Mount Wdżar through the quarry and Papal Gorge
Nearby: Nowy Targ| Distance | 0.8km |
|---|---|
| Time | 31min |
| Ascents | 132m |
| Descents | 7m |
Elevation Profile:
warning Difficulties for parents with a toddler in a baby carrier
beach_access Route in the shade
restaurant Restaurant or bar nearby
directions_car Access by car
The Papal Gorge is a short but very interesting and beautiful trail leading to the scenic peak of Mount Wdżar. Attention! The trail requires climbing on rocks, which can be both an attraction and a difficulty for less experienced hikers. We do not recommend going to the Papal Gorge during rain or in winter as it can be very slippery and dangerous.
Mount Wdżar is one of the most developed peaks in the Gorcys. Throughout the year, you can reach its summit by chairlift, bike, or on foot via a wide access road from Przełę or Snozka. If you're looking for something more interesting, we recommend taking the picturesque Papal Gorge route to Wdżar!
Papal Gorge - Mount Wdżar
You can find the entrance to the gorge near the lower station of the Czorsztyn Ski lifts in Kluszkowce (see the map in the article header), and there is parking available. You will recognize the start of the trail by a large rock wall and informational signs:
Route to Wdżar through the quarry
These gray rocks are andesite, a volcanic igneous rock that was extracted from the local quarry for many years and used in construction (you can see it, for example, in the courtyard of the Dunajec Castle in Niedzica).
Papal Altar and educational trail
The first stop on the trail is the outdoor altar, commemorating Cardinal Karol Wojtyła's visit to Kluszkowce in the summer of 1978. He celebrated Mass for the Oasis groups on the meadows at the foot of the gorge. Today, you will see many plaques commemorating both the event and the figure of Pope John Paul II (mostly enlarged archival photographs).
The educational trail through the Papal Gorge was established in 2011, 33 years after that important event for the locality. Near the altar, you will also find a drinking water spring.
Chains in the Papal Gorge on Mount Wdżar
From the altar, we climb up narrow rocky stairs. Soon, they will no longer be "stairs" but regular rocks, where chains have been installed for safety.
At the top of our climb, there is a mini observation terrace overlooking a steep rock wall:
and a "witness of history" left by the miners - a partially carved rock block:
While climbing the rocks of the gorge, it is worth paying attention to the vegetation in this corner. It turns out that the andesite substrate favors the occurrence of rare plant species, such as the brown spleenwort - the only known location of this fern in Poland.
Wdżar, Papal Gorge, and viewpoint
Right after leaving the forest, beautiful scenic meadows open up in front of us, with a panorama to the south: Lake Czorsztyn and the Tatra Mountains. It is much quieter and more peaceful here than on the summit of Mount Wdżar, which is just 5 minutes above this place.
Ps. Make sure to also visit the summit! It is worth seeing even wider views from there, learning the legend of the Gorc dragon and Gorc sodomy, and checking if your compasses succumb to the famous anomaly and... go crazy!
Easy
Góra Wdżar
Ps. You can return to Kluszkowce using the same trail. If you are afraid of descending steep rocks, you can also take the chairlift down or descend the wide road first to the pass between Wdżar and Luban (inn), and then head left towards the lower ski lift stations.
Publish Date: 2023-09-21
More in the Region Gorce (Gorce)
Total Length 149 km
