Polczakówka Observation Tower, Rabka-Zdrój

A wooden observation tower stands on the summit of Królewska Góra (588 m), also known as Polczakówka, on the northern edge of the spa town of Rabka-Zdrój. The hill rises only about 120 m above the Raba valley, so the walk up makes an easy half-day outing, even with children. From the top platform you can see Babia Góra, Luboń Wielki and the Gorce range.

Polczakówka and its tower

Królewska Góra is the last hill on a ridge that runs from the Gorce mountains over Bardo, Grzebień and Bania down to the Raba river. Its other name comes from the Polczakówka ski area on its slope. The tower was built next to the upper station of the ski lift. The Rabka-Zdrój municipality says it is 25 metres tall, although some guidebooks give 20 m. Several flights of stairs lead up to a roofed platform at the very top.

What you can see

The trees around the tower have grown and now partly block the panorama. The widest "window" opens to the west, towards Babia Góra and the Polica range. Close by to the north rises Luboń Wielki, and to the south you can see the Gorce range with Turbacz. On a very clear day you may also spot part of the Western Tatras between the trees. At the foot of the tower there is a bench, a summit sign and one of the Stations of the Cross.

It is worth following the path past the stations towards the old ski slope. In the meadow there is a chapel of the Weeping Mother of God, next to the 14th and final Station of the Cross, a route that starts by the Raba in Rabka-Zaryte. The view from the meadow is narrower than from the tower, but it is a good spot for a picnic.

Getting there

The blue trail leads up from the centre of Rabka. It starts at the junction of Jana Pawła II, Poniatowskiego and Słoneczna streets, just below the spa park. First you follow Słoneczna Street on tarmac, then farm tracks across meadows. At a signpost in a clearing, turn left onto an unmarked forest path. The tower is about 200 m further on and cannot be seen from the trail. From Rabka-Zaryte the blue trail runs mostly through forest. The shortest route is unmarked and climbs steeply up the old ski slope, about 700 m.

Tripto tip

The easiest place to park is in the centre, near the start of the trail or the town hospital. Further up the street there is nowhere to park. The meadow section has little shade, so bring a hat and water in summer. There is no ticket office or snack bar at the tower. The walk from the centre and back, with a break at the top, takes about 2 hours. The municipality also suggests a longer 7 km loop: along the blue trail via Kościuszki Street and the pass below Grzebień to the tower, then back to Rabka.