Luboń Wielki (1023 meters above sea level) is one of the highest and most scenic peaks in the Beskid Wyspowy mountain range. It is home to the only PTTK mountain hostel and the largest rocky debris field in the Beskids: Dziurawe Turnie on Perci Borkowski.
PTTK Hostel on Luboń Wielki
The only mountain hostel in the Beskid Wyspowy was opened in 1931, partly thanks to the initiative of Stanisław Dunin-Borkowski, who was also one of its designers (today the hostel bears his name).
In 1945, it was supposed to be destroyed by German forces so that it would not serve as a base for partisans. However, it was allegedly saved by its hostess, who, with a child in her arms (and a bottle of vodka), convinced the commander of the unit to change his decision.
Today, the accommodation (about 25 beds) is located in a separate building called "Baba Jaga"
Luboń Wielki - Views
At the top of Luboń Wielki, there is a small viewing terrace that offers a wide panorama to the north:
Trails to Luboń Wielki
There are several trails of varying lengths and difficulties that lead to the top of Luboń Wielki. Three of them: yellow, blue, and green, which lead from Rabka-Zaryte, can be combined into a loop.
Shortest Trail to Luboń Wielki
The red trail to Luboń Wielki from Przełęcz Glisne is only 2 km long. When choosing this route, keep in mind that there is a significant elevation difference to overcome (almost 400 m), and the forest path is steep with loose stones.
Medium
Red Trail to Luboń Wielki
Most Scenic Trail to Luboń Wielki
The long, but scenic trail to Luboń Wielki follows the ridge from Naprawa, through the Krzysie (Surówki) neighborhood and Luboń Mały. The route runs along the edge of meadows and forests, offering many views to the south (including the Tatras).
Medium
Blue Trail to Luboń Wielki from Naprawa
Most Interesting Trail to Luboń Wielki - Perc Borkowski
The famous Perc Borkowski leads to the summit of Luboń Wielki through the largest (and incredibly scenic!) rocky debris field called "Dziurawe Turnie." Moreover, by choosing this route, you can try to find one of the several rock caves!
Note! This trail is recommended as an ascent (not suitable for descending) and only in good weather conditions (without snow, ice, rain). It is best to combine it with the descent on the blue or green trail:
Difficult
Yellow Trail to Luboń Wielki - Borkowski's Path
Partisans on Luboń Wielki
During World War II, there were so many partisans on the slopes of Luboń Wielki that the Nazis called the massif "Polish Mountain" and rarely ventured here... The base of the partisans was primarily the Krzysie neighborhood under Luboń Mały.
Luboń Wielki - Curiosities
- According to geologists, long, long ago, Luboń Wielki and its neighboring peak, Szczebel, were one mountain whose summit was destroyed by erosion.
- Until the construction of the hostel, the locals called the mountain "Biernatka."
- The television relay tower was built in 1961 to transmit the World Ski Championships held in Zakopane.
- In 1985, a Czechoslovak helicopter crashed near the Krzysie neighborhood. Today, there is a small mound and a cross at the crash site.
- Members of the neopagan movement (known as "Slavic Native Faith") created an altar in the form of a stone circle with wooden statues near the summit of Luboń Wielki. After protests, the place was dismantled, and the sculptures were relocated to the hostel.
- In autumn 2022, the tunnel under Luboń Mały, named after M. and L. Kaczyński, was opened. It is popularly known as the "Tunnel on Zakopane Road" and is 2058 meters long. At the time of opening, it was the longest non-urban tunnel in Poland.
Luboń Wielki - Map of Trails and Attractions
You can see all the described trails, along with the location of the photos, on the map in the article header.
Publish Date: 2023-05-10