Waterfalls

Sine Wiry Nature Reserve

South of Lake Solina, near the village of Zawój in the Bieszczady Mountains, the Wetlina river cuts into the rocks and forces its way through successive rock steps. This section of the valley is protected by the Sine Wiry nature reserve, established in 1987.

The river, the forest and Połoma

The reserve covers a several-kilometre stretch of the Wetlina gorge and the southern slopes of the Połoma hill (776 m above sea level), overgrown with beech and fir forest. The river flows here in a swift current, pushing through rocky thresholds, and the valley is dominated by silence broken only by the sound of water. It is one of the parts of the Bieszczady where nature fell asleep after the post-war displacements — of the former villages only scarce traces remain in the forest.

The Emerald Pond

In 1980, after the slope of Połoma slid down, the Jeziorko Szmaragdowe (Emerald Pond) formed on the river. This unusual pool is gradually disappearing — natural processes are restoring the river's former course — but you can still see the effect of that landslide, one of the more interesting works of Bieszczady nature.

Access and practicalities

The easiest approach leads from Bukowiec through Terka — the proper trail starts beyond Polanki. A longer option runs from Kalnica through the former village of Jaworzec. The reserve is accessible around the clock, all year round, and admission is free. It is a proposal for lovers of quiet nature: instead of tourist infrastructure you will find the sound of the river and the Bieszczady forest.