TOP 5: Ideas for the first spring walk in the mountains

Where should you head for a mountain trip in early spring? Where can you find the first signs of awakening nature? Which trail should you choose for a spring hike and what should you keep in mind when planning a spring mountain trip? We have a few ideas and tips for you.

Pre-spring in the mountains is not yet spring!

When city streets are flooded with spring sunshine, birdsong wakes us up in the morning, and home gardens are filled with the colors of primroses, crocuses, daffodils, and tulips, we are sure that "it's here": spring has come and it's high time to look for it also in the mountains and forests! But do we remember that spring in the mountains has more of an "uphill"?

The beginning of spring in the mountains means slowly melting snow, which can still linger for a long time, especially on the northern slopes, shaded forest paths, and higher parts of the mountains. As a result, all forest gorges turn into streams, and timid streams into bold, rushing torrents. Beaten paths in the forest are usually one big flowing mud, and meadows resemble water-filled sponges.

How to prepare for the first spring mountain trip?

First of all, it is worth preparing for the conditions that we are most likely to find there: take solid, waterproof shoes, gaiters, and maybe even additional waterproof pants. In the car, we recommend leaving a spare set of clothes (shoes, socks, pants). If we happen to have a muddy slide on our bottoms or step into knee-deep mud along the way, it will be more comfortable to return home in dry clothes and shoes!

Which trail to choose for a walk in the mountains in early spring?

In spring, we cannot avoid mud in the mountains, but we can choose a trail where it should be at least a little less, i.e.:

• a popular trail rather than a rarely frequented one (here we can count on crossings laid out on streams, and we are more likely to encounter hardened sections here)
• a southern slope rather than a northern one (on the northern side, snow always lingers longer, and thus there is more moisture and mud)
• trails going traverse rather than steeply uphill (steep ascents can resemble a stream or a muddy slide)
• trails with a hardened surface (even partially), rather than fully forested and wild ones. Early spring is the perfect time to make peace with asphalt on the trail!

5 ideas for spring walks in the mountains - recommended trails

Taking into account the above tips, we have a few ideas for you on where to go for a mountain trip in early spring, so that it is beautiful and interesting, and at the same time comfortable and safe.

1. Crocuses, crocuses... and crocuses again!

Yes, they are definitely associated with spring in the mountains! It is for their sake that crowds of tourists visit the Chochołowska Valley in the Tatra Mountains every year:

Easy

directions_walk child_friendly directions_bike

Chochołowska Valley

straighten 6.3km

timer 2h 14min

north_east 264m

south_east 60m

However, if instead of a crowd and hustle and bustle you prefer peace and quiet, look for crocuses e.g. on the glades in the Gorce Mountains, e.g. on the Old Peaks, Gorc Troszacki or Hala Turbacz. 

The most northern and at the same time the closest from Krakow, the natural habitat of the Spiš saffron is located on the Sucha Polana. You can get here e.g. by a forest road from Poręba Wielka, or a new black trail from Lipnik (also mostly by road).  

You can find more interesting facts about the Spiš saffron here:

Crocus - the mountain harbinger of spring

Crocus is an extraordinary flower that serves as a symbol of the arrival of spring in the mountains. ...

2. Butterbur - spring wakes up by the river

Spring is not only about crocuses on mountain glades. On the sunny and moist banks of mountain rivers, you will encounter a whole host of signs of spring. One of the earliest of them are the original green-white flowers of butterbur.

Did you know that they will soon turn into large, sprawling green leaves filling the entire banks of streams?

Closed to car traffic, forest roads along mountain streams are a good idea for a comfortable spring walk, if you don't feel like getting up close and personal with mud. Depending on the region that interests you, you will surely find something suitable for you!

We recommend, among others:

• in the Silesian Beskids: Biała Wisełka Valley, Zimnik Valley
• in the Żywiecki Beskids: "Waterfall Trail", i.e. Sopotnia Wielka Valley, Czatożanka Valley in Zawoja
• in the Gorce Mountains:: Kamienica Gorczańska Valley
• in the Pieniny Mountains: Dunajec Valley, i.e. Pieniny Road, Biała Woda Nature Reserve
• in the Sądecki Beskids:: Roztoka Wielka Valley, Potok Łabowczański Valley
• in the Low Beskids: Kłopotnica Valley in Folusz, Czarny Potok Valley, along with Krokusowa Polana and Krokusowe Źródełko in Rymanów-Zdrój
• in the Bieszczady Mountains:: paths on Tarnawa Peat Bog, Pichurów Trail in Roztoka Valley

3. Marsh marigold

A little later (April-May) in the vicinity of mountain streams, it is worth looking for marsh marigold, also known as popular "ducklings". The most beautiful of their clusters we have met so far in the Gorce National Park, in the Kamienica Gorczańska Valley.

Importantly: here you will also get by a comfortable asphalt road (= zero mud!).

Easy

directions_walk child_friendly directions_bike

Valley of Kamienica, blue trail from Rzek

straighten 5.5km

timer 2h 10min

north_east 323m

south_east 113m

4. The most beautiful liverleaf

Liverleafs are delicate blue-violet flowers that greet us in spring in many, not necessarily mountain forests. The most beautiful liverleafs we met in the Ojcowski National Park:

Paths in many valleys near Krakow are a great idea for a sunny, spring walk! Even if they are not hardened, thanks to a solid rocky base, the risk that we will get stuck there in the mud is really small.

The Most Beautiful Valleys near Krakow

The valleys near Krakow - which one is the most beautiful? The white, limestone rocks surrounding Krakow hide many extraordinary trails and paths. ...

5. Wood anemones, snowdrops, spring corydalis

Spring in the forest often reminds us of fields of wood anemones, which illuminate many forests (not only Beskid ones). Sometimes you don't have to go far to follow their trail!

Forests in Krakow and forests around Krakow

Tired of your local park? Even the most elaborate and modern playground doesn't excite you anymore? ...

However, if you are looking for something "extra", not so common and easily accessible, maybe try to find wild, forest snowdrops in the Muńcoł Reserve in Ujsoły (the fastest way to get there is the blue trail from Soblówka), or rare spring corydalis in the Cieszynianka Reserve in Mogilany near Krakow?

Be sure to share your spring discoveries with us!

PS. Spring coloring pages

At the end, we have a few spring coloring pages for you: