From Rytra to Niemcowa through Kordowiec
Nearby: Nowy SÄ…cz| Distance | 6.7km |
|---|---|
| Time | 3h 26min |
| Ascents | 704m |
| Descents | 69m |
Elevation Profile:
wb_sunny Route in the sun
directions_car Access by car
directions_bus Can be reached by bus
train Access by train possible
The red trail from Rytra to Niemcowa through Brzozowy Gronik and Kordowiec is a very scenic route, where we walk through beautiful meadows, fields, and forests.
Red trail from Rytra to Brzozowy Gronik
The first part of our hike (about 1 hour) is a steep climb on asphalt roads through buildings and farmland. We climb in the sun, and slowly the views of the surrounding area open up to us:
You can see more photos from this section of the trail here:
Easy
Brzozowy Gronik - viewpoint in Rytro
The first stop is worth planning at Brzozowy Gronik - it is a beautiful viewpoint!
Brzozowy Gronik - Kamienny Groń - Kordowiec
After Brzozowy Gronik, our path finally flattens out a bit, but that doesn't mean we won't be climbing anymore!
Note: even though the red trail is the "Main Beskid Trail," the markings at intersections leave much to be desired... Look for signs and markings at every road fork!
Kamienny Groń is a forest clearing that we pass through on a narrow path at the upper edge of the forest. Just beyond it, we will find Kordowiec - a former hamlet, accessible by municipal trails from Młodów (blue) and from Rytra through Obłazy Ryterskie (green).
Kordowiec - Polana Poczekaj - Niemcowa Niżna, and Psiarka
After the clearing at Kordowiec, we enter the forest again. On its edge, there is a spring, but we cannot comment on the water quality... Beyond the forest, we encounter a vast, scenic, and simply beautiful meadow of the former settlement called Poczekaj:
This is where the famous grandmother Ludwika Nowakowa, "Queen of the Mountains," lived alone, assisted by the locals. It is associated with the story of "Jackowa Pościel" - the Valley of Remembrance along the yellow trail from Piwniczna-Zdrój to Niemcowa. Today, at Poczekaj, we will find one farmhouse (difficult to say if inhabited) and one ruined farmhouse.
There is also a place for a bonfire - unfenced, it appears to be accessible to everyone:
Another ascent through the forest, and soon another meadow, this time with a large and well-maintained farm. This is Niemcowa Niżna:
Mountain "School above the clouds" and Hut on Niemcowa
The place we are in is associated with an extraordinary story about a mountain school that was located at the western edge of the Niemcowa meadow, on the so-called Psiarka, and was immortalized in the story of Maria Kownacka "School above the clouds". Today, only the stone foundations and a commemorative plaque remain.
Mountain "School above the Clouds" on Niemcowa - facts and curiosities
The mountain school on Niemcowa, known as the "School above the Clouds" from Maria Kownacka's book, was located on a meadow below the summit of Niemcowa from 1938 to 1961. It was the highest school in Poland (1026 meters above sea level). ...
Another place that has disappeared is the iconic shelter: "Hut under Niemcowa," known for its Spartan conditions but also its unique atmosphere. This place suspended its operations "indefinitely" in 2020.
Niemcowa / Trześniowy Groń 1001 m above sea level
From the Niemcowa meadow, we climb fairly steeply uphill through the forest path, passing the summit of Niemcowa on the right (963 m above sea level):
...and we reach a vast - and full of blueberries! - clearing with the peak of Trześniowy Groń (1001 m above sea level), also known as Złotułki, and labeled as "Niemcowa" on the signboard. The yellow trail from Piwniczna-Zdrój also reaches here.
...and what's next?
From Niemcowa, we can:
- return the same way to Rytra - the descent will take about 2 hours
- descend to Piwniczna-Zdrój via the yellow trail (1.5 hours, 6 km)
- continue further with the red markings to Wielki Rogacz and Radziejowa - the queen of the Beskid SÄ…decki. It's about 2 more hours from Niemcowa (4.5 km and about 350 m of elevation gain).
PS. This trail has been included in our list of the most beautiful trails in the Beskid SÄ…decki. Discover the others:
TOP 5 Beskid SÄ…decki - the most beautiful scenic trails
Beskid SÄ…decki is a long forested ridge of the Radziejowa and Jaworzyna Krynicka ranges, rising above the picturesque bends of the Poprad River. Here, you will find kilometers of hiking trails, lookout towers, and vast meadows with beautiful panoramas. Which routes offer the most stunning views? ...
Publish Date: 2023-07-18
More in the Region Beskid SÄ…decki (Beskid SÄ…decki)
Total Length 190 km
