Równica

Równica is an 884.6 m peak in the Silesian Beskids, rising between the Vistula valley at Ustroń and the Brennica valley at Brenna – the boundary of the two municipalities runs along its ridge. It is known for a wide meadow with a panorama of the Silesian Beskids and for a paved road that climbs almost to the summit. The Main Beskid Trail crosses the peak, so it suits both a short walk and a longer hike.

History: shepherds, Protestants and a road from 1934

The name refers to the "even", almost level stretch of ridge, about 1 km long, south-east of the summit. As "Rownicze" it appears in documents as early as 1566, and in the second half of the 17th century there was a shepherds' hut on the meadow. Even in 1913 the researcher Ludomir Sawicki recorded two huts here: three farmers from Ustroń grazed 266 sheep and 10 cows, and five from Brenna 200 sheep and 10 cows. On the western slopes, by a rock called Kamień, is one of the forest churches where Protestants secretly held open-air services in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In 1928 a PTTK mountain hostel was opened at 758 m, built in the regional style; it houses a mountain rescue (GOPR) post. The road from Ustroń was built in 1933–1934 by young people of the Voluntary Labour Brigades and opened on 4 July 1934, as recorded on a plaque of local sandstone at the small square at the end of the road. In 1966 the original cobbles were replaced with asphalt.

What to see

Below the summit a panorama of the Silesian Beskids opens up: Czantoria Wielka and Mała, Tuł, Skrzyczne, Soszów Wielki, Barania Góra and Malinowska Skała. The slopes and the summit itself are wooded, mostly with beech and mixed forest, so the best views are from the meadow below the top. There are places to eat on the meadow and a rope park with a viewpoint.

Trails and access

• Main Beskid Trail from central Ustroń or Ustroń Polana – about 1:30 h up, 1 h down.
• From Brenna – about 1:45 h.
• From Skoczów – about 3:30 h.
• From Trzy Kopce via Orłowa – about 3:15 h.

Tripto tips

Access to the summit and trails is free, and there are car parks and snack bars at the end of the road. The road is narrow and winding – at weekends and in season the car parks fill quickly, and in winter driving up can be difficult. The "drive and short walk" option takes an hour or two; hiking up from Ustroń and back, allow half a day. Clear autumn and winter days give the best views.