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Wieś Brzegi Górne
Wielka Rawka rises in the Western Bieszczady Mountains, right where the borders of Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine meet, and is the highest summit of the entire border ridge. Although it is not among the most famous Bieszczady destinations, many hikers consider it the finest viewpoint in this part of the range – precisely because it stands slightly aside from the main ridge and lets you look at the High Bieszczady from a distance.
The summit and the upper slopes are covered by a broad mountain meadow, so the panorama is almost complete. It takes in the surrounding peaks of the High Bieszczady, the ranges on the Slovak side and the Ukrainian ridges stretching far to the east.
Slightly below the top stands a massive concrete obelisk – the remains of a former surveying station and today one of the recognisable landmarks of the area. The summit dome itself is flat and grassy, which encourages a longer rest with a view. Bring a warm jacket: the open space is almost always windy.
The classic approach starts in Brzegi Górne: first along the green trail, then the yellow one, altogether just under 5 km and about two hours of walking. An alternative is the blue trail from Ustrzyki Górne, longer but more comfortably laid out and usually covered in a similar time. Both routes suit children used to mountain hiking.
The slopes of Wielka Rawka are steep and avalanches come down the north-eastern flanks in winter, so outside the summer season the trip requires experience and proper equipment. The area lies within the Bieszczady National Park, which means walking is allowed on marked trails only.
