Poloniny is the only place in Slovakia where free-living herds of European bison can be found.
The park contains the highest concentration of Primeval Beech Forests in Slovakia, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Park of Dark Sky Poloniny is one of only two officially designated dark-sky areas in Slovakia.
Many of the park’s wooden churches were relocated to the Snina Museum of Folk Architecture to protect them from flooding during the construction of the Starina Reservoir.
The Starina Reservoir, located within the park, is the largest source of drinking water in Eastern Slovakia.
Poloniny National Park serves as the meeting point of three national borders, a location marked by the Kremenec tripoint.
The park is home to the remains of World War I military cemeteries scattered across the mountain ridges.
Due to its extreme northeastern isolation, the park experiences significantly higher snowfall and lower temperatures than the rest of the country during winter months.
Poloniny National Park is located in the Bukovec Mountains in extreme northeastern Slovakia, bordering Poland and Ukraine. It is the core of the UNESCO-listed Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians, featuring extensive virgin woodlands that have evolved undisturbed for millennia. The park hosts the Park of Dark Sky Poloniny, which is recognized for its exceptionally low light pollution levels suitable for astronomical observation. Local biodiversity includes large carnivores such as wolves, lynx, and bears, as well as the reintroduced European bison. Cultural heritage is preserved through the region's unique wooden churches, some dating back to the 18th century. The terrain is defined by rugged ridges and deep valleys, providing a habitat for rare flora like the Carpathian bellflower. It is the least populated national park in Slovakia, emphasizing wilderness preservation over mass tourism. The administrative office is located in Snina, serving as the gateway to the park's network of hiking trails.
The Kremenec summit, which provides a panoramic view of the tri-border forest landscape.
Carry a high-quality map or GPS device, as mobile network coverage is unreliable in the deep valleys.
Pack binoculars for observing large mammals and raptors during dawn and dusk.
Respect the strict silence and movement regulations in the core 'A' zone forests to avoid disturbing protected wildlife.
Attempting to enter the Starina Reservoir protected water zone without prior authorization, as it is strictly off-limits.
Stick to marked hiking trails to prevent soil erosion and protect wildlife habitat; remove all trash; quiet behavior is required to minimize disruption to the ecosystem.
