Krawców Wierch - yellow trail from Glinka

Krawców Wierch

Krawców Wierch (1076 m) lies in the Żywiec-Orava Beskids, on the Polish-Slovak border. It is one of the most popular and picturesque peaks of the Żywiec Beskids, drawing both mountain-hiking enthusiasts and people looking for a quiet spot to camp. Just below the summit stretches the vast Hala Krawcula meadow, home to the atmospheric PTTK hut on Krawców Wierch. Keep in mind, though, that the hut does not sit on the very top and to reach Krawców Wierch you still need to climb a few hundred metres up a path above the meadow. The summit can be reached from both the Polish and the Slovak side. The most popular option, however, is the trail from Glinka, without doubt one of the more scenic and pleasant routes to Krawców Wierch. From around the meadow open up wide panoramas over the Żywiec Beskids and the Slovak Orava, and in good weather you can also admire stunning sunsets.

PTTK hut on Krawców Wierch

This charming hut sits at the foot of Hala Krawcula, at an altitude of 1038 m. The PTTK hut offers 35 beds in 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 10-person rooms. There is also a canteen on site, so you can rest and eat a warm meal before hiking on or after coming down the trail. Camping is also allowed near the hut, which we took advantage of ourselves. It's a great option for those who want to spend a night in the mountains and wake up to a view of the Beskid peaks, exactly as we did (more on that below). The hut is known for its friendly, mountain atmosphere and has been a popular meeting point for hikers for years. Besides hosting guests daily, it also organises tourist events, including the iconic Noc Krawculi – a night rally leading up to the hut that draws many Żywiec Beskids lovers every year.

A night in a tent

Hala Krawcula is a popular choice for those seeking mountain night adventures or wanting to enjoy the sunset without rushing, not worrying about a night descent. The meadow is spacious, and a big advantage is the option to use a shower and a warm meal at the hut, light a fire at the designated fire pit and pitch a tent in a convenient spot in the open space.

The price per tent (2026) is 30 PLN, and a shower is included. In summer the hut canteen is open from 8:00 to 20:00, so you don't need to carry a lot of food and can use the hut's catering instead. Showers can also be used after the canteen closes, as the hut then still stays open.

Route variants

Parking

Choosing the yellow trail to Krawców Wierch, we parked the car in the village of Glinka, at a roadside, free car park (49.4618834, 19.1673231). There are few spaces and the area is not guarded. Nearby, however, there is a sports field, a chapel and a kindergarten. It's worth keeping in mind, especially if you plan to leave the car here overnight.

Yellow trail from Glinka

This is a very pleasant, not too demanding and, importantly, exceptionally scenic trail to Krawców Wierch. Walking the route takes about 2 hours and leads mainly along a slightly compacted path through the Beskid forest. In total it is about 450 m of elevation gain, so the trail is accessible even for those hiking with a larger backpack, e.g. with a tent. Apart from the first, slightly steeper ascent, the route is quite gentle and lets you calmly enjoy the surrounding views and the atmosphere of the Żywiec Beskids.

Trail length:

5,8 km

Duration:

2:22 h

Elevation gain:

449 m

Difficulty level:

easy

Trail description

We set off on the route from the car park mentioned above. The yellow trail from Glinka to Krawców Wierch starts by the road, right next to the kindergarten and the chapel. You can immediately see the path climbing quite steeply. The initial section runs along a narrow asphalt road surrounded by beautiful meadows. Every now and then we pass single houses, and as we gain altitude the first mountain views appear more and more often. The asphalt road then turns into concrete slabs, and the ascent still remains fairly steep. From between the trees an increasingly interesting Żywiec Beskids landscape starts to emerge. The trail is still partly shaded, but in places the forest thins out and we come out onto more open terrain.

After about 1.5 km the trail becomes gentler and turns into a forest path. From this point the route leads pleasantly uphill, partly through forest, and in places revealing views on one side or the other. We keep following the yellow trail. The path is wide and well trodden, though in places a few stones appear.

All around stretches a natural, wild mountain landscape far from city lights. In good visibility you can spot, among others, peaks such as Wielka Rycerzowa, Wielka Racza, Magura and the further ranges of the Malá Fatra. However, besides looking around, we had to watch our step and be careful of vipers, of which there were quite a few. Slowly we cover the successive sections, still following the yellow markings.

After about 3 km the characteristic PTTK hut on Krawców Wierch comes into view, set on the beautiful, vast and open Hala Krawcula. This is exactly where it's worth stopping for a longer while, resting and enjoying the views.

To officially conquer the summit of Krawców Wierch (1076 m), you need to climb even higher above the meadow and enter the forest again. The top itself, however, is unmarked and offers no additional panoramas, which is why many hikers consider Hala Krawcula to be the most beautiful point of the trip.

It's especially worth being here at sunset, as the vast meadow and open space then create a unique atmosphere in the orange light.

In the morning we were woken by the sounds of chirping birds and flying insects, which motivated us to get up quickly and pack the tent before the morning sun warmed it up. We take the descent along the same road we came up, and the whole thing takes us a little over an hour. This time we wanted a faster return, as we were keen to beat the forecast heat.

Summary

We recommend the trail from Glinka to Krawców Wierch to those looking for a quiet and scenic route in the Żywiec Beskids, without big crowds and demanding climbs. It's a great option both for a one-day trip and a longer backpacking outing. The whole route both ways is 11 km, which shouldn't take you more than 4 hours. We went on a warm June weekend and there weren't many hikers on the trail. So all the more reason to head there while it's not yet so popular!

And if you fancy more mountain inspiration, take a look at our other articles, where we describe tried-and-tested trails, tent stays and the most beautiful places in the Polish mountains. You'll find more ideas there for your next hikes!

Blue trail from the Glinka Pass

An alternative to the yellow trail from Glinka that we describe is the blue trail from the Glinka Pass. It's a shorter option that runs mostly along a wide forest road and lets you reach the PTTK mountain hut on Krawców Wierch in about an hour. Thanks to the modest elevation gain, it's often chosen by families with children and by people planning to stay overnight at Hala Krawcula.

Parking

If you're planning a hike on the blue trail, it's best to leave your car at the Glinka Pass, in the free but small car park on the Polish–Slovak border (49.457645, 19.226445). The trailhead is right next to it.

Trail length:

3,2 km

Duration:

1:16 h

Elevation gain:

233 m

Difficulty level:

easy