Wielka Cisowa
Town: Brenna
check_circle Slopes
check_circle Mainly in the sun
check_circle Children's playground
check_circle Restaurant or bar nearby
Wielka Cisowa (878 m above sea level) is a pleasant mountain in the Silesian Beskids in southern Poland. It is not very prominent, but it is worth visiting. It is close to Błatnia, a more popular mountain with good views. How can you get there, and what can you see on the summit?
Monument on Wielka Cisowa
The most noticeable thing on the summit of Wielka Cisowa is a monument and a cross surrounded by a stone wall. From a distance, for example from the mountain hut on Błatnia, it may look like a small forest cemetery or even a mysterious mausoleum. But is anyone really buried here?
Partisans in the Błatnia mountain range
You can read more about the events connected with the monument on a large information board near the mountain hut on Błatnia. On 13 May 1946, a fight took place here between partisans of the National Armed Forces and officers of the communist Security Office. Nine people died: Edward Biesok, known as "Edek", the commander of the partisan unit, and eight militia officers.
During the communist period in Poland, a monument was built on Wielka Cisowa in memory of the fallen militia officers, described as people who were "strengthening people's power". The original plaque was removed after 1989. Today, on the old base, there is a new plaque, and next to it stands a wooden cross. The hidden forest grave of the partisan "Edek" was found only in 2013. His remains were exhumed and buried in his home village.
Ruins of the shelter on Wielka Cisowa
The second interesting place on Wielka Cisowa is much less visible. These are the foundations of a former student mountain hut called "Wysoki Zamek". It operated from 1987 to 1994.
Ranczo Błatnia
Another place you will probably notice on Wielka Cisowa is Ranczo Błatnia. It is a fairly large guesthouse with a place to eat, a big outdoor seating area, and even a small playground.
In the summer season, Catholic Mass is held here on Sundays:
Are there views from Wielka Cisowa?
Although the summit is not covered by forest, the meadow, which used to be a pasture, is surrounded by trees. Because of this, the views are limited. You can see the nearby Błatnia summit and the PTTK mountain hut, as well as the horizon to the north-west.
How to get to Wielka Cisowa
Two marked hiking trails pass through the summit of Wielka Cisowa: the green trail from Równica through Brenna to Błatnia, and the red trail from Jaworze Nałęże to Błatnia. There is also a path called the "scout trail". You can reach the summit by these routes:
- from Brenna on the green trail: 4 km, 460 m of elevation gain, about 1 hour 50 minutes one way
- from Jaworze Nałęże on the red trail: 5.5 km, 450 m of elevation gain, about 2 hours 10 minutes one way
- on the scout trail from Jaworze Nałęże, marked with a green letter H: 3.6 km, 420 m of elevation gain, about 1 hour 30 minutes one way
You can also first hike to Błatnia and then walk down to Wielka Cisowa. This takes about 10-15 minutes.
Błatnia - mountain hut, trails, and views
Błatnia, 917 m above sea level, is not a very prominent mountain, but it has beautiful views. It is in the northern part of the Silesian Beskids in southern Poland. It is easy to reach, has many marked trails, and there is a small mountain hut where you can rest. This makes Błatnia a popular hiking destination. ...
More in the Region Beskid Śląski (Silesian Beskid)
