Skrzyczne is a mountain in southern Poland, in the Silesian Voivodeship, close to the town of Szczyrk. It is the highest mountain of the Silesian Beskids[3] and the fifth most topographically prominent peak in Poland.[4][a]

Skrzyczne
The top of Skrzyczne, June 2005
Highest point
Elevation1,257 m (4,124 ft)[1][2]
Prominence585 m (1,919 ft)[2]
ListingMountains of Poland
Coordinates49°41′04″N 19°01′48″E / 49.68451°N 19.03012°E / 49.68451; 19.03012[1]
Geography
Skrzyczne is located in Poland
Skrzyczne
Skrzyczne
Location in Poland
Skrzyczne is located in Silesian Voivodeship
Skrzyczne
Skrzyczne
Skrzyczne (Silesian Voivodeship)
LocationSilesian Voivodeship, Poland
Parent rangeSilesian Beskids

Skrzyczne is one of the peaks which make up the Crown of Polish Mountains, or a list of the highest points in each of Poland's 28 mountain ranges.[5] The peak can be reached by hiking paths, and there is also a gondola lift which starts in Szczyrk and comes up to around 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level.[6] The slopes of the mountain are also known for the many blueberries which grow on them and which are frequently collected by hikers and other visitors.[7]

A mountain hut, PTTK Skrzyczne, is located very close to the peak of the mountain. The first hut, built in 1933, was destroyed in a fire.[8] A second hut was built in the late 1930s, and stands to this day.[9] There is likewise a tall (87 metres (285 ft)) radio and television tower atop Skrzyczne,[10] which makes it easy to recognise the peak from afar.

In addition to multiple hiking trails, the Skrzyczne area also hosts a ski resort with several pistes,[11] as well as mountain biking trails.[12] Several trail races also cross the peak, most notably Zamieć, a 24-hour race which takes place in the winter.[13]

Legend has it that Skrzyczne takes its name from the croaking of frogs (in Polish: skrzyczenie), which supposedly inhabited the (now nonexistent) ponds near the peak.[14]

View of Southern Poland from the top of Skrzyczne mountain
Panorama taken near the peak of Skrzyczne


Notes edit

  1. ^ Some sources list Skrzyczne as Poland's sixth biggest peak by prominence. Those sources include the Pilsko massif, whose highest peak is in Slovakia, on the list (and rank it ahead of Skrzyczne in prominence).

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Topographic map of Skrzyczne". opentopomap.org. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  2. ^ a b "KORONA NAJWYBITNIEJSZYCH SZCZYTÓW GÓR POLSKICH (KNSGP)" (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  3. ^ "Zakład Biologii Wód im. Karola Starmacha". Acta Hydrobiologica (31–32). Karol Starmach of Freshwater Biology: 44. 1989.
  4. ^ "Korona Najwybitniejszych Szczytów Gór Polskich (KNSGP)". www.msw-pttk.org.pl. Archived from the original on 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  5. ^ "Wykaz szczytów". Korona Gór Polski (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  6. ^ "Cableway in Summer". www.szczyrkowski.pl. Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  7. ^ Redakcja (2019-07-17). "Jagody w Beskidach dojrzały! Gdzie szukać borówek i na co uważać?". Dziennik Zachodni (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  8. ^ Moskała, Edward (1983). Schroniska górskie PTTK w województwie bielskim : Beskid Śląski - Beskid Żywiecki - Rejon Babiej Góry - Beskid Mały. Warszawa: Wydaw. PTTK "Kraj". ISBN 83-00-00548-X. OCLC 749277638.
  9. ^ "O nas | Schronisko Skrzyczne" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  10. ^ "RadioPolska • Obiekt nadawczy | RTON Wisła *Góra Skrzyczne*". radiopolska.pl. Archived from the original on 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  11. ^ "Skrzyczne - Ośrodek Narciarski COS". COS Szczyrk. Archived from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  12. ^ "Szczyrk Trasy rowerowe w Szczyrku". www.szczyrk.com (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  13. ^ "Info - Zamieć - ZAMIEĆ 24h". zamiec.pl. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  14. ^ Andrzej Komoniecki, Chronografia albo Dziejopis Żywiecki. Żywiec: Towarzystwo Miłośników Ziemi Żywieckiej, 1987, p8.