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Szlak Sułkowickich Kowali

Start: Skawina
Range: Maków Beskids
Hiking routes of the Polish Carpathians
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20.4 kmLength
584 mAscent
518 mDescent
452 mMax. altitude
226 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 Szlak Sułkowickich Kowali. Has blue marking (regional route, PTTK). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Officially marked regional tourist route. The marking is blue, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: PTTK. Length of the route — 20.4 km. Location: mountain range — Makowski Beskid, Poland.

At a glance

A one-day route of 20.4 km with 584 m of ascent. Estimated walking time: about 6 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: blue.

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: 20.4 km ÷ 4 = 5.1 h + 584 m ÷ 600 = 1 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. 0–4 kmClimb of 150 m (up to 381 m)
  2. 4–5 kmDescent of 120 m (down to 265 m)
  3. 5–11 kmGentle ups and downs at 230–360 m
  4. 11–16 kmClimb of 210 m (up to 444 m)
  5. 16–18 kmDescent of 150 m (down to 290 m)
  6. 18–20 kmGentle ups and downs at 280–320 m

Steepest kilometre: km 14–15, a climb of 100 m (≈10%).

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

This is a one-way route: the finish is 14 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
Red deerRed deerCervus elaphusThe largest deer of the Carpathians. In September, its loud roar fills the mountains — the rut of the Red deer.
Blackthornfruit nowEdibleBlackthornPrunus spinosaA spiny bush that turns white with flowers in spring before the leaves appear. The tart blue-black fruits sweeten after the first frosts.
St John's wortin seasonIn season nowSt John's wortHypericum perforatumYellow inflorescences on dry meadows and forest edges; leaves appear to be pierced with a needle. Blooms from June to August; a traditional herb for tea.
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.
Horn of plenty (black trumpet)in seasonEdibleHorn of plenty (black trumpet)Craterellus cornucopioidesA dark funnel-shaped 'trumpet' in the leaf litter of beech forests. Unremarkable in appearance, but a good edible mushroom that is easy to overlook.
False death capin seasonIn season nowFalse death capAmanita citrinaPale yellow mushroom with the smell of raw potatoes. Not edible by itself, but dangerous because it closely resembles the death cap.

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

Trails nearby

All trails
Działek – Chełm WschodniHard1–2 daysMarkedDziałek Chełm WschodniElevation profile274–680 m38.8 kmascent 1 018 m≈ 11.5 h walkingBrzeźnica – KacwinHardMulti-dayMarkedBrzeźnica KacwinElevation profile220–1 289 m143 kmascent 4 206 mMały Szlak BeskidzkiHardMulti-dayMarkedMały Szlak BeskidzkiElevation profile282–1 022 m134.7 kmascent 5 091 m

Craft nearby

All craft places
Swoszowice spa: sulphide baths in KrakówWater parks & thermal poolsSwoszowice spa: sulphide baths in KrakówKraków7.9 km from the trailSwoszowice is a spa within Kraków, on the city's southern edge by the Wilga river. Its operator stresses that it is the only spa in Poland, and one of few in Europe,...Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Resort: treatment undergroundWater parks & thermal poolsWieliczka Salt Mine Health Resort: treatment undergroundWieliczka16 km from the trailThe Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Resort (Uzdrowisko Kopalnia Soli „Wieliczka”) is an unusual treatment centre: its wards and halls lie 135 m underground, on the third...Cistercian monastery shop, Szczyrzyc: abbey cheese, milk and Gryf beerCraft shopsCistercian monastery shop, Szczyrzyc: abbey cheese, milk and Gryf beerSzczyrzyc33 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...Rabka-Zdrój spa: brine graduation tower, pump rooms, treatmentsWater parks & thermal poolsRabka-Zdrój spa: brine graduation tower, pump rooms, treatmentsRabka-Zdrój41 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.Termy Gorce thermal bathsWater parks & thermal poolsTermy Gorce thermal bathsNiedźwiedź43 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.Orawskie Ranczo Educational Farm, Harkabuz: animals and craft workshopsEco farmsOrawskie Ranczo Educational Farm, Harkabuz: animals and craft workshopsHarkabuz48 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.