The name 'Połonina' refers to the specific mountain meadows of the Carpathians located above the upper forest limit.
The Chatka Puchatka hut, rebuilt in 2022, serves as the highest-located shelter in the Bieszczady Mountains.
The ridge serves as a significant biological corridor for large predators like wolves and bears.
The massif is part of the UNESCO East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.
The original Chatka Puchatka was a former weather station before being repurposed as a mountain refuge in the 1950s.
Połonina Wetlińska is a prominent mountain massif in the Bieszczady National Park, Poland, characterized by expansive sub-alpine meadows known as poloniny. The ridge offers panoramic views extending to the High Tatras on clear days. The highest point of the massif is Roh, reaching an elevation of 1,255 meters above sea level. The trail system is part of the Main Beskid Trail, the longest marked trail in Poland. The site features the Chatka Puchatka hut, which serves as a landmark for hikers navigating the ridge. The terrain consists of high-altitude grasslands with minimal tree cover at the summit. Hikers commonly access the ridge from mountain passes such as Przełęcz Wyżna or Przełęcz Wyżniańska. The massif is a key site for observing Bieszczady-specific flora and fauna, including potential sightings of brown bears or lynx.
The area immediately surrounding the Chatka Puchatka shelter looking toward the Smerek massif.
Bring layers, as the ridge is highly exposed to unpredictable high-altitude winds and temperature drops.
Ensure your footwear has deep tread, as the terrain can be muddy and slippery even in dry weather.
Carry sufficient water, as there are no natural water sources on the exposed ridge sections.
Attempting the ridge hike during thunderstorms or periods of high fog, as the lack of forest cover offers no shelter from lightning.
The ridge trails are accessible year-round, though snow accumulation in winter may require specialized mountaineering gear.
Stick strictly to marked trails to protect the fragile alpine meadow ecosystem; do not pick flowers or disturb wildlife.
