Ferdel - Viewing Tower and Beech Path from Wapienne

Nearby: Gorlice
Medium - For young hikers, steep sections possible
straighten  Distance 5.9km
timer Time 2h 13min
north_east Ascents 301m
south_east Descents 301m
Elevation Profile: max 647 m min 395 m
terrain  The slope of the terrain
beach_access  Route in the shade
directions_car  Access by car
directions_bus  Can be reached by bus
miniaturka

The easiest way to the viewing tower at the top of Ferdel in the Magura Wątkowska Range starts from Wapienne - a charming, tiny spa town near Gorlice. An additional attraction of the loop trails is the creative educational path "Beech Path", symbolized by a wide-open eye.

Ferdel: Viewing Tower and Beech Path
Ferdel: Viewing Tower and Beech Path

Wapienne - the Smallest Spa in Poland

Did you know that the tiny town we start our trail from is the smallest spa in Poland? It also has an interesting history: supposedly, participants of the Napoleonic Campaign were treated here! That's why the promenade in Wapienne is proudly named "Napoleonic Promenade".

Wapienne. Playground and Graduation Tower by the "Napoleonic Promenade"
Wapienne. Playground and Graduation Tower by the "Napoleonic Promenade"

Today in Wapienne, you'll find a large free parking lot, a graduation tower, and a playground - and of course, two trails to Ferdel to choose from!

Trails to Ferdel in Wapienne
Trails to Ferdel in Wapienne

Start of the Green and Black Trails to Ferdel in Wapienne

Both the green and black trails start at the main street in Wapienne. If you don't like going up and down the same trail, you can combine them into a loop. However, note that while the green trail goes through the forest, the black trail descends directly onto an asphalt road and returns to the junction with the green signs.

Green Trail to Ferdel - Entrance into the Forest
Green Trail to Ferdel - Entrance into the Forest

Green Trail from Wapienne to Ferdel

The green trail takes us to the viewing tower on Ferdel through a pleasant forest path. There will be some uphill walking, as we need to cover about 250 meters of elevation. Most of this is at the start of the trail, and after reaching Mały Feredel, the border of Magura National Park, we'll walk along a gently rising ridge.

Path Along the Ridge Between Mały and "Proper" Ferdel
Path Along the Ridge Between Mały and "Proper" Ferdel
Here, the Blue Trail from Biecz Joins Our Green Trail
Here, the Blue Trail from Biecz Joins Our Green Trail

Ferdel and Magura National Park: Dogs and Tickets

The green trail between Mały Ferdel and "Proper" Ferdel runs along the border of Magura National Park. Note that dogs are not allowed in the park, and entry tickets are required. If you want to avoid this, we recommend the black trail (or an unmarked path running parallel to the ridge) - this way, you stay outside the national park boundaries.

Black Trail from Wapienne to Ferdel
Black Trail from Wapienne to Ferdel

PS. Did you know that the green trail from Wapienne to Ferdel is actually part of a longer route connecting Gorlice with the Polish-Slovak border? If we continued east from the top of Ferdel, we would reach the Kornuty Reserve (which we highly recommend! It's just under 5 km from the tower on Ferdel).

Beech Path - an Interesting Loop from Wapienne to Ferdel

An additional attraction on both the green and black trails to Ferdel is several stops on the "Beech Path", a creative nature trail marked by Magura National Park. Each spot on the path is marked with a wide-open eye, encouraging you to take a closer look at the beauty of the beech forest.

"Beech Path" - Map with Locations of Each Stop
"Beech Path" - Map with Locations of Each Stop
Beech Path on Ferdel - Example Stop
Beech Path on Ferdel - Example Stop
Beech Path on Ferdel - Example Stop on the Green Trail
Beech Path on Ferdel - Example Stop on the Green Trail

Viewing Tower on Ferdel

The wooden viewing tower is located just below the top of Ferdel, on the border of Magura National Park. From the viewing platform at its top, you can see a wide panorama: both the almost flat northern foothills and the wavy green ridges of the Low Beskids. On a clear day, you can spot the Tatra Mountains.

Ferdel, 648 meters above sea level. Lookout tower at the top.
Ferdel, 648 meters above sea level. Lookout tower at the top.
Ferdel. View from the tower to the southwest
Ferdel. View from the tower to the southwest
View from Ferdel to the West: Low Beskids, Behind Them Sądecki, and Further (on the Left) Snow-Capped Tatras
View from Ferdel to the West: Low Beskids, Behind Them Sądecki, and Further (on the Left) Snow-Capped Tatras

Other Trails to Ferdel

You can also reach Ferdel from Folusz, for example, by following the green trail along the entire ridge of Magura Wąkowska (14.5 km one way), or using shorter routes, like the black trail Folusz - Ferdel which is just 7 km, or the route from Folusz via the yellow trail to Kornuty, then green: 10.5 km. You can also reach Ferdel from the village of Rozdziele - blue trail to green (just under 4 km, 300 m elevation difference) and from Bartne (yellow trail to Kornuty and then green (8 km, almost 400 m elevation difference).

Trail Intersection Below the Viewing Tower on Ferdel
Trail Intersection Below the Viewing Tower on Ferdel
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More in the Region Beskid Niski (Mountain range of the Low Beskids (Beskid Niski))