Bieszczady Forest Railway (Bieszczadzka Kolejka Leśna)

Bieszczady Forest Railway Foundation (Fundacja Bieszczadzka Kolejka Leśna)
Poland
Loading Map...
The Journey

Navigate from Majdan (near Cisna) to Balnica across a span of 9km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Solinka Stream wild route along the Slovakian border — the steam route's signature scenery
  • Deep Bieszczady forest canopies of beech and primeval fir, part of the UNESCO-listed East Carpathian Primeval Beech Forests (extended 2021)
  • Remote mountain wilderness, Poland's least populated region
  • Historic narrow-gauge engineering preserved in working order since 1898
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    9 km

  • Est. Price

    37–47 PLN (reduced–standard, Majdan–Balnica or Majdan–Solinka); ~€8–11 at current PLN/EUR

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Pxf 4754 (diesel) for the Majdan–Balnica service; Kp4-3772 and Kp4-3773 (Fablok-built 750 mm narrow-gauge steam) for Solinka-route steam excursions and selected summer weekends

Locomotive Weight

Kp4: ~40 tonnes; Pxf 4754: ~16 tonnes

Track Gauge

750 mm (Bosnian / 2 ft 5 1⁄2 in narrow gauge)

Braking Technology

Handbrake + vacuum brake on Kp4 steam-hauled trains; compressed-air brake on the Pxf diesel railcar

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Remote mountain location with limited road infrastructure — the line is wholly isolated from the PKP standard-gauge network

  • Steep gradients on the Solinka valley route and tight curves through the forest

  • Winter snow and ice conditions: winter service operates on a reduced Wednesday/Saturday schedule with enclosed heated carriages

  • Preservation of authentic 1898 narrow-gauge rolling stock and rebuilding of historic Fablok-built Kp4 locomotives

  • Maintaining timber bridges and embankments in a UNESCO-adjacent primeval beech forest environment

Original purpose

Timber/logging railway (1898)

Track type

750 mm narrow gauge, single-track with passing loops at Solinka and Balnica

Maximum speed

25 km/h

Elevation gain

Approximately 150 m along the Solinka valley route

Operating routes in 2026

Majdan–Balnica (diesel); Majdan–Solinka (steam-hauled where possible)

Inactive routes

Majdan–Przysłup (southern extension) — not operated in 2026

2026 fares (Majdan ↔ Balnica or Majdan ↔ Solinka)

47 PLN standard / 37 PLN reduced (children 3–15, seniors 70+)

Children under 3

2 PLN

Platform ticket (no ride)

2 PLN

Parking

Free at Majdan station

Booking

kolejka.bieszczady.pl — advance online booking recommended

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    9 km

  • Est. Price

    37–47 PLN (reduced–standard, Majdan–Balnica or Majdan–Solinka); ~€8–11 at current PLN/EUR

Official Booking Provider