Leskowiec (922 meters above sea level) is not the highest, but one of the most popular peaks in the Beskid Ma艂y Mountains. Both at the meadow on the summit and at the shelter, beautiful views of the 呕ywiecki Beskids (Babia G贸ra), the Beskid Wyspowy, the Gorce Mountains, and even the Tatra Mountains await us.
- Leskowiec 922 meters above sea level - peak and views
- PTTK Shelter on Leskowiec
- How to reach Leskowiec?
- The shortest trail to Leskowiec
- Leskowiec in winter
- Recommended trail to Leskowiec from Ponikwa
- Leskowiec - loop from Targosz贸w or Krzesz贸w
- Interesting trail to Leskowiec with children
- To Leskowiec from Andrych贸w and Inwa艂d
- Leskowiec - facts and trivia
- Leskowiec - trail map
Leskowiec 922 meters above sea level - peak and views
At the top of Leskowiec, we will find a vast panoramic meadow, a millennium cross, a shelter, and a place for a bonfire. The meadow is a remnant of sheep grazing in this area (apparently, they were still seen here until the last decades of the 20th century).
With good visibility, we can see a wide panorama of the Beskids from here, including the queen of the Beskids: Babia G贸ra, and sometimes the peaks of the Tatra Mountains peeking behind it.
PTTK Shelter on Leskowiec
The shelter is located about 15 minutes from the summit of Leskowiec, actually not on Leskowiec itself, but on the neighboring peak: Gron Jana Paw艂a II. The history of this place dates back to the pre-war times. Did you know that the shelter will celebrate its centenary soon!
The shelter is small, but it offers accommodation, simple lunch dishes, and numerous tables and benches for resting. There is even a corner for the youngest:
Views from PTTK Shelter on Leskowiec
Not long ago, you had to climb to the summit for the views. Today, from the shelter, we can see both Babia G贸ra and Polica, behind which the sharp peaks of the Tatra Mountains appear on a clear day:
...as well as the Gorce Mountains, the Beskid Wyspowy, and Makowski:
How to reach Leskowiec?
There are many colorful trails that lead to Leskowiec and the PTTK shelter on Gron Jana Paw艂a II: from Rzyki, Targosz贸w, Krzesz贸w, Ponikwa, Andrych贸w, and Inwa艂d. Everyone can choose something for themselves!
The shortest trail to Leskowiec
The fastest and shortest way to Leskowiec leads from Rzyki (Rzyki Mydlarze Ku藕nia bus stop + parking). We can choose either the quite steep, short black trail (1 hour and 15 minutes to the summit), or the gentler, slightly longer route called "Szlak Bia艂ych Serc" (1 hour and 20 minutes to the shelter + 20 minutes to the summit).
Leskowiec in winter
We also recommend the gentle Szlak Bia艂ych Serc (White Hearts Trail) in winter. How does this trail look in winter conditions? Take a look:
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White Hearts Trail - Leskowiec in Winter
Recommended trail to Leskowiec from Ponikwa
The trail is not too long, not too difficult, and not as crowded as the trails from Rzyki:
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Blue Trail from Ponikwa to Gro艅 JP II and Leskowiec
Alternatively, the trail from Ponikwa can be combined with a route from Czartak:
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Yellow Trail from Czartak to Gron JPII and Leskowiec
Leskowiec - loop from Targosz贸w or Krzesz贸w
From the southern side, we recommend such a loop of trails:
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Z Krzeszowa lub Targoszowa na Leskowiec (p臋tla)
Interesting trail to Leskowiec with children
Another interesting route to Leskowiec is the green "rock trail".
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Leskowiec - Green Trail of Rocks from Targosz贸w
Along the way, there are extra attractions for children!
To Leskowiec from Andrych贸w and Inwa艂d
It is a longer forest walk, but peaceful and less crowded. Moreover, we can reach the beginning of the trail by train:
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Na Leskowiec z Andrychowa i Inwa艂du
Leskowiec - facts and trivia
What else should you know about Leskowiec - one of the most popular peaks in the Beskid Ma艂y Mountains?
Leskowiec or Gro艅 Jana Paw艂a II?
Gro艅 Jana Paw艂a II is a slightly lower peak (980 meters above sea level), formerly known as Jaworzyna until the 1980s. It is located at the foot of Leskowiec, right above the PTTK shelter on Leskowiec. Here, you will find the Chapel of Our Lady Queen of the Mountains and the Cross to the People of the Mountains. The name commemorates Karol Wojty艂a's numerous hikes in the Beskid Ma艂y Mountains, including his visits to this very peak - at that time still called Jaworzyna. Information about Holy Masses >>>
Leskowiec and Hrabskie Buty (Countess's Shoes)
Another colloquial name for the peak is "Hrabskie Buty" (Countess's Shoes). How did it come about? In the 19th century, Countess Mery Wielkopolska and Baron Roman Taube visited the summit. To commemorate their visit, they had the imprints of their shoes and inscriptions engraved on a large boulder: "Hr. MERY WIELOPOLSKA," "ROMAN BA. TAUBE," and the date 4/9 1898. There is another smaller but older noble stone! On this plaque, in addition to the "shoe imprints," we can find the signature "Hr. Ad. Potocki" and the date 1846.
The commemorative stones were once located on the summit of Leskowiec, from where they were thrown down and disappeared for many years. After being found in the forest below the peak, they were transported near the shelter, and that is where we can find them today.
Leskowiec - trail map
Here is a compilation of the trails described by us on Leskowiec:
Publish Date: 2022-09-14
Last Updated: 2024-01-30