The Sądecki Beskid is an incredibly picturesque mountain range in the Western Carpathians, part of the Western Beskids. Amazing views, fantastic conditions for activities, numerous attractions and monuments, along with an interesting culture are just some of the reasons why spending autumn in the mountains is worth it, and we will suggest what you can do and see during your vacation!
Why is it worth going to the Sądecki Beskid in autumn?
In Poland, the Sądecki Beskid covers an area of about 670 square kilometers and stretches between the Dunajec River in the west and the valleys of Kamienica, Mochnaczka, and Muszynka to the Tyliczka Pass in the east. The highest peak of the Sądecki Beskid is Radziejowa, which rises to 1266 m above sea level. Beautiful views are not everything the region has to offer. In the Sądecki Beskid, there are also numerous health resorts, including Krynica-Zdrój, Muszyna, Piwniczna-Zdrój, and Żegiestów-Zdrój.
The region also attracts with its multitude of attractions and monuments, cultural wealth, interesting folklore, and a diverse range of activities for leisure. All this makes the Sądecki Beskid an excellent choice for a vacation at any time of the year, and in autumn, it additionally entices with a calmer atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city and a magical spectacle by mother nature herself, who delights in a feast of colors at this time.
Hiking and cycling trips in the Sądecki Beskid in autumn
If you enjoy spending time actively outdoors and want to avoid crowds of tourists, coming to the Sądecki Beskid in the autumn is an excellent proposal for you. Biking and hiking trips in the region provide fantastic experiences, and the effort put in is rewarded with beautiful views hidden in nearly every corner. Hiking trails in the Sądecki Beskid are extremely diverse, which is conducive to mountain hiking, and depending on the route, you can see:
- red trail - Czarny Potok, Diabelski Kamień, Jaworzyna Krynicka;
- blue trail - Góra Parkowa, Powroźnik, Przełęcz Krzyżowa, Bacówka PTTK Nad Wierchomlą, the chapel under Jaworzynka;
- green trail - Przełęcz Krzyżowa, Czarny Potok, Diabelski Kamień, Jaworzyna Krynicka, Muszyna Złockie, PTTK in Muszyna;
- yellow trail - Krzyżowa, Przełęcz Krzyżowa, Bukówki, Jaworzynka, Kopciowa, Góra Parkowa, Pusta Wielka, Muszyna Złockie, PTTK in Muszyna, Przełęcz pod Jaworem;
- black trail - Kopiec Pułaskiego, market in Tylicz, Wierchomla Mała, Bacówka PTTK Nad Wierchomlą.
In another article, you can read what the colors of the trails in the mountains mean.
In the autumn season in the Sądecki Beskid, you can still count on excellent conditions for cycling trips. The most popular cycling routes in the Sądecki Beskid are:
- VeloKrynica cycling route - a healing tourist-recreational route of 12 km, adapted for all types of bikes. It begins on the Krynica promenade and runs through Krynica Dolna and Powroźnik to Muszyna. The trail is suitable even for less experienced tourists and families with children looking for paths of lower difficulty;
- AquaVelo cycling route - crosses Poland for 94 kilometers from a 230-kilometer loop. The Polish section of AquaVelo leads from the border with Slovakia near Muszynka through Krynica-Zdrój and Piwniczna-Zdrój to Szczawnica. The route is mainly recommended to intermediate cyclists, but from Krynica-Zdrój to Muszyna, its difficulty level is easy;
- VeloNatura route - part of EuroVelo 11, which starts at the Slovak border and ends at the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship border, overlapping with VeloDunajec at a certain section. The route runs through the Poprad and Dunajec Valley surrounded by the Sądecki Beskid and Pogórze;
- MTB Krynica trails - in recent years, MTB biking trails of high difficulty have been marked around Krynica-Zdrój, totaling about 125 kilometers, starting at the Krynica promenade near the tourist information center. The names of the MTB routes come from Krynica springs: Kryniczanka, Zuber, Słotwinka, Tadeusz, Mieczysław, Jan, Józef, and Karol.
Read another article of ours and learn what to take to the mountains in autumn to prepare properly for both going out and traveling on the trail.
Autumn in the Sądecki Beskid? These places are worth visiting!
If you want to spend autumn in the mountains and choose the Sądecki Beskid, you certainly won’t complain about the lack of interesting attractions and monuments worth seeing. In this regard, Krynica-Zdrój stands out distinctly, as it is the heart of the Sądecki Beskid, enchanting with wonderful views, numerous nature reserves, and an alpine climate throughout the year. What to do in Krynica-Zdrój in autumn?
In the center, there are many monuments awaiting tourists, which concentrate around the promenade: Stare Łazienki Mineralne, Stary Dom Zdrojowy, Stare Łazienki Borowinowe, and historic villas and guesthouses. This part of the city also includes the Main Pump Room, concert shell, multimedia fountain, Nikifor Museum, Toy Museum, and Spa Park, over which rises the picturesque Park Mountain. Choosing accommodation in a hotel in Krynica-Zdrój located in the heart of the city, you will have these attractions at your fingertips.
Among the most popular towns in the Sądecki Beskid is also Muszyna, which you can reach by car or by traversing the previously mentioned green trail. Tourists spending autumn in the mountains can count on beautiful views and numerous attractions here:
- Regional Museum of the Muszyna State - introduces visitors to the history of Muszyna and its residents;
- Sensory Gardens in Muszyna - also known as Sensory Gardens, created for relaxation, therapeutic, and educational purposes. They are designed to stimulate all five senses: smell, sight, touch, hearing, and taste;
- Magical Gardens in Muszyna - with sandstone statues reminiscent of muses and Greek gods. The gardens are thematically divided into rock gardens, modern gardens, antique gardens, and French gardens, while charmingly located recreational ponds and walking paths enhance relaxation;
- Biblical Gardens in Muszyna - the largest biblical gardens in the country, covering an area of 12.3 hectares, which vividly portray the stories contained in the Holy Scriptures;
- Castle in Muszyna - in ruins for many years, but recently, thanks to the efforts of the Muszyna commune, a partial reconstruction of the castle was possible, making it one of the main attractions in the region.
You can also diversify your stay in the Sądecki Beskid in autumn by visiting the Słotwiny viewing tower, where the most beautiful path in the treetops is located. Another attraction is the Lemko Churches Trail, which is part of the Wooden Architecture Trail. And if you are traveling with children, visit the agrotourism farm LaMa Farm, where you can spend time surrounded by nature alongside domestic animals.
