Trails to Lubań - peak and observation tower

Lubań (1211 m above sea level) is an incredibly scenic peak in the Gorce Mountains, on the border of the Beskid Sądecki and Pieniny ranges. From the observation tower, you can enjoy a picturesque panorama of the Tatra peaks, Czorsztyńskie Lake, the Dunajec River Gorge and the entire sea of Beskid hills!

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Lubań - view from the tower on Czorsztyńskie Lake
Lubań - view from the tower on Czorsztyńskie Lake

Lubań - peak and attractions

What awaits us at the top of Lubań? First and foremost, an observation tower, but more on that in a moment. Before we get there, let's stop at the picturesque clearing where, in the summer season, there is a student tent base, belonging to the Student Mountain Guide Group in Krakow. It's busy and cheerful here in the summer!

Seasonal tent base on Lubań
Seasonal tent base on Lubań

Throughout the year on the clearing, you will find benches, tables, and a covered shelter.

View of the clearing with the tent base "off season" from the tower on Lubań, with Pieniny and Beskid Sądecki in the background
View of the clearing with the tent base "off season" from the tower on Lubań, with Pieniny and Beskid Sądecki in the background

Shelter on Lubań?

Near the clearing under Lubań, we will find the foundations of a former mountain shelter. The first one was burned down during World War II during a hunt for partisans stationed here. In the 70s of the 20th century, a small shepherd's hut was built here, which unfortunately only survived for two years - it was destroyed by a fire.

Ruins of the shepherd
Ruins of the shepherd's hut under Lubań on the blue trail

A few years ago, a project for a new shelter was created, but so far construction has not started.

Spring on Lubań

On the blue trail, between the tent base and the ruins of the shelter, there is a spring with delicious, refreshing drinking water:

Spring under Lubań on the blue and green trail
Spring under Lubań on the blue and green trail

Lubań - views

As you can see, the clearing is surrounded by forest, and the peak itself is also forested - except for a "window" to the south:

Lubań - peak. View to the south from the observation tower
Lubań - peak. View to the south from the observation tower

For more, we have to climb the tower - if not to the very top, then at least above the tree line.

Observation tower on Lubań

There is no shelter on Lubań, but there is a tower - and what a view! The views from the terrace, rising 20 m above the surroundings, are breathtaking! We will climb the tower via comfortable, wide stairs.

Stairs to the observation tower on Lubań
Stairs to the observation tower on Lubań
Tatra Mountains and Czorsztyńskie Lake from the tower on Lubań
Tatra Mountains and Czorsztyńskie Lake from the tower on Lubań

 At the top, we have views in all 4 directions, what exactly we are looking at, we can learn from detailed information boards.

Observation tower on Lubań. North panorama (Beskid Wyspowy) with the "queen" Mogielica
Observation tower on Lubań. North panorama (Beskid Wyspowy) with the "queen" Mogielica

To the south, we will see the Tatra Mountains, and the Czorsztyńskie Lake stretching at their feet, to the east: Pieniny and the gentle hills of Beskid Sądecki, from the north - Beskid Wyspowy with the dominating Mogielica, to the west: Gorce, and far in the background we will see the characteristic silhouette of Babia Góra.

Lubań - observation tower
Lubań - observation tower

Ps.1. As you can see, the railing is high - little ones won't fall out. Even older children will have to be lifted up to see something...

Stamp on Lubań is located at the top of the observation tower
Stamp on Lubań is located at the top of the observation tower

Ps.2. Don't forget to stamp a souvenir stamp! Will you be able to spot the other observation towers in the area: on Magurki, Gorc and Koziarz? Or maybe also those a bit further on Mogielica and Modyni?

Trails to Lubań

How to get to the top of Lubań? There are many trails leading here from all surrounding towns. The most popular are the trails leading from the south, from the Pieniny towns: Krościenko nad Dunajcem, Czorsztyn, Grywałd, Kluszkowce and Maniowy, but we can also reach the top from the north: from Ochotnica Dolna and from Tylmanowa (this trail has the largest elevation gain, over 900 m difference in altitude) or from the west: a long, ridge trail from the hamlet of Studzionki near Ochotnica Górna.

Trails to Lubań- steep ascent to the peak
Trails to Lubań- steep ascent to the peak

Easiest and shortest trail to Lubań

The easiest way to get to Lubań is via its southern slopes: the blue trail from Przełęcz Snozka at the foot of the Wdżar mountain. There is a large parking lot here and a unique monument by W. Hasior "Organs". On the way, we have the opportunity to see the ruins of the shelter and replenish water supplies at the spring with drinking water.

We will reach the top in about 2.5 hours. We have 5.5 km and almost 600 m of elevation gain to cover. Just before the clearing at the top, there is one quite steep ascent.

To Lubań from Snozka Pass - blue trail

Medium
directions_walk

To Lubań from Snozka Pass - blue trail

max 1202 m min 651 m
straighten 5.5km
timer 2h 50min
north_east 586m
south_east 36m
Blue trail to Lubań - Wdżar Mountain against the backdrop of the Tatra Mountains
Blue trail to Lubań - Wdżar Mountain against the backdrop of the Tatra Mountains

Shaded and gentle trail to Lubań 

If you don't like steep ascents, we recommend the yellow trail from Kluszkowce. It is longer than the blue one, but much gentler and more shaded. Both trails can be combined into a loop.

Kluszkowce: yellow trail to Lubań

Medium
directions_walk

Kluszkowce: yellow trail to Lubań

max 1202 m min 588 m
straighten 6.9km
timer 3h 22min
north_east 659m
south_east 47m
Yellow trail Kluszkowce - Lubań
Yellow trail Kluszkowce - Lubań

Loop to Lubań from Ochotnica Dolna

If you like to climb to the top and descend other trails, we recommend a hike to Lubań from the north: the blue and green trail from Ochotnica Dolna:

Blue trail to Lubań from Ochotnica Dolna

Medium
directions_walk

Blue trail to Lubań from Ochotnica Dolna

max 1202 m min 474 m
straighten 6.7km
timer 3h 32min
north_east 749m
south_east 45m

We went up the gentler blue trail, and descended the steeper green one:

From Ochotnica Dolna to Luban - green trail

Medium
directions_walk

From Ochotnica Dolna to Luban - green trail

max 1202 m min 510 m
straighten 7.0km
timer 3h 42min
north_east 786m
south_east 103m

Of course, you can also reverse this direction. Such a trip will take you a minimum of 5 hours, you will walk 15 km and overcome an elevation gain of about 800 m.

Trails to Lubań - map

Here is a map of the trails and places described in the article:

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Last Updated: 2023-08-29
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