Wielka Racza

Trails

Wielka Racza

This is an excellent choice both for a peaceful family trip and an active day in the mountains. On Wielka Racza there is a PTTK shelter and a small observation tower. At its summit, there's also the possibility of camping. Judging by the number of tents and tourists, the place enjoys considerable popularity among backpacking enthusiasts. During our weekend stay at the summit, there were already several tents, as well as many people who stayed at the shelter. No wonder, as beautiful mountain panoramas stretch in every direction, and since there are no large settlements around Wielka Racza, at night with a clear sky it's an excellent point for stargazing. Wielka Racza is mostly forested, but at its summit there's a small clearing without trees, thanks to which a beautiful view of the surrounding peaks unfolds. Therefore, it's a good place for admiring sunrises and sunsets. Additionally, you can climb the observation deck, where all visible peaks are described, primarily the Malá Fatra range and Beskid peaks - Pilsko and a bit further Babia Góra. The price for camping is 40 PLN per person and offers the possibility of using a hot shower, toilets, as well as a kettle and microwave. Room prices at the shelter start from 80 PLN per person, and if you're looking for detailed information, it's best to visit the shelter's official website https://www.wielka-racza.pttk.pl/pl/pokoj/pokoj-szescioosobowy-nr-1. The shelter can be visited with a four-legged friend.

PTTK shelter on Wielka Racza

Summit of Wielka Racza

Observation tower

Camping area

Sunrise

Sunset

Parking

When going to Wielka Racza via the yellow trail, it's best to park at the free and guarded parking lot in Kolonia 49.42819562, 19.0102637. The parking lot is small, so during the season it can get crowded and it's worth arriving earlier. Pay attention to the signs, because the parking lot on the left turn is free, while the area around is private property and parking is paid (20 PLN per day). Right behind the parking lot there's also a camping area with covered benches and a designated fireplace. If you can't find a spot there, there's another option to park a dozen or so meters earlier, at the fork in Kolonia to the left 49.4282573, 19.0167063. The parking lot is a bit larger and free, but unguarded. To reach the yellow trail, you need to walk a bit on asphalt. From this parking lot also begins the green trail to Przegibek and ends the loop we mention below.

Parking in Kolonia

Camping area

Yellow trail from Kolonia (Rycerka Górna)

Trail length: 5,2 km
Duration: 2:12 h
Elevation gain: 555 m
Difficulty level: easy

Trail description

Wielka Racza is a pleasant and not very demanding peak, you can reach it at a calm pace in just 2 hours via the shortest and fastest yellow trail. The trail starts from Rycerka Górna, specifically from the parking lot in Kolonia (mentioned above). After just a dozen or so meters of asphalt road, the route turns onto the trail on a rocky road, which from this moment, without major breaks for breath, climbs up almost to the very summit. Fortunately, the ascent is not too steep, so it's quite pleasant to walk. Most of the route leads along an exposed road, thanks to which you can constantly admire the surrounding hills, but you have to count on the sun being bothersome on this route at noon. Almost the entire route leads along a wide rocky road, which can be a bit troublesome when descending, because you have to carefully place your steps so as not to slip on loose stones. In the first part of the hike, we are accompanied by the sound of the Rycerski Stream flowing below. About one-third of the way, we cross a stream flowing down from the mountain. Then the trail starts to curve more. The last part of the route enters the forest. The ascent becomes slightly steeper. At the end, the trail deviates from the main rocky road and leads through a wild path through the forest. The turn is properly marked, but if you miss it anyway, you can calmly continue, because after a dozen or so meters the road crosses with the red and green trail, and if you turn right you will also reach - via the red trail to the shelter and via the green trail to the summit.

Loop through Przełęcz Przegibek

Trail length: 19,5 km
Duration: 6:19 h
Elevation gain: 941 m
Difficulty level: easy

Trail description

For people with better fitness, who have dedicated a bit more time to hiking, we recommend making a longer loop via the red trail through the PTTK Shelter at Przegibek. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the Main Beskid Trail, because it's peaceful, scenic and full of natural charm. The route partially leads along the ridge, through spruce forests, mountain meadows and gentle hills. You can ascend (or return) to Wielka Racza via the yellow trail (mentioned above). Then head along the very scenic red trail through Przełęcz pod Orłem to Przegibek. The section from Wielka Racza to the Shelter at Przegibek is just under 11 km, and along the way there are several meadows with beautiful views. You can walk it at a calm pace in 3 hours. Halfway through the route we reach Hala Śrubita, where you can rest and also use designated fireplace spots. The trail is pleasant and leads first slightly downhill, then uphill sections appear, after which the route goes downhill again. At the end of this section there's a junction of the red trail with the blue one, here we turn onto the blue trail to Przełęcz Przegibek. A bit further, at the end of an extensive meadow, there's the PTTK Shelter at Przegibek. From there, via the green trail after a short ascent, we head down to the end to the parking lot in Kolonia. It's worth considering making this loop, because the route is less crowded, and very charming, ideal for a peaceful mountain hike away from crowds. Views, nature and two shelters along the way are a great option even for a one-day trip. Thanks to the possibility of overnight stay at the summit, this loop can be spread over two days. The trail is not technically difficult, but in places gently undulating, so better fitness will be useful, but at a calm pace everyone should be able to handle it. Especially since there are many places where you can take a break.

Summary

We managed to ascend Wielka Racza via the yellow trail in 1:30h. We spent that day camping at the summit of Wielka Racza. We managed to complete the entire loop in just under 6 hours with breaks (without breaks - 4:50h) and the watch showed that we covered 20 km. The route was really pleasant and scenic. Even if you don't decide to make the loop, the route itself via the yellow trail and descent is worth walking, especially for the views from the summit of Wielka Racza.