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Introducing The Carpathian Mountains
Effectively the eastern extension of the Alps, the Carpathians (Karpaty) stretch from the southern border with Slovakia into the Ukraine. They make up the highest and largest mountain range in Central Europe and form Poland’s most scenic and rugged region. Indeed, their wooded hills and snowy mountains are a beacon for hikers, skiers and cyclists. And because of its remoteness and relative inaccessibility over the centuries, this ‘forgotten corner’ has been able to preserve its strong regional culture. Even today, you’ll still see plenty of picturesque timber houses, rustic shingled churches and scores of tiny roadside shrines.
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The region’s largest city is Rzeszów, which offers excellent transport links but few real attractions. A much better destination is the popular resort town of Zakopane in the heart of the Tatra Mountains (Tatry), the highest section of the Polish Carpathians. This area offers the best winter sports and mountain walks in the country, and in the Podhale region to the north, folk traditions are still a part of everyday life.
Elsewhere, a mosaic of small, modest towns provide jumping-off points for half a dozen national parks and some of Poland’s most rewarding walking trails; laid-back spa resorts present a chance to unwind; and historic regional towns such as Przemyśl, Tarnów and Sanok offer unique insights into the past. Just don’t try to hurry things down here in the ‘deep south’. Instead, adopt the local pace of life and amble at your leisure through some of Poland’s most stunning scenery.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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