Cycling Routes in the Bieszczady
Cycling Through the High Bieszczady – the Most Scenic Bike Trails and Routes in the Bieszczady Mountains
The unspoiled Bieszczady Mountains, with their gentle slopes and numerous trails winding through vast meadows and forests, are a true paradise for travelers seeking relaxation in nature. Among the many outdoor activities this region offers, cycling stands out as a particularly enjoyable way to explore. When heading to the Bieszczady, it’s well worth bringing your bike — it allows you to reach places inaccessible to cars and experience the mountains from a completely different perspective.
Przemierzyć Bieszczady rowerem – czy to możliwe?
Yes! Across the wild trails of the Bieszczady Mountains stretch numerous cycling routes — both popular and lesser-known — allowing biking enthusiasts to explore the region far and wide. Interestingly, you’ll find paths perfect for leisurely rides as well as routes that form part of international cycling trails and demanding enduro tracks. Cyclists can choose between well-traveled roads and quieter, more remote paths that reveal completely new landscapes. When biking in the Bieszczady, it’s best to use a map — it helps plan your trip and divide it into stages. Bike trails are usually marked with colored signs and direction boards — green, blue, or black — running along both asphalt roads and forest gravel paths. Sections that are technically more difficult and require advanced skills are marked in red.
Some of the most interesting cycling routes in the Bieszczady lead through the municipalities of Czarna, Solina, and Cisna, the San Valley, the Wetlinka River Valley, Lesko, Smerek, and Ustrzyki Dolne. Many of them combine natural beauty with cultural landmarks, including sites of historical interest. It’s also worth noting that, apart from dedicated cycling trails, there are several mixed hiking-and-biking paths in the region that are equally suitable for exploring on two wheels.
Interesting Bike Trails in the Bieszczady Mountains
The Bieszczady Mountains boast hundreds of kilometers of scenic cycling routes. Two of the most remarkable international trails are In the Footsteps of the Good Soldier Švejk and Greenway Eastern Carpathians, marked as R-63 and R-61 respectively. The first begins at the Radoszyce Pass, passing through Szczawne and Sanok before ending in Krościenko on the Polish–Ukrainian border. It retraces the journey of the protagonist from Jaroslav Hašek’s famous novel. The Greenway Eastern Carpathians route, in turn, forms the main axis connecting smaller local trails developed as part of the “Green Bike – Bieszczady” initiative.
When exploring the Bieszczady by bike, it’s also worth including the Trail of Former Borderland Villages in your plans. This route consists of three sections of varying lengths — two focused on nature and one combining natural and historical landmarks. For those seeking a challenge, Extreme Bieszczady in the Lesko commune offers off-road terrain trails running through fields and forests, perfect for adrenaline lovers.
An interesting alternative to the popular marked routes are the so-called stokówki — old forest or logging roads not usually marked on maps. These hidden paths are favored by locals and returning visitors who value peaceful rides surrounded by nature. Gently winding through the mountains with mild gradients, they lead near nature reserves and offer cyclists beautiful views and a calm, authentic Bieszczady atmosphere away from the crowds.
The Bieszczady Mountains – A Cyclist-Friendly Region
Importantly, within the Bieszczady National Park there are paid bicycle parking areas equipped with specially designed racks. In many towns — including Cisna, Ustrzyki Dolne, and Ustrzyki Górne — visitors will also find mountain bike rentals and service points offering both basic repairs and full maintenance for personal bikes.
Many guesthouses and hotels in the Bieszczady region are also cyclist-friendly, providing a comfortable place to rest and recharge after a day of riding. Several of them — including our Guest Houses in the picturesque village of Strzebowiska — feature secure bike storage facilities to ensure your two-wheeled companions are safe while you relax and enjoy your stay.