Szