Charming towns and villages, cable cars, museums, and ski slopes. Kilometers of hiking trails leading to the Beskid peaks. Forests that enchant with the scent of pine and herbs in spring and summer, and turn into golden-red hues in autumn. This is Beskid Śląski in a nutshell. What attractions are worth seeing in this region?
Exploring Ustroń and Szczyrk
These are the largest resorts in the region, next to Wisła. They offer spa facilities, hotels, promenades, and everything that holidaymakers and weary tourists might need. The most interesting attractions include the gondola lift to Czantoria from Ustroń and the chairlift to Skrzyczne from Szczyrk. For family outings, we recommend the Leśny Park Niespodzianek in Ustroń, where walking paths are adjacent to the Park of Fairy Tales and enclosures for fallow deer, deer, and wild boar. Sokolarnia is equally fascinating. There, you can see the white-tailed eagle, red kite, buzzards, kestrels, and various owl species.
A popular walking spot in Szczyrk is the promenade along the Żylica river. A pleasant resting place is St. James's Square in the center of Szczyrk. Do you like to visit sacral monuments? Be sure to see the wooden Sanctuary of St. James from the late 18th century.
For tourists who enjoy active leisure, we recommend cycling routes on the slopes of Równica in Ustroń, the cross track on Sosnowa Street in Szczyrk, as well as hiking on the Beskid trails.
Beskid Śląski - The Most Beautiful Peaks and Viewpoints
For mountain hiking enthusiasts, here are places with the most beautiful panoramas:
- Skrzyczne (1257 meters above sea level), the highest peak of the range, which can be easily reached on foot via the blue trail from Szczyrk (distance 4 km, time 2 hours and 15 minutes).
- Malinowska Skała (1152 meters above sea level), one of the easier routes is the yellow trail from the village of Ostre (distance 7 km, time 3 hours).
- The observation tower on Barania Góra, accessible via the blue trail from Lake Czerniańskie in Wisła (distance 7.5 km, time 3 hours).
- The blue scenic trail from the village of Bystra to the PTTK Klimczok shelter (distance 4.5 km, time 2 hours).
- Ochodzita Hill near Koniakow, an unmarked path from Legiery Street in Koniakow takes less than an hour.
- Błatnia (917 meters above sea level), the easiest access is via the green trail from Brenna (distance 4.5 km, time 2 hours).
- Szyndzielnia (1028 meters above sea level), a scenic peak near Bielsko-Biała, accessible by cable car or on foot, e.g., via the blue and green trails (distance 3.5 km, time less than 2 hours).
Famous Mountain Shelters in Beskid Śląski
The Beskid Śląski range is well-prepared for tourism, as evidenced by numerous mountain shelters where weary hikers can rest, have lunch, or spend the night. Many of these facilities are easily accessible even for individuals with average physical condition. Moreover, most of them are located on scenic clearings. The most popular shelters in this region include:
- PTTK Skrzyczne Shelter
- PTTK Błatnia Shelter
- Uncle Tom's Cottage at Karkoszczonka Pass
- PTTK Klimczok Shelter
Beskid Śląski - Tradition and Culture
The region's tradition is closely tied to pastoralism, agriculture, and folk craftsmanship. In Koniakow, the tradition of lace-making was born. Lacework is still preserved by local women's associations. You can learn more by visiting the Maria Gwarek Memorial Room, dedicated to the renowned Koniaków lace-maker, and the Koniaków Lace Museum. Other picturesque villages in the region are also worth attention, especially Istebna, Jaworzynka, Węgierska Górka, and Brenna. Here, too, there are many places related to the culture and tradition of the region. See what's worth visiting in Istebna:
- The Jerzy Kukuczka Memorial Room, created by his wife.
- The museum of the local wood painter and sculptor, Jan Wałach.
- The Regional Room "Chata Kawuloka" with an exhibition of historic farming tools and musical instruments.
- The Environmental Education Center.
- The Złoty Groń Ski Resort.
What Else to See in Beskid Śląski?
Near the village of Jaworzynka, you'll find Trójstyk - the point where the borders of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia meet. You can get there via the green trail from the roundabout in less than an hour. An interesting place in Jaworzynka is the "Na Grapie" Regional Museum. An attraction in Brenna is the "Orla Perć" rope park with various difficulty levels, the 18th-century St. John the Baptist Church, and the Tourist Park with an amphitheater, promenades, and a large playground. Węgierska Górka and its surroundings are known for interesting places related to the history of World War II. Here, you will find the post-war bunker "Wędrowiec," located near the Żabniczanka stream, as well as defensive forts in the neighboring village of Żabnica.
Tourists love to visit Beskid Śląski for its numerous hiking trails, excellent tourist infrastructure, viewpoints with magnificent panoramas, and picturesque towns. If you haven't explored this region yet, be sure to plan your vacation in Wisła, which serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the area.