Hikes and trails
Breathe in the mountain air and explore the peaceful and charming Beskids, from short walks to longer hikes. The trails cover a variety of terrain for all experience levels and will take you through green forests and open spaces with beautiful views of never-ending mountains.
Bielsko-Biała, being surrounded by the Beskids, is a perfect base to combine nature exploration with the city comforts. There are many hikes and leisurely strolls easily accessible from the city centre that you can do in a day. Use our list below for a quick reference.
Perhaps you want to further explore the mountains? There are plenty of trails that can take you from one peak to another and keep you busy for days. Visit the Tourist Information Centre for maps of trails or hire a licensed mountain guide that will introduce you to the secrets of the Beskids.
The below recommended hikes lie within Bielsko-Biała’s borders. They are easily accessible by the city public transportation and are great introduction to the Beskid Mountains.
Trail signage
The trails are well marked with signs painted on the trees and with arrows set at the crossroads. Large boards with maps of the terrain and routes are located at the trailheads and in front of the mountain shelters. There are five colours of hiking trails in the Polish mountains: red, blue, yellow, black and green, and they don’t necessary indicate the level of difficulty.
“Bielsko-Biala – The city in the Mountains”. Video by Nad Dachami, Szymon Prus IT
Szyndzielnia (1026m)
If there is a mountain that symbolize Bielsko-Biała, it must be Szyndzielnia. It stands proudly above the city, it’s easily visible from the centre and it’s easily accessible by the Szyndzielnia cable car or moderate hike.
The Szyndzielnia’s Mountain Hostel build just below the peak in 1897 dominates the whole area. Other attractions include: a small ski lift, a rockery with local and alpine plants, and a recently built 18 meters high observation tower with great views over the surrounding mountains, the city and even the Tatra Mountains on a clear day. During the weekends and on holidays, the place can be crowded, but otherwise it’s a great destination to enjoy mulled wine during the winter or sunbaths in the summer.
Szyndzielnia by cable car
It only takes 6 minutes to get to the height of 956 meters of the Upper Cable Car Station. From there, it should take you no more than 10 minutes to reach the Szyndzielnia’s Mountain Hostel.
How to get there: take bus no. 8 from the city centre (e.g. opp. Hotel President) and get off at the last bus stop. Follow the signs and walk up for about 5 minutes until you reach the Lower Cable Car Station.
Open: from May till August the cable car runs from 9am till 7.30pm, while in the other months from 10am till 5.30pm.
Tickets: tickets are available at the ticket office located inside the Lower Cable Car Station. You can buy a one way ticket or return.
SZyndzielnia - walk
From bus stop (no.8) to Szyndzielnia
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
- Hiking time: 1 hour 45 min one way
- Trail colour: blue joins red
- Trailhead: last bus stop of bus no. 8.
From Dębowiec to Szyndzielnia
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
- Hiking time: 1 hour 45 min one way
- Trail colour: green or red
- Trailhead: Dębowiec
From Cygański Las to Szyndzielnia
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
- Hiking time: 2 hour 30 min one way
- Trail colour: yellow
- Trailhead: Cygański Las; last bus stop of bus no. 1
From Wapienica to Szyndzielnia
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
- Hiking time: 2 hours one way
- Trail colour: yellow
- Trailhead: Wapienica Zapora, last bus stop of bus no. 16
Further trails from Szyndzielnia
Klimczok – time: 45 min, trail colour: red and yellow
Błatnia – time: 1 hour 30 min, trail colour: yellow
Przełęcz Salmopolska through Klimczok – time: 4 hours, trail colour: red
Kozia Góra (683m)
Kozia Góra (Eng. Goat’s Mountain) is one of the most popular destinations due to its easy and pleasant trail that cuts through forest. The peak is 683m high and it host an early 20th century mountain hostel called Stefanka with a simple bistro inside. There are also a playground and picnic area. On the way, you will have a chance to see remains of an old toboggan run, which once was the longest in Europe.
Kozia góra - walk
From Cygański Las to Kozia Góra
- Difficulty level: easy
- Hiking time: 1 hour 15 min one way
- Trail colour: firstly yellow, then blue
- Trailhead: Cygański Las; last bus stop of bus no. 1
From Błonia to Kozia Góra
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
- Hiking time: 1 hour one way
- Trail color: green
- Trailhead: Mikuszowice Błonia, behind the Hotel na Błoniach; last bus stop of bus no. 24, then 10 min. walk towards the hotel.
