The Great Czantoria (995 m above sea level) may not be the highest, but it is one of the most popular peaks in the Silesian Beskids. Thanks to the cable car, it is very easily accessible, and from the terrace of the observation tower, there is a beautiful view of the surroundings and neighboring Beskid ranges. On a clear day, you can also see the Tatra Mountains and the picturesque Slovak Little Fatra.
- Great Czantoria 995 m above sea level - 630 m above Ustro艅
- Czantoria - tower, views and attractions at the top
- How to get to Czantoria?
- By cable car to Czantoria and Polana Stok艂osica
- The shortest trail to Czantoria
- Recommended trail: to Czantoria through Small Czantoria
- To Czantoria along the ridge from the side of Sosz贸w and Sto偶ek Wielki
- Czantoria - facts, legends and curiosities
Great Czantoria 995 m above sea level - 630 m above Ustro艅
The powerful silhouette of the Great Czantoria, which does not exceed 1000 m above sea level, seen from neighboring ridges and valleys commands respect... It is over 200 m lower than the highest peak of the Silesian Beskids (Skrzyczne, 1257 m above sea level), or the famous Barania G贸ra (1215 m above sea level), known for the sources of the Vistula River Barania G贸ra (1215 m above sea level), but the fact that the difference in height between its peak and Ustro艅 lying at its foot is as much as 630 m makes it look really serious!
Czantoria - tower, views and attractions at the top
Is it worth climbing this powerful mountain? Of course, it is! First of all, to convince ourselves that we can do it. Besides, there is a viewing tower with a beautiful panorama waiting for us here, and just below the peak there is a rich "gastronomic background" in the form of a Czech cottage and a Polish hut (access by the trail from under the tower in about 10 min.). Moreover, right under the tower, during the season, there are stalls with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
Observation tower on Czantoria
The Czech observation tower is located at the very top of Czantoria (note: entrance fee!). From the observation deck, we will see beautiful panoramas in all 4 directions! The recognition of individual ranges and peaks will be facilitated by information boards.
How to get to Czantoria?
As is usually the case with popular and scenic peaks, many roads lead here: shorter and longer, easier and more difficult. Which one to choose?
By cable car to Czantoria and Polana Stok艂osica
The fastest way to reach the top of Czantoria is by using the year-round chairlift, which starts right next to the Ustro艅 Polana railway station. Thanks to it, we will overcome a height of over 460 m and only 2 km of an easy path will remain to be covered from the scenic Polana Stok艂osica to the top.
Easy
Chairlift to Czantoria
The shortest trail to Czantoria
The shortest way to the top of Czantoria runs along the cable car and the ski slope. As usual: the shortest also means the steepest. For this reason, the ascent along the red trail from Ustro艅 to the top of Czantoria (but also descending from the top!) is certainly not one of the easiest routes.
Medium
The shortest trail to Czantoria from Ustro艅 Polana
Recommended trail: to Czantoria through Small Czantoria
An interesting alternative to the red trail is the blue trail from Ustro艅 Poniwiec (the route from the Ustro艅 Brzegi railway station to the top is about 5 km, about 625 m of elevation difference, to be covered in about 2.5 hours) and the yellow and green trail through Small Czantoria (the route from the Ustro艅 Zdr贸j railway station to the top is about 9 km, almost 700 m of elevation difference, to be covered in about 3.5 hours).
Both trails can be combined into a scenic loop:
Medium
Ma艂a and Wielka Czantoria: yellow, green and blue trail
To Czantoria along the ridge from the side of Sosz贸w and Sto偶ek Wielki
We can also conquer the top of Czantoria by hiking along the ridge from the south, i.e. through Sto偶ek, Cie艣lar and Sosz贸w. Of course, first we have to get to this ridge: on foot, or using year-round lifts to Sto偶ek Wielki and Sosz贸w Wielki. Then we only have a scenic walk left with a steeper approach only under the very top of Czantoria:
Medium
Walking along the ridge: Czantoria - Sosz贸w - Sto偶ek
Czantoria - facts, legends and curiosities
What, besides the views, can surprise us about Czantoria? What is worth knowing about the peak we plan to conquer?
First tourists on Czantoria
The lofty Czantoria has been attracting tourists for over 200 years! The first tourists appeared here at the beginning of the 19th century. They were residents of Cieszyn and Ustro艅, as well as school trips.
Shelter on Czantoria
Today, only gastronomic points without the possibility of accommodation are waiting for us on Czantoria, but over 100 years ago there was a real mountain shelter here. It was built in 1904 by the German society Beskidenverein. After World War I, the shelter was taken over by the Czechs. Currently, the "Chata na Czantorii" no longer offers accommodation and operates as a restaurant.
Interesting events on Czantoria
Already a hundred years ago, the top of Czantoria was the place of organizing interesting events, including shows of St. John's fires and ski fairs. Even football matches were held here!
Nature treasures on Czantoria
Did you notice the dwarf pine bushes near the Chata na Czantorii? They were brought here and planted artificially. The real treasures, in the form of habitats of rare protected plants and animals, are hidden by the Polish Nature Reserve "Czantoria" (wild slopes of the Suchy stream gorge) and the Czech reserve (west of the Chata na Czantorii), where there is, among others, a several meters high rock cliff (rock climbing was trained at the beginning of the 20th century).
Czantoria and the Polish-Czech border
The Polish-Czech border runs through the top of Czantoria and along the entire ridge of the range, up to Sto偶ek Wielki. This border was disputed for a long time after Poland regained independence in 1918, and even battles were fought. The course of the border was finally determined by the Council of Ambassadors only in 1920. One of the victims of the conflict was the Czech border marker, Klement 艩钮astny, whose symbolic grave is located near the top of Czantoria (on the red trail towards Sosz贸w and Sto偶ek).
Where did the name Czantoria come from?
And where does the name of the peak "Czantoria" come from? The name in the form of "Czartoryja" appeared over 400 years ago and meant a place plowed by devils. There is also a legend according to which a giant named Czantor (or Czartor) brought the mountain here and wanted to block the Vistula's way to the lowlands with it.
Sleeping knights - legends about Czantoria
In addition to the legend of the giant Czantor, there is also a story about the knights of Boles艂aw Chrobry sleeping in the golden caves of Czantoria, who, like the troops under Giewont, are waiting for a sign when their help will be needed by the local residents. This legend is reminded by the cross-border "Knight's Path" led through Czantoria:
Publish Date: 2024-04-26