Potr贸jna - trails to the scenic peak in Beskid Ma艂y

Potr贸jna (892 m above sea level) is a not very high, but an extremely scenic peak in the Beskid Ma艂y range. You can reach it from places like Rzyki and Targanice near Andrych贸w. At the top, you will find vast meadows: perfect for picnics in the summer and sledding in the winter, a small secluded shelter "Chatka na Potr贸jnej", and most importantly, a beautiful panorama in all four directions!

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Potr贸jna, 892 m above sea level, view of the Pasmo Polic, Tatras and Babia G贸ra
Potr贸jna, 892 m above sea level, view of the Pasmo Polic, Tatras and Babia G贸ra

Potr贸jna - views from the top

Thanks to the vast meadows and open spaces, Potr贸jna offers beautiful views of the surrounding Beskid ranges. It's important to remember: Potr贸jna has three peaks: the southern one on the red trail (883 m above sea level), the highest middle one (892 m above sea level) and the northern one on the black trail from Rzyki (887 m above sea level). Each of these places offers a slightly different view, so instead of stopping in one place, it's worth walking around the meadows and enjoying different panoramas!

From here you will not only see the Tatras (including Gerlach, Rysy, 艢winica), Babia G贸ra and Pilsko (photo above), but also the Silesian Beskids, from Barania G贸ra to Skrzyczne and Klimczok:

View from Potr贸jna: in the background the Silesian Beskids from Barania G贸ra to Skrzyczne, behind the trees Klimczok
View from Potr贸jna: in the background the Silesian Beskids from Barania G贸ra to Skrzyczne, behind the trees Klimczok

On the south-east, just beyond the neighbouring 艁amana Ska艂a and Leskowiec, the following ranges emerge: Beskid Makowski (including Lubomir, Parszywka and Koskowa G贸ra), Beskid Wyspowy (艢nie偶nica, Lubogoszcz, 膯wilin, "queen" Mogielica, Szczebel and Lubo艅 Wielki), as well as Gorce (including Gorc, Kud艂o艅 and Turbacz):

Potr贸jna: view towards the Beskid Makowski and Wyspowy
Potr贸jna: view towards the Beskid Makowski and Wyspowy

Description of the panorama from Potr贸jna

On the highest of the peaks, you will find boards with descriptions of the panorama:

Description of the south-eastern panorama from Potr贸jna
Description of the south-eastern panorama from Potr贸jna
Description of the north-western panorama from Potr贸jna
Description of the north-western panorama from Potr贸jna

Other attractions on Potr贸jna: shelter, rocks, curiosities

What else, besides the scenic meadows, awaits us at the top of Potr贸jna?

Chatka na Potr贸jnej - Chatka u Rafa艂a

It's definitely worth visiting the small, private shelter "Chatka na Potr贸jnej". Here you can rest, have something hot to drink, eat a fresh bun, and even spend the night (it's better to arrange this in advance). The phone number for Rafa艂, the host of the Chatka is 889 697 250 (it's best to send a text message).

Cottage on Potr贸jna (Potr贸jna settlement)
Cottage on Potr贸jna (Potr贸jna settlement)

When looking for the Chatka on Potr贸jna, don't confuse it with the Chatka under Potr贸jna, which is a private accommodation object on the yellow trail between the Zakocierska Pass and the Pass on Przykra!

Robber's Window near Potr贸jna

Just half an hour's walk from the top of Potr贸jna, you will find the most interesting rock formation in the Beskid Ma艂y. It's the so-called "Robber's Window" - a rock tower with a characteristic hole. You will find it on the yellow trail, about 1.5 km south of the peak.

Zbojeckie Okno - the most interesting rock in the Beskid Maly mountains

Zbojeckie Okno - the most interesting rock in the Beskid Maly mountains

Zbojeckie Okno is one of the largest and most interesting rocks in the Beskid Maly mountains. Its size, easy accessibility (right next to the trail), and above all, its unique "rock window" make it one of the most famous natural landmarks in the region. ...

Zbojeckie Okno in the Beskid Maly mountains
Zbojeckie Okno in the Beskid Maly mountains

Is Potr贸jna double?

Attention! When you look for the peak of Potr贸jna on the map of the Beskid Ma艂y pay attention to the fact that there are two Potr贸jnas here, and both peaks with the same name are quite close to each other! We are describing the three-peaked Potr贸jna (883, 892 and 887 m above sea level) between the Zakocierska Pass and Czarny Gro艅. On the other side of the Pracica valley is a slightly lower peak with the same name: Potr贸jna (also known as Potr贸jna G贸ra) 847 m above sea level. You will find it on the red trail between the Beskidek Pass and the peak Na Beskidzie).

How to get to Potr贸jna? All trails to the top

Once we know exactly what awaits us at the top of Potr贸jna and in its immediate vicinity, it's worth considering how to get there. As usual, we have several options: easier and harder, shorter and longer.

Crossroads of trails on Potr贸jna
Crossroads of trails on Potr贸jna

Cable car to Pot贸jna?

Can we take a cable car to Potr贸jna? Yes and no. Definitely not to the very top and not all year round. However, in winter there is indeed a chairlift from Rzyki Praciaki in the Czarny Gro艅 ski resort. From the upper station near the Przykra Pass to the top of Potr贸jna, we only have 2.5 km to walk along a comfortable ridge route (the difference in altitude to overcome is only about 100 m).

Shortest trail to Potr贸jna

The shortest route to Potr贸jna starts from the PKS Kocierz Basie stop (there is also a small forest car park) - it's only 3.5 km. From here, you can reach Potr贸jna in about 1:20 hours, with about 300 m of altitude difference to overcome. The route is marked with yellow suns (this is the so-called shelter trail). Initially, it follows an asphalt road (Studencka Street), and then enters the forest. Unfortunately, the marking of the path leaves a lot to be desired... You have to be careful not to lose your way!

To the student Cottage under Potr贸jna
To the student Cottage under Potr贸jna

Easiest trail to Potr贸jna

Only slightly longer (about 3.7 km), but the easiest, as there is only about 220 m difference in altitude to overcome, is the red trail from the Kocierska Pass (car park). After reaching the southern peak of Potr贸jna, we follow the yellow signs to the scenic peak. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes one way.

Recommended trail to Potr贸jna: from Targanice through Jawornica

Less frequented, because it's neither the shortest nor the easiest, is the yellow trail to Potr贸jna from Targanice through Jawornica, the so-called Frysi贸w Family Trail. After a fairly steep climb through the forest, an easy ridge route awaits you, and on the way, a place full of interesting (although unfortunately tragic) stories.

Jawornica and Potr贸jna - yellow trail Targanice

Medium
directions_walk

Jawornica and Potr贸jna - yellow trail Targanice

max 886 m min 403 m
straighten 5.3km
timer 2h 41min
north_east 544m
south_east 62m
Cross on Jawornica, 831 m above sea level
Cross on Jawornica, 831 m above sea level

Loop to Potr贸jna from Rzyki

The combination of the yellow trail from Rzyki Praciaki through 艁amana Ska艂a (7 km, 500 m altitude differences) and the short, albeit quite steep, black trail (4 km, 420 m altitude differences) creates a 12-kilometre loop to walk in about 4.5-5 hours. Additionally, on the way, there will be an opportunity to pass through the picturesque Madohora reserve under 艁amana Ska艂a (an interesting and rocky wild spruce forest).

We especially recommend this route outside the ski season: then the large car parks in Rzyki will be empty and free of charge.

From Rzyki to 艁amana Ska艂a and Potr贸jna

Medium
directions_walk

From Rzyki to 艁amana Ska艂a and Potr贸jna

max 909 m min 473 m
straighten 12.1km
timer 4h 40min
north_east 661m
south_east 661m

Other trails to Port贸jna

Of course, you have many other routes to choose from, including:

  • From Targosz贸w, the green trail to Rozstaje u Anuli and then the yellow one through 艁amana Ska艂a. One way 8.5 km, 560 m altitude differences, about 3 hours to walk.
  • From Koconia, the blue trail to Rozstaje u Anuli and then the yellow one through 艁amana Ska艂a. One way 9 km, 530 m altitude differences, about 3 hours to walk.
  • From Rzyki Jag贸dek, the black trail to the W. Midowicz Pass, then the red one through Leskowiec and 艁amana Ska艂a and the yellow one to the peak. One way 12 km, 700 m altitude differences, about 4 hours to walk.
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