Hańczowa brings together two named trail routes, a specific detail at the Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God, and a landscape connection at Mount Markowiec. This means that different interests come into play when choosing the area: those who follow trail descriptions by their specific names will find two distinct route connections; those interested in architecture can discover the painted clock on the church tower. Markowiec adds a connection to a nature reserve. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish between a trail route, an architectural detail and a geographical connection to a protected area.

Trail routes around Hańczowa

A side trail of the John Paul II Trail shares a section between Izby and Kozie Żebro with the red-marked Beskid Main Trail. The section passes through Hańczowa, Kozie Żebro, Zdynia and Bartne before reaching Magura Wątkowska. This shared route applies expressly only to this section. The distinction is important for orientation: the side trail retains its own name even when one section runs together with the main trail. The named places help pinpoint Hańczowa on the specific route.

The red-marked Wielokulturowy Szlak Winny also passes through Hańczowa, between Wysowa and Stawisze. The distinguishing route connection for the John Paul II side trail, by contrast, is that it shares a section with the Beskid Main Trail. You should therefore consider the red marking together with the name of each trail and the places listed. This makes it possible to distinguish between the descriptions: one identifies a shared section and further points along the route, while the other describes the trail through Hańczowa between Wysowa and Stawisze. Before setting out, it is advisable to check local trail conditions; for the Wielokulturowy Szlak Winny, you should also check the current markings. When choosing, you can use the specific route points listed as a guide rather than relying on the colour alone.

A painted clock on the church tower

The Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Hańczowa features a local architectural detail. Its tower bears a painted clock, which was intended to replace a real clock mechanism because the latter was too expensive. The painting was therefore a practical alternative to costly technology. The connection between design and purpose is central to this detail: it is not simply a clock on the tower, but a painted solution intended to take the place of a mechanical clockwork. Those interested in architecture will find a specific point of interest here alongside the trail routes.

Markowiec and the nature reserve

Hańczowa lies by Mount Markowiec, which is part of the Markowiec-Gródek Nature Reserve. The mountain adds a distinct geographical connection to the trail descriptions: the routes focus on names and points along the way, while Markowiec is associated with a protected area. These are different ways of getting to know the area—through its trails, a detail of Orthodox architecture or the landscape around the mountain.

Discover more destinations: Uście Gorlickie, Krzywa, Sękowa, Szymbark, Klimkówka, Lipinki, Wysowa-Zdrój, Korczyna

For the broader travel overview: Gorlice.