Beskid Wysoki (High) is a western part of High Carpathian mountains and between Zwardoń Pass and Czaca lowering to Osielec and Zubrzycka Pass is referred to as Beskid Żywiecki. There are three main mountain ranges: Wielka Racza, Pilsko and Babia Góra chich differ in height and form. Wielka Racza is of a fork shape, Pilsko resembles antlers; Babia Gora and Pilsko have their culminations visibly towering over mountain massifs. Babia Góra is the highest peak of Beskid Wysoki (1725 meters above sea level) being also the highest in whole Beskidy mountains. Beskid Wysoki is built mainly of sandstone.
Its mountains streams gather waters which flow into Soła and Skawa, right – bank tributary of Vistula river. There are plenty of waterfalls and cascades e.g. in picturesque village of Sopotnia, in Milówka and Korbielów. Hereby forests consist mainly of spruce, covering as much as 80% of their stand. The characteristic feature of the mountains is the division of their forests into layers – lower layer reaches up to 1150 meters, upper layer – 1390 meters and dwarf mountain pine layer up to 1650 meters. above this there is an alpine layer which encompasses multiple species of high mountain vegetation. The nature of this beautiful region is protected within nature reserves. The most precious clusters of vegetation are protected under Babia Góra National Park and nature reserves such as: "Śrubita" (south of Rycerka), on Romanka and Rysianka. The animal species inhabiting Beskid Wysoki are typical for the whole Carpathian region.
Beskid Wysoki is in general easily accessible and available for trekking and mountain tourism. Soft mountain massifs and peaks forms , with the average height of around 1200 meters above sea level, long mountain ranges linked with passes, picturesque landscape are the invitation for leisure and sport activities. There are also many monumental places, with the oldest dating from late Gothic, the most impressive ones from Renaissance era and the most numerous from Baroque times. Among them one may find wooden chapels and churches constructed by highlander carpenters (e.g. in Cięcina, Gilowice, £ękawica) and also stone castles. In Beskidy valleys there are plenty of well organized villages and human settlements. They are inhabited by highlanders, who, not so long ago, used to wear traditional highlander costumes. There are still plenty of old wooden houses with arched doorways and thatched roofs preserved in the region. They are considered however to be the relicts of the past folklore as modern architecture, very often too ugly, has started to dominate. The landscape of the region changes every year.
Beskidy are covered with network of well marked tourist routes and tracks, running along the most beautiful mountain ranges and parts of the region. There are also plenty of well maintained tourist shelters and huts which are especially welcomed by travelers. All mountain valleys are linked by roads and can be reached by public transport, as well as by private vehicles.
Beskidy mountains are very popular in winter season being one of the most popular winter sports center in Poland; if you want to have an unforgettable skiing vacation you should try Korbielów with its Pilsko peak, Zwardoń, Wielka Racza, which lies just across Czech border. The slopes here are fantastic, offering challenge to inexperienced and expert skiers alike. Ski lifts and other facilities improve every year, which, given the additional benefit of gorgeous landscape make our holiday worthy a try.
Anja
