Bielsko-Biała is a mountain paradise. A whole lot of tourist trails leading up to smaller and higher mountains start from here. Szyndzielnia, Klimczok, Błatnia, Magura Wilkowicka, Kozia Góra, Chrobacza Łąka. These are just a few of the many peaks you can climb on your own or with children. That’s right! Going for walks with the whole family is very popular in the Beskid Mountains. There are even some peaks which you can get to with a pushchair.

MOUNT DĘBOWIEC

Let’s start with the easiest and most interesting hikes from a child’s point of view. First Dębowiec. It’s only 686m high, so it’s easy and quick to climb to the top and almost the whole mountain is covered with all sorts of attractions. You can set off from the car park by the sports and entertainment arena and reach the mountain refuge on Dębowiec walking along a wide paved road, so it’ll be easy even with a pushchair. After a while you’ll see the dry toboggan run, popular with both big and small. A little further on, just before the mountain refuge, quite a large playground on several levels has been constructed.
And that’s not all. You can climb up this small but picturesque mountain, with a beautiful view over the city, from another side, from Karbowa Street, where the chairlift begins. This four-seater “sofa” lift is a great attraction for the little ones. But even before you get on it you can give yourself an adrenaline shot by having a go at the rope park. There’s even a course there for three-year olds!

Playground on Góra Dębowiec

Chairlift on Góra Dębowiec

MOUNT KOZIA GÓRA

Another peak popular with parents is Kozia Góra, 683m high. The walk up to the top is a bit longer than up Mount Dębowiec. Whether you’re carrying your child or the little hiker is trotting along by themselves, the walk will still take you upwards of one hour. Start off from Cygański Las (Gypsy Woods) or Błonie, which can be included as a starting or end point of your expedition, as here you’ll find a vast recreational area with a children’s playground, skate park and outdoor fitness facilities. The trail which starts here takes you past the old natural dry toboggan run.
At the top of Kozia Góra the youngest adventurers will enjoy the “Goat Hut” – a wooden playground, a structure with hanging bridges, a slide and other interesting obstacles. Nearby is the mountain refuge “Stefanka” where you can have a hot meal. Unfortunately the queues can be quite long sometimes.

Dry toboggan run on Dębowiec

MOUNT SZYNDZIELNIA

If you want to set out on a longer trek, but you’re not a seasoned hiker, Mounts Szyndzielnia and Klimczok are still within reach. A cable car will take you up to Szyndzielna to a height of 1001m. During the six-minute ride you can enjoy beautiful views of the city and the ride is bound to be a hit with the children. Once you’ve got off the cable car at the top you’ll find another attraction, namely the viewing tower. Tourists have also had access to the old cable car station at the summit. Both adults and children might enjoy learning about the history and seeing an exhibition and photos of the old cable cars.
It’s just a couple of steps from here to the very top of Szyndzielnia, where you can have a rest in the refuge and then set off immediately for Mount Klimczok (1117m). The walk is easy and will take you about an hour.

Viewing tower on Szyndzielnia

AND EVEN FURTHER…

Other hikes really depend on your fitness level and the little ones’ patience, because you can go on hikes which will take you two, four or even six hours. Many families are not put off by this. On Mounts Magurka, Błatnia, Chrobacza Łąka and other nearby mountains you’ll see babies and toddlers. A city like Bielsko-Biała, situated in the mountains, really does offer both beautiful scenery and great places to relax in town after your expedition.

Road to Dębowiec