Beskid Wyspowy is a range of the Beskids located southeast of Krakow, between Mszana Dolna and Limanowa. Its main characteristic is that the separate hills do not form distinct, longer ridges, but rather resemble isolated islands. The slopes and peaks of Beskid Wyspowy are mostly forested, which is a great advantage on a hot day, but not when we want to admire mountain panoramas...
Viewing Towers in Beskid Wyspowy
To enhance hikes in Beskid Wyspowy, viewing towers have been built on Jaworz, Modynia, and Skiełek (near Łukowica) (a new tower on Mogielica was also recently opened!). There are plans to build more towers, including on the peaks of Ciecień, Lubogoszcz, Ćwilin, and Kamionna.
However, it is one thing to admire the view from a tower and another to wander through vast meadows and observe the changing panoramas.
Beskid Wyspowy - the Most Beautiful Viewpoints
Fortunately, almost every peak in Beskid Wyspowy has its own meadow: a place where we can stop and enjoy the view of neighboring ranges and peaks. The most beautiful of them all is the unbeatable Stumorgowa Meadow below Mogielica. The secluded Skalne Meadow on Kutrzycy also has its charm, as well as the Surówki/Krzysie Meadow on the way to Luboń Wielki or the Michurowa Meadow on Ćwilin. Other peaks also have their small viewpoint meadows: Ciecień, Łopień, Szczebel, and Kamionna.
Scenic Trails in Beskid Wyspowy
Scenic trails allow us not only to reach a tower or a beautiful meadow but also to admire the views of the surrounding area during the hike. Such attractions usually have a magical power: they give us strength after tiring forest ascents!
1. From Mszana Dolna to Ćwilin
At the top of Ćwilin, one of the most beautiful viewpoint clearings in Beskid Wyspowy awaits us - the Michurowa Meadow. If we decide to approach it from Mszana Dolna, the views will accompany us practically throughout the entire route. It is truly a unique trail in this region, yet little-known and rarely visited:
Medium
Ćwilin via Czarny Dział from Mszana Dolna - the yellow trail
2. From Stumorgowa Meadow to Mogielica
The trail from Półrzeczki through Krzysztonów is not the shortest route to Mogielica, but it passes through Stumorgowa Meadow. After reaching the summit, let's also visit a small clearing with a papal cross, and for dessert: a new viewing tower with a 360-degree panorama!
Medium
To Mogielica from Półrzeczki
3. Skalne Meadow from Lubomierz
Skalne Meadow on Kutrzycy is definitely quieter than the most popular Stumorgowa below Mogielica, and it offers incredible views! Additionally, if we choose the yellow trail from Lubomierz, passing through Przełęcz Przysłopek and Jasień, we will also pass several smaller scenic spots along the way.
An additional advantage of this trail is its relatively small elevation gain, lack of steep and difficult sections - even the youngest and less experienced hikers will manage!
Medium
Jasień, Kutrzycę, and Skalna Glade - yellow trail
PS. Jasień - Polana Skalne - Polana Stumorgowa - Mogielica
If we don't have to return to the starting point of the trail, we can combine the two routes mentioned above (nr 2 and nr 3) into one. We start from Rzek, through Myszyca and Jasień to Polana Skalne, and continue on the yellow trail through Krzysztonów and Stumorgowa Meadow to the summit of Mogielica.
From Mogielica, we descend either via the yellow trail to Słopnice Królewskie or via the green trail to Chyszówki (recommended, as another beautiful Wyśnikówka Meadow awaits here!), or via the green trail to Wyrębiska, or via the blue trail to Jurków (where a small Cyrli Meadow with a view awaits along the way).
This route will be approximately 15-16 km long and should take about 5-6 hours.
Scenic Trails in Beskid Wyspowy - trail map
You can find all the described trails, along with the location of the photos, on the map in the article header.
Publish Date: 2022-06-07
Last Updated: 2023-06-04