Szczyrk

Bielsko County · Silesian Voivodeship · Poland
Szczyrk — photo 1 Szczyrk — photo 2 Szczyrk — photo 3 Szczyrk — photo 4 Szczyrk — photo 5 6

Photos: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons); klepsydra, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Krystyna W., CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); klepsydra, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); krysi@, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); marek7400, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Szczyrk is a town in southern Poland, located in the picturesque valley of the Żylica river amid the Silesian Beskids. It is part of Bielsko County in the Silesian Voivodeship and belongs to the Beskidy Euroregion. The town sits at about 460 metres above sea level, surrounded by peaks such as Skrzyczne, Klimczok, Malinowska Skała, and Magura. Szczyrk borders municipalities including Bielsko-Biała, Brenna, Buczkowice, Lipowa, Wilkowice, and Wisła.

The history of Szczyrk dates back to the 15th century, with documented settlements of Vlachs, Hungarians, Austrians, Czechs, and Slovaks. The first population census was conducted in 1630. From the 18th century, besides agriculture, sheep farming, timber production for industry, and wool cloth manufacturing developed. After World War I, tourism began to grow, with the first tourist bases set up in former barracks and hospitals. Szczyrk was granted city rights in 1973.

Szczyrk is known as a popular centre for winter sports and recreation. Polish Olympic athletes train here, and the town attracts tourists with its scenic Silesian Beskids landscapes. The main peaks—Skrzyczne (1257 m) and Klimczok (1117 m)—offer panoramic views. The area is also notable for its mountain trails, hotels, and developed tourist infrastructure. Natural landmarks and modern wellness complexes can be found nearby.

Visitors to Szczyrk can enjoy many hiking routes, including the Mały Beskidzki Trail, Straconka – Międzybrodzie Bialskie, and Mikuszowice Krakowskie – Malinowska Skała. Mountain enthusiasts can ascend Skrzyczne or Klimczok and visit mountain huts such as Schronisko na Skrzycznem, Schronisko Klimczok, Schronisko PTTK Szyndzielnia, and Chata Wuja Toma. Notable sights include Gala Jaworowa, and craft lovers can visit the Żywiec Basin’s “Żywiec” Brewery shop. Families may enjoy the Lesna Aquapark in Żywiec.

Getting there from Ukraine

Lviv – Żywiec ≈412 km, ≈5 h 30 min without queues or tolls: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków (≈249 km) → DK52 via Wadowice → DW781 and DW946 to Żywiec. ≈333 km, ≈4 h from the border. Alternative via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice and the S1 via Tychy and Bielsko-Biała: ≈457 km, ≈5 h 25 min.

Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, OpenStreetMap, Karpaty.rocks data. More on Wikipedia

Trails nearby

All trails
BeskidModerateOne-dayMarkedBeskidElevation profile510–860 m11.2 kmascent 508 m≈ 4 h walkingunder 1 km from the centreSzczyrk: loop around the centreEasyOne-dayMarkedSzczyrk: loop around the centreElevation profile489–668 m6.2 kmascent 172 m≈ 2 h walkingunder 1 km from the centreWilkowice – OstreHardTwo-dayMarkedWilkowice OstreElevation profile394–1 245 m21.3 kmascent 1 387 m≈ 8 h walkingunder 1 km from the centreBrenna – SzczyrkEasyOne-dayMarkedBrenna SzczyrkElevation profile495–737 m5.4 kmascent 242 m≈ 2 h walkingunder 1 km from the centreSzczyrk Centrum – JaworzynaEasyOne-dayMarkedSzczyrk Centrum JaworzynaElevation profile516–929 m3.4 kmascent 413 m≈ 1.5 h walkingunder 1 km from the centreStraconka – SmrekowiecHardMulti-dayMarkedStraconka SmrekowiecElevation profile394–1 257 m79 kmascent 3 481 munder 1 km from the centre

Peaks nearby

All peaks
KlimczokPeakKlimczokSzczyrkaltitude 1 117 m3.4 km from the centreKlimczok (formerly also Klimczak) is a 1117 m mountain in the Klimczok and Szyndzielnia range of the Silesian Beskids, south-west of Bielsko-Biała.SkrzycznePeakSkrzyczneSłotwinaaltitude 1 257 m3.6 km from the centreSkrzyczne (German Rauhkogel) is a 1257 m mountain, the highest peak of the Silesian Beskids in southern Poland.SzyndzielniaPeakSzyndzielniaBielsko-Białaaltitude 1 028 m4.4 km from the centreSzyndzielnia (German Kamitzer Platte) is a 1,028 m summit in the Silesian Beskids, in the Klimczok and Szyndzielnia Range, just north of Klimczok.Magurka WilkowickaPeakMagurka WilkowickaWilkowicealtitude 909 m10 km from the centreMagurka Wilkowicka is a 909 m summit, the fourth-highest in the Little Beskids, in the Magurka Wilkowicka group in the south of the Silesian Voivodeship.CzupelPeakCzupelMiędzybrodzie Bialskiealtitude 930 m11 km from the centreCzupel is the highest summit of the Little Beskids at 930 m; the latest geodetic and LiDAR measurements give 931 m, and some publications quote 933 m.Barania GóraPeakBarania GóraKamesznicaaltitude 1 220 m12 km from the centreBarania Góra ("Ram Mountain"; German Widderberg) is a dome-shaped summit in the south-eastern Silesian Beskids, the second-highest in the range after Skrzyczne.

What to visit

All
Hala JaworowaMountain meadowHala JaworowaBrennaaltitude 870 m5.7 km from the centreHala Jaworowa, also called Polana Kotarska, is a large meadow in the Silesian Beskids at 820–920 m. It stretches along the side north-western ridge of Kotarz – from...Aquapark Leśna (Żywiec)Water parks & thermal poolsAquapark Leśna (Żywiec)Leśna9.8 km from the centreAquapark Leśna (also called Aquapark Żywiec) is a swimming-pool complex in the village of Leśna, a few kilometres from Żywiec, in the Żywiec Basin, surrounded by the...Rodło Cascades (Biała Wisełka)WaterfallRodło Cascades (Biała Wisełka)Wisła11 km from the centreThe Rodło Cascades (Kaskady Rodła) are a group of about 25 natural waterfalls and rock steps on the Biała Wisełka, one of the streams that give rise to the Vistula.Żywiec Brewery MuseumMuseumŻywiec Brewery MuseumŻywiec12 km from the centreThe Żywiec Brewery Museum (Muzeum Browaru Żywiec) is one of the largest and most modern brewing museums in Poland, in the town of Żywiec between the Silesian and...Lake Żywiec (Jezioro Żywieckie)LakeLake Żywiec (Jezioro Żywieckie)Żywiec12 km from the centreLake Żywiec (Jezioro Żywieckie), also known as the Tresna Reservoir, is a large artificial lake on the Soła river beside the town of Żywiec, on the boundary of the...Żywiec castles: Old Castle, Habsburg Palace and parkCastleŻywiec castles: Old Castle, Habsburg Palace and parkŻywiec13 km from the centreIn the very centre of Żywiec, two residences of the former lords of the Żywiec estate stand side by side — the Old Castle and the Habsburg Palace, or New Castle —...

Craft nearby

All craft places
Browar Zarzecze in the Żywiec Basin: craft brewery shopCraft beer & breweriesBrowar Zarzecze in the Żywiec Basin: craft brewery shopZarzecze10 km from the centreBrowar Zarzecze works in the village of Zarzecze near Pietrzykowice in the Żywiec Basin — a region where beer has been brewed since at least the 19th century and home...PINTA Brewery, Wieprz near Żywiec: tours and taproomCraft beer & breweriesPINTA Brewery, Wieprz near Żywiec: tours and taproomWieprz13 km from the centrePINTA is the brewery that Poles associate with the start of the “beer revolution”; it calls itself the country's first craft brewery.Folk Art Fair in Żywiec during the Beskidy Week of CultureMarkets & fairsFolk Art Fair in Żywiec during the Beskidy Week of CultureŻywiec13 km from the centreThe Beskidy Highlanders' Week of Culture (Tydzień Kultury Beskidzkiej, TKB) is Poland's largest folklore festival: it was first held in Wisła in 1964, and today, at...Browar Wisła: craft brewpub in Wisła's old railway stationCraft beer & breweriesBrowar Wisła: craft brewpub in Wisła's old railway stationWisła14 km from the centreBrowar Wisła is a brewpub in the heart of the Silesian Beskids, in the spa town of Wisła, where Poland's longest river of the same name rises.Ustroń spa: brine, peat and brine poolsWater parks & thermal poolsUstroń spa: brine, peat and brine poolsUstroń14 km from the centreUstroń is the only spa of the Silesian Beskids: the town lies where the Vistula valley leaves the mountains, between the ridges of Równica (884 m) and Czantoria Wielka...Bacówka na Bukowinie, Żabnica: sheep's cheese and alpacasCheese dairies & pasturesBacówka na Bukowinie, Żabnica: sheep's cheese and alpacasWęgierska Górka15 km from the centreBacówka na Bukowinie stands on a slope above the village of Żabnica, next to Węgierska Górka, where the Żywiec Beskids meet the Silesian Beskids.

Spas and thermal pools nearby

Aquapark Leśna (Żywiec)Water parks & thermal poolsAquapark Leśna (Żywiec)Leśna9.8 km from the centreAquapark Leśna (also called Aquapark Żywiec) is a swimming-pool complex in the village of Leśna, a few kilometres from Żywiec, in the Żywiec Basin, surrounded by the...Ustroń spa: brine, peat and brine poolsWater parks & thermal poolsUstroń spa: brine, peat and brine poolsUstroń14 km from the centreUstroń is the only spa of the Silesian Beskids: the town lies where the Vistula valley leaves the mountains, between the ridges of Równica (884 m) and Czantoria Wielka...

Huts, shelters and springs nearby

702 mMountain shelterUncle Tom's HutSilesian Beskids · PolandStandingOn a trailStaffed
Klimczok Hut1 052 mMountain shelterKlimczok HutSilesian Beskids · PolandStandingOn a trailSleeps up to 50Meals served
Skrzyczne Hut1 250 mMountain shelterSkrzyczne HutSilesian Beskids · PolandStandingOn a trailOpen fire inside (smoke hut)Sleeps up to 29
1 001 mMountain shelterPTTK Hut SzyndzielniaSilesian Beskids · PolandStandingOn a trailSleeps up to 49Staffed
888 mMountain shelterPTTK Hut on BłatniaSilesian Beskids · PolandStandingOn a trailSleeps up to 49Staffed
676 mSpringSpring below Magura (south slope), 676 mSilesian Beskids · PolandNot verifiedOn a trail

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

Getting there from Ukraine

Border crossings

  • Krakovets – Korczowa — road, 24/7
  • Shehyni – Medyka — road, 24/7 Pedestrian crossing is not confirmed by the Ukrainian border service — check dpsu.gov.ua before the trip.
  • Smilnytsia – Krościenko — road, 24/7
  • Hrushiv – Budomierz — road, 24/7
  • Mostyska – Przemyśl (rail) — rail, 24/7

By car

Lviv – Żywiec ≈412 km, ≈5 h 30 min without queues or tolls: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków (≈249 km) → DK52 via Wadowice → DW781 and DW946 to Żywiec. ≈333 km, ≈4 h from the border. Alternative via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice and the S1 via Tychy and Bielsko-Biała: ≈457 km, ≈5 h 25 min.

Checked 23.10.2026; border crossing hours and timetables change — check before you travel.

What's nearby