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Szaflary – Żeleźnica

Start: Szaflary
Range: Żywiec Beskids
Hiking routes of the Polish Carpathians
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20.7 kmLength
384 mAscent
188 mDescent
853 mMax. altitude
598 mMin. altitude

Trail map

Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences

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About the trail

Route Szaflary – Żeleźnica. Has red marking (regional route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Officially marked regional tourist route. Marking is red, sign — horizontal stripe on a white background. Length of the route — 20.7 km. Location: mountain range — Żywiec Beskids, Poland.

At a glance

A one-day route of 20.7 km with 384 m of ascent from Szaflary to Żeleźnica. Estimated walking time: about 6 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: red.

How we estimate walking time

By Naismith's rule, used by mountain clubs and guidebooks: an average hiker walks 4 km an hour on the flat and needs one more hour for every 600 m of ascent. For this trail: 20.7 km ÷ 4 = 5.2 h + 384 m ÷ 600 = 0.6 h, about 6 h of walking in total.

  • Breaks, snacks and photos: add 20–30 %.
  • A heavy pack, children, snow, a wet path or windfall add more; a long steep descent also takes time, especially for the knees.
  • The height of the Carpathians (up to 2,655 m) hardly changes the pace — on the ridges wind, fog and weather slow you down.
  • Limits: up to 9 h is one day; 9–13 h is a very long day or two; over 13 h means several days with overnight stays.

Route stages

  1. 0–19 kmGentle ups and downs at 590–710 m
  2. 19–21 kmClimb of 130 m (up to 841 m)

Steepest kilometre: km 20–21, a climb of 110 m (≈11%).

Water and overnight stays

Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 3 l).

When to go

The route can be walked most of the year; it is most comfortable from April to October.

Getting there

Start: Szaflary. This is a one-way route: the finish is 16 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.

Directions to the start in Google Maps

FAQ

How long does the route take?
Estimated walking time: about 6 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 3 l).
Walk this route in 3DReal terrain, satellite map, Carpathian forests Play

Comments and trail condition

Travellers’ experience: reports, tips, questions.

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Wildlife along the route

All
MallardIn season nowMallardAnas platyrhynchosThe most common wild duck: the male with a green head and a white 'collar'. It lives in the rivers, lakes, and ponds of the Carpathian valleys.
Common buzzardCommon buzzardButeo buteoThe most numerous bird of prey in Ukraine. It circles over the polonynas and meadows with a mournful 'ki-ya' and hunts for voles.
Castor bean tickCastor bean tickIxodes ricinusThe most common tick in the Carpathians, a carrier of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. How to protect yourself and what to do after a bite.

Based on naturalists’ records nearby (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude, habitat and season. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Trails nearby

All trails
Polica – Stare WierchyHard1–2 daysMarkedPolica Stare WierchyElevation profile674–1 369 m44 kmascent 1 099 m≈ 13 h walkingZakopane – Szaflary – DursztynHard1–2 daysMarkedZakopane Dursztynvia SzaflaryElevation profile595–1 018 m35.5 kmascent 514 m≈ 9.5 h walkingBukowina – Zubrzyca DolnaModerateOne-dayMarkedBukowina Zubrzyca DolnaElevation profile636–899 m16.2 kmascent 364 m≈ 4.5 h walking

Craft nearby

All craft places
Termy Gorący Potok (Szaflary)Water parks & thermal poolsTermy Gorący Potok (Szaflary)Bańska Niżna2.7 km from the trailTermy Gorący Potok is a complex of outdoor thermal pools in Szaflary, between Nowy Targ and Zakopane, about 15 km from Zakopane.Termy Szaflary (Termy Podhalańskie)Water parks & thermal poolsTermy Szaflary (Termy Podhalańskie)Bańska Niżna2.9 km from the trailTermy Szaflary is a thermal complex in the village of Szaflary, between Nowy Targ and Zakopane. It used to be known as Termy Podhalańskie, a name still found in older...Karcma u Borzanka, Nowy Targ: highland food in an 18th-century innKoliby & Hutsul cuisineKarcma u Borzanka, Nowy Targ: highland food in an 18th-century innNowy Targ6.6 km from the trailKarcma u Borzanka is a highland tavern in the oldest coaching inn of Nowy Targ, the capital of Podhale.Nowy Targ Fair (Nowa Targowica)Markets & fairsNowy Targ Fair (Nowa Targowica)Nowy Targ7.1 km from the trailThe fair in Nowy Targ is the largest and oldest market in Podhale. On Thursdays and Saturdays highlanders from the surrounding villages, Slovaks from across the border...Terma BaniaWater parks & thermal poolsTerma BaniaBiałka Tatrzańska7.1 km from the trailTerma Bania is a large thermal water park in the village of Białka Tatrzańska, at the foot of the Kotelnica ski slope.Drewutnia, Bukowina Tatrzańska: glass painting workshops and highland furnitureCrafts & workshopsDrewutnia, Bukowina Tatrzańska: glass painting workshops and highland furnitureBukowina Tatrzańska12 km from the trailDrewutnia ("the woodshed") calls itself a "shop for cultural needs". It is the family business of the Kuchtas of Bukowina Tatrzańska, who say they have lived here...