Chatka Puchatka Shelter in the Bieszczady

Chatka Puchatka ("KHAHT-kah poo-KHAHT-kah", Polish for Pooh's Hut, named after The House at Pooh Corner) is the highest tourist building in the Bieszczady Mountains of southeastern Poland. Perched at about 1,228 m on the open grassland ridge of Połonina Wetlińska, the former cult mountain hut is now a modern day shelter run by Bieszczady National Park. Hikers stop here for tea, a rest out of the wind and one of the widest views in the Polish Carpathians.

Where it is and how to get there

The Bieszczady are Poland's wild southeastern corner, bordering Ukraine and Slovakia. The nearest airport is Rzeszów; from there, as from Kraków, it is a long drive into the mountains, so most visitors stay several nights in villages such as Wetlina or Ustrzyki Górne. The hut can only be reached on foot:

• Yellow trail from the Wyżna Pass — the shortest, about 1 hr 15 min up.
• Red Main Beskid Trail from Brzegi Górne — about 1 hr 40 min up.
• Black and yellow trails from Wetlina / Górna Wetlinka — about 1 hr 45 min.

National park car parks at Brzegi Górne and Górna Wetlinka cost PLN 30 per car.

From border post to park shelter

The building began as a military border observation post after World War II. The Polish Tourist Association (PTTK) took it over in 1956 and staffed it year-round from 1967; the sailor Leonid Teliga suggested the name. With no electricity, running water or sewage, it became famous for its spartan charm and its long-time keeper Ludwik Pińczuk. After a court awarded ownership to the national park in 2015, the old hut was dismantled in 2020 and rebuilt for about PLN 4.2 million. The new shelter opened in September 2022 with rainwater tanks, a treatment plant and toilets.

What you will find today

• A small buffet with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water — bring your own food.
• Maps, souvenirs and park tickets for sale, plus phone charging.
• Toilets (availability depends on the treatment plant).
• No regular overnight stays — only emergency shelter in the entrance hall.

Hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• Open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.
• From October 1, 2026, trail paving work near the hut may cause short delays; water supply may be limited after recent storms, with portable toilets outside.
• Park entry: PLN 11 regular, PLN 5.50 reduced; children under 7 free.

Who is it for?

The short yellow trail from the Wyżna Pass is steep but manageable for families with school-age children and anyone with basic hiking fitness. If you are bringing a dog, check the park's rules on its website first.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely, if the weather is clear. The ridge is fully exposed, so check the forecast for wind and storms. Because of bears, the park advises not to start hikes at night or at dawn — set off after 8 a.m. The buffet is small, so carry enough water and food of your own.