Zawoja Czatoża – Markowe Szczawiny
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Zawoja Czatoża – Markowe Szczawiny. Has blue marking (regional route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route. Marking is blue, sign — horizontal stripe on a white background. Length of the route — 19.1 km. Location: mountain range — Babia Góra, Poland.
At a glance
A one-day route of 19.1 km with 352 m of ascent and 869 m of descent from Markowe Szczawiny to Zawoja Czatoża. Estimated walking time: about 5.5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: blue.
Route stages
- 0–6 kmGentle ups and downs at 1,050–1,230 m
- 6–10 kmDescent of 340 m (down to 712 m)
- 10–13 kmGentle ups and downs at 710–800 m
- 13–14 kmClimb of 140 m (up to 884 m)
- 14–18 kmGentle ups and downs at 710–890 m
- 18–19 kmDescent of 110 m to Zawoja Czatoża
Steepest kilometre: km 15–16, a descent of 150 m (≈15%).
Water and overnight stays
Springs near the trail: at km 1 and 7. There are no springs between km 7 and 19 — carry at least 2 l of water.
Huts and shelters near the trail: Markowe Szczawiny Hut (km 0), BgPN Canopy, 1 070 m (km 4), Chatka Stracona Polana (km 12).
When to go
Best time: May to October. In winter deep snow is possible, so experience and winter gear are needed.
Getting there
Start: Markowe Szczawiny. This is a one-way route: the finish is 3 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 5.5 h, not counting stops.
- Is there water on the route?
- Springs near the trail: at km 1 and 7. There are no springs between km 7 and 19 — carry at least 2 l of water.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Huts and shelters near the trail: Markowe Szczawiny Hut (km 0), BgPN Canopy, 1 070 m (km 4), Chatka Stracona Polana (km 12).
Water and shelter on the route
- Markowe Szczawiny Hutkm 0 from the start · 40 m off the path · Standing · 1 180 m
- Spring below Babia Góra (north-west slope), 1 279 mkm 0.9 from the start · 190 m off the path · Not verified · 1 279 m
- BgPN Canopy, 1 070 mkm 4 from the start · Not verified · 1 070 m
- Water Spring, 974 mkm 6.8 from the start · 210 m off the path · Not verified · 974 m
- Chatka Stracona Polanakm 11.5 from the start · 110 m off the path · Standing · 797 m
Comments
Trails nearby
All trails
HardMulti-dayMarkedMain Trail of BeskidyElevation profile309–1 723 m499.9 kmascent 19 519 m
ModerateOne-dayMarkedZawoja Widły Babia Góravia Markowe SzczawinyElevation profile601–1 723 m12.5 kmascent 1 122 m≈ 5.5 h walking
EasyOne-dayMarkedEducational Path "Śladami Wawrzyńca Szkolnika"Elevation profile684–801 m2.6 kmascent 117 m≈ 60 min walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Eco farmsOrawskie Ranczo Educational Farm, Harkabuz: animals and craft workshops24 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 & fairsFolk Art Fair in Żywiec during the Beskidy Week of Culture25 km from the trailThe 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...
Craft beer & breweriesPINTA Brewery, Wieprz near Żywiec: tours and taproom26 km from the trailPINTA is the brewery that Poles associate with the start of the “beer revolution”; it calls itself the country's first craft brewery.
Cheese dairies & pasturesBacówka na Bukowinie, Żabnica: sheep's cheese and alpacas28 km from the trailBacówka na Bukowinie stands on a slope above the village of Żabnica, next to Węgierska Górka, where the Żywiec Beskids meet the Silesian Beskids.
Water parks & thermal poolsAquapark Leśna (Żywiec)28 km from the trailAquapark 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...
Craft beer & breweriesBrowar Zarzecze in the Żywiec Basin: craft brewery shop29 km from the trailBrowar 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...