How did we get here? By mistake. We were tourists in love with the Bieszczady Mountains and over the years we have probably walked down all their trails. In the end, we decided to buy our land and live here. We went to the nearby information center, the Belka store, where you can learn everything from the folks. We are asking if anyone has a plot for sale. You jump up: I have! Three hectares on the slope, above the San River, PLN 12/m². Really cheap. Our joy knew no bounds. Darek, a thoroughly educated engineer, quickly calculated the amount - we can afford it! – and we set a date to sign the contract. Imagine our surprise when on the document we saw a sum ten times higher than the one calculated. After all, a square meter had to be multiplied by 10,000, not a thousand. But since we had already seen each other here in the eyes of our imagination, we built a house and planted trees in our dreams, there was no help - we had to go to the bank for a loan and take it.
By mistake, we are located on the slope of Otryt, in the Natura 2000 area. In terms of territory, and the least populated commune in Poland. In order for everything to be right, we have about 2,000 inhabitants in the entire commune. Nearly 40 pets visit us in the season. We are attracted to people who, like us, love the Bieszczady Mountains and have a similar approach to life. We managed to create a place where, apart from amazing views and nature, good energy and curiosity about the world reign. Close to the trails, the river and ... for sushi, which is shot once a week by a real sushi master. We will tell you everything about our mountains, because it turns out that we already know them better than our own from the Belka store.
The mountain habitat we create is located in the buffer zone of the Bieszczady National Park, in the heart of the San Valley Landscape Park. On a mountain slope with exposure to the south there is a house where we live, and in a forest grove 300 m below we have built 4 wooden houses that you can rent.
Lupus and Ursa (for 4-8 people):
– this is the bigger of our houses,
- have 2 bedrooms: one with 2 double beds, one with 1 double and 2 single beds,
– on the ground floor they have a living room with a kitchenette and a bathroom with a shower.
– they are not for people with small children, because they have steep stairs.
Bies i Czad (for 4-8 people):
– are smaller than Lupus and Ursa
- have 2 bedrooms: one with 2 double beds, one with 1 double and 1 single bed,
– on the ground floor there is a living room with a kitchenette and a bathroom with a shower.
Each of our houses has a terrace with chairs and deckchairs and on sunny days you can spend time on it - or under one of the vine-covered sheds that are located in the habitat. The houses are not far from each other and it may happen that you will hear your neighbors bustling about on the terrace next to you.
The cottages are open all year round and heated by a fireplace. We do not ration wood. We can also make an agreement that if you go to the mountains and want us to keep the fire burning for you, you will leave us the keys and you will be greeted with pleasant warmth upon your return.
We are for those who love the Bieszczady Mountains, for mountaineers, for those who crave silence, peace and nature. For those who are not afraid of the night howl of wolves, and prefer a homely atmosphere and proximity to trails to luxury.
We invite you with pets. There will be welcome treats waiting for them (and for you too), and there is a lot of space. Just take into account that we are not fenced, and we are located in the mid-forest wildlife corridor. You'll have to keep an eye on the animals. We ourselves have 2 dogs.
We do not serve meals in Leszczynowy Stok - the houses you rent have their own kitchenettes and you will be able to prepare your own meals there. In our habitat there are two sheds with a place for a bonfire, where you will probably spend many evenings. There is everything you need to make the bonfires successful: grate, fire dishes, but also blankets, mattresses, deckchairs - for long sitting by the sizzling fire.
The forest that surrounds our clearing hides countless treasures: wild blueberries, blueberries, wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and mushrooms. The Bieszczady Mountains are one of the few places where you can find really large amounts of Rydz Królewski - the idea for the autumn menu is at your fingertips.
And you may be surprised, but in the Bieszczady Mountains you can also eat... good sushi. Once a week, a sushi master comes to a seasonal bar about 0.5 km from here, who makes reliable and fresh rolls. The nearest restaurant is in the hotel 700 m away, and according to guests, they cook really tasty food at the Wilcza Jama hunting inn - you can get venison there, but those who choose the veggie option will also have their fill.
You must also know that the Bieszczady Mountains are the kingdom of sheep, goat and cow cheeses. According to some, the best cheeses are sold on the route of the Large Bieszczady Beltway in Brzegi Górne and at Nikos's in the Czar PGR agritourism farm in Wańkowa. The truest cheese-making region is the commune of Komańcza. in Osławica, Wisłok Wielki, Smolnik and Dołżyca.
