Little Beskids Trail (Mały Szlak Beskidzki)

The Mały Szlak Beskidzki, formerly known as the Northern Trail, is 137 kilometres of red markings running from Straconka in Bielsko-Biała to Luboń Wielki in the Island Beskids. It is the fourth longest trail of the Carpathians, leading through three ranges bypassed by the Main Beskid Trail: the Little, Makowski and Island Beskids.

What you pass on the way

The route leads through the less frequented parts of the Beskids. In the Little Beskids it climbs Hrobacza Łąka, then passes Góra Żar with its funicular and paragliding take-off site, Potrójna and Madohora with its nature reserve, and Leskowiec with a mountain hut. In the Makowski Beskids remain the hut at Kudłacze and the dam in Porąbka, and in the Island Beskids — Chełm in Myślenice with its funicular, Lubomir with an astronomical observatory, Lubogoszcz and finally the rocky summit of Luboń Wielki.

In practice

The trail is of normal difficulty, with no climbing sections. A funicular runs up Góra Żar and another one serves Chełm in Myślenice, so selected fragments can be covered on short trips. Comfortable overnight spots are on Leskowiec and at the Kudłacze hut, while crossing Przełęcz Isepnicka and the dam in Porąbka adds variety to the longer sections.