Traditional house in Nová Sedlica, Poloniny (source: Archive - Spectacular Slovakia)
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Forests, mountain meadows, waterfalls, bison, wolves, and complete darkness are all found in the Poloniny area. These mountains are located in the Snina District in the north-east of Slovakia, and some parts are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Besides the natural beauty of Poloniny, visitors can also experience the warm hospitality of the local people. Eva Kocanová from the civic association Také Naše, which promotes this region, says that when a visitor stops at a local pub, they will be greeted with the local's excellent sense of humour.
For visitors seeking a unique experience, there are numerous activities available in the area. One can try traditional bread baking in a clay oven with Jaroslav Lechan, prepare pierogi in the village of Ulič, or produce medical body products from hemp in the village of Pčoliné. For active tourists, hiking up Kremenec hill is an excellent option. One alternative is to embark on a bicycle ride that traverses the local forests and meadows. Find more in our Spectacular Slovakia guide.
Below is a map with all the major sights in the region:
A visit to a beech forest is an unforgettable experience
It is best to explore Poloniny by hiking. The most popular spot to visit is Kremenec hill, which is situated on the borders of Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine. The hike typically begins from Nová Sedlica. Be prepared for a long walk, hikers! The climb is approximately three hours long, but the stunning view from the top is worth it. After the initial few kilometers where wood is still harvested, the remainder of the journey is a delightful experience through a forest without any human intervention.
Beech forest Havešová (Poloniny) (source: Courtesy of Spectacular Slovakia Travel Guide)
Local guides are available if visitors to the region are not sure where to go but still want to explore primeval forests, and can spend the night walking through the forest. Ornithologists will tell them about birds and herbalists can them about wild medicinal plants.
A small waterfall near the village of Runina (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
Find a paradise for cyclists
A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers a travel guide of Slovakia. (source: Spectacular Slovakia)
In recent years, the number of cycling paths has increased in Poloniny. The cycle routes are already marked and altogether cover 250 kilometres.
Here, you can enjoy cycling primarily on forest roads and trails with undemanding terrain. The Carpathian forests are surrounded by valleys and meadows with beautiful views.
The cycle routes are also divided by theme. You can explore wooden churches, ride the former narrow gauge railway, or explore the Starina water reservoir.
The locals anticipate a significant increase in the number of cyclists visiting Poloniny this year. This is due to the construction of several new bike paths, which will add an additional 100 kilometres of cycling routes in the upcoming years.
In the future, there are plans to link all three national parks in the neighbouring countries of Poland, Ukraine, and Slovakia. If one does not have their own bicycle, it is possible to rent one from a nearby rental establishment, which also offers electric bikes.
Boris Pub in the village of Osadné has become an iconic venue among visitors, but also famous people and politicians. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
Osadné: a pub hub, and crypt of soldiers
In certain villages, the pub serves as a substitute for the tourist information centre. The Boris pub in the village of Osadné offers something different than just a place to buy maps and souvenirs. It is very popular with tourists, famous people, and politicians. The walls of the pub are decorated with numerous references to these influential guests.
The pub owner is Boris Ocetník, who is known for his talkative nature. He is able to provide visitors with a lot of information about the village and its surroundings. He is not only in charge of the pub, but also of a tourist inn. He owns a grocery store next to the pub as well. Ocetník has also established a mini-museum to showcase military equipment from Osadné during the First World War.
Visitors also have the opportunity to visit the crypt located beneath the Orthodox church, which hides the remains of over a thousand soldiers who perished during the First World War. There is no predetermined admission fee, and individuals may contribute on a voluntary basis. Interestingly, the crypt is freely accessible and there is no guide present. However, visitors are welcome to listen to an audio guide there.
There is also a small tourist centre near the crypt that operates in a similar way. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and information leaflets on a voluntary basis at the cash box, a practice that is quite uncommon in Slovakia.
Peter and Silvia Vodál are the owners of HempBona, a family hemp farm in Pčoliné. (source: Courtesy of HempBona)
A non-smoking hemp farm
Peter and Silvia Vodál are the owners of HempBona, a family hemp farm located in the village of Pčoliné near Snina. Eight years ago, they began growing technical hemp on fields they had inherited. They sought to diversify their crops beyond the conventional wheat and discovered that hemp had been previously grown in the region.
Despite having no prior farming experience, they attended workshops to acquire knowledge on the cultivation and processing of hemp. Presently, they cultivate a total of ten hectares of land, employing ecological techniques that exclude the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
Technical hemp is not marijuana because it does not contain psychotropic substances (THC). Therefore, individuals who desire to smoke on the farm may be disappointed. A visitor will receive other hemp products, however.
The Vodál family originally sold hemp seeds to wholesalers. Today, they manufacture the final products themselves. They added hemp oil, shelled seeds, flour, and body products to their list of goods. You can also taste chocolate with hemp seeds.
It is recommended that individuals visit the hemp farm during the summer season, as the plants are already mature. Farmers will show them how hemp is grown and tell them how it is processed. On a tractor, visitors can drive through a hemp maze. Furthermore, visitors can taste hemp products and collect hemp tea leaves for themselves. The owners intend to organise workshops for larger groups of visitors.
Marián Antolík, Pod Sninským Kameňom ranch owner (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
A ranch with horses in the forest
In the Vihorlat protected landscape area, near Snina, there is a log cabin encircled by a fence. Marián Antolík, the proprietor of the ranch pod Sninským Kameňom, holds the belief that human-horse relationships are developed through feeling rather than violence. He thinks that horses should enjoy working with people.
Antolík was drawn to horses from an early age. He used to assist his father with the horses he had purchased. After working at a bank for a while, Antolík decided to quit and pursue his dream of living in the forest with horses. He took out a mortgage in order to buy a plot of land and built a log cabin, then brought horses and started a ranch. He initially lived there with his family and planned to engage in agrotourism. However, today he is no longer residing in the log cabin and instead rents it out.
The ranch provides recreational horseback riding. Visitors will receive a lecture about working with horses through the senses, and later they will have the opportunity to ride a horse through the surrounding woods. The entrepreneur plans to raise sheep, make cheese, and build a farmhouse to show visitors traditional crafts.
Astronomer Pavel A. Dubovský shows a professional telescope for stargazing in Kolonické Sedlo. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
Stargazing in Kolonické Sedlo
The Poloniny mountain range is free from light pollution due to the fact that there are no large hotels, cable cars, or illuminated slopes in the area. It is an ideal place for night-time astronomical observations.
The Dark Sky Park project has been operating for several years at the Kolonické Sedlo observatory near Kolonica. The objective of the project is to educate visitors about astronomy and develop astrotourism. Astronomers at this location not only carry out their professional duties, but also provide visitors with the chance to enjoy a pleasant evening of learning about the universe and the stars through a specialized telescope. The naked eye can observe 3,000 stars in the dark sky.
For a successful observation, a clear sky and preferably a moonless night are necessary, but this cannot always be guaranteed. Fortunately, the astronomers are flexible and are capable of rescheduling dates in the event of adverse weather conditions. Visitors need to book an observation in advance through the Vihorlatská Hvezdáreň website.
What to see in Snina District
Natural beauties
Primeval beech-fir forests, ideal for hikers. Some of these forests are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Kremenec hill on the borders of Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine. A boundary stone has been built there.
A waterfall near Runina. It hides in a nice forest with a Jewish cemetery nearby.
Starina reservoir. It is the most important source of drinking water in the area. There is a scenic viewpoint above the Starina reservoir, but also many bike trails around it.
Traditional craft and cuisine
Crafts centre in the village of Topoľa. Here, Jaroslav Lechan bakes bread, makes ceramics, and shows how to make thatched roofs.
Cook your own "tatarčane" pierogi at a company called Hany Ulič.
Taste natural syrups made by the Vlčie Sirupy company in Ulič.
Make smaller or bigger whistles. Ladislav Horváth will teach tourists how to work with wood. They will also learn to play on the whistle.
Make a wooden trough, spoon or a bowl with experienced craftsman Milan Karľa.
Look into the secrets of making simple woven carpets with Ľubka Talarovičová.
Cultural-historical heritage
Wooden churches are unique Ruthenian sacred buildings in northeastern Slovakia. They can be found in nine villages, seven of which are in the Snina District.
Museum in Zemplínske Hámre presents the history of mining and ironworks in the Vihorlatské Vrchy mountains.
Educational trail in Zemplínske Hámre, where visitors can learn about the history of ironworks.
Jewish cemeteries in Topoľa and Runina. The cemetery in Topoľa has been restored and is easily accessible.
Military cemeteries are situated in Topoľa and Runina. Fallen soldiers from the First Wold War are buried there.
Grandpa Večerníček's cottage, a traditional house with a thatched roof is situated in Nová Sedlica. Learn more about the beloved character's house here.
Mansion in Snina, with a museum and gallery.
Find many more things to see in Spectacular Slovakia travel guide.
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