Skip to content
Getaway

Trekking in Beskid Żywiecki

Śląskie·Poland

Trekking in Beskid Żywiecki

Photo: Pudelek · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

~3 days

Why go

Beskid Żywiecki is the highest and wildest of the Silesian ranges, a chain of big rounded summits above the treeline with the Slovak border crest running between them. Pilsko rises above dwarf pine and alpine meadows, and hut-to-hut walking along the main ridge feels properly remote.

When

In season: May–Oct · Peak: Jun–Sep

Who it’s for

Skill
Intermediate–Advanced
Effort
Moderate
Suitable from
10+ · Kid+
Crowds
Quiet
Cost
$

Trekking specifics

Distance
22 km
Total ascent
1100 m
Max altitude
1557 m
Accommodation
Mountain huts at Rysianka and Hala Miziowa
Technical
Rough paths on open summits

What to expect

Longer days with real ascent, open summits exposed to the weather, and some of the best mountain huts in Poland at Rysianka and Hala Miziowa. The Wielka Racza border traverse is a full, demanding day.

Routes

What the difficulty bands mean
moderate
Sustained effort or some exposure; comfort on the terrain expected.
hard
Long, technical or serious — experience and the right conditions required.

  1. Pilsko

    moderate

    The second-highest summit in the Polish Beskids, open above the treeline

  2. Rysianka and Lipowska

    moderate

    Hut to hut on the main crest

  3. Wielka Racza ridge

    hard

    Long border traverse with Slovakia

How to start

Base in Korbielów, Żabnica or Rajcza. Climb Pilsko from Korbielów via Hala Miziowa, then walk the main crest hut to hut over Rysianka and Lipowska.

What else is in Śląskie

Mountain biking in SzczyrkMountain biking3 trails
Duration
2 days
Kids
Teen+
Cost
$$$
Permit
Not needed
Crowd
Steady

Mountain biking in Szczyrk

Poland

Gondola-served enduro descents on Skrzyczne, the most developed bike park in Poland.

Skill · Intermediate–Expert
Urban exploration in ZabrzeUrban exploration
Duration
1 day
Kids
Kid+
Cost
$$
Permit
Not needed
Crowd
Steady

Urban exploration in Zabrze

Poland

Guided trips deep underground in a historic Silesian coal mine, down to level 320.

Skill · Beginner–Intermediate
Paragliding in Góra ŻarParagliding3 routes
Duration
2 days
Kids
Teen+
Cost
$$$
Permit
Not needed
Crowd
Steady

Paragliding in Góra Żar

Poland

The busiest flying site in Poland, with a funicular to the launch and a reservoir below.

Skill · Beginner–Expert

Trekking elsewhere

Trekking in PreikestolenTrekking
Duration
Flexible
Kids
Kid+
Cost
$$$
Permit
Not needed
Crowd
Busy

Trekking in Preikestolen

Norway

The single most photographed viewpoint in Norway.

Skill · Beginner–Intermediate
Trekking in The Three PassesTrekking4 routes
Epic
Duration
10d–19d
Kids
Adults only
Cost
$$$
Permit
Required
Crowd
Steady

Trekking in The Three Passes

Nepal

Eighteen days in the Khumbu taking the high circuit rather than the base camp highway.

Skill · Advanced–Expert
Trekking in Grand CanyonTrekking4 routes
Epic
Duration
4 days
Kids
Teen+
Cost
$$
Permit
Required
Crowd
Busy

Trekking in Grand Canyon

United States

Walking rim to rim across the Grand Canyon, down a mile of rock layers to the Colorado River and up the other side.

Skill · Intermediate–Advanced

New adventures, now and then

A short note when a batch of places worth the trip goes up. No spam, no operators, unsubscribe anytime.