Further trails from Kozia Góra
Szyndzielnia – 1.5 hour, trail colour: blue and then yellow
Bystra Górna – 30 min, trail colour: blue and then red
Klimczok (1117m)
Klimczok is visited for fantastic views of the peaks of the Beskids, and even Tatra’s Mountains if the weather is right. It’s also a crossroad of a few trails. It has a small ski lift running in the winter and grassy field in the summer. On the opposite hill, there is the Klimczok Mountain Hostel, where you can grab a bite and rest.
Klimczok - Walk
From Szyndzielnia to Klimczok
- Difficulty level: easy
- Hiking time: 45 min one way
- Trail colour: yellow, or red that goes directly to the Klimczok Mountain Hostel
- Trail-head: Szyndzielnia
Further trails from Klimczok
Bystra Wilkowice – 2 hours, trail colour: blue
Klimczok Mountain Hostel – 15 min
Błatnia – 1 hour 30 min, trail colour: yellow
Błatnia (917m)
Lovely peaceful peak with one of the most beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The trails lead through forest areas and glades. The Błatnia Mountain Hostel is a pleasant place to rest and eat.
BŁATNIA WALK
From Wapienica to Błatnia
- Difficulty level: moderate
- Hiking time: 2 hours one way
- Trail color: firstly blue, then yellow
- Trailhead: Wapienica Zapora, last bus stop of bus no. 16, then go back around 300m to reach the trailhead
From Klimczok to Błatnia
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
- Hiking time: 1 hour one way
- Trail color: yellow
- Trailhead: Klimczok
Further trails from Błatnia
Brenna – 1 hour 30 min, trail colur: red, then green
Jaworze – 1 hour 45 min, trail colour: yellow
Jaworze Nałeza – 2 hours 15 min, trail color: red
Magurka (909m)
Hikes to Magurka offer a mix of forest, open spaces and great views. The peak host a mountain hostel that served tourists from the early 20th century. Magurka is also known to have great paths for cross-country skiing enthusiasts.
magurka walk
From Straconka to Magurka
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
- Hiking time: 1 hour 15min one way
- Trail color: green
- Trailhead: one but last bus stop of bus no 11, then follow Górska Street
From Straconka through Rogacz to Magurka
- Difficulty level: moderate to difficult
- Hiking time: 2 hours 15min one way
- Trail color: yellow
- Trailhead: Straconka’s Church, bus no. 11, turn to Małej Straconki Street
From Mikuszowice Krakowskie to Magurka
- Difficulty level: moderate to difficult
- Hiking time: 2 hours 15min one way
- Trail color: firstly black, then red or yellow
- Trailhead: Mikuszowice Stalownik, bus no 2
From Lipnik through Przegibek to Magurka
- Difficulty level: moderate
- Hiking time: 4 hours one way
- Trail color: blue
- Trailhead: Lipnik, one but last bus stop of bus no. 6
Safety in the Beskids
Safety in the Beskids is often ignored by tourists who see these mountains as relatively low and accessible, thus not dangerous at all. However, every year the Volunteer Mountain Rescue Team (in Polish GOPR), is kept busy by tourists who require attention or help. The majority of interventions concern tourists who lost their way due to the sudden weather changes, or who got injured (often by wearing wrong shoes).
Any wildlife in the Beskids? There are numerous birds, wild boars, foxes, deer and bears in the Beskids. Chances of seeing a bear are really slim, but you might come across wild boar of deer. If you happen to see any, just slowly move away and never approach a wild boar cub, as then the mother will surely attack!
There is only one snake that you should be concerned about, that is the common viper. Avoid bushes as snakes likes them for sunbath.
If you stay on the path, you should be safe. Accidents with wild animals are virtually unheard of.
PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
– Remember that you are responsible for your own safety – before heading out check: the trail (distance, difficulty level, time needed); weather conditions; pack adequate food, water and clothing; wear proper shoes.
– Stay on maintained trails
– Leave what you find and take what you bring
– Keep wildlife wild and yourself safe, keep your dog on a leash.
– In case of EMERGENCY call GOPR 985 or +48 601 100 300