Gorc Kamienicki Glade

Polana Gorc Kamienicki is a mountain glade on the northern ridge of Gorc (1,228 m) in the eastern Gorce, at 1,120–1,150 m. It lies outside the Gorce National Park but right on its boundary, on the land of the village of Zasadne in Kamienica commune. The name of the peak probably comes from the way the pastures were made: the forest was burned off, so the glades were "burnt out" (wygorzałe). Gorc Kamienicki is the best known of several glades below the summit: nearby lie Gorc Gorcowski, Gorc Młynieński and Hale Gorcowskie on the southern slopes.

The glade offers a panorama of almost the whole horizon: to the south the Tatras, Spišská Magura, the Lubań range and the Pieniny; to the north the Island Beskids from Luboń Wielki to Modyń; to the east the Sącz Beskids; to the west Kudłoń and the deep Kamienica valley. Much of the glade is a rich meadow where snowdrops bloom profusely in spring; among plants rare in Poland is the melancholy thistle. The glade is privately owned and grazing continued long after the war — which is why, unlike many Gorce glades, it has not been overgrown by bilberry and forest.

The glade's history is tied to farming and war. Before the Second World War an experimental station of the Lesser Poland Agricultural Society tested summer mountain grazing of cattle here. In 1937 the Polish Tatra Society opened a tourist and ski station in its building; during the war partisans set up a small hospital there, which the Germans burned in October 1944. Today a private shepherd's hut stands on the glade.

What to see and do

• The panorama of the Tatras and the Beskids — one of the widest in the Gorce.
• The observation tower on the Gorc summit (built in 2015) — its stairs and terrace are fully enclosed, so even people afraid of heights can climb it.
• The "Do Smoka" spring with good drinking water in the forest below the glade (an arrow on the trail points the way).
• Spring snowdrops on the meadows.
• Neighbouring glades on the southern slopes — Gorc Młynieński with a field altar and benches, and Hale Gorcowskie overlooking the Ochotnica valley.

How to get there

The most popular approach is the blue trail from Rzeki (Lubomierz-Rzeki) via Nowa Polana, the Głębieniec pass and the Świnkówka glade: 5.6 km and 2 h to the Gorc summit, 1 h 15 min down; Gorc Kamienicki is on the last section before the top. This trail is part of the route Przełęcz Borek – Rzeki – Hale Gorcowskie. From Szczawa the same trail via Nowa Polana is 8.9 km and 3 h (1 h 45 min down), and from the south, from Ochotnica Dolna via Hale Gorcowskie, 7.3 km and 2 h 50 min (1 h 40 min down). The circular Zasadne Walking Trail – Zasadne also starts from the glade. The climb from Rzeki is a moderate hike suitable for families with children.

Season and safety

The glade itself lies outside the Gorce National Park, but part of the trails to it run through the park: there a ticket applies (as of October 2026, 10 zł, reduced 5 zł per day, at eparki.pl), while sections along the park boundary are free. The park recommends walking from dawn to dusk, drones are banned without the director's permission, and dogs are allowed only on designated trails. The glade is private property, so respect the pastures and buildings. The GOPR number is 985 or 601 100 300.

Nearby

The green trail Grywałd – Polana Gabrowska via Przysłop leads west to Polana Jaworzyna Kamienicka with Bulanda's chapel, and on to Hala Długa below Turbacz.

Photos: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Dorotkow, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.