Hiking Babia Góra – My favourite Hike in Poland

The highest mountain of the Polish Beskid Mountains, Babia Góra, is a phenomenal hike with outstanding views. But be warned: despite it’s low elevation and maximum gain the hike is infamous for its bad weather and sudden changes in conditions.

If you are lucky and have a good weather day, you will enjoy the views over half of Poland and almost all of the Tatra Mountains. Despite or maybe because of the sometimes challenging, it is my favourite hike in Poland. Here is why and some basic information on how to do it yourself.

Babia Góra (1725 m) is the highest peak in the Polish Beskids and a classic day‑hike destination from the north–south axis of southern Poland, lying right on the Polish–Slovak border in Babia Góra National Park. The most popular routes are moderately demanding, well‑marked, and offer great open‑ridge views, especially from the Diablak summit.

On the rather rare occasion of a clear sky – the sunsets at the peak of Babia Góra are without any doubt one of the best in whole Poland.

Babia Góra, the name of the mountain is often a question for debates. The mountain is also usually referred to – depending on who you ask – as “Diablak”, “Queen of the Beskids”, the “Mother of Bad Weather” or in German language as “Old Woman’s Mountain” or “Witches’ Mountain”. We leave this point open for discussion and to find out for yourself. In our hands-on hiking experience, the “mother of bad weather” has more than just a little true meaning in it.

Hiking Babia Gora is, despite the relatively easy terrain and lower elevation not the easiest task. My first three tries all involved snow, wind gusts of up to 100km/h and an icy ground. It was only on the fourth try, that i saw the actual famous 360° views from the top.

And yes, the view truly is outstanding, i would argue it is the most scenic sunrise and sunset view in Poland.

A hazy sunset view towards the whole Tatra mountain range

Hiking Babia Góra – Main route options

  • From Krowiarki Pass
    • Shortest: red trail from parking at Przełęcz Krowiarki; about 4.5-5 km one‑way, 700-800 m elevation gain, commonly done in 2-2.5 hours up and 1.5-2 hours down.
  • From Zawoja Markowa (south)
    • Green trail to Markowe Szczawiny hut (PTTK), then steep red trail up to Babia Góra and return via Przełęcz Brona; roughly 3–3.5 h to summit, total loop around 10–14 km depending on variant.
    • This version is more scenic and slightly longer, still considered “medium” difficulty for fit hikers.
  • From Slovakia (Slaná Voda / Oravská Polhora)
    • Yellow–red trail from Slovakia (Oravská Polhora / Slaná Voda side) gives a longer, more alpine‑style approach with about 1000 m elevation gain and 10–11 km one‑way.
  • From our house in Zubrzyca Gorna – Mountain Moments Babia Góra
    • Go north slightly up the hill along an unmarked path, after 100m you reach the green trail, turn left, pass the road and outdoor museum and follow this until Krowarski Pass (Przełęcz Krowiarki). Here you follow the main paths, the shortest is the red trail. About 1000m elevation gain and 4-5h hike up and 3-4h down.
Babia Gora peak

Terrain, difficulty, and conditions

  • Trails are well‑marked, mostly on forest paths at first, then open ridges with dwarf pine and rocky patches; the red “ridge” variant is steep in places but not technically climbing.
  • The summit area is exposed and windy year‑round; in summer beware afternoon thunderstorms, in autumn and winter quickly changing weather and possible snow/ice, especially on the Slovak side.

Practical tips for your Babia Góra hike

  • Best season: late May–early October for stable weather; July–August can be crowded and foggy at times.
  • Access: easiest by car to Krowiarki or Zawoja‑Markowa; from Kraków, the most common setup is bus/minibus to Zawoja to the trailhead.
  • Gear: good hiking shoes, wind/waterproof layer, hat, gloves, and at minimum 1–1.5 L water; add crampons if hiking in late autumn or winter.
  • Overnight/Where to stay: Lot’s of weekend warriors from Katowice and Krakow tackle the hike as a day activity – and it is perfectly doable, if you can handle the notorious traffic jams. There also are busses going directly from Krakow to Zawoja Markowa 3-4 times per day. We recommend you stay a few days in our cozy guesthouse near Babia Góra and start and end your hike directly at your short holiday stay. The marked trail starts 100m next to the house.

Gallery Babia Gora Hike