Things to do in Szczyrk
Szczyrk is a mountain town in the Silesian Beskids, set in the Żylica valley south of Bielsko-Biała. It stretches from about 470 to 1,257 metres above sea level, its highest point being Skrzyczne, the highest peak of the Silesian Beskids. In winter Szczyrk is one of Poland's main ski areas, home to Szczyrk Mountain Resort and the Central Sports Centre slopes on Skrzyczne. In summer and autumn you can hike to Skrzyczne, Malinowska Skała and Kotarz, or drive up to the Salmopol Pass, where scenic trails begin. In the valley, walk the promenade along the Żylica and visit the wooden church. Two days suit a short trip, a week a ski holiday or longer hikes. Come by car or bus from Bielsko-Biała, which is easy to reach by train. Winter is best for skiing, and June to October for hiking.
Map of attractions in Szczyrk
All 10 places on one map: see what is close together and plan your route.
All attractions (10)
Hidden gemMountains & peaks
Skrzyczne
Szczyrk
Skrzyczne (1,257 m) is the highest peak of the Silesian Beskids and one of the summits of the Crown of Polish Mountains, a list of the highest points of Poland's mountain ranges. Above the Żywiec Basin it rises as a single, almost 800-metr…
Mountains & peaks
Kotarz
Szczyrk
Set into an altar on the slopes of Kotarz are stones from Jerusalem, the Sahara and Australia, and even fragments of meteorites. Kotarz (974 m) is a wooded peak above Szczyrk and Brenna in the Silesian Beskids, the highest point of the rid…
Ski resorts
Central Sports Centre in Szczyrk
Szczyrk
The COS Skrzyczne ski area in Szczyrk (say "shchirk") is run by Poland's Central Sports Center on the slopes of Skrzyczne (1,257 m / 4,124 ft), the highest peak of the Silesian Beskids. In winter it offers some of the steepest runs in the…
Other
Żylica Riverside Promenade in Szczyrk
Szczyrk
The Żylica Riverside Promenade (Deptak nad Żylicą) is a walking and cycling path that follows the mountain river through the centre of Szczyrk – from the Town Hall at ul. Beskidzka 4, past St James's Square and the amphitheatre, to the Ska…
Free entry
Churches & monasteries
Wooden Church of St James in Szczyrk
Szczyrk
On a tree-covered hill about 700 m east of St James's Square in the centre of Szczyrk stands a small shingled church that is the town's oldest historic building. It was built in 1797–1800, when the village had almost 2,000 inhabitants and…
Other
Dziewięćsił Festival of the Beskids and Cieszyn Silesia
Szczyrk
The Dziewięćsił Festival is a spread-out celebration of two regions – the Beskids and Cieszyn Silesia – held simultaneously in nine towns and villages. Each location has its own programme: concerts, workshops, outdoor games, meetings and l…
Mountains & peaks
Malinowska Skała
Szczyrk
Malinowska Skała (1,152 m) is the hub of the Silesian Beskids: ridges run from its summit towards Skrzyczne, Barania Góra and the Salmopolska Pass. The boundaries of Wisła, Szczyrk and Lipowa meet at the top, which is also the old border b…
Mountains & peaks
Karkoszczonka Pass
Szczyrk
Karkoszczonka is the lowest and easiest crossing of the main ridge of the Silesian Beskids between Szczyrk and Brenna – a broad saddle at roughly 723–729 m (sources give both figures) that locals have used for centuries. For a long time it…
Mountains & peaks
Salmopol Pass
Szczyrk
At 934 m the regional road 942 crosses the ridge of the Silesian Beskids and winds down in hairpins to Szczyrk on one side and Wisła on the other. Salmopol Pass is the highest road pass in the Silesian Beskids and the second highest in the…
Ski resorts
Szczyrk Mountain Resort
Szczyrk
Szczyrk Mountain Resort (say "shchirk") is the largest ski area in Szczyrk and one of the biggest in Poland, spread across the slopes of Mały Skrzyczne (1,211 m / 3,973 ft) in the Silesian Beskids. A 10-seat gondola and three six-seat chai…