Mogielica

Mogielica (roughly "mo-gee-EH-lee-tsa"), at 1,170 m, is the highest peak of the Beskid Wyspowy, the "Island Beskids" of southern Poland, so named because its mountains rise like separate islands from the valleys. It lies in Limanowa County in the Lesser Poland region, southeast of Kraków. A 23-meter steel observation tower opened on the forested summit in December 2022, and from the top you can see the whole range, the Gorce Mountains and, on clear days, the Tatras. It's a rewarding, uncrowded hike.

Where it is and how to get there

The mountain rises above the villages of Chyszówki, Półrzeczki and Słopnice. The usual route from Kraków runs by car through Limanowa; plan for around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. Public transport reaches Limanowa, but the trailheads are in small villages, so a car makes the trip much easier. There is free forest parking at Wyrębiska, provided by the Limanowa forest district.

Trails to the summit

• Green trail from Rydz-Śmigły Pass (Chyszówki): the most popular approach, about 1 hr 40 min up according to hikers' reports, with a steep, rocky final section.
• Green trail from Wyrębiska: a short climb from the forest car park.
• Blue trail from Jurków: about 2 hr 45 min up.
• Yellow trail from Tymbark: a long day, about 5 hours each way.

All times are approximate; add time for the descent.

The observation tower

The summit is wooded, so the tower is the reason to come. An old wooden survey tower collapsed around 1980; a 20 m wooden viewing tower opened in 2008 but was closed in 2020 after an inspection found its main posts badly damaged. The current steel tower, with a hipped roof, was officially handed over on December 17, 2022. It cost almost 1 million złoty and was funded by the regional government, Limanowa County and three local municipalities. Climbing it is free.

Meadows, legends and wildlife

Just below the summit lies the Stumorgowa meadow, once a sheep pasture of more than 50 hectares; its name comes from the morga, an old unit of land. A small metal cross near the top commemorates Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II, who hiked here as a young man. On the north ridge, a rock called the Robbers' Table is linked to tales of 18th-century highwaymen, including Józef Baczyński. Since 2011 the summit and northern slopes have been a nature reserve protecting the capercaillie, so stay on marked trails.

Practical tips (as of October 2026)

• Access to the summit and tower is free and possible year-round.
• A 21 km multi-use forest loop circles the mountain: cycling and walking in summer, cross-country skiing in winter. Equipment rental operates at the visitor center in Zalesie; check hours in advance.
• Bring Polish złoty (PLN) in cash; there is no hut or café on the summit.
• In winter, microspikes help on the steep sections and the tower stairs can be icy.
• Is it worth visiting? Yes, if you want Tatra views and part of the Crown of Polish Mountains, a list of the highest peaks of Poland's ranges, without Zakopane-style crowds.

Nearby

The green trail continues from Rydz-Śmigły Pass to neighboring Łopień. Limanowa, the county town, has a large basilica and is a good place to stop for food.