Jaworzyna Krynicka

The gondola from the Czarny Potok valley reaches the top of Jaworzyna Krynicka in about seven minutes, and on a clear day the viewing platform on the roof of the top station looks out to the Tatras, the Bieszczady and Polonyna Rivna in Ukraine. At 1,114 m, the summit is the highest point of the Jaworzyna Range in the Sądecki Beskids and, thanks to the gondola, one of the region's most visited viewpoints. In winter it is a large ski area; in summer it offers hiking trails, bike routes and attractions for children.

A mountain between Krynica and Muszyna

Jaworzyna sits on the main ridge of the eastern Jaworzyna Range, on the boundary between the spa town of Krynica-Zdrój and Muszyna. Towards Bukowa the ridge is almost flat, while to the south-east it drops fairly steeply towards the confluence of the Kryniczanka, Muszynka and Jastrzębik streams. Four ridges radiate from the summit, with four streams in the valleys between them, including Czarny Potok, where the lower gondola station stands. The ridge was once dotted with meadows used by the Lemkos, a highland ethnic group; after they were resettled, most of the meadows were reforested.

The gondola and the 360 platform

The first stage of the gondola from Czarny Potok to the summit was built in 1997. Its six-seater cabins carry up to 1,600 people an hour, moving at about 5 metres per second. In 2021 a viewing platform with a terrace was added above the roof of the top station, giving views from 1,122 m. The panorama takes in the High and Low Tatras, the Bieszczady, the Little Pieniny, the Low Beskids, the Ciężkowice and Dynów foothills, Polonyna Rivna in Ukraine and Slovakia's Čergov Mountains.

What to see on the summit and slopes

• The PTTK mountain hut on Jaworzyna Krynicka on the northern slope, next to a mountain rescue (GOPR) post and the Museum of Mountain Tourism.
• Diabelski Kamień (Devil's Stone) – the largest rock outcrop on the massif, on the eastern slope.
• Kraina Rysia (Lynx Land) – a rope park for children over 4, with three routes suspended 5 m above the ground, more than 250 m in total.
• Beech and fir forests that are home to red deer, lynx and wolves, with the occasional bear wandering in from Slovakia or the Bieszczady.

Trails

The summit lies on the red Main Beskid Trail (Hala Łabowska – Runek – Jaworzyna – Krynica-Zdrój) and on the Wincenty Pol Trail from Muszyna via Złockie to Jaworzyna and on to Krynica. The operator has also marked bike routes, and the centre by the lower station rents bikes, including e-bikes. You can take your bike up on the gondola.

Tripto tip

The lower gondola station is at ul. Czarny Potok 75 in Krynica-Zdrój. The easiest plan is to ride up and walk down one of the trails – allow half a day and check the map before setting off. Operating hours for the gondola, platform and attractions change between seasons and depend on the weather, so check them on the operator's website before you go. It is often noticeably colder and windier on the summit than in Krynica, so bring an extra layer. The operator has also begun preparations for a new gondola, Krynica Express, which is to link the centre of Krynica-Zdrój with Jaworzyna.