Białe - Mogielica. Green trail through Polana Wały

Nearby: Limanowa
Medium - For young hikers, steep sections possible
straighten  Distance 6.5km
timer Time 3h 26min
north_east Ascents 729m
south_east Descents 177m
Elevation Profile: max 1166 m min 606 m
terrain  The slope of the terrain
beach_access  Route in the shade
directions_car  Access by car
miniaturka

From Szczawa - Białe 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 Wały. The route offers stunning views: it leads through Polana Stumorgowa, and at the top, a new observation tower awaits us!

Green Trail: Szczawa - Białe - Polana Wały under Krzystonów - Mogielica, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
Green Trail: Szczawa - Białe - Polana Wały under Krzystonów - Mogielica, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

Start of the Green Trail in Szczawa - Białe

Białe is a hamlet in the Kamienica Valley, located above the Biały 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-Białe bus stop here.

Green Trail to Polana Wały under Krzystonów, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
Green Trail to Polana Wały under Krzystonów, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

Green Trail to Polana Wały under Krzystonów

The green trail from Białe initially follows the Biały 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!

Green Trail to Polana Wały under Krzystonów, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
Green Trail to Polana Wały under Krzystonów, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

Polana Wały - Student Camping Base

Polana Wały 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!

Polana Wały - student camping base under Krzystonów, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
Polana Wały - student camping base under Krzystonów, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

Yellow Trail Krzystonów - Mogielica

Above Polana Wały, the green trail intersects with the yellow trail just below the summit of Krzystonów. The green trail descends towards Półrzeczki, 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 Krzystonów and Kryzstonów Mały - there will even be a bit of a downhill!

On the yellow trail, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
On the yellow trail, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

The ascent begins at the intersection with the ski slope and the junction with the blue trail from Szczawa - Bukówka. We climb through the forest until we reach the beautiful Polana Stumorgowa.

Connection of the yellow trail with the blue trail, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
Connection of the yellow trail with the blue trail, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

Views from Polana Stumorgowa under Mogielica

Polana Stumorgowa under Mogielica is one of the most scenic spots in the Beskid Wyspowy.

Approaching Polana Stumorgowa. Mogielica ahead, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
Approaching Polana Stumorgowa. Mogielica ahead, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

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.

View from Polana Stumorgowa towards Gorce Mountains and Tatra Mountains, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
View from Polana Stumorgowa towards Gorce Mountains and Tatra Mountains, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

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.

Steep ascent from Polana Stumorgowa to Mogielica, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
Steep ascent from Polana Stumorgowa to Mogielica, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

After about 15 minutes, we will find ourselves at the foot of the tower, which offers views in all four directions!

View from the tower on Mogielica towards Polana Stumorgowa, Gorce Mountains, Babia Góra, and Luboń Wielki, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
View from the tower on Mogielica towards Polana Stumorgowa, Gorce Mountains, Babia Góra, and Luboń Wielki, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
View from the tower on Mogielica towards Ćwilin, Śnieżnica, and the western slopes of Łopień, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
View from the tower on Mogielica towards Ćwilin, Śnieżnica, and the western slopes of Łopień, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

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.

At the summit of Mogielica, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy
At the summit of Mogielica, photo by B. and J. Stachurscy

Return from Mogielica to Szczawa-Białe

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 Krzystonów, follow the blue markers, and descend to Szczawa-Bukówka (this descent takes about 1.5 hours), from where you can return to Szczawa - Białe either by the asphalt road or along the path next to the Kamienica River (about 2 km).

Szczawa Bukówka - Mogielica: blue trail

Medium
directions_walk

Szczawa Bukówka - Mogielica: blue trail

Profil wysokości
straighten 5.9km
timer 3h 2min
north_east 627m
south_east 41m

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: 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. ...

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