Hala Jaworowa

Above Brenna, on a side ridge of Kotarz in the Silesian Beskids, spreads a wide clearing also known as Kotarska Polana. From its edge you can see the panorama of the surrounding ranges: Skrzyczne, the Stożek and Czantoria range and the summits on the Czech side. The clearing lies at 820–920 m above sea level Marked trails lead to the clearing; check trail conditions and local notices before setting out.

A pastoral past

The first shepherd's hut was mentioned here as early as 1689, and together with Stary Groń the hala once formed the largest shepherding centre in Brenna. Sheep grazing continued until the 1960s; today sheep appear only occasionally, and a small bacówka hut with benches stands open to hikers.

A loop from Brenna

The easiest way up is the blue trail from Brenna Hołcyna — about 1.5 hours of walking. From Salmopol Pass a red trail leads to Kotarz (974 m), where there is a bacówka with a bar and the so-called Altar of Europe. The route continues across Grabowa (907 m) to Chata Grabowa with a restaurant and the Garden of Tales, featuring figures of Slavic demons: Swaróg, Raróg, Światowid or Utopiec. The whole loop is 11.5 km and takes about 5 hours with breaks.

What to watch for

The clearing and the surrounding ridges have attracted developers — the fate of the hala is contested, and information about the protests can be found along the trail.