Observation Tower on Polczakówka

The observation tower on Polczakówka, near Królewska Góra, is an easily accessible viewpoint located right next to the blue trail connecting Rabka-Zdrój and Rabka Zaryte. How to get to the tower and what can we see from the viewing platform?

Polczakówka Tower - Attractions and Views

The main attraction of the Polczakówka tower is, of course, the views. Unfortunately, although the tower, built in 2011, is 20 meters high, the panoramas are now partially obscured by tree tops. The most beautiful "window" is probably the one towards Babia Góra and the Polic Range (see photo above).

Right next to us, to the north, rises Luboń Wielki:

And here is the view to the south, towards the Gorce Mountains, including the peaks of Kudłoń, Gorc, and Turbacz:

Here is a small viewing window towards the Western Tatras:

Polczakówka - Scenic Meadow

Besides the observation tower at the top of Polczakówka, there are no other spectacular attractions (no food stalls or even a souvenir stamp). At the base of the tower, you will find only a bench, a sign with the name of the peak, and one of the stations of the cross.

If you want "more," it's worth following the stations of the cross along a narrow path towards the upper station of the ski lift. Here on the slope, you will find a beautiful picnic meadow with a view - not as wide as from the tower, but still better than from the bench.

Chapel of the Weeping Mother of God on Polczakówka

In the upper part of the meadow, there is also a noteworthy chapel dedicated to the "Weeping Mother of God" (next to it is the last, XIV station of the cross, which starts above the Raba River in Rabka Zaryte).

How to Get to the Observation Tower on Polczakówka?

The path to the observation tower via the blue trail from both Rabka-Zdrój and Rabka Zaryte is easy, with no significant terrain difficulties. In both cases, you will walk on forest and field roads. It's good to know that from Rabka-Zdrój, you will mostly walk through meadows, while from Rabka Zaryte, you will mostly walk through the forest.

The Shortest Route to the Polczakówka Tower

The quickest way to reach the observation tower on Polczakówka is to climb off-trail up the slope of the former Polczakówka Ski station (about 700 meters to walk, with a 100-meter elevation gain).

Recommended Trail to Polczakówka

A much more pleasant hike to the Polczakówka tower is from Rabka Zaryte via the marked blue trail. You can leave your car in the large parking lot near the church. (After the railway line modernization, you will also be able to get here by train!)

Medium

directions_walk

To the tower on Polaczkówka from Rabka Zaryte

straighten 1.7km

timer 46min

north_east 143m

south_east 19m

To Polczakówka from Rabka-Zdrój

A slightly longer but more popular route to the Polczakówka tower leads from Rabka-Zdrój through field roads and scenic meadows:

Easy

directions_walk

From Rabka-Zdrój to the Lookout Tower on Polczakówka

straighten 2.2km

timer 49min

north_east 110m

south_east 26m

Note! The tower is not directly on the blue trail, but about 200 meters from it! Unfortunately, the tower is not visible from the trail, so pay close attention to the signs to avoid missing the arrow.

Polczakówka Tower - Practical Information

• entry to the tower is free
• you can enter the tower with a dog
• access via wooden stairs (can be slippery after rain and in winter)
• besides the "main platform," there is another smaller one at the top of the tower - accessed via a steep ladder

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Author: Marfusza
Publish Date: 2024-07-16