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Taking a vacation with a dog can be an extraordinary adventure – for both the owner and the furry friend. However, this time you're planning to visit the Polish mountains and wondering which direction to choose? Check out where to go with a dog in the mountains, how to prepare for the trip, and what to take for a hike with your pet?

Can you go to the mountains with a dog?

The first decision to make when organizing a vacation is choosing a place to rest. And by this, we don't just mean a pet-friendly hotel in the mountains, but most importantly, the region where we plan to spend our holidays. Why is this so crucial? Even though more and more public places, dining establishments, and hotel facilities are becoming open to our four-legged friends, it's important to be aware that there are still points on our country's map where we cannot go with a pet.

We know how much animals suffer from separation from their friend, even during short vacation trips. That's why at the Belmonte hotel, you can easily book accommodation with a dog, and your pet can additionally count on amenities such as beds, toys, water bowls during hot summer days, bowls, or bags for cleaning up.

Entrance with dogs is forbidden, among others, in many national parks. And although these are excellent areas for all-day excursions in nature, planning a trip to the mountains with a dog, trails in some of them will be out of our reach. Which national parks do not allow entry with a four-legged friend? Speaking of mountainous areas, these are:

• Tatra National Park (in the Tatras, dogs are only allowed in Chochołowska Valley and Ścieżka nad Reglami),
• Bieszczady National Park,
• Gorce National Park,
• Pieniny National Park,
• Magura National Park.

Where to go with a dog in the Polish mountains?

Does this mean that wanting to go to the mountains with a dog, we can forget about discovering the most beautiful corners and national parks in southern Poland? Not at all! With a dog, we can visit Karkonosze National Park (where a partial ban applies), Ojców National Park, or Stołowe Mountains National Park. Interesting proposals may also include Stołowe Mountains, Izera Mountains, Owl Mountains, or Śląski and Żywiecki Beskid. A great idea is also the surroundings of Poprad Landscape Park – pet-friendly, and renowned for its breathtaking nature and full of attractions for active rest enthusiasts. In the area of Poprad Landscape Park lies Krynica-Zdrój, which is an excellent base for mountain hiking.

Established in 1987 and covering an area of over 53 thousand hectares, Poprad Landscape Park is famous for its exceptional natural, historical, and landscape values. The complex includes most of the Sądecki Beskid and is the largest park of its kind in Lesser Poland and one of the larger ones in Poland. For tourists, there are picturesque valleys of the Dunajec and Poprad rivers, forested mountain ranges of Radziejowa and Jaworzyna Krynicka, and numerous natural attractions, historical monuments, and cultural sites.

Many hiking trails of various difficulty levels and lengths run through Poprad Landscape Park. Therefore, we will be able to choose a route suited to our (and our dog's!) condition or the amount of time we have that day. In the park, we will find both several or more than ten kilometers long trails optimal for beginner tourists, as well as routes over 30 or 40 kilometers, perfect for experienced hikers.

What to take on a mountain trip with a dog?

When planning mountain hikes with a dog, we need to be adequately prepared. What should we take with us? Here is a list of the most needed items:

• comfortable harness for a dog – not restricting movements, but fitting well enough so as not to shift or slide during the march,
• long leash – especially recommended are models with a shock absorber to absorb jerks,
  waist belt or chest harness – optionally, if we want to have our hands free during the hike,
• health book of the dog with current vaccinations or pet passport – if during the hike we will be crossing the Polish border,
• collapsible bowl and water bottle for a dog,
• treats and food for a dog – especially necessary during longer hikes,
• muzzle – preferably physiological, allowing free drinking and panting, may be required in some parks or shelters,
• bags for waste,
• bed, blanket, toys – optionally, may come in handy during travel or accommodation in a shelter,
• first aid kit – with bandage, gauze, hydrogen peroxide, and medicines, if the dog takes them daily,
• protective shoes or socks for dogs – useful not only in winter but also on rocky terrains or hot asphalt.

As for our equipment, we should rely on the standard set, adapted to the length of the route and weather conditions. Absolutely essential are especially comfortable trekking shoes, that will allow us to enjoy the trip without worrying about sore feet. Going to the mountains with a dog, let's also take care of appropriate, moisture-wicking clothing. Even if we go on vacation in summer, we should also make room in the backpack for a warm sweatshirt and a raincoat, invaluable in case of weather changes, as well as snacks and a water supply for ourselves and the dog.

Dog in the mountains – what else to remember?

Planning a vacation in the mountains with a dog, we must remember more than just a list of necessary things. First and foremost, we should assess our and the dog's capabilities – so that the trip to the mountains will be enjoyable for everyone. During the hike, also carefully observe the dog – if the animal often stops, sits, or lies down, it is most likely tired. If rest brings only short-term effect and the dog is clearly weakened, do not continue the hike forcefully – we must always be ready to go down the trail.