First the direction of the march is such that we still have views to the more attractive side of the mountain pasture. Going in the opposite direction, we would still have the most beautiful views behind our backs. Of course, you can always turn around, but why keep turning when, going in the right direction, we can have the best views in front of us all the time.
Secondly The layout of the route I propose makes it much easier than the other versions. There is the least amount of going up and a lot of going down. We cover 511 m up the hill, and a total of 761 m to go down. This is the easiest and least demanding version of the climb of Połonina Wetlińska.
Thirdly All buses on this route run between the points I have chosen, so there should be no problem with moving to the right starting point.
Fourthly a cheap, large and convenient car park where you can leave your car is just a few steps from the place where the return route from the mountain pasture comes out, and the bus stop to our starting point is literally across the street. It couldn't be more convenient.

The plan of the trip to Połonina Wetlińska is presented in the drawing below. There you will also find information about the planned time of the trail crossing, the length of the trail and the total height difference to be covered.

Step by step plan of Połonina Wetlińska crossing

As shown in the picture above, you need to start with arriving at the parking lot in Wetlina. The coordinates of the car park are given below. The cost of all-day parking, without time limits is PLN 20 (price from August 2023).

Parking in Wetlina, GPS coordinates:
49°09’30.4″N 22°27’52.5″E
49.158444, 22.464583 - click and route

After leaving the car and paying for the parking, we go to the other side of the street, where there should be buses waiting for tourists in a small parking lot. Facing this car park, buses should be waiting at the right end of the car park (near the toilet building), as in the photo below.

Bus stop in Wetlina

To be sure, ask if they are going to Wyższa Pass. If so, we get in (fee PLN 10-12 per person in August 2023) and go. We get off at the parking lot at Wyższa Pass.
From here, we set off on the trail that begins after crossing the street. The trail is yellow.

Get off at the car park on the Wyżnia Pass
The beginning of the yellow trail to Połonina Wetlińska

After 1,4 km, the yellow trail joins the red trail. We turn left into the red trail and from that moment we continue our walk along the red trail.

Connection of the yellow trail with the red one. We turn left, up the hill

The red trail runs along its entire length Połoniny Wetlińska (next Pooh's huts, by The Silvery Pass i Gray Berdo).

View of Połonina Caryńska from the red trail approach
We go above the tree line and we are greeted by characteristic rocks. This is the edge of the meadow. There are only a few steps to the top.
Beginning of Połonina Wetlińska. On the right, Hut of the Pooh.
Połonina Wetlińska
On the left, the Silver Pass, Połonina Wetlińska in the background
View of the Smerek from the Silver Pass
Szare Bedo and the trail to Smerek

We follow the red trail to The M. Orłowicza Passwhere the yellow trail goes down to the left. We turn into the yellow trail and march down to the main road in Wetlina.
The parking lot where we left our car is about 100m to the left of the place where the yellow trail opens onto the main road. This is the end of the journey.

The beginning of the yellow trail goes down towards Wetlina

Other versions of the journey through Połonina Wetlińska

If the route suggested by me is too easy or too short for you, you can always modify it. Crossing can be included in the route Smerek do Kalnica or reverse the direction of the transition, then the heights to be overcome up will be much more than those to be climbed down.
If you are going to include crossing through Smerekthen it is best to leave the car in Brzegach Górne, where it will be easiest for you to find transport to Kalnica, to the starting point of the red trail.
It also makes the start a bit more difficult and lengthens the route Brzegów Górne.
Below I present two variants of the route with an increased scale of difficulty. With the attached maps you will find information about the approximate time of the trip, the length of the route, the total sum of altitudes and the altitude profile graph.

Połonina Wetlińska on the left, in the background the Caryńska mountain pasture
Polonina Wetlinska: route from Brzegi Górne to Wetlina
The view from the Silver Pass to Smerek
Polonina Wetlinska: the route from Kalnica to Brzegi Górne
Połonina Wetlińska

Połonina Wetlińska - the best accommodation

Połonina Wetlińska area is a perfect place to stay and a starting point for other routes of the Bieszczady Mountains. From here it is close to everywhere.
You should start looking for accommodation for your vacation in February. March is the peak of booking accommodation on holiday dates and interesting offers disappear very quickly. In April, only the less attractive, less situated or the most expensive ones are available.

See: accommodation in the Bieszczady Mountains (Bieszczady National Park) - [click]

Below are some accommodation suggestions that I found interesting.

Hotel Solny - [click]

Chata Pod Ryczywolem - [click]

Gata Negra - [click]

Kyczyrka - [click]

GPS coordinates of car parks at the routes to Połonina Wetlińska

Parking in Kalnica, GPS coordinates:
49°11’05.5″N 22°25’54.0″E
49.184871, 22.431664 - click and route

Parking in Wetlina, GPS coordinates:
49°09’30.4″N 22°27’52.5″E
49.158444, 22.464583 - click and route

Parking at the Wyżnia Pass, GPS coordinates:
49°08’28.2″N 22°32’53.3″E
49.141154, 22.548148 - click and route

Parking in Brzegi Górne, GPS coordinates:
49°08’29.9″N 22°34’06.5″E
49.141650, 22.568478 - click and route

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Pozdrawiam




48 comments on "Połonina Wetlińska and Chatka Puchatka - routes, where to get out, how to get there, parking, bus timetable, weather"

  • o
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    This is the best post I have read about the journey through Połonina Wetlińska 😉 I can't wait to go this route myself!
    I'm only concerned about these buses - do they also run in September? This lack of decomposition scares me a bit 😉

    Reply
    • o
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      Natalia,
      In September they will be 100%… in Bieszczady it is still a high season.
      I wish you beautiful weather and views to the horizon !!!
      Best wishes!

      Reply
      • o
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        I am in Bieszczady for the first time, your route description for beginners is really helpful. Thanks a lot. Yours sincerely. 9

        Reply
          • o
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            Thanks for the useful information. We will definitely use it. It's good to be prepared to hike unfamiliar terrain, and your fasting makes it much easier.
            Regards.

        • o
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          Great route description! We are with my wife for the first time in Bieszczady and this post helped us a lot today. The entire route is clearly and accurately described.

          Reply
          • o
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            Bravo you!
            I invite you to the next tours!
            Greetings!

      • o
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        Just in time I found this article online.
        Just back from Wetlina and thanks to all the tips I had a perfect and hassle free trip.
        Thank you very much!!!
        Supplementary info: in July '23 parking - PLN 20, bus to Przełęcz Wyżna PLN 15 per person

        Reply
        • o
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          Cool! Thanks for updating the information,

          Reply
        • o
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          This is not necessarily the case.

          Reply
    • o
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      A well-described trip. I traveled as directed, and had no surprises along the way. Great views indeed. I gave 5
      Pozdrawiam

      Reply
    • o
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      Super accurate and helpful description. The coordinates for parking spaces make it very easy for me. I managed with 2 children. Thank you

      Reply
      • o
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        The team was strong, and it went well!

        Reply
  • o
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    At the end of August, I set off for the first time in Bieszczady. Thank you for such a helpful route description. It made the hike truly delightful.

    Reply
    • o
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      Great description, very well compiled data.
      I will be in Bieszczady again. But now with the person who is taking the first steps, so this blog found for me.
      Congratulations Jack
      Miriam

      Reply
      • o
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        Thank you very nice to meet you.
        I wish you a pleasant stay, beautiful views and perfect weather!

        Reply
      • o
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        Wonderfully described routes that I used.
        Current prices 2022 - Wetlina Stare Sioło parking lot at the abc shop PLN 20.
        Bus PLN 12. person, and less than 5 people have to pay for the bus course to Przełęcz Wyżna PLN 60.

        Reply
  • o
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    I greet all supporters of the Bieszczady Mountains ...

    Reply
    • o
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      We are encouraged after such a description. Thank you very much, we are about to start our journey 🔆

      Reply
      • o
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        May the weather be favorable to you!

        Reply
  • o
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    Today we have been on the trail for the first time in 10 years. The first time in Bieszczady and the first time I used this blog - It's all love at first sight. Great descriptions, very detailed photos of places - I never looked at the map. Very good job….

    Reply
  • o
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    I used the description on Tarnica and the Przełęcz. Thank you for a lot of information important to me (I was driving 3 teenagers and a 9-year-old girl). In July 2021, the BUS cost PLN 10 per person.

    Reply
    • o
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      Thanks for updating the price!

      Reply
  • o
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    Thank you very much for this post. Just today we were on Połonina Wetlinska and I followed all the instructions, I chose the suggested route, i.e. the yellow trail from the Wyżna Pass. Of course, access to the place by bus. The cost for the route Wetlina - Przełęcz / 10 PLN per person. The cottage is still under renovation. The suggested time is 4 hours, with the 6-year-old it took over 5. Of course, with one longer rest at the shepherd's hut and a few shorter breaths. There are heavier passages, e.g. steep stairs and a road in stones. But we managed and we highly recommend it. In general, the entry led me by the hand for which I am grateful 😊

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    • o
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      Excellently! Best wishes!

      Reply
  • o
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    well and legibly described, thank you, your blog helped me a lot

    Reply
  • o
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    The Bieszczady Mountains are beautiful. I was able to visit only Wetlińska, but I also dream of conquering Caryńska. Great climate and air. You can take a break from everything 🙂

    Reply
  • o
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    thank you very much the description was very helpful

    Reply
  • o
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    Hello to the author and all lovers of hiking along the Bieszczady trails. Maybe we'll meet on one of the trails soon. I used to visit the Bieszczady Mountains more often, specifically Wetline, but I have never been to any of such beautiful meadows. If I had doubts how to distribute a week's stay, I don't have any after this post. Thank you for such clearly sketched routes and details in the description. Best regards and I promise that I will be here more often

    Reply
    • o
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      The best is in front of you! Good luck on the trail!

      Reply
  • o
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    I would like to thank you for such a detailed description of the trail, starting with the parking lot. Thanks to this, I was less afraid of the trip, especially since it was my first trip along the trail.

    Reply
  • o
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    Great description, thank you!
    Ps. I have a question from a layman. I have never been there before, but when I look at the map, I think that the more attractive views should be towards the south-east, i.e. towards Ustrzyki-Górne, because there are the highest mountains there, including Tarnica. Why is it the other way around? Regards:)

    Reply
    • o
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      Hello!
      The opposite is because I (as the author of this text) had such a subjective impression 🙂 and nothing else. Just my own opinion on this. Someone else may have the opposite opinion on this point. Do as your heart tells you and enjoy the views. The fact that you will be happy is certain, regardless of the direction of the march (you can always stop and turn around). Regards 🙂

      Reply
  • o
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    This looks like a perfect recipe for complete laymen, which is me ;)
    I'm just wondering if in December in the period between Santa Claus and Christmas these buses will also run?

    Reply
    • o
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      I would rather try to get along with someone locally and order a course for myself in advance.

      Reply
  • o
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    Well-described route variants. Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  • o
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    Thank you for the very detailed description
    I was there, the weather was fine.
    Regards 🙋‍♀️

    Reply
  • o
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    Hello,
    I'm going to Połonina Wetlińska along the yellow trail from Przełęcz Wyżna and I don't see any access to the red trail on Google Maps. There is only a yellow trail to the Shelter, I hope I won't get lost. By the way, great description of the trails
    Pozdrawiam

    Reply
  • o
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    Thank you for your valuable tips! We used them all. We returned to the Bieszczady Mountains after a break of over twenty years, so everything was unknown to us. You helped us a lot. Thank you very much!

    Reply
    • o
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      The pleasure is all mine :)

      Reply

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