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Bocheniec Observation Tower near Brzesko - Most Interesting Trails

Outdoors
Sloping terrain
Parking

Near the town of Brzesko, on Bocheniec Hill (394 meters above sea level), which is said to be named after the shape of a loaf of bread, there is an impressive 25-meter tall observation tower built in 2023. Under the tower, there is a parking area, benches, and a covered shelter. When I look from the tower towards the church, I see a piece of an oval loaf of bread.

Tower on Bocheniec - view towards the 16th-century Church of St. Anne

Getting to the Tower

You can easily drive right up to the tower - as you can see in the pictures, the parking area is currently being expanded.

Approximate travel time from nearby towns:

Krakow 55 min
Tarnow 30 min
Bochnia 20 min
Brzesko 10 min

Trails to the Bocheniec Observation Tower

For those who enjoy hiking, we recommend taking the trail to the tower:

1) The shortest and easiest trail starts from Okocim - it is less than one and a half kilometers long. The trail begins with a steep climb, but the elevation change is not large, and the surface is good, so it should not be too difficult. The route takes you through little-used rural roads and forest paths.

Easy

The Shortest Trail to the Viewing Tower on Bocheniec from the Okocim Side

2) You can also reach the tower by taking the trail from Porąbka Uszewska - we liked this trail more. It is less than 4 kilometers to the tower, and you walk on little-used rural asphalt roads and wide forest paths.

Medium

From Porąbka Uszewska to the Viewing Tower on Bocheniec

Bocheniec Observation Tower (394 meters above sea level)

The tower is located on the Okocim Ridge, one of the northernmost parts of the Carpathian Foothills. The tower has six levels. On the top level, there is a free-to-use telescope that allows you to admire the panorama of the surrounding areas. From here, you can see Brzesko and the northern areas of the Brzesko district, and in good weather, you can even spot the Beskid Wyspowy and the majestic Tatra Mountains.

Interestingly, this place also has historical value – there was a settlement here related to the Wiślan state dating back to the 9th/10th century, with remaining earthworks 4 meters high and 18 meters long.