Żegiestów: Hiking Trails, the Poprad and Churches

Żegiestów offers several points of interest to help you plan your stay: hiking trails pass through Żegiestów-Zdrój and continue into the wooded surroundings, while the Poprad brings together riverside scenery and paddling activities. There are also churches with different architectural and religious connections. A ski lift is another local attraction. The destinations below can help you narrow down your interests for your stay.

Hiking trails in and around Żegiestów-Zdrój

The blue trail starts in Żegiestów-Zdrój and leads over wooded climbs and clearings to the area of Pusta Wielka and Wyżnie Młaki. Its destination is the Bacówka PTTK nad Wierchomlą mountain hut. This offers a contrast between a short loop in the spa district and a route with several landscape sections and a named destination. Before setting out, check trail conditions and plan your return journey.

A shorter walk leads through the spa district of Żegiestów-Zdrój to the “Anna” drinking hall. The route is about half a kilometre long. Check access before your visit.

The “Łopata Polska” nature trail runs along the riverbank in Żegiestów-Zdrój. It combines walking with nature education and outdoor recreation. The trail therefore has its own focus as well as a route: it can be an opportunity to combine a walk with nature-related themes. As with the other trails, it is advisable to keep local conditions in mind before setting out.

The Poprad and riverside activities

In the area of Żegiestów-Zdrój, the Poprad runs through a gorge. Here, the river also forms part of the border between Poland and Slovakia. These are two distinct features to help you get your bearings: the gorge describes the landscape, while the border location places the river geographically. You can go canoeing or rafting on the Poprad in this area. If paddling is important to your plans, check in advance whether it is available at your preferred time.

Churches and local history

The former Greek Catholic Church of St. Anne and St. Michael the Archangel in Żegiestów was built between 1917 and 1925 in the ecclesiastical architectural tradition. The building is made of stone and brick and has a cruciform floor plan, a nave and two sacristy annexes. Its construction period, materials and floor plan offer several specific points of reference for appreciating the building. The church is a different focus for a visit from the riverside trails or those through the spa district.

Żegiestów-Zdrój is also home to the filial Church of St. Kinga, which belongs to the parish in Żegiestów. It adds another church site within the locality to its architectural and local history. You can include both churches as separate destinations in your plans.

A ski lift as a local attraction

A ski lift is counted among Żegiestów’s attractions. This may be of interest when planning a winter stay. If the lift is a deciding factor in your plans, check the latest information about its operation and access in advance. The hiking trails, riverside scenery and churches also offer other distinct themes to consider when choosing activities for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Tylicz, Wierchomla Wielka, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Krynica-Zdrój, Cieniawa, Uhryń, Muszyna, Labowa.

For the overview of the wider region: Nowy Sącz.