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Wieś Ustrzyki Górne
Szeroki Wierch is a long, rounded ridge in the High Bieszczady whose highest point reaches 1268 metres above sea level. It stretches from Ustrzyki Górne towards Tarnica, and its name captures its character perfectly: this is a wide, undulating crest rather than a single sharp peak.
The upper parts of the mountain are treeless, covered with grassy meadows known as połoniny. Thanks to that the panorama accompanies you almost the whole way: Połonina Caryńska, Krzemień, Tarnica and further ranges on the Ukrainian and Slovak side.
The ridge walk is one of the classics of Bieszczady hiking, with no steep climbs but endless space all around.
The area lies within the Bieszczady National Park. On the southern slopes of Szeroki Wierch grows the thyme broomrape, a parasitic plant rare in Poland and one of the botanical treasures of the region. The meadows are also home to many bird species and large mammals.
The most popular ascent starts in Ustrzyki Górne and follows the red hiking trail. The route is about 6.3 kilometres long and is not demanding, and the climb takes roughly three hours. Walking is allowed only on marked trails, and the weather on the open meadows can change within minutes.
Many walkers combine Szeroki Wierch with a further hike towards Tarnica, turning it into a full day route. It is worth setting off early in the morning, when visibility tends to be best and the mists so typical of the Bieszczady still linger over the valleys.
