The shortest trail to Czantoria from Ustroń Polana

Nearby: Bielsko-Biała
Medium - For young hikers, steep sections possible
straighten  Distance 3.3km
timer Time 2h 22min
north_east Ascents 617m
south_east Descents 3m
Elevation Profile: max 995 m min 382 m
terrain  The slope of the terrain
beach_access  Route in the shade
restaurant  Restaurant or bar nearby
directions_car  Access by car
directions_bus  Can be reached by bus
train  Access by train possible
miniaturka

The red trail from Ustroń to Czantoria (995 m above sea level) is the shortest walking route to this majestic peak in the Silesian Beskids. Here, you can find a lookout tower, dining facilities, and the opportunity for further hiking towards Mała Czantoria or Soszów, Cieślar and Stożek.

Table of Contents
Red trail Ustroń Polana - Wielka Czantoria. Polana Stokłosica
Red trail Ustroń Polana - Wielka Czantoria. Polana Stokłosica

Start of the red trail to Czantoria in Ustroń

The red trail to Wielka Czantoria starts right next to the PKP Ustroń Polana station. You can also access it from the lower chairlift station (where you will find many paid and free parking spots).

Ustroń Polana train station and signpost to the lower lift station to Czantoria
Ustroń Polana train station and signpost to the lower lift station to Czantoria

As is usually the case with the shortest and fastest trails: unfortunately, they are not the easiest... Choosing the red trail to Czantoria, we must prepare for a steep and tiring climb. The path leads us along the ski slope: first along its edge, then through the forest next to the slope.

Red trail from Ustroń Polana to Czantoria
Red trail from Ustroń Polana to Czantoria
Red trail from Ustroń Polana to Czantoria
Red trail from Ustroń Polana to Czantoria

Polana Stokłosica - upper chairlift station

After overcoming a height difference of about 460 m over a distance of 2.5 km, which will take us about 1.5 hours, a moment of rest awaits us at the upper station of the chairlift to Czantoria at Polana Stokłosica. Here, we can take advantage of snack bars, ice cream, and drinks, sit on the scenic meadows and enjoy the panorama of the Beskid hills. You can even use the

Chairlift to Czantoria - view from the red trail to the east
Chairlift to Czantoria - view from the red trail to the east
Upper chairlift station on Czantoria at Polana Stokłosica
Upper chairlift station on Czantoria at Polana Stokłosica
Polana Stokłosica - panorama description
Polana Stokłosica - panorama description

Knight's Path and knight's legend on Czantoria

Heading from Polana Stokłosica towards the summit (still on the red trail) it's worth stopping at the board with the legend of knights sleeping in the caves of Czantoria. Like the army hidden under Giewont, they will also wake up when the Silesians need their help.

Legend about Czantoria and sleeping knights
Legend about Czantoria and sleeping knights

To the top of Czantoria

The last section of our trail is a pleasant forest walk. Of course, we are still ascending, but the comfortable wide path climbs to the top calmly, without steep ascents.

Red trail from the upper chairlift station on Polana Stokłosica towards the top of Czantoria
Red trail from the upper chairlift station on Polana Stokłosica towards the top of Czantoria

Czantoria, 995 m above sea level - lookout tower

After about 30 min. from Polana Stokłosica (and after about 2 hours from the start of the trail in Ustroń Polana) we will reach the top of Czantoria. Here, we will find snack bars and souvenir stands, and most importantly, a lookout tower. There is an entrance fee to the tower, but it's definitely worth climbing it to enjoy the panoramas in all four directions!

Great Czantoria, 995 m above sea level - observation tower at the top
Great Czantoria, 995 m above sea level - observation tower at the top
View from the tower on Czantoria to the southwest
View from the tower on Czantoria to the southwest

Koliba and Chata on Czantoria

From the summit and the lookout tower, a wide forest road descends north towards the Czech Chata on Czantoria and the Polish Koliba on Czantoria. These places, located about 1 km from the tower, offer simple lunch dishes, souvenirs, stamps.

Czech shelter on Wielka Czantoria
Czech shelter on Wielka Czantoria

Czantoria - what's next?

Firstly, we can return to Ustroń the same way (the descent on the red trail will take us about 1 hour. We can also descend to Ustroń Poniwiec on the blue trail. This route will be slightly longer (about 5 km, 1:15 min., but not as steep.

We can also head north and descend via the summit of Mała Czantoria on the yellow trail to the PKP Ustroń Zdrój station (from the summit of Czantoria it's 9 km, 2.5 hours).

Another idea is to walk along the ridge to the south towards Soszów (shelter), Cieślar and Stożek (another shelter):

Walking along the ridge: Czantoria - Soszów - Stożek

Medium
directions_walk

Walking along the ridge: Czantoria - Soszów - Stożek

Profil wysokości
straighten 9.2km
timer 3h 22min
north_east 431m
south_east 473m

Czantoria - facts and trivia

You can find more about the attractions waiting for us at the top of Czantoria, views from the top and the tower, other trails to the top and a whole lot of trivia about this place in this article:

Czantoria - trails, observation tower and shelter

Czantoria - trails, observation tower and shelter

The Great Czantoria (995 m above sea level) may not be the highest, but it is one of the most popular peaks in the Silesian Beskids. Thanks to the cable car, it is very easily accessible, and from the terrace of the observation tower, there is a beautiful view of the surroundings and neighboring Beskid ranges. On a clear day, you can also see the Tatra Mountains and the picturesque Slovak Little Fatra. ...

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