Kopa Bukowska

Kopa Bukowska (1,320 m) is a summit in the Western Bieszczady, one of the mountains of the Tarnica and Halicz group in Bieszczady National Park. It lies in the połonina range on the ridge running from Krzemień to Halicz, separated from both neighbours by shallow passes. Krzemień is about 1.4 km to the west, Halicz about 1.4 km to the south-east and Tarnica 2.4 km to the west-south-west. The nearest villages – Muczne, Tarnawa Niżna and Wołosate – are each 5–6 km away.

The mountain is surrounded by the valleys of Roztoki (north), the Roztocki stream (east) and the Wołosatka (south). There are crags near the summit, though somewhat fewer than on neighbouring Krzemień. The key thing for walkers to know: the summit itself lies off the tourist trails, and since the park only allows walking on marked routes, the highest point of Kopa Bukowska may not be visited. The mountain is seen from the trail that skirts its southern slope.

Getting there / trails

The red Main Beskid Trail (part of the European long-distance path E8), on its section from the Goprowska Pass to Halicz, traverses the southern slope of Kopa Bukowska at about 1,240 m – roughly 80 m below the summit. The park nature trail «Rozsypaniec – Krzemień» follows this section. There are several ways to reach the traverse:

• From Wołosate by the blue trail to the pass below Tarnica (about 2 h), then east on the red trail – about 1 h 35 min from the pass to Halicz, passing below Kopa Bukowska on the way.
• From Wołosate by the red trail over the Bukowska Pass and Rozsypaniec to Halicz – about 3 h 35 min, then west to the traverse below Kopa.

The most popular option is a loop from Wołosate: blue trail to Tarnica, red trail across the slopes of Kopa Bukowska, Halicz and Rozsypaniec to the Bukowska Pass and back to Wołosate. Park pay points are at the trailheads in Wołosate, Ustrzyki Górne, Pszczeliny and Muczne.

The view from the summit

There is no published description of the panorama from the summit, as walkers do not go there. From the traversing path on the southern slope you see Halicz ahead, the saddle towards Krzemień behind and Tarnica to the west, with the Wołosatka valley opening to the south. Kopa Bukowska itself is best seen from Tarnica, from Halicz and from the upper San valley.

Nature and history

The flora of Kopa Bukowska is notable: rare plants for Poland growing here include Bielz's moor-grass, violet meadow-grass and Dacian sedge. Haller's primrose also once grew on the mountain – its only known site in Poland – but it has since died out. Such fragile plant communities on the meadows are exactly why the park strictly forbids leaving the trails.

Safety, season and rules

The traverse below Kopa Bukowska crosses open meadow: there is no shelter from wind, storms or fog, and the weather changes very quickly. In winter the slope can be icy and deep in snow, so crampons and suitable clothing are needed.

The mountain lies within Bieszczady National Park. Under the park rules in force since 14 April 2026, entry to the trails is charged all year: a ticket costs 11 zł (reduced 5.5 zł, children under 7 free), is sold at the pay points by the trailheads or online, and is valid on all park trails on the same day. Walking is allowed on marked trails only and only between sunrise and sunset – night hiking is prohibited. Dogs are not allowed on the trails (except a few short sections, on a lead and muzzled); flying drones and leaving litter are also banned.

The Bieszczady are covered by the Bieszczady Group of the mountain rescue service GOPR (station in Ustrzyki Górne): call 985 or +48 601 100 300, or the general number 112; installing the «Ratunek» app is recommended. In winter the park advises reporting longer planned routes to the GOPR station in Ustrzyki Górne.

Photos: Henryk Bielamowicz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Henryk Bielamowicz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Henryk Bielamowicz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0; Henryk Bielamowicz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Henryk Bielamowicz, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.