Located along the banks of the Pinya River, Polyana is a health resort in the Zakarpatska Oblast region of western Ukraine. It’s surrounded by the rugged peaks and valleys of the Carpathian Mountains and offers easy access to several picturesque national parks.
Things to do in Polyana (Zakarpats'ka Oblast')
You can relax at one of the rejuvenating spas that cluster in Polyana, as the village specialises in the treatment of chronic diseases related to digestion. In the far west of the village is a famous fountain from which mineral drinking water flows, together with several scenic walking trails in the Turystychnyy Kompleks Polyana-Kvasova.
Polyana can be used as a base for exploring Uzhanskyi National Park, which sprawls across more than 39,000 hectares along Ukraine’s border with Poland. It forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians, with more than 1,500 plant species recorded within the park. Keep your eyes peeled for roe deer, red fox and badger as you explore along the extensive network of hiking trails and admire the 17th-century wooden churches constructed by the Lemkos people.
You can also explore Synevyr National Park, which was established in 1974 around a sparkling lake. It encompasses the western part of the Gorgany Mountains, with its terrain marked by sharp peaks, lush wetlands and a large sphagnum bog. Get up close to brown bears at the park’s rehabilitation centre or see lynx, otters and badgers in the wild along its hiking trails.
Getting around Polyana (Zakarpats'ka Oblast')
Polyana is just over an hour’s drive from Uzhhorod and Uzhhorod International Airport and Lviv is around 3.5 hours away. Buses are the main means of getting around the region while the centre of Polyana is compact enough to explore on foot.