From Piwniczna Zdr贸j to Eliasz贸wka via Niemcowa

Nearby: Nowy S膮cz
Medium - For young hikers, steep sections possible
straighten  Distance 14.9km
timer Time 6h 9min
north_east Ascents 973m
south_east Descents 328m
Elevation Profile:
max 1146 m min 373 m
terrain  The slope of the terrain
wb_sunny  Route in the sun
restaurant  Restaurant or bar nearby
directions_car  Access by car
directions_bus  Can be reached by bus
train  Access by train possible

The trail from Piwniczna Zdr贸j through Niemcowa, Wielki Rogacz, and the scenic meadow of Litawcowa to Obidza and the tower on Eliasz贸wka is not the shortest, but it is a very scenic and diverse trail to the highest peak of the G贸r Lubowelskich Mountains. It is worth combining it into a loop with the green border trail (total distance is about 23 km, 7-8 hours of hiking, with an elevation gain of 1000 m).

Our hike will consist of several stages:

  • Yellow trail from Piwniczna Zdr贸j to Niemcowa (about 2.5-3 hours)
  • Red trail from Niemcowa to Wielki Rogacz (about 1 hour)
  • Blue trail from Wielki Rogacz to Polana Litawcowa and Obidza (about 40 minutes)
  • Green trail from Obidza to Eliasz贸wka (about 1 hour)
View from the tower on Eliasz贸wka
View from the tower on Eliasz贸wka

Yellow trail from Piwniczna Zdr贸j to Niemcowa

The first stage of our hike is to take the yellow trail to Niemcowa. The beginning of the trail can be found in the market square in Piwniczna Zdr贸j (parking area). You can also reach here by train (the train station is slightly below the market square) or by bus (bus stop in the market square).

From the center of Piwniczna Zdr贸j, we climb through field roads (sometimes cobblestone, sometimes concrete slabs) through scenic meadows and higher located buildings. Behind us, we will have increasingly beautiful views of Kicarz:

Yellow Trail Piwniczna Zdr贸j - Kamienny Gro艅 - Niemcowa. View of Kicarz
Yellow Trail Piwniczna Zdr贸j - Kamienny Gro艅 - Niemcowa. View of Kicarz

On our left side (from the south), on the other side of the Czercz stream, the Lubowelskie Mountains with Eliasz贸wka will appear - the goal of our expedition!

Yellow Trail Piwniczna Zdr贸j - Kamienny Gro艅 - Niemcowa
Yellow Trail Piwniczna Zdr贸j - Kamienny Gro艅 - Niemcowa

An interesting place along the yellow trail is the "Jackowa Po艣ciel" mountain memorial. It is reached by a well-marked side path (about 5-10 minutes from the trail):

Valley of Mountain People
Valley of Mountain People's Memory "Jackowa Po艣ciel"

One of the most beautiful viewpoints along the way will be a meadow with a chapel (benches, tables). From here, we will see the majestic Jaworzyna Krynicka Range rising on the other side of the Poprad Valley.

Chapel and viewpoint on the yellow trail Piwniczna Zdr贸j - Niemcowa.
Chapel and viewpoint on the yellow trail Piwniczna Zdr贸j - Niemcowa.

You can find more photos and a detailed description of this section of the route here:

Yellow Trail from Piwniczna Zdr贸j to Niemcowa

Medium
directions_walk

Yellow Trail from Piwniczna Zdr贸j to Niemcowa

max 980 m min 373 m
straighten 6.1km
timer 3h 3min
north_east 616m
south_east 10m

From Niemcowa to Wielki Rogacz on the red trail

After about 2.5-3 hours of climbing on the yellow trail, we reach its end at the berry-filled meadow of Niemcowa. This place (or rather the meadow just below the place where we are) is associated with an interesting story about the mountain school above the clouds >>>

Niemcowa - intersection of the red and yellow trails
Niemcowa - intersection of the red and yellow trails

From Niemcowa, we continue our journey - this time guided by red markers. This section of the trail is an easy walk through the forest. The wide forest road gently ascends towards the summit of Wielki Rogacz:

Red trail from Rytro to Radziejowa, section between Niemcowa and Wielki Rogacz. Photo by Krzysiek
Red trail from Rytro to Radziejowa, section between Niemcowa and Wielki Rogacz. Photo by Krzysiek

Wielki Rogacz - Polana Litawcowa - Obidza

Just below the summit of Wielki Rogacz, at Prze艂臋cz Obrazek, there is a junction of trails: the red trail continues towards Radziejowa, while we turn left following the blue markers towards Obidza.

Trail junction under Wielki Rogacz. Photo by Krzysiek
Trail junction under Wielki Rogacz. Photo by Krzysiek

Soon, we will descend to the incredibly scenic Polana Litawcowa - offering one of the most beautiful views of the High Tatras!

Tatra Mountains from Obidza, Litawcowa meadow
Tatra Mountains from Obidza, Litawcowa meadow

From Polana Litawcowa, we reach another junction of trails at Prze艂臋cz Gromadzka. If we need a longer rest (and a meal), we can descend to the hamlet of Obidza, where the private shelter "Chata Obidza" operates.

Obidza - Prze艂臋cz Gromadzka - Eliasz贸wka (1024 m above sea level)

The final stage of our trip is a peaceful ascent through the forest to the summit of Eliasz贸wka (about 1 hour).

Trail from Obidza to Eliasz贸wka
Trail from Obidza to Eliasz贸wka

At the summit, a small observation tower awaits us, offering a panorama of the surroundings:

View from the tower on Eliasz贸wka - part of the panorama is limited by tall trees
View from the tower on Eliasz贸wka - part of the panorama is limited by tall trees

You can read more about Eliasz贸wka, the tower, the views, and other routes leading to the summit in this article:

Eliasz贸wka Peak (1024 m) - trail map, views from the tower

Eliasz贸wka Peak (1024 m) - trail map, views from the tower

All trails to the observation tower on Eliasz贸wka! ...

...and back to Piwniczna-Zdr贸j

The return along the same route (through Polana Litawcowa, Wielki Rogacz, and Niemcowa) will take about 4 hours.

However, we can also descend to Piwniczna Zdr贸j by a shorter route: the green scenic ridge trail (the descent takes about 2 hours).

Eliasz贸wka - green, border trail from Piwniczna-Zdr贸j

Medium
directions_walk

Eliasz贸wka - green, border trail from Piwniczna-Zdr贸j

max 1019 m min 370 m
straighten 8.0km
timer 3h 47min
north_east 716m
south_east 70m

If the weather deteriorates or darkness catches up with us, it is safest to descend to Obidza (about 50 minutes) and then take the asphalt road to Piwniczna Zdr贸j (about 2.5 hours).

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