A Feast for Mountain Lovers
If we are planning a vacation in the mountains, we must visit the Żywiec Beskids, where we will find the highest peaks in Poland, right after the Tatra Mountains. The cherry on top is Babia Góra, specifically its main peak, Diablak, which is exactly 1725 m above sea level. It is also worth seeing its sister, Little Babia Góra, which has an elevation of 1515 m above sea level. Another smaller peak of Babia Góra's ridge is Gówniak, which stands at 1617 m above sea level. A bit smaller is the peak of Pilsko, also known as Góra Pięciu Kopców (1557 m above sea level), which, according to many, is famous for its beautiful panorama, not only in the summer but especially in the winter. From its ridge, one can observe the Tatra landscape, the Orawa Beskids, Orawa Lake, and also the neighboring peaks of the Żywiec Beskids, including the already mentioned Babia Góra. Since Góra Pięciu Kopców is one of the smaller ridges, we recommend visiting it at the very beginning — if only to test your own skills.
Trails with Beautiful Views
In recent years, night hikes to the summit of Babia Góra have gained well-deserved fame, from which one can admire a beautiful sunrise. If we want to get there, but we are on vacation in the mountains with children, the shortest route is from Przełęcz Krowiarki, from where we can reach the summit via the red trail in as little as 2-3 hours. A bit longer, but safer, are the trails leading directly from Zawoja, so if we decide on them, we will need to allocate at least 4 hours to complete them.
Another peak in the Żywiec Beskids is Krawców Wierch, which has an elevation of about 1075 m above sea level, making it recommended for people with weaker fitness and children. A simple route to its summit is a pleasant yellow trail from Glinka, which takes nearly 2 hours to traverse. The path mainly goes through the forest, so we will quickly come to love this place. And when we finally step out of the forest, incredible views await us in the first moments of leaving it.
Another peak is Pilsko, which we can conquer similarly to Babia Góra. In this case, the shortest but one of the more difficult routes will be the red trail leading from the Glinne pass, which will take us about 3 hours to complete. A safer alternative is the green trail from Sopotnia, but it can also be quite challenging, although on the other hand, it is worth the effort to see the beautiful landscape. However, if we have plenty of time, are with small children, and therefore care only about safe tourism, the easy yellow route leading from Korbielów is a good option. There is a shelter along the way where we can rest.
Not Just Mountains
Hiking trails can be associated not only with the desire to reach the summit but also with learning. Therefore, in the area of Babia Góra National Park, let’s pay attention to educational paths that will help us get acquainted with the local fauna and flora. It is worth knowing that the park is home to unique vegetation, including deer fern. There is also a significant amount of endangered wildlife: capercaillies, nutcrackers, wildcats, spotted eagles, and eagle owls — so we recommend bringing cameras. Interestingly, the entire area of the park has been designated as a biosphere reserve, which means it has valuable natural resources. And if we want to take a break from conquering peaks, it is worth seeing the largest local waterfall in the Żywiec Beskids, located on the Sopotnia stream, which has a drop of as much as 15 m.
What Accommodation to Choose?
A vacation in the mountains also means regeneration, so when choosing a place to stay, we recommend Willa Jawor located in Zawoja. The facility stands out with its highlander atmosphere combined with modern standards. Additionally, there is a SPA area available to help you relax after conquering the summit. We wish you a pleasant stay!
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