Where is the source of the Vistula?
The Vistula is the longest river in Poland. Its sources are in the Silesian Beskids on the slopes of Barania G贸ra. Known as the Queen of Polish Rivers, it is formed by the joining of several streams, the most famous being Bia艂a and Czarna Wise艂ka. Where exactly can you find the sources of the Vistula and how can you reach them?
How long is the Vistula?
Until recently, all sources stated the length of the Vistula as 1047 km. Today, after measurements in 2010, the official length is 1022 km. The Vistula begins where the Wise艂ka and Malinka streams meet in the Nowa Osada area of the town of Wis艂a. The Wise艂ka itself is formed in the Czernia艅skie Lake by the joining of Bia艂a and Czarna Wise艂ka.
Bia艂a and Czarna Wise艂ka
Both streams, Bia艂a and Czarna Wise艂ka, flow from the slopes of Barania G贸ra, a prominent peak 1215 meters above sea level, located in the heart of the Silesian Beskids.
The sources of the shorter Bia艂a Wise艂ka (6.7 km) are at about 1120 meters above sea level, while the longer Czarna Wise艂ka (9.3 km) is higher, at 1150 meters. Czarna Wise艂ka is considered the main source stream, and its 'drips' are the true source of the Vistula.
Where exactly are the sources of the Vistula on Barania G贸ra?
The sources of Czarna Wise艂ka are near the top of Barania G贸ra, not far from the trail from the shelter. Unfortunately, it is not a spring with sparkling water but rather 'drips' (a term used by B. Hoff, who wrote in the late 19th century that the Vistula is born 'in a puddle of black mud', meaning it seeps from small marshes formed by water-soaked humus).
Since these Vistula 'drips' are just a wet, marshy area, and part of a strict nature reserve, we cannot go directly to this place. We pass it on the flat area between Wierch R贸wnia艅ski and Wierch Wise艂ka (where the black trail from Kamesznica joins).
More about the trail from PTTK Przys艂op Shelter under Barania G贸ra, near the source of the Vistula, the 'drips' of Czarna Wise艂ka to the top of Barania G贸ra, we write here:
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Trail from PTTK Przys艂op Shelter to Barania G贸ra
Trip to the sources of the Vistula on Barania G贸ra
If you want to set out on a journey to the sources of the Queen of Polish Rivers, we recommend hiking through the valleys of both Bia艂a:
Easy
Bia艂a Wise艂ka Valley and Rod艂a Cascades - an easy walk in the Silesian Beskids
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Barania G贸ra - blue trail through Bia艂a Wise艂ka and Rod艂o Cascades
...and Czarna Wise艂ka:
Easy
Valley of Czarna Wise艂ka: the easiest way to the mountain hut under Barania G贸ra
If time and energy allow, it's best to combine a walk along both streams with reaching the top of Barania G贸ra. We recommend first climbing to the top of Barania G贸ra via the blue trail, then resting and having a meal at the shelter, and returning to the trailhead via the comfortable road in the Czarna Wise艂ka Valley.
The entire loop is 18 km, with about 700 meters of elevation gain. Walking it, not counting stops along the way, at the top, and in the shelter, will take about 5.5-6 hours.
Who discovered the sources of the Vistula and when?
The mystery of the Vistula's sources fascinated scientists, historians, and naturalists from ancient times. In the 15th century, Jan D艂ugosz described the 'Source under the Rock', the source of Bia艂a Wise艂ka.
In the 19th century, scientists reached the sources of Bia艂a and Czarna Wise艂ka. In 1843, geographer and poet Wincenty Pol, along with botanist Hiacynt 艁obarzewski, located the sources of Czarna Wise艂ka, and in 1849, geologist and geographer Ludwik Zejszner visited Barania G贸ra. In 1984, commemorative plaques were placed at the sources in their honor:
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