Stryszawa Matusy - Jałowiec, loop

Nearby: Sucha Beskidzka
Medium - For young hikers, steep sections possible
straighten  Distance 12.7km
timer Time 4h 54min
north_east Ascents 693m
south_east Descents 689m
Elevation Profile: max 1108 m min 518 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

Jałowiec is a not very high and not too difficult to reach peak with a beautiful scenic meadow. It is located in the Żywiec Beskids (or formerly Makowski). We can get here, for example, by taking the green trail from Stryszawa and make a short and easy loop around the village.

Start of the green trail to Jałowiec - Stryszawa Matusy

The green trail crosses the road right next to the Stryszawa Matusy bus stop.

Start of the green trail in Stryszawa
Start of the green trail in Stryszawa

There is a small bay here (for 3-4 cars). A designated parking lot is located near the Sisters of the Resurrection Monastery, but it is marked as "private property" - perhaps it is possible to arrange something?

Sisters of the Resurrection Monastery in Stryszawa - Siwcówce
Sisters of the Resurrection Monastery in Stryszawa - Siwcówce

Initially (10-15 minutes), we climb the asphalt road to the wooden building - the Zmarwychwastanek Monastery. Right next to it is a memorial room dedicated to Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński.

Once we enter the forest, it becomes steep...

From Stryszawa to Przełęcz Kolędówki - forest ascent
From Stryszawa to Przełęcz Kolędówki - forest ascent

Don't be discouraged! This won't be a long stretch, and after about half an hour, we will reach the scenic Przełęcz Kolędówki.

Przełęcz Kolędówka - views!

After the forest climb, we reach Przełęcz Kolędówka above Zawoja. Here awaits us a view of the Queen of the Beskids: Babia Góra. At this point, we switch from the green trail (which descends to Zawoja) to the yellow trail.

Przełęcz Kolędówki - view of Babia Góra
Przełęcz Kolędówki - view of Babia Góra

From Przełęcz Kolędówka to Przełęcz Opaczne

Now, we follow the yellow trail, a comfortable wide forest road along the ridge until we reach the next pass: Opaczne. Our hiking destination, the summit of Jałowiec, is very close now!

Przełęcz Opaczne, view of Jałowiec summit
Przełęcz Opaczne, view of Jałowiec summit

There is a small (marked on the map) private shelter called "W murowanej piwnicy" (In the Masonry Basement). A few years ago, we visited it (we even have a stamp). Unfortunately, in May 2022, it was closed, with signs removed... If anything changes, let us know!

However, the views from Przełęcz Opaczne of Policę, Mosorny Groń, and Babia Góra always amaze:

Przełęcz Opaczne: view of the Policy Range, Mosorny Groń, and Babia Góra
Przełęcz Opaczne: view of the Policy Range, Mosorny Groń, and Babia Góra

Yellow trail from Przełęcz Opaczne to Jałowiec

This is the final ascent (about 30-40 minutes). The stone path rises through a beech forest. On the right, there are glimpses of the hills, along the slopes of which we will return to Stryszawa.

Ascent to Jałowiec from Przełęcz Opaczne
Ascent to Jałowiec from Przełęcz Opaczne

Jałowiec 1111 m above sea level - summit and views

At the top, a scenic meadow called Hala Trzebuńska awaits us. A description of the wide panorama can be found on a board near the shelter.

Jałowiec, 1111 meters above sea level
Jałowiec, 1111 meters above sea level
View from the top of Jałowiec: Pilsko "under the clouds", and behind it Rysianka and Romanka
View from the top of Jałowiec: Pilsko "under the clouds", and behind it Rysianka and Romanka

From Jałowiec through Wsiórz to Stryszawa Matusy

We can return to the starting point by the same path or make a loop. Instead of going back, we continue on the blue trail towards Lachowice. Initially, we encounter a rather steep descent through a beech forest.

Descent from Jałowiec on the blue trail towards Stryszawa
Descent from Jałowiec on the blue trail towards Stryszawa

If we have had enough, we can turn from the blue trail onto the yellow trail - this is the fastest way back to Stryszawa.

Blue trail from Jałowiec to Stryszawa - departure from the yellow trail
Blue trail from Jałowiec to Stryszawa - departure from the yellow trail

If we are not in a hurry, we recommend sticking to the blue trail and descending through the Roztoka stream valley.

Blue trail Jałowiec - Stryszawa: streams in the valley
Blue trail Jałowiec - Stryszawa: streams in the valley

Attention! At the point where the trail with red houses on a white background joins us, we can turn left for a moment and see the ruins of a border guard station from the time of World War II (the border between the Third Reich and the General Government passed through here).

Then, we walk along a forest path through a beautiful beech forest, full of backwaters, marshes, and forest ponds.

Blue trail Jałowiec - Stryszawa: forest ponds and backwaters
Blue trail Jałowiec - Stryszawa: forest ponds and backwaters

We basically continue straight all the time, with a small hill waiting for us before reaching the green trail.

Green trail to Stryszawa Matusy
Green trail to Stryszawa Matusy

Now, the trail leads us along a village road to a hamlet with an interesting name: Wsiórz.

Ridge walk - Stryszawa, Wsiórz
Ridge walk - Stryszawa, Wsiórz

On the right, we enjoy views of the Jałowiec Range, behind which Babia Góra can be seen.

In the hamlet of Wsiórz, the green trail turns downhill towards Stryszawa Matusy.

We pass by a chapel, cross a meadow and a forest, and arrive at the starting point of the trail: the Stryszawa Matusy bus stop.

Chapel at the descent of the green trail to Stryszawa Matusy
Chapel at the descent of the green trail to Stryszawa Matusy
Descent on the green trail to Stryszawa Matusy: Jałowiec Range and the peaks of Policy and Diablak (Babia Góra)
Descent on the green trail to Stryszawa Matusy: Jałowiec Range and the peaks of Policy and Diablak (Babia Góra)

PS. Nature Trail in Stryszawa

By following the described route, we will pass through most of the Cardinal S. Wyszyński Nature Trail (by taking the shortcut with the yellow trail, we will walk the entire trail). Therefore, we will come across information boards and benches along the way.

Stryszawa: Cardinal S. Wyszyński Nature Trail
Stryszawa: Cardinal S. Wyszyński Nature Trail

While in Stryszawa, don't forget to visit the extraordinary museum:

Stryszawa: Beskid Wooden Toy Center

Stryszawa: Beskid Wooden Toy Center

The Best Toy Museum? One where we can play! ...And even literally "enter the world of toys": Beskid C ...

Other trails to Jałowiec:

Jałowiec - Trails and Loops

Jałowiec - Trails and Loops

Jałowiec (1111 m above sea level) is a peak located on the border of the Silesian and Lesser Poland Voivodeships, belonging to the Żywiec Beskids (or Maków Beskids). ...

PS. This route has been included in our ranking of the "TOP 5 Żywiec Beskids - most beautiful scenic trails". Would you like to know the others?

TOP 5 Żywiec Beskid - the most beautiful scenic trails

TOP 5 Żywiec Beskid - the most beautiful scenic trails

Beskid Żywiecki is a mountain range on the border of Silesian and Lesser Poland Voivodeships, known for its scenic meadows and expansive panoramas. Which trails should you choose for hiking in the Żywiec Beskid? ...

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