Szczebel — Kowaniec, via Turbacz
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Szczebel – Turbacz – Kowaniec. Has green marking (regional route, PTTK). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route. The marking is green, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: PTTK. Length of the route — 32 km. Location: mountain range — Gorce, Poland.
At a glance
A route of 32 km with 1,334 m of ascent from Szczebel to Kowaniec. Estimated walking time: about 10 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: green.
Route stages
- 0–7 kmDescent of 520 m (down to 432 m)
- 7–10 kmClimb of 250 m (up to 683 m)
- 10–13 kmDescent of 200 m (down to 486 m)
- 13–24 kmClimb of 790 m to Turbacz (1,310 m)
- 24–32 kmDescent of 630 m to Kowaniec
Steepest kilometre: km 17–18, a climb of 210 m (≈21%).
Water and overnight stays
Springs near the trail: at km 17, 26, 28 and 30. There are no springs between km 0 and 17 — carry at least 3 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.
Huts and shelters near the trail: Turbacz Hut (km 24).
A possible split into days:
- Day 1: km 0–17, ≈5 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
- Day 2: km 17–32, ≈5 h — finish
When to go
Best time: May to October. In winter deep snow is possible, so experience and winter gear are needed.
Getting there
Start: Szczebel. This is a one-way route: the finish is 20 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated walking time: about 10 h, not counting stops — a very long day, so it is easier split into 2 days.
- Is there water on the route?
- Springs near the trail: at km 17, 26, 28 and 30. There are no springs between km 0 and 17 — carry at least 3 l of water. Some springs run low or dry up in late summer.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Huts and shelters near the trail: Turbacz Hut (km 24).
Water and shelter on the route
- Water Springkm 17.5 from the start · Not verified · 901 m
- Spring below Basielkakm 18.4 from the start · 60 m off the path · Not verified · 1 001 m
- Turbacz Hutkm 24.4 from the start · Standing · 1 283 m
- Spring under Buk, 1 160 mkm 26 from the start · Not verified · 1 160 m
- Spring below Drożdżów Grońkm 27.9 from the start · 150 m off the path · Not verified · 967 m
- Spring below Nietliborgkm 29.5 from the start · 140 m off the path · Not verified · 810 m
Comments
Trails nearby
All trailsCraft nearby
All craft places
Water parks & thermal poolsTermy Gorce thermal bathsNiedźwiedź9 km from the trailTermy Gorce is a small, cosy thermal complex in the village of Poręba Wielka, in the municipality of Niedźwiedź, at the foot of the Gorce Mountains.
Water parks & thermal poolsRabka-Zdrój spa: brine graduation tower, pump rooms, treatmentsRabka-Zdrój9.7 km from the trailRabka-Zdrój is a spa in the Raba valley between the Gorce, the Beskid Wyspowy and the Beskid Makowski, halfway from Kraków to Zakopane.
Craft shopsCistercian monastery shop, Szczyrzyc: abbey cheese, milk and Gryf beerSzczyrzyc17 km from the trailIts heart is the Cistercian abbey: the monks arrived in the first half of the 13th century and, according to the monastery itself, have lived here without interruption...
Eco farmsOrawskie Ranczo Educational Farm, Harkabuz: animals and craft workshopsHarkabuz21 km from the trailOrawskie Ranczo is a small family educational farm (zagroda edukacyjna) in the village of Harkabuz near Raba Wyżna, where Orawa meets Podhale.
Markets & fairsNowy Targ Fair (Nowa Targowica)Nowy Targ23 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...
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineKarcma u Borzanka, Nowy Targ: highland food in an 18th-century innNowy Targ23 km from the trailKarcma u Borzanka is a highland tavern in the oldest coaching inn of Nowy Targ, the capital of Podhale.


