The Beskid Wyspowy, known for its landscape full of “islands and islets,” is a region that truly stands out not only for its hiking trails suited to all levels of experience but also for the variety of ways its peaks can be explored. You can hike the routes solo, with a guide, or in the company of family and friends. But there’s more you can also discover them on horseback, by bike, on skis, or, for the more adventurous, enjoy the views from above while paragliding. Among the well-trodden, popular trails, you’ll also find many wild and hidden paths waiting to be explored.
When talking about the Beskid Wyspowy, one cannot forget about Kasina Wielka the hometown of Olympic medalist Justyna Kowalczyk. Nestled at the foot of Śnieżnica (1,006 meters above sea level), this village is home to Kasina Ski & Bike Park, a ski resort consistently ranked among the best in Poland.
In winter, Kasina attracts crowds of skiers and snowboarders. In summer, it transforms into a paradise for cyclists, mountain hikers, and paragliding enthusiasts.
Visitors can also enjoy a truly unique attraction a ride on the Retro Train, which travels along one of the most scenic sections of the historic Galician Transversal Railway, still preserving its original 19th-century charm. The old railway station building, now beautifully restored, houses comfortable apartments.
Over the years, this station has served as a filming location for several major productions, including:
All year round, visitors to Kasina Ski & Bike Park can ride the chairlift and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from the top of Śnieżnica.
In 1968, a nature reserve was established on Śnieżnica to protect one of the last remaining fragments of the ancient Carpathian Forest. The reserve is home to a variety of wild animals, including the tawny owl, pine marten, roe deer, wild boar, red deer, common buzzard, and hazel grouse. The area also features rich plant life, such as mountain male fern, Alpine clubmoss, stag’s-horn clubmoss, toothwort, martagon lily, wild garlic, and more. The natural forest stands here represent rare ecological communities of acid mountain beech and fertile Carpathian beech forests.
In 2004, the reserve was expanded to cover 24.92 hectares.
The Beskid Wyspowy region is ideal not only for hiking through nature trails, but also for exploring its historical and architectural treasures. The area boasts beautiful manor houses, churches, and monasteries. One notable highlight is the Cistercian Abbey in Szczyrzyc, which includes the town’s most precious monument a monastery rebuilt in the 17th century. Nearby, you’ll also find the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, reconstructed in the Gothic style on a Latin cross plan, a medieval museum, and even a 17th-century brewery, considered the oldest brewery in Poland.
On the southern slope of Śnieżnica, in a forest clearing at an altitude of around 840 meters above sea level, lies a favorite spot among visitors the Retreat Center.
The center includes six buildings, four of which offer hotel-style accommodation. There is also a charming wooden chapel and an old building where the chaplain resides.
Guests have access to two sports fields, a children’s play area, a grill hut nestled in the forest across the stream, a pavilion in the center of the grounds, and a large flat open space ideal for various activities (except football). The area is also surrounded by a network of forest paths and trails in every direction.
Nearby, nature offers an abundance of forest treasures: wild strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and mushrooms perfect for foraging and enjoying the beauty of the mountains.
An outstanding athlete and one of Poland’s greatest cross-country skiers. She is an Olympic champion and multiple Olympic and World Championship medalist. She won the Cross-Country World Cup four times. Currently, she serves as the assistant coach of the Polish Women’s National Cross-Country Skiing Team.
Polish skier and biathlete. A three-time Olympian: in cross-country skiing (Albertville 1992, Lillehammer 1994) and in biathlon (Nagano 1998). Her top achievements include 7th place in the 4×5 km relay at the 1991 World Championships, 7th place in the team event at the 1997 Biathlon World Championships, 6th place in the 3×7.5 km biathlon relay at the 1995 European Championships, and two Universiade relay medals (silver and bronze) in 1987 and 1989. She is also a four-time Polish champion in both skiing and biathlon.
Polish biathlete, World Championship medalist, and four-time Olympian. He competed multiple times in World Championships, European Championships, and World Cup events. His biggest success was a bronze medal in the team event at the 1997 World Championships in Osrblie (alongside his brother Jan Ziemianin, Tomasz Sikora, and Wojciech Kozub). His best World Cup result was 4th place in the individual event in Osrblie in 2000. He won numerous medals at the European Championships, including silver in the 10 km sprint and bronze in the 12.5 km pursuit (both in 2001), three silver medals in the 4×7.5 km relay (1994, 2000, 2001), and one bronze (2004). He also claimed many Polish national titles.
Polish biathlete and World Championship medalist. During his career, he represented three clubs: SKS Turbacz Mszana Dolna (1984–1989), NGKS Dynamit Chorzów (1990–1993), and WKS Zakopane (1994–1999). He participated in three Winter Olympics (1992, 1994, 1998) and served as Poland’s flag bearer in Nagano 1998. His greatest international success was a bronze medal in the team event at the 1997 World Championships in Osrblie, alongside Tomasz Sikora, Wojciech Kozub, and his younger brother Wiesław. He represented Poland for many years in World Cup events, with a career-best 11th place in the long-distance race in Lillehammer during the 1992/1993 season. He also won multiple Polish national medals, both individually and with his club teams.
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