Witamy w Beskidzie Żywieckim!
The Żywiec Beskids is a mountain range located south of Żywiec. It stretches between Zwardoń in the west, and Sucha Beskidzka, Maków Podhalański, and Jordanów in the east. The main centers and trail junctions are Zawoja and Korbielów. Numerous trails in the Żywiec Beskids also start from places like Żabnica, Rycerka (Lower and Upper), Sopotnia, and Rajcza. The most popular peaks to conquer are the Queen of the Beskids: Babia Góra (Diablak peak at 1725 m above sea level is the highest peak of the Polish Beskids), in the western part of the range: Wielka Racza (1236 m above sea level) and Wielka Rycerzowa (1226 m above sea level), in the central part Romanka (1366 m above sea level) and Pilsko (1557 m above sea level) and in the eastern part, among others, Polica (1369 m above sea level) and Jałowiec (1111 m above sea level).
Żywiec Beskids with kids
The Żywiec Beskids is a very well-developed mountain range. Popular trails are well-maintained and you will find many shelters there (as many as 11 PTTK shelters + several private and student ones). You can also use several cable cars and year-round ski lifts (e.g. to Mosorny Groń, to Hala Miziowa under Pilsko).
On the other hand, it's worth remembering that due to the considerable altitudes of the peaks, their conquest will require better condition and more effort than, for example, hiking in the neighboring ranges of the Silesian or Little Beskids. Therefore, we recommend you start with, for example, educational trails in Zawoja-Markowe or these easy and short routes:
Easy
Słowianka from Żabnica
Easy
Wielka Racza - Yellow Trail from Rycerka
Medium
The easiest trail to the shelter on Hala Krupowa - black from Sidzina
With a stroller in the Żywiec Beskids you can go, for example, to the Markowe Szczawiny shelter known as the Upper Płaj, the yellow trail Dolina Jałowca from Zawoja Czatoża or to Hala Boracza from Żabnica.
Żywiec Beskids - the most beautiful views
Undoubtedly, the most beautiful views in the Żywiec Beskids await you on the highest peaks of the Babia Góra range, Pilsko, and the most beautiful loop: Romanka - Rysianka - Lipowska - Redykalna.
Medium
Rysianka, Lipowska, Redykalna, Boracza Hall - loop from Żabnica
You will also find ideas for other scenic routes in the Żywiec Beskids here:
TOP 5 Żywiec Beskid - the most beautiful scenic trails
Beskid Żywiecki is a mountain range on the border of Silesian and Lesser Poland Voivodeships, known for its scenic meadows and expansive panoramas. Which trails should you choose for hiking in the Żywiec Beskid? ...
The highest peaks of the Żywiec Beskids: Babia Góra and Pilsko
When heading to the summit of the Queen of the Beskids, remember about the capricious weather, which often spoils trips to Babia Góra, and that the massif is protected by the Babiogórski National Park (tickets, dogs are not allowed). You can read about which trail to choose to Babia Góra here:
Babia Góra - all trails. For children and more
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The summit of Pilsko (1557 m above sea level), which is second in the ranking, is also very scenic.
Pilsko - Trails to the Summit
Pilsko is one of the highest peaks in the Żywiec Beskids (1557 meters above sea level). ...
Even though the peaks of Romanka, Rysianka, Hala Lipowska, Redykalna, and Boracza are lower than Babia Góra and Pilsko, the hike through scenic meadows around Żabnica is unmatched!
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Rysianka, Lipowska, Redykalna, Boracza Hall - loop from Żabnica
Żywiec Beskids - attractions for children and more!
During your stay in the Żywiec Beskids, it's worth taking advantage of the attractions waiting for us in the mountain valleys and towns, as well as in the cities on the borders of the region (Żywiec, Sucha Beskidzka).
To get to know the culture and nature of the region as best as possible, we recommend you visit, among others, the open-air museum in Zubrzyca Górna, i.e. Orawski Ethnographic Park, the small museum at the Babiogórski National Park Directorate and the amazing Beskid Wooden Toy Center in Stryszawa.
P.S. New borders of the Żywiec Beskids
To determine the boundaries of the region, we rely on the latest findings of the Polish Academy of Sciences, i.e. the monograph Regional Physical Geography of Poland published in 2018. Therefore, for accuracy: in the "Żywiec Beskids" tab on our website you will find routes and places from the mesoregion of the Żywiec-Orawski Beskids 513.51, Żywiec-Kysucki Beskids 513.56. This means that our "Żywiec Beskids" tab also includes areas classified by some classifications as the Maków Beskids (Medium) Jałowiec Range and Mędralowa.