Discover the Subcarpathian Region

Mountain landscapes and protected nature

Protected areas cover almost 50 percent of the voivodeship. Bieszczady National Park protects the highest areas in the Polish part of the Eastern Carpathians. The voivodeship’s highest point is also there: Tarnica reaches 1,346 metres. These figures give an impression of the region’s varied landscapes and help you consider the Bieszczady as a possible focus for a trip.

The national park has nature trails near Bukowe Berdo, Połonina Caryńska and Połonina Wetlińska. Those interested in the nature of the Eastern Carpathians can combine these walks with a visit to the Bieszczady National Park Museum in Ustrzyki Dolne. Its three-dimensional dioramas include habitats such as a beaver lodge. Nature observation and vivid insights into habitats thus offer different ways to experience the landscape.

Wooden architecture and industrial history

The Wooden Architecture Route comprises nine sections with a total length of 1,202 kilometres and leads to 127 wooden architectural monuments. Its scale makes it a travel theme in its own right: rather than focusing on just one building, you can explore the route and its sections. When choosing a holiday apartment, it can be helpful to consider in advance whether wooden architecture or, instead, nature and outdoor activities should be the focus of your trip.

The Central Industrial Region Route offers a different perspective on the past. It leads to industrial heritage sites, former factories, museums, and workers’ and engineers’ housing estates in Podkarpackie. The places mentioned include Rzeszów, Nowa Sarzyna, Stalowa Wola, Nowa Dęba, Skopanie, Mielec, Pustków, Pustynia, Dębica and Sędziszów Małopolski; the route leads to walking paths and attractions there. The Podkarpackie Museum in Krosno also has Europe’s largest collection of oil lamps. Those interested in technology and industrial history will find a different way to discover the region here than on the Bieszczady nature trails.

Getting around by train and bicycle

The Przeworsk Narrow-Gauge Railway operates from May to September. Its route is 46 kilometres long and includes a 602-metre narrow-gauge railway tunnel. The Bieszczady Forest Railway takes travellers to the mountain landscapes in the south of Podkarpackie. Each railway offers a distinct travel experience; their routes should not be understood as a shared connection.

There are also several options for cycling trips: the eastern Green Velo cycling route runs for more than 400 kilometres through the region. In addition, there are challenging cycling routes in the Bieszczady, the Low Beskids and the Słonne Mountains. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether a longer cycling route or challenging mountain rides better suit your travel plans. Specific route lengths are given here only for the Green Velo cycling route.

Special discoveries and regional choices

The Bieszczady Starry Sky Park hosts astronomical presentations and various workshops on the subject. The park is located in the East Carpathian International Biosphere Reserve. This adds a view of the night sky to the landscape and nature themes. For those interested in culture, the Carpathian Wine Salon offers guided tastings of wines from various Carpathian regions, including Podkarpackie. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider nature, culture and regional wine traditions as separate interests.

Explore more subregions

The Subcarpathian Region includes, among others, the subregions of Tarnobrzeg, Nisko, Krosno, Przemyśl, Rzeszów, Lesko, Bieszczady and Brzozów; as well as Dębica, Jarosław, Kolbuszowa, Łańcut, Leżajsk, Lubaczów, Mielec and Ropczyce-Sędziszów; and Sanok, Stalowa Wola, Strzyżów, Jasło, Przeworsk County and Przemyśl.

For the overview of the wider region: Poland.