Here candies fall from the sky! Szczawa – attractions and hiking routes nearby
Szczawa is a small village in a scenic valley in southern Poland, on the border of the Gorce Mountains and the Island Beskids (Beskid Wyspowy). From here you can set out on many mountain trails, enjoy local attractions like viewpoints and a mineral water pump room, and if you come at the right time you can even catch candies falling from the sky!
Szczawa – Mineral Water Pump Room
The name "Szczawa" comes from local springs with water "sour like sorrel". The special taste is due to rich minerals that may support health. In the pump room in the center of Szczawa you can try water from four springs: Szczawa I, Szczawa II, Helena, and Dziedzilla. The taste is strong, so start with small sips if you are not used to mineral waters.
Next to the pump room there is a small square with a fountain and a brine graduation tower. Inside you can also buy souvenirs made by local artists and use the toilet.
Szczawa – sights and attractions
Close to the pump room there are two churches: one wooden and one brick. Right next to them is a small but very rich Museum of the 1st Podhale Rifle Regiment of the Home Army – a gem for World War II history fans. Visits are by prior phone arrangement with the parish office (phone: +48 18 332 40 26).
Easy walks in and around Szczawa
A fairly busy road runs through the center of Szczawa, and the park by the pump room is nice for a rest but too small for a longer walk. A good idea is the promenade along the Głębieniec stream upstream.
A bit farther away (drive by car or local minibus to the border of Szczawa and Lubomierz) is the very picturesque Kamienica Gorczańska Valley. It is ideal for an easy walk, also with strollers. Please note: this is Gorce National Park, so dogs are not allowed, even on a leash.
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Valley of Kamienica, blue trail from Rzek
Viewpoints in Szczawa
Country roads lead up to high hamlets above the valley (locally called "zarębki"). They offer beautiful viewpoints worth discovering. Especially scenic are the Polanki hamlet (once home to the Polanki Ski station) and Buków, from where you can see the Gorce, the Island Beskids, and even the Sądecki Beskids, the Pieniny, and the Tatra Mountains.
Hikes from Szczawa – reach two "Crown of Polish Mountains" peaks from one base
Because Szczawa sits between the Island Beskids and the Gorce, you can hike from here to both Mogielica and Turbacz. For Turbacz: take the blue trail through the Kamienica Valley and then yellow (about 14 km / 8.7 mi one way), or the black trail to Gorc and then green and red (about 19.5 km / 12.1 mi one way).
There is also a marked walking loop to Kiczora Kamienicka (about 11 km / 6.8 mi, around 3.5 hours) and a red trail over Zbludzkie Wierchy to Kamienica (9.5 km / 5.9 mi, about 3 hours one way).
From Szczawa to the lookout tower on Gorc
Before heading for Mogielica and Turbacz, it is worth going from Szczawa to Gorc and its viewing tower.
From the tower on the summit there is a beautiful panorama, including the Tatra Mountains.
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From Szczawa to Gorc and the viewing tower
Just below the summit there is a student tent base. In summer you can ask for hot water, have a cup of tea, and above all rest on a scenic meadow.
Gorc Student Tent Camp
Gorc Student Tent Camp is a unique, quiet, and welcoming place with a wonderful view of the Tatra Mountains. Stop for a rest, a hot drink, or stay the night. ...
From Szczawa to Mogielica
From Szczawa to Mogielica you can choose between two trails: the blue trail from the village center, or the green trail from the Szczawa Białe hamlet. You can combine them into a very scenic loop.
The blue trail from Szczawa to Mogielica passes a picturesque waterfall on the Kamienica Gorczańska River, simply called "Spad".
Here you will find detailed descriptions of the routes from Szczawa to Mogielica:
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Szczawa Bukówka - Mogielica: blue trail
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Białe - Mogielica. Green trail through Polana Wały
When do candies fall from the sky in Szczawa?
To see this unique tradition, come during one of two partisan commemorations: the August church fair or the December anniversary of World War II airdrops for local partisans. During the war, Allied planes dropped weapons, ammunition, and medicine. Today, to the joy of everyone (not only kids), candies fall from the sky.
Szczawa – locations of attractions, viewpoints, and trail routes
You can find the locations of the places and trails mentioned here on the map at the top of the article. Enjoy your visit to Szczawa!
