Recommended trails of the Beskid Sądecki Mountains
BESKID SĄDECKI TRAIL
Setting out from Łącko, after crossing the Dunajec River and overcoming quite steep hills, we reach Koziarz. Here, to admire the beautiful view even more, we climb the observation tower. The panoramic landscape reaches far beyond the horizon, with the Tatra Mountains, surrounding towns, hills and valleys. A view that changes from second to second, minute to minute encourages you to come back here again.Every season is different. Green in spring, fairy-tale in summer, colorful in autumn, gray and white in winter (sometimes colorful, sometimes gray, dark and white). While wandering, we encounter both areas that have been transformed by humans and those that have retained their natural character. We can meet numerous flora**, including: lichens, mosses, shrubs, and various gifts of nature: mushrooms, forest berries, raspberries, blackberries. Descending from Mount Koziarz, you can climb Mount Błyszcz. There is a chapel and a bust of John Paul II here.
Every year on the first Sunday of August, holy masses are held here with the participation of local residents and oasis visitors. Another attraction is the Pusta Wielka nature reserve.
EMPTY GREAT RESERVE
The reserve was established in 1963. Here you can see a large rock formation with a beautiful view of the Tatra Mountains, Trzy Korony and the surrounding areas. Then we go to Dzwonkówka. The roads to Bereśnik, Szczawnica and Przysłop diverge here.In Przysłop there is a monument to partisans murdered during World War II, and 200 m away there is a chapel built in honor of the Fijas family and partisans who were burned alive. Further along the trail we reach Przehyba, passing a spring and Saint Kinga's Chair on the way. In Przehyba, we can eat in the shelter and admire the beautiful mountain landscape. Continuing through Niemcowa, we reach Radziejowa - the highest peak of the Beskid Sądecki Mountains.
Almost all along the way, in the summer we can enjoy forest berries, raspberries, blackberries and wild strawberries**, these fruits will strengthen our body and our immunity for many years.
TRANSBESKID CROWN TRAILYou already know that the Transbeskid Horse Trail stretches from Brenna (Beskid Śląski) and ends with Wołosat in the Bieszczady National Park. One of the longer sections of this route is stage 7 covering the Beskid Sądecki Mountains. You should plan on walking for 10 hours for this stage, so take some meals, plenty of water and good energy with you - it will definitely come in handy.
From the Mountain Equestrian Tourism Center (OGTJ) Rally Horse Stud Farm in Jaworki we follow the trail through the wide Gromadzka Przełęcz located on the Polish-Slovak border. Due to the low level of forestation, it is a perfect place to admire the views. Then we go to the Obidza Pass (931 m above sea level). It offers a panoramic view of the Pieniny Mountains and the Tatra Mountains. Then through Sucha Dolina, which delights with its landscape. We climb through Piwniczna-Zdrój (known for its mineral waters, rafting down the Poprad Valley and the observation tower) until we reach Jarzębaki (715 m above sea level).Then we go through Hale Pisana (1043 m above sea level) and Hala Łabowska (1064 m above sea level). Rich vegetation (limbs, forests) accompanies us for several kilometers, so we are also happy to welcome more extensive spaces and peaks from which we can admire the panorama. After 9 hours in the field, it's time to leave the route and go to rest. To do this, we go to a local stable located near the trail in Uhryń or Łabowa.
LOW BESKID
A short, 6-hour section of the Transbedzki Horse Trail leads through the Low Beskids, from Uhryń, through Cygańskie Pola, Łabowa, Kamianna Berest, Czyrna, to the finish line in Banica. To persevere along the route, take water and snacks with you, the terrain is demanding and it is worth making frequent stops. After staying overnight with friendly hosts, we head towards the eastern mountain range.However, we will stop at a beautiful horse marina, located on the recently renovated horse trail that runs from Hala Łabowska to Banice, i.e. the area of the Nawojowa Forest District. After a few kilometers of walking, we leave the Beskid Sądecki Mountains. Gentle slopes and picturesque valleys we reach the next landmark. Stretching at an altitude of 717 m above sea level. Cygańskie Pola Pass is a perfect place to enjoy the views and immortalize them in photos. Next, there is the village of Berest with an old Orthodox church converted into a Roman Catholic church in 1951.
At a slow pace you reach the villages of Czyrna and Banica, through which there is also a hiking trail. This section ends here, but in this area a rider with a horse will have no problem finding accommodation with a host.Beskid Niski is still the least populated and wildest mountain range. The diversity of the terrain allows you to cover the trails on foot and by bike in summer, while in winter cross-country skiing or touring skis are a great choice. Beskid Niski is located in Poland and Slovakia. The highest peaks are on the Polish side - Lackowa (997 m above sea level) and Busov (1002 m above sea level) on the Slovak side. To the east of the Low Beskids are the Bieszczady Mountains, to the west the Sądecka Valley, to the north the Central Beskid and Bukowskie Foothills and to the south the Ondawskie Foothills.
LACKOWA – THE HIGHEST PEAK OF THE LOW BESKYDSLackowa - the highest peak of the Low Beskids on the Polish side, 997 m above sea level. The summit dome rises above vast meadows in the towns of Chamber and Bieliczna. The red trail that runs to its peak is very steep from the west, so it is better to enter the peak from the other side.
Therefore, we recommend leaving from the village of Ropki, which is located almost at the "end of the world". You can only count on views in winter, when the leaves have fallen from the trees.
CERGOWA – THE PEAK OF THE DUKIELSKI BESKID
Cergowa – the peak of the Dukielski Beskids in the Low Beskids. The top is forested, but thanks to the observation tower we rise above the treetops and admire the views of the surrounding area. Walking route – it can even be an afternoon trip after lunch.
SMALL STONEWARE – FLORYNKAThe route begins with views of the Kamionka and Kamienica valleys. The open section ends in Popardowa, where the trail enters the forest. However, this is not the end of the views. Frequent clearings allow you to orient yourself in the area and observe high-built farms.
In the dense forest we reach the peaks: Jaworzyna, Kozie Żebro, Tokarnia, Czerszla, Kopiec. We will cross the blue trail from Ptaszkowa to Krynica-Zdrój. On the right we pass a high forested hill - Dział.
The route ends at the hamlet of Wallachia. This is a less frequented route, we recommend it for an all-day walk.
PTASZKOWA – JAWORZE – KAMIANNA – CROSSWORD
A route for summer or autumn days, because you have to take into account the whole day in the field. The trail is quite difficult due to the approaches, part of the route passes through forests, but there are viewing spots that diversify the trip. The first approach ends in Jaworze, where there is an observation tower close by, from which we can observe the panorama of the surrounding mountains.From Jaworze there is a steep descent. As we approach the next hill, we observe panoramas through the trees. Our trail intersects with the yellow trail from Nowy Sącz to Gorlice and another descent - this time to the valley of Kamianna. A small town famous for honey, in the center of the village there is a wooden church, the Beekeeping Museum and an apiary with a shop selling bee products.
Next, our trail leads up the slopes of the ski lift, turning back we can observe beautiful views, leaving Kamianna below. The rest of the trail leads through beautiful forests until we reach road No. 75, where our route ends. There is a bus stop on Krzyżówka on the Nowy Sącz - Krynica route.
OBIDZA TRAIL – PIWNICZNA
The most popular access to Obidza nad Piwniczna is from the bus terminus at Kosarzyska. From there, a rather steep asphalt road will allow us to see, on the way to the top:– a monument commemorating the activities of Jan Karski – a soldier of the Underground Poland and thus the transport activities of Kurier Sądeckie
– ski station in Sucha Dolina, a place where most of the inhabitants of Nowy Sącz, who still remember the times of socialism in Poland, learned to ski
– From Obidza to Gromadzka Pass – one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Beskid Sądecki Mountains
There is a green hiking trail leading to Eliaszówka (which starts in Obidza) and we will follow its entire route until Piwniczna. The route along this trail takes approximately 3 hours (not counting the approach from Kosarzyska, you need to add 1 hour). About an hour, a nice walk through the forest, enriched with nice views, will lead us to Eliaszówka. There, from the top of the observation tower, there is a rich view not only of the Beskid Sądecki Mountains, but also of the neighboring mountain groups. There is also a pilgrimage trail to the Sanctuary in Litmanová (in Slovakia) from the tower. It is a Greek Catholic, ecumenical place of Marian apparitions. After another hour, there will be a sign on the left, inviting you to a small private shelter - to Chata na Magórach.The hosts there attract you not only with their warmth and cordiality, but also with dumplings in forest flavors (e.g. with nettle) and they offer horse riding (their stud farm is on site). Soon, this area will be enriched with another place with a "climate". Work on "Zworna Chata" is very advanced. The descent to Piwniczna will be made even more interesting by the Church of St. Saint Antoni and the private observation tower of the famous Koral brothers. They are millionaires from Nowy Sącz, producers of Koral ice cream. After returning to the city center, it is worth visiting Piwniczna: visit the Regional Museum, walk around John Paul II Square, taste mineral water in the Spa Pump Room, get to know new places thanks to a visit to the Tourist Information.
SZCZAWNIK – KRYNICA-ZDRÓJ
Szczawnik-Wyżne Młaki-Bacówka PTTK nad Wierchomłą – Runek-Jaworzyna Krynicka – Krynica-Zdrój route for approx. 6 hours.The yellow trail, which will lead us to Wyżne Młaki, starts in Żegiestów and ends in Muszynka. Heading to the first bus terminus in Szczawnik, it is worth seeing the temple in Szczawnik along the way. It is a charming wooden church, but built as a Greek-Catholic church. It is a silent witness to history: even before World War II, the Nowy Sącz region was multinational. The trail leads us out of the village. It leads among the Carpathian beech forest, through Czertezy to the meadows, up to the Chapel of St. Wendelina, which stands on the land of Wyżni Młak. Here, there is also a blue trail (Żegiestów-Leluchów), but our eyes will certainly remember the wide panoramic view of the Radziejowa Range and the Beskid Wyspowy. About a 30-minute walk along the ridge will lead near: the upper station of the chairlift of the Wierchomla Ski Station, the branch of the black trail to Wierchomla Mała. Its culmination is Bacówka nad Wierchomlą.
It is worth visiting this shelter and commemorating your stay and putting a stamp in the book... Perhaps not everyone knows that, apart from the well-known GOT PTTK badge, stamps can also be collected for: badges: "Edwarda Moskała's Bacówka" (verification: Waldek, Gazda Bacówki PTTK Jaworzec, Wetlina) and Mountain shelters (Tomasz Biesik - collected for your own satisfaction). The shelter serves delicious, simple food, and among its unique ideas: they invite you to Jurta SPA. The blue trail climbs through Starry Glade to Runek. This is an important junction of trails. From here we will walk along the Main Beskid Trail (GSB) to Krynica-Zdrój. Its red marking like a magnet attracts those who want to walk over 500 km of the Polish Carpathians from Ustroń to Wołosate. The route from Ustroń to Krynica is particularly historic because its marking was completed in 1930. On the way to the top of Jaworzyna, it is worth reading the nature information boards.They depict, among others: Capercaillie. A bird from the Galidae family, which was once very popular in the Carpathians, and its reintroduction is successful. The trail leads near the shelter in Jaworzyna Krynicka. Stamp collectors - we remind you about the books, and our "red" route to the Czarny Potok Valley will coincide with the course of the nature trail. It is worth reading their content because it was created and maintained by Foresters. GSB will intersect with the Gondola lift route. It is worth knowing that this attraction is open all year round: both for skiers and tourists. After descending into the Czarny Potok Valley, there is still a small hill waiting for us: Holica. The reward for this effort is a beautiful panorama of Krynica-Zdrój waiting for us on the way down. The trail also passes through Halna Street, where the Krynica GOPR group has its headquarters. In the city, it is worth taking a walk along the promenade, sipping mineral water, visiting the Nikifor Krynicki museum, getting to know the paths of the Spa Park in the form of a Quest, and when you run out of ideas, get inspired by the Tourist Information.
POWROŹNIK – LELUCHÓW TRAIL
Powroźnik – Dubne – Zimne – Kraczonik – Leluchów route approx. 4 hours.
Since 2013, Powroźnik has become even more frequently visited than before, because the temple located there was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a charming wooden church, but built as a Greek Catholic church. It is a silent witness to history: even before World War II, the Nowy Sącz region was multinational. The blue trail leads from Żegiestów to Leluchów. It leaves the village from the center of the village (near the grocery store). The route towards Czarne Garby, after less than an hour of climbing, allows you to descend to the "Czarna Młaka". Further peaks to Dubne and Zimne up to Kraczonik - the highest peak of this range. The trail descends near the temple in Lelcuchów. On the way back, it is worth visiting Muszyna, on the topic: Muszyna-City-Ogrodów.
ŁABOWA- FRYCOWAWhile sightseeing, do you expect not only beautiful views, but also various attractions? The trail running from Łabowa, through Hala Łabowska, Hala Pisana, to Frycowa has more magic than you might expect. If you are ready for adventure, we encourage you to take this route. The beginning in Łabowa has its advantages. The first kilometers are on asphalt, only then you enter tourist paths. Following the blue trail, we pass the Łabowiec Nature Reserve, which delights with its plants and greenery. Climbing up we get to Hala Łabowska, from where there is an extraordinary view.Animal lovers will be delighted not only with the landscape, but also with the proximity of horses. Because a horse trail runs through Łabowska Hale and you can often meet these animals, which is an additional attraction on the trail. Do you want rest? There is a PTTK shelter in Hala, where you can use it and regenerate after a few hours of walking. Ahead of you is a demanding red trail running towards Hala Pisana. Near the peak you can stop at the monument commemorating the death of the Home Army soldier, Adam Kondolewicz, codename: Flash. Look at the signs that will now direct you to the yellow trail, which will take you to your destination - Frycowa. The trip ends with a gentle descent to the school and the nearby bus stop. This is where you can go to Nowy Sącz or Krynica-Zdrój.
