Mountains & peaks

Modyń in the Beskid Wyspowy

Modyń (1,029 m above sea level) is one of the highest peaks of the Beskid Wyspowy, a range of solitary hill "islands" between Łącko and Limanowa. The three-ridged massif is covered with dense forest, but since 2021 a 27-metre observation tower crowns the summit, opening views over Mogielica, the Gorce, the Pieniny, Babia Góra and, in clear air, the Tatras. A short approach makes it one of the easiest viewpoints to reach in the region.

The tower and the panorama

The current structure replaced an old wooden triangulation tower known locally as a "patryja", which a gale brought down in the 1980s. The new platform is free and open all year, and sunset slipping behind Mogielica, the highest summit of the range, is considered the best moment of the day. The mountain has two tops, 1,028.5 m and 1,026.5 m, divided by a shallow saddle.

The mountain of lovers

The peak carries a romantic nickname: a heart-shaped installation and a bench for couples stand by the car park in Wierzyka. Czesław Szynalik, promoter of the range, recalled an excursion on which five couples got engaged on Modyń. The name of the whole range was coined by Kazimierz Sosnowski, a pioneer of Polish mountain tourism, who described the view of "three waves of mountains".

Practical information

The shortest route is the blue trail from Młyńczyska (1.8 km) across the Cisowy Dział saddle. The black trail from Wierzyka measures 2 km and takes about 45 minutes to climb; the free car park holds a dozen or so cars. Longer ascents start in Zbludza (approx. 1 h 40 min) and in Łącko on the yellow trail. On the southern slopes lies the several-metre-long Jaskinia w Górze Modyń cave.