Guides
Trails from Zawoja – on foot and by bike
Three ranges around the valley and 22.5 km of singletrack, one place to start from. We answer the questions we hear at reception most often.
Introduction
Zawoja sits where three ranges meet: Babia Góra, Polica and Jałowiec. That is a rare thing – from one place to stay you can reach both the highest peak in the Polish Beskids and routes where you will not meet anyone for half a day.
Below are the answers to the questions we get at reception more often than any others. The trail towards Babia Góra starts right by the hotel; for the others you drive anything from a few minutes to a quarter of an hour.
Question 1
Which way up Babia Góra?
The standard route starts at the Krowiarki pass and takes 2–3 hours one way. The alternative: the route past the PTTK mountain hut at Markowe Szczawiny.
Babia Góra rises to 1725 m and its highest point is called Diablak. The whole massif lies in Babia Góra National Park, which UNESCO has put on its list of biosphere reserves. The climb from Krowiarki is shorter because the pass is already high up – but you have to drive there. You will not reach it on foot from the hotel.
The route past Markowe Szczawiny is longer and spread across the day. It does have one advantage: the hut is a fixed point where you can sit down, eat, see what the weather is doing higher up and decide without hurrying whether to carry on. When visibility is good you can see the Tatras from the summit.
We will say this plainly: in July, August and at weekends the main trails on Babia Góra get busy. It is the highest peak in the Polish Beskids and people come for it from all over the country.
The full page on Babia GóraQuestion 2
Where to find a quiet trail?
In the Jałowiec range or on Polica. Even in season you come across empty trails there, and the views are yours alone.
The Jałowiec range
- Jałowiec – 1111 m
- Lachów Groń – 1045 m
Gentler climbs and long stretches through forest. Good for a day when you do not feel like fighting the mountain and just want to walk.
The Polica range
- Polica – 1369 m
- Okrąglica – 1239 m
High up and full of views, with far fewer people than on the massif next door. If you want the panorama without the crowd – this is the direction.
The rule we repeat to guests: Babia Góra for the trophy, Jałowiec and Polica for the quiet. Both make sense – you just need to know which of the two you came for.
Question 3
Which trail with a child?
A short one with little height gain – the colour of a trail says nothing about how hard it is, so look at the walking time and the climb. Around here the lower parts of the Jałowiec range work well.
When you plan a route with a child, choose one you can cut short halfway – then a change of plan does not end in tears. Take more water and snacks than seems necessary, and add a generous margin to the walking time: children walk at their own pace and stop at every stone, and that is fine.
If the weather lets you down, turning back is not a defeat. Back at the hotel there are the pool, open from 6:00, the playroom and the bowling alley in the club on level −1.
Trail colours – what they mean
Red
The main route of the region – the most important one, usually along a ridge. The colour says nothing about how hard it is.
Blue
A long-distance route – long stretches that link places far apart.
Green
A route leading to a landmark – a summit, a mountain hut, a pass.
Yellow
A connecting route – it ties the others together and comes in handy when you plan a loop.
Question 4
And by bike – where to?
Close to the hotel there are 22.5 km of singletrack on the Babia Góra Trails, plus practice trails for beginners and a pump track. The trails usually open for the long weekend at the start of May and run through the season.
Singletrack is a narrow path through the forest, wide enough for one rider – you ride it differently from a forest road: slower, with more attention and without the crowd. Descriptions of the individual routes and the maps are kept at babiagoratrails.com.
If you would rather have the descent without the climb, it is 3.5 km to Mosorny Groń: the PKL chairlift carries you and the bike to the top, and the Bike Park trails bring you down. Mountain and electric bikes, helmets and child seats are at the rental by the hotel.
A bike from the rental
Mountain and electric – an e-bike has a range of 40–70 km on one charge, comfortably enough for a day in the valley.
RentalThe Bike Park on Mosorny Groń
3.5 km from the hotel. The chairlift up, downhill trails back down – races are held here.
Mosorny GrońQuestion 5
What to take on the trail?
Boots over the ankle, a windproof jacket, a warm layer, water and food. You can borrow trekking poles from us free or for a token charge.
The ridges of the Żywiec Beskids are windy for most of the year, and the difference in temperature between the valley and the summit can catch you out in any month. Even on a hot day it is worth having something long-sleeved in the rucksack.
Gear from the rental
Trekking and Nordic walking poles, and in winter crampons and snowshoes – all at the Jawor rental by the hotel.
RentalFood for the way
Ask about food for the trail at breakfast or at reception – we prepare it under our own label, Górski Prowiant, our packed mountain provisions. It is best to tell us in advance.
Question 6
Are the trails open all year?
Yes. Only the gear changes: in winter you need crampons on the icy sections and snowshoes on fresh snow. We have both at the rental.
A winter day in the mountains is short, so plan to be back before dusk and set off earlier than a summer habit suggests. Before you go, check the forecast and the current notices from Babia Góra National Park – in winter, conditions on the ridge change fast.
We do not run guided walks, but reception is open around the clock and knows the current conditions: +48 33 877 51 98.
Guide: Zawoja in winterA really good trip. The spa after walking in the mountains is the thing. Very comfortable, clean, friendly staff, a spa complex with a pool.
In brief
Frequently asked questions
Descriptions of the individual routes, maps and news from the trails are on our Zawoja site.
zawoja-atrakcje.pl What is the best way up Babia Góra?
The standard route starts at the Krowiarki pass and takes 2–3 hours one way; you have to drive up to the pass. The other option goes past the PTTK mountain hut at Markowe Szczawiny – it is longer, but the hut gives you a natural place to rest and somewhere to sit out the weather.
Where is there a quiet trail around Zawoja?
In the Jałowiec range and on Polica. Jałowiec is 1111 m, Lachów Groń 1045 m, Polica 1369 m and Okrąglica 1239 m. There are far fewer people there than on Babia Góra – even in season you come across empty trails, and the views are usually yours alone.
Which trail should I choose with a child?
Pick routes with little height gain and a short climb – the lower parts of the Jałowiec range work well, and so does the walk towards the boundary of Babia Góra National Park. The colour of a trail says nothing about how hard it is, so judge a route by the height gain and the walking time. Plan one you can cut short halfway, and take more water than seems necessary.
Where can I ride a bike in Zawoja?
Close to the hotel there are 22.5 km of Babia Góra Trails singletrack, plus practice trails for beginners and a pump track; the trails usually open for the long weekend at the start of May and run through the season. If you would rather have the descent without the climb, it is 3.5 km to Mosorny Groń – the PKL chairlift carries you and the bike to the top, and the Bike Park trails bring you down. You can hire mountain and electric bikes, helmets and child seats at the Jawor rental by the hotel.
What should I take on a trail in the Żywiec Beskids?
Boots over the ankle, a windproof jacket, a warm layer and a hat – the ridges are windy for most of the year. Add water, food and trekking poles, which you can borrow from us free or for a token charge. In winter add crampons or snowshoes.
Are the trails around Zawoja open in winter?
Yes, the trails are open all year round. In winter they call for different gear: crampons on the icy sections, snowshoes on fresh snow. You can hire both at the Jawor rental by the hotel. The day in the mountains is shorter then – plan to be back before dusk.
The trail starts right by the hotel
Book direct – trekking poles from the rental, provisions for the way and a sauna when you get back.
