Poloniny National Park is in the far northeast of Slovakia, close to the borders with Poland and Ukraine. This area is part of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and is known for its untouched forests and dark night skies. Many people come here for nature, hiking, and stargazing. A road trip to Poloniny is one of the best ways to explore the quiet countryside and remote trails. There is little public transport to the park, so renting a car is the best way to get there.
Poloniny is far from Slovakia’s main cities. It’s a long drive across the country, but the peaceful forests and starlit skies at the end make it worth every kilometer. If you land at Bratislava Airport, the best thing to do is rent a car in advance. This way, you can pick it up as soon as you arrive and head straight for the road.
The drive from Bratislava to Poloniny National Park is around 6 hours and 30 minutes, covering almost 530 kilometers. The route takes you through highways like the E571, E58, and E50, and passes cities like Trnava, Banská Bystrica, and Prešov. You’ll also cross smaller towns and winding mountain roads as you get closer to the national park, so it’s best to stay alert and allow time for short breaks.
Since this is a long trip with mixed road types, choose a mid-size SUV or crossover. These cars offer more comfort for long hours, better fuel efficiency, and enough space for your gear. You’ll also need a toll sticker (vignette) for Slovak highways, which rental companies often include. Make sure to check before you leave the airport. Once you get closer to Snina, you’ll follow narrow regional roads and wind your way up to the park entrance. These last stretches might be slower, but the views are worth it. Renting a car in Slovakia will help you explore remote areas, stargazing spots, and hiking trails once you arrive in Poloniny.
Poloniny has some of the oldest forests in Europe. These are primeval beech and fir woods, with some parts untouched for centuries. The UNESCO World Heritage sites inside the park include Stuzica, Rožok, and Havešová forests. These woods are quiet and cool, with trees that rise high and thick green leaves that block sunlight in summer.
The park is about 301 square kilometers, or around 116.5 square miles. Most of the land is forest, with deep valleys and soft hills. These lands are part of the Bukovské vrchy Mountains, also called the Slovak Bieszczady. Above the forests, you will find special high meadows called "poloniny" in Slovak. These meadows are why the park has its name. They grow above the tree line and offer wide views. The forests are home to rare plants like edelweiss, European yew, and orchids. They grow here because the land has stayed wild. You’ll also find moss-covered ground, cool mountain streams, and paths that feel lost in time. Walking through these forests is like stepping into old Europe.
Poloniny is one of the last places in Central Europe where large wild animals still live freely in their natural home. The deep forests and remote mountains give them shelter far from cities and noise. This protected space is important because many of these animals are shy and need quiet areas to survive.
One of the most special animals here is the European bison. Poloniny is the only place in Slovakia where bison still live in the wild. These large animals disappeared long ago but have been brought back through conservation work. Now, they roam the forest and meadows again, as they once did in the past.
The park is also home to brown bears, wolves, and the Eurasian lynx. These predators move silently through the woods and are hard to see. Still, lucky visitors might find a footprint on a trail or hear the distant call of a wolf. These animals help keep the forest healthy by keeping balance in the food chain.
You’ll also find red deer, wild boar, and European wildcats. They live deep in the forest or graze near the mountain meadows. Poloniny’s mix of thick trees and open spaces gives them good places to find food and stay hidden. For bird lovers, the park is one of the best in Slovakia. You might see a golden eagle flying above the peaks or hear the soft hoot of a Ural owl in the trees. Rare birds like the black stork also nest here. The quiet skies, clean air, and untouched nature make Poloniny a true haven for both animals and those who come to see them.
Many travelers visit Poloniny for the night sky. It is home to the Poloniny Dark Sky Park, the darkest place in Slovakia. Thanks to the park’s remote location and low population, there is almost no artificial light here. The park’s sky brightness levels range from 21.3 to 21.7 mag/arcsec², which is very dark. On clear nights, you can see the Milky Way, zodiacal light, the belt, and even stars that are too faint for most places. The sky here ranks between 2 and 3 on the Bortle scale, which means it's among the darkest skies in Europe. It’s easy to understand why Poloniny is one of the best places for stargazing in Slovakia.
In 2010, the park officially became a Dark Sky Park, covering parts of several nearby villages including Kolonica, Ladomirov, Kalná Roztoka, Klenová, and Ruská Volová. The area was chosen because of its natural darkness and minimal light pollution. Since 2012, an asteroid has been named after the park—asteroid No. 22469 Poloniny.
When stargazing in Poloniny, head to the Observatory on Kolonica Saddle, near the village of Kolonica. It holds the second-largest telescope in Slovakia, with a one-meter lens. Built in 1999, the observatory also features a planetarium that opened in 2012. On weekdays, you can join night observation programs to view deep-sky objects like planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
There’s more to Poloniny than just forests and stars. If you’re planning a road trip to Poloniny, you’ll find several beautiful places that are easy to reach by car or a short hike. Each one offers a different view of the region’s nature.
Ruské Sedlo is a mountain pass with a great view of the Bukovské vrchy Mountains. A wooden lookout tower lets you see wide landscapes in all directions. The path to the tower follows a route once used to travel between Poland and Hungary as far back as the 16th century.
This is the spot where Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine meet. It is marked by a simple post and sits at the top of a small mountain. Many hikers enjoy reaching it because they feel they are standing at the edge of three countries. Walking up is not hard, and the views are worth the effort. You’ll see hills rolling in every direction.
Okrąglik is one of the higher peaks in the area, reaching 1101 meters. The top has a wide clearing where you can stop and rest. From here, you get a clear look at the Slovak side of the Carpathians. It’s a good stop for nature photos or just to breathe in the fresh air.
Starina is a large water reservoir located near the town of Stakčín. It was built between 1981 and 1988 and now supplies water to places like Prešov and Košice. The reservoir is in the middle of the national park, surrounded by forested hills. The area was home to several villages that were moved to make way for the water. Six villages, Dara, Ostružnica, Smolník, Ruské, Veľká Poľana, and Zvala, were turned into water protection areas. Now, this place is quiet and peaceful, good for cycling or nature walks.
The Kolonica Saddle is home to the national observatory near the village of Kolonica. This area is also scenic by day, with forest roads, quiet fields, and clean air. It’s a good place to rest during the day and return at night for stargazing.
Kremenec is one of the highest points in Poloniny, reaching 1,221 meters. It is also the meeting point of Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine. From the top, you can look across three countries at once. The trail to Kremenec goes through old forests and open clearings, making the hike both relaxing and scenic. It’s a must-see for visitors wanting a full view of the Carpathians.
Poloniny is home to small mountain villages where people live a slow and simple life. These are traditional Rusyn communities, and they are very different from the fast-paced city life. In these villages, people live close to nature, grow their own food, and keep old customs alive. The houses are wood and stone, with narrow paths and quiet yards. Walking through these villages feels like stepping into the past. Many families have lived in the same homes for generations.
One of the most special cultural landmarks is in the village of Ruský Potok. You will find the Church of St. Nicholas, a beautiful wooden church with old wall paintings inside. These wooden churches are rare and full of history. They were built without nails, using skilled handcraft passed down for many years.
Poloniny welcomes visitors every season, and each time of year offers a different experience.Spring and summer are great for hiking, cycling, and wildlife watching. The weather is mild, and the trails are dry and green. Animals are more active during this time, and you may spot deer or birds walking through the forest.
In Autumn, the forests change color, with red, orange, and gold leaves covering the hills. The air is cooler, and the trails are quieter. It’s a peaceful time to take long walks and enjoy the soft light of the season. Winter in Poloniny is quiet and calm. Snow covers the trees and mountain paths, making the park feel like a different world. It’s a perfect time for snowshoe walks or cross-country skiing. Some roads may be more challenging, so it’s important to check the weather and road conditions before your trip. Still, many parts of the park are open and easily explored by car.
Poloniny is one of the best places in Slovakia to enjoy nature and a sky full of stars. Every part of the park feels special, from quiet forests and rare wildlife to wooden churches and mountain views. And when night falls, you’ll understand why stargazers choose Poloniny. To enjoy this journey without stress, rent a car with Final Rentals. We offer fair prices, easy booking, and pick-up at Bratislava Airport. You can choose a mid-size SUV for long drives on mixed roads and mountain routes. It’s the best way to see Poloniny on your own time.
