Sarnia Skała

Sarnia Skała stands at 1,377 m above sea level. It is a summit that gives you the feeling of being in high mountains without requiring iron stamina. Located in the very heart of the foothills, it is famous for offering an eye-to-eye view of Giewont - nowhere else does the Sleeping Knight look so imposing and menacing.

Trail description: the recommended loop

Instead of going up and down the same way, we recommend a trip in the form of a loop that combines two beautiful valleys and a waterfall.

1. Dolina Strążyska (warm-up): We start on the red trail. It is a flat, relaxing walk along a wide avenue with a view of Giewont. After about 40 minutes we reach Polana Strążyska, where the famous Tea House stands (a historic wooden hut).
2. Bonus: Siklawica Waterfall: From the glade it is worth climbing (10 minutes on the yellow trail) to the very foot of the Giewont wall to see the 23-metre Siklawica waterfall. Worth it!
3. Ascent (Czerwona Pass): We return to the glade and turn onto the black trail. This is where the effort begins. The path climbs in zigzags through the forest. The ascent is quite steep and can be tiring, but it only takes about 40-50 minutes.
4. Summit: From Czerwona Pass to the summit of Sarnia Skała it is a 10-minute climb up a rocky path. The peak is a rocky “island” in a sea of forest.
5. Descent (via Dolina Białego): From the pass we descend the other way - to Dolina Białego (black trail, then yellow). This descent is extremely scenic, leading over little bridges and through gorges, ending near Wielka Krokiew.

Panorama

Sarnia Skała offers a 360-degree view, but two directions steal the show:

• South: The vertical, 600-metre wall of Giewont is so close it seems within arms reach. You can see hikers at the cross from here.
• North: A panorama of Zakopane and Podhale. You can clearly see from here how the town “spills out” below the mountains.

Practical information

• Slippery rocks: The limestone rocks at the very summit are polished to a mirror finish. After rain or in frosty conditions it can be very dangerous here - it is easy to fall.
• For whom: The route is ideal for people who find valleys too little, but high summits still too much.
• Return to the car: If you leave your car at the entrance to Dolina Strążyska and descend via Dolina Białego, you have about 15-20 minutes of walking along the pavement (Ścieżka pod Reglami) to return to your car.