Kasinka Mala is surrounded by the peaks of Szczebel, Lubogoszcz and Kiczora. Hiking trails lead to the mountains, and viewpoints include meadows on Szczebel and Lubogoszcz. Memorial sites and regional culture offer additional points of interest for your trip. For orientation: the village lies on the road between Mszana Dolna and KrakĂłw. The Kasinka stream also flows into the Raba here, a right-bank tributary of the Vistula.
Trails to Szczebel and Lubogoszcz
The elevation figures put the three peaks in perspective: Szczebel reaches 977 metres, Lubogoszcz 968 metres and Kiczora 735 metres. Szczebel and Lubogoszcz are therefore just nine metres apart in height; Kiczora is the lowest of the three peaks mentioned. Viewpoints include a meadow on the summit slope below Szczebel, as well as the summit and viewpoint meadow on Lubogoszcz. From there, you can enjoy views of the Raba and Mszanka valleys and of elevations in the Island Beskids and the Gorce Mountains.
Kasinka Mala is a hub for hiking trails to Szczebel and Lubogoszcz. A black trail leads to Szczebel. Yellow and black trail sections lead towards Lubogoszcz; a red trail then leads to the summit. Szczebel can be reached by three trails, including the black trail from Kasinka Mala. The routes to these destinations therefore differ: one black trail to Szczebel, and a sequence of different trail markings to the summit of Lubogoszcz. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.
Another way to combine a trail with history is the “Baza Lubo Gości” quest. It starts in Kasinka Mala on the black hiking trail, 300 metres before the gate of the “Lubogoszcz” Training and Recreation Centre and before the concrete slabs. The route crosses Lubogoszcz and tells the story of the centre’s activities. Riddles lead to a solution word; at the end of the route is a treasure chest containing the quest book. This activity combines a specific route with stories and challenges, rather than being limited to a summit hike.
Memorial Sites and Regional Culture
A stone monument in the Szczypki settlement and a memorial grave with a commemorative plaque in the cemetery remember the people killed during the 1937 Peasants’ Strikes. Both sites refer to the same historical events, but each offers a different focus: the monument stands in Szczypki, while the memorial grave is in the cemetery. At local celebrations and performances by a brass band, you can also see the traditional costumes worn by the Zagórzanie. This cultural aspect complements the hiking and nature themes without requiring a regular event schedule.
Natural and Literary Features Nearby
Nearby, on the north slope of Szczebel, lies the “Zimna Dziura” ice cave. Ice remains inside it all year round. The cave is about five metres high, seven metres long and two metres wide. Also nearby, on Lubogoszcz, lies the ever-changing “Żabie Oczko” lake. It can dry up and become overgrown with plants; when it contains water, its surface area is about 90 square metres. The two natural features are therefore markedly different: the ice cave is characterised by year-round ice, while the lake’s condition can change.
The Szczepański family villa is also located on the slope of Lubogoszcz. The story of Józef Szczepański’s novel “Portki Odyssa” is set there. This literary connection adds a site of literary history to the viewpoints and natural features. The cave, lake and villa are all nearby.
Winter as a Season to Visit
Winter is also part of the village’s character: the climatic conditions in Kasinka Mala are considered favourable for winter sports and ski tourism. This offers a seasonal contrast to the hiking trails, viewpoints and natural features described above. Plan any specific activities during a winter trip around current conditions.
This selection can help you shape your travel plans for Kasinka Mala without turning the different themes into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Jodłownik, Porąbka, Lubomierz, Mszana Dolna, Kamienica, Mecina, Poręba Wielka, Mszana Górna.
For the broader travel overview: Limanowa.