Anyone who simply dreams of the Bieszczady Mountains will not be bored here. And neither in the habitat nor in the surrounding area. We are right under the slope of Otryt, in the Natura 2000 area, right next to the trails. When you are not going on a more distant mountain expedition, you can walk here in the forests and pastures or in 2 minutes. go down to the San River, where in summer the conditions for sunbathing are perfect. On site and in the immediate vicinity you can enjoy the picturesque surroundings, space and pleasures that we have here for you:
– a hot tub is waiting for you in the spruce grove (cost: PLN 290 for 1 session without time limits on a given day),
– we also have a sauna (cost: PLN 250 for 1.5 h, it can accommodate 6-7 people) with a cooling barrel next to it,
– two large shelters located here create great locations for a bonfire and long evening sittings,
– in winter you can go sledding or go on a sleigh ride,
– in the houses there are bookcases with books that you can read on the terrace or on a deckchair in the grass,
– if you dream of a SPA, there is a hotel 700 m from us where you can indulge in hedonistic practices or swim in the indoor pool,
– for active people, we recommend beautiful bicycle trails leading through the San Valley – you can rent bikes nearby.
And where can you go from us?
– For those who come here to conquer the Bieszczady peaks, we are an excellent base. 5 min. driving distance separates you from tourist trails to Połonina Caryńska, Połonina Wetlińska, Mała and Wielka Rawka, Dwernik Kamień, Magura Stuposiańska, Tarnica or Szeroki Wierch or the legendary wild Otryt with the famous Sociologist's Cottage.
– We have a great art-house cinema nearby: "Końkret". The name comes from the fact that it is located in a former stable. The owners also run a cafe there, selling homemade cakes, handicrafts and even books written by Jola.
– In the Bieszczady Mountains you can still see unusual wooden and brick Orthodox churches of the Boykos and Lemkos, which survived the historical turmoil. About 30 of them have survived and most of them today serve as Roman Catholic churches. The church in Smolnik nad Sanem is worth visiting due to its characteristic Boyko tripartite structure, and, for example, the one in Michniowiec played the role of Father Reberow's church in the TV series Wataha.
– Zalew Soliński is located approximately 40 minutes by car from here. Our guests usually go to see it once and that is enough, because it is a tourist attraction. You can sail there on boats, kayaks, sailboats or take a gondola ride. However, there are many picturesque hiking and cycling trails around Solina that are worth giving a chance.
– Another tourist attraction, but one that gives a lot of fun, especially for children, is a ride on the Bieszczady Narrow Gauge Railway. Its history dates back to the end of the 19th century, you can admire the Bieszczady valleys from the wagons, and it is also worth visiting Cisna from the song Prońko and visiting the famous pub: Siekierezady.
– 70 km will separate you from Sanok, and there you can visit the fascinating Museum of Folk Architecture with old Lemko cottages or a reconstruction of a Galician city. Also in Sanok you will visit the Zdzisław Beksiński Museum. This is the city where the artist came from, and it is there that you can see over 600 of his works (including the painting he completed on the day of his death!).
– There are many artistic and tourist events in the Bieszczady Mountains in the summer. You can meet interesting people there: sculptors, painters, poets. There are also interesting special events, e.g. "Blueberry Festival" or "Bison Day".
What’s there for children?
Stays with us have been testing their own and immigrant children for years and we can safely say that holidays here are like a visit to Bullerbyn in Bieszczady. Especially if other kids are stationed next door. There are plenty of adventures around: first of all trips with parents on trails, but also bathing in the river, running recklessly around the vast area of our habitat, weaving wreaths in summer and picking mushrooms in autumn. In winter, we have a paradise for sledging here. We have also prepared a lot of toys, books and games for children - they are waiting in containers under the shelter, so that everyone has access to them. If you like horses, there are several stud farms in the vicinity. You can also go with your charges to retorts, show them how to burn charcoal and see the truest Bieszczady "tar maker".
All kids are welcome and we have equipment for babies. But we warn you that staying with them here can be difficult: the houses are on the slope, you can't drive up to them with a pram, and you will find steep stairs inside.
