Smerek, Mountain summit in Bieszczady National Park, Poland
Smerek is a mountain peak with two distinct summits in the Bieszczady range that rises to 1,222 meters and runs along the Polonyna Wetlińska ridge. The area features open mountain grasslands, forested slopes, and trails that cross the exposed mountainside.
The trails on Smerek were built in the early 1900s by the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society to open up the Bieszczady region to visitors. This network of marked hiking routes first made the mountains systematically accessible to the public.
The grassy meadows on Smerek show signs of traditional sheep herding, where shepherds kept the mountain pastures open through grazing and shaped the landscape over generations. This old way of life still defines how the Polonyna grasslands look today and what visitors see when they walk across them.
A yellow-marked trail runs from the village of Wetlina to the summit, climbing through forested slopes and taking about two hours. Good hiking boots and a windproof jacket are important since the ridge is exposed and weather can change quickly at this height.
Only the lower of the two summits is open to visitors, while the upper peak remains off-limits to protect the natural environment. This restriction preserves the sensitive mountain zone and its ecosystems.
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