Ustrzyki Dolne

The town is located in the south-eastern part of Subcarpathian Voivodeship, its total population is 11,000 people. Kamienna Laworta mountain (769 m above sea level) rises above the town, also Strwiąż river flows here.

The first record about the town dates back to 1502. In 1509 Iwonia Unihowski, the ancestor of Ustryk family, received local principality here.

The original name of the town is Brzegi Wysznie. The name "Ustrzyki Dolne" was mentioned for the first time in 1509. Both Polish and Ukrainian version of the name "Ustrzyki" mean the place where the rivers of Strwiąż and Jasińka are linked.

Today it is an important transport and communication junction which is located on the road of so-called Large and Small Bieszczady Ring Road. The town is located in 10 km from the Ukrainian-Polish border Smilnycja-Krościenko, 80 km from Przemyśl, 40 km from Sanok, 110 km from Lviv.

Due to its location in the highlands and appropriate climate, Ustrzyki Dolne is characterized by a rather long period of snow cover, which is favourable for development of winter sports. Two ski centres are located on Laworta and Gromadzyn mountains, along with numerous ski lifts, cross-country trails, being one of the best in the country. Owing to this, the city has become known as "Winter capital of Subcarpathia".

Tourist infrastructure has significantly increased in recent years. The tourist information centre was created here. The tourists are offered with hotels, resorts, apartments, green tourist farms, camping and tent cities. Also tourists can use the services of: indoor swimming pool "Dolphin", stadium, tennis courts, 25 km of walking trails, 100 km of cycling trails, and also the trail called "Following the footsteps of the Good Soldier Schweik". Nearby there is Solinska Bay, which creates perfect conditions for water sports and fishing. There are excellent conditions for the sport of hang gliding on the slopes of mountains which surround Ustrzyki Dolne.

A large part of the territory is covered with forests of Słonne Mountains Landscape Park, surrounding the town from the north and east. There are a lot of deer, chamois, various predators, which attracts many nature lovers and hunters.

In Ustrzyki Dolne there is an office of scientific didactic centre of Bieszczady National Park and Museum of Natural History, created in 1967. Here one can see unique pieces of Bieszczady flora and fauna, geological and historical collections.

Ustrzyki Dolne is one of the most popular winter sports resorts in Subcarpathian Voivodeship. There are such ski centres:

• Gromadzyń ski lift
• Laworta ski lift
• Mały Król ski lift