Zwardoń: Hiking Trails, Ski Station, and Chapel History

Zwardoń offers several options to consider when planning your trip: marked hiking trails across Rachowiec, the Zwardoń Ski station on its northern slope, and a historic chapel. There is also a grotto on the church grounds. Depending on your interests, you can focus on hiking, the ski station, or local history.

Hiking trails and walking times

A red-marked hiking trail leads from Zwardoń PKP via Rachowiec to Sól PKP. The published trail description gives a walking time of two to two and a half hours. When planning your route, include both stations as endpoints and 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 onward to Barania Góra. The Szlak Papieski in the “Worku Raczańskim” also passes through Zwardoń, among other places. Its routes connect Rajcza and Wielka Racza, and Rycerka Dolna and Oźna, with the town.

A longer option is the 34-kilometer Ścieżka Trzech Harnasi hiking trail. It runs between Trójstyk in Jaworzynka and Rajcza via Zwardoń, Sól-Kiczora, and Milówka-Zabawa. There are six rest areas along the route, as well as bicycle stations and bicycle repair points. If you plan to use these facilities, check their condition in advance.

Rachowiec and Butorza Nature Reserve

Nearby Rachowiec belongs to the Wielka Racza group and rises above the holiday resort of Zwardoń; its summit is 954 meters high. From nearby Rachowiec’s summit, the summer view extends north to Ochodzita, Barania Góra, and Skrzyczne, and east to Romanka, Lipowska, Pilsko, and the Tatra Mountains. The summer view from nearby Rachowiec also extends south to peaks in the Wielka Racza group. These directions give you a concrete sense of how far the panorama from the summit reaches.

The “Butorza” nature reserve lies on the northern slopes of Rachowiec. This difficult-to-access area protects a spruce forest over a hundred years old, as well as valuable animal and plant species. Bear its difficult access in mind if you include the reserve in your plans.

Chapel and history

The brick chapel in Zwardoń was built in the Gothic style with a small tower and completed in 1896. In 1906, it was extended to include a choir at the initiative of stationmaster Józef Janos. In August of the same year, a large Gothic altar with the Virgin Mary at its center was brought from Tyrol. The two dates mark different stages: the chapel’s completion and its later extension, together with the altar.

There is also a grotto in honor of Our Lady of La Salette on the church grounds in Zwardoń. Tourists and holidaymakers visited it in the past. If you plan to visit, check access in advance.

Ski station on the northern slope

Zwardoń Ski station is on the northern slope of Rachowiec and has a four-person chairlift. This makes Rachowiec a landmark for hiking, while the ski station on its northern slope caters to different travel interests. To decide, you can first consider whether hiking trails or the ski station will be the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Miedzybrodzie Bialskie, Sopotnia Wielka, Bierna, Rycerka Górna, Milowka, Przyłęków, Lipowa, Koszarawa.

Return to the main travel overview: Żywiec.