Bia艂e - Mogielica. Green trail through Polana Wa艂y
Nearby: Limanowa| Distance | 6.5km |
|---|---|
| Time | 3h 26min |
| Ascents | 729m |
| Descents | 177m |
Elevation Profile:
beach_access Route in the shade
directions_car Access by car
From Szczawa - Bia艂e in the Kamienica Valley, we can hike to Mogielica (1170 m above sea level), the highest peak of the Beskid Wyspowy, by first taking the green trail and then switching to the yellow trail after Polna Wa艂y. The route offers stunning views: it leads through Polana Stumorgowa, and at the top, a new observation tower awaits us!
Start of the Green Trail in Szczawa - Bia艂e
Bia艂e is a hamlet in the Kamienica Valley, located above the Bia艂y Potok stream. The settlement is known for being the home of the last local shepherds, including the shepherd from Polana Skalne, Wojciech Opyda, whom you could still meet here at the end of the 20th century. There is a PKS Szczawa-Bia艂e bus stop here.
Green Trail to Polana Wa艂y under Krzyston贸w
The green trail from Bia艂e initially follows the Bia艂y Potok stream up to the Klince hamlet. Once in the forest, it becomes quite steep in some places, and sometimes there is even a stream flowing along the path!
Polana Wa艂y - Student Camping Base
Polana Wa艂y is a seasonal base of the Student Association of Beskid Guides from Katowice. Besides vacations, you will find a spacious picnic and camping area here, with a shelter, benches, and even a toilet. It's worth taking a longer break here!
Yellow Trail Krzyston贸w - Mogielica
Above Polana Wa艂y, the green trail intersects with the yellow trail just below the summit of Krzyston贸w. The green trail descends towards P贸艂rzeczki, so if you want to reach the summit of Mogielica, you need to turn right following the yellow markers. You will hike along the ridge between Krzyston贸w and Kryzston贸w Ma艂y - there will even be a bit of a downhill!
The ascent begins at the intersection with the ski slope and the junction with the blue trail from Szczawa - Buk贸wka. We climb through the forest until we reach the beautiful Polana Stumorgowa.
Views from Polana Stumorgowa under Mogielica
Polana Stumorgowa under Mogielica is one of the most scenic spots in the Beskid Wyspowy.
Walk higher, to the edge of the forest - benches, a shelter, and a resting place await you. The wide panorama from Polana Stumorgowa includes the green hills of the western part of the Beskid Wyspowy, the neighboring Gorce Mountains, and the towering Tatra Mountains above them.
Mogielica Summit, 1170 m above sea level
From Polana Stumorgowa, we face a steep ascent on a path with loose stones. It won't be easy, but fortunately, it won't be very long either.
After about 15 minutes, we will find ourselves at the foot of the tower, which offers views in all four directions!
If, for various reasons, you don't feel like climbing the tower, we recommend walking to a small clearing with a papal cross - you will also see the Tatra Mountains from there! Through a small window under the tower, you can catch a glimpse of the northeastern part of the Beskid Wyspowy.
There is a resting place, a stamp box, and information boards below the tower.
Return from Mogielica to Szczawa-Bia艂e
The return journey along the same path (yellow + green trail) will take about 2 hours. Alternatively, you can turn left from the yellow trail before Krzyston贸w, follow the blue markers, and descend to Szczawa-Buk贸wka (this descent takes about 1.5 hours), from where you can return to Szczawa - Bia艂e either by the asphalt road or along the path next to the Kamienica River (about 2 km).
Medium
Szczawa Buk贸wka - Mogielica: blue trail
On the way, pay attention to the Spad na Kamienicy waterfall!
Other trails to Mogielica and interesting facts about the highest peak of the Beskid Wyspowy can be found in the article:
Mogielica: trails, routes, and loops
Mogielica is the highest peak of the "Beskid Wyspowy" , part of the Crown of Polish Mountains (1170 meters above sea level). At the prominent and quite steep summit, there is a new observation tower. The nearby Polana Stumorgowa is also famous for its beautiful views. ...
Publish Date: 2023-05-26
