Krzemień

Krzemień is a 1,335 m mountain, the second-highest peak of the Polish Bieszczady and of the whole Western Bieszczady after Tarnica. It lies in the central part of the Tarnica and Halicz group, in the połonina range of Bieszczady National Park. Wołosate and Muczne are both about 4.7–4.8 km away. Krzemień should not be confused with Krzemieniec (Kremenec), the border summit near Wielka Rawka where Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine meet.

The massif is a ridge running from north-west to south-east, studded with rock outcrops that together resemble a comb – hence the name: Austrian cartographers distorted the word for «comb» (Polish grzebień, Ukrainian hreben). To the north-west the ridge fades into the valley of a Terebowiec tributary; to the south-east it continues to Kopa Bukowska (1,320 m). From the highest part a spur runs north-east to Bukowe Berdo (1,311 m), separated by a shallow saddle (1,268 m). To the south-west a ridge leads over the deep Goprowska Pass (1,160 m) to the Tarnica and Szeroki Wierch massif. The south-western slope is very steep by Bieszczady standards; the north-eastern one is gentler and gives rise to the Roztoki stream.

Getting there / trails

The summit itself is closed to visitors under Bieszczady National Park rules. The blue trail (long-distance Biała – Grybów route) passes a few dozen metres away: from Goprowska Pass it climbs straight up, reaches the crest west of the top and continues over a shallow saddle to Bukowe Berdo.

• From Wołosate via the pass below Tarnica – about 2 h 50 min (1 h 35 min down).
• From the pass below Tarnica – about 35 min of steep climbing (20 min down).
• From Pszczeliny via Bukowe Berdo – about 3 h 55 min (3 h 25 min down); from Bukowe Berdo about 25 min.

Until 1987 the red Main Beskid Trail ran along the crest of Krzemień and over the summit. To protect nature it was rerouted and now traverses the south-western slope directly from Goprowska Pass towards Halicz.

The view from the crest

Thanks to its height above the surrounding tops and its treeless meadows, Krzemień is a fine viewpoint. You can see Tarnica with Szeroki Wierch, Połonina Caryńska, Bukowe Berdo, the upper San valley, Halicz with Rozsypaniec, the ranges of the Sanok-Turka Mountains and the Ukrainian Bieszczady.

Nature

Krzemień is known for its interesting flora. Species rare in Poland grow here, including rock sedge, Dacian sedge, the East Carpathian pea and a broomrape that parasitises wild thyme. The fragility of the mountain vegetation is the reason the summit was taken out of tourist use.

Safety, season and rules

The climb from Goprowska Pass is short but steep, and slippery after rain or when icy; in winter the park recommends crampons. The crest is exposed, so do not linger on it during storms or strong wind. Krzemień is not on the state border: the nearest section of the Polish–Ukrainian border lies about 4 km to the south, beyond the Wołosatka valley.

The massif 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.

Interesting facts

• Krzemień is the second-highest peak not only of the Polish but of the entire Western Bieszczady.
• Despite sounding like the Polish word for «flint», the name actually comes from a cartographers' distortion of «comb».

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