Several hiking trails meet in Zwardoń, alongside a closely focused history of its chapel. A red-marked route leads over Rachowiec to Sól, while other trails take in destinations such as Wielka Racza, Koniaków and Barania Góra. There is also a summer summit panorama and a Gothic chapel whose construction history can be traced from 1896 to 1906. You can shape your stay around the landscape, outdoor activity and culture.

Hiking Trails and Specific Routes

The red-marked hiking trail from Zwardoń PKP to Sól PKP passes over Rachowiec, which is 954 m high. The stated walking time for this route is two to two and a half hours. This makes it easy to factor its duration into your daily plans; check current trail conditions before setting out.

Other hiking trails in Zwardoń include a red-marked trail to Wielka Racza via Skalanka, a red-marked trail to Rachowiec, and a blue-marked trail to Koniaków and Barania Góra. The destination names give you several directions to consider when planning, while the route over Rachowiec to Sól has a specific walking time.

The Szlak Papieski in the “Worek Raczański” also passes through Zwardoń, among other places. The route descriptions given connect Rajcza and Wielka Racza, and Rycerka Dolna and Oźna, with Zwardoń. The 34 km Ścieżka Trzech Harnasi hiking trail leads from Trójstyk in Jaworzynka to Rajcza, passing through Zwardoń, Sól-Kiczora and Milówka-Zabawa. Along the route there are six rest areas, as well as bicycle stations and bicycle repair points. If you need a repair point, check its status in advance.

A footpath described in 2022 follows a narrow asphalt road to the PKP station in Zwardoń. As trail conditions can change, check the current state before using it.

Rachowiec: Panorama and Nature Reserve

Rachowiec, at 954 m, belongs to the Wielka Racza group and rises above the holiday resort of Zwardoń. In summer, the view from the summit extends north to Ochodzita, Barania Góra and Skrzyczne, east to Romanka, Lipowska, Pilsko and the Tatras, and south to peaks in the Wielka Racza group. These directions divide the panorama into several named landscape areas.

Nearby, on the northern slopes of Rachowiec, lies the hard-to-access “Butorza” nature reserve. It protects a spruce forest over a hundred years old, as well as valuable animal and plant species. The panorama and the reserve show two different aspects of the landscape around Rachowiec: the distant summer view and a protected forest area.

Chapel and Grotto in Zwardoń

The brick chapel in Zwardoń is built in the Gothic style and has a small tower; it was completed in 1896. Ten years later, in 1906, it was extended with a choir room at the initiative of stationmaster Józef Janos. In August of that same year, a large Gothic altar from Tyrol, with the Virgin Mary at its center, was added. The sequence runs from the completion of the chapel to its later extension and the arrival of the altar.

The church grounds also include a grotto in honor of Our Lady of La Salette. Historically, tourists and holidaymakers also visited the grotto. If you plan to visit it, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Discover more destinations: Bierna, Kamesznica, Węgierska Górka, Bystra, Soblówka, Okrajnik, Żabnica, Koszarawa.

For the wider travel overview: Żywiec.