Bieszczady Night Sky Park

The Bieszczady Starry Sky Park was established in 2013 over about 1,100 square kilometres covering the national park and two adjoining landscape parks, which made it the largest dark sky area in Poland and, after the Brecon Beacons reserve in Wales, among the largest in Europe - possible because this corner of Poland has among the lowest population densities in the country, again a consequence of the 1947 deportations that emptied the valleys and left them unrepopulated. The result is genuinely dark: the Milky Way is bright, the zodiacal light is visible in the right season, and light domes from distant towns are low on the horizon. Several villages have viewing sites and astronomical events are held. The practical points are ordinary ones - the darkest skies are on moonless nights from autumn to spring, the weather here is often cloudy, and it is very cold in winter. Bring warm clothing well beyond what the temperature suggests.

What you actually see

• 1,100 square kilometres - Poland's largest dark sky area, founded in 2013.
• Genuine darkness - a consequence of the valleys never being repopulated after 1947.
• The Milky Way and zodiacal light - visible without instruments in the right conditions.
• Village viewing sites - marked points and organised observation events.

When to go

September to April on moonless nights. Two days, allowing for cloud.

Honest expectations

Cloud is frequent and can write off a trip - allow more than one night. Winter here is severely cold and roads can be difficult. A car is essential and there is no public transport after dark. Accommodation is sparse.

Nearby

Bieszczady National Park surrounds it; Ustrzyki Gorne is the usual base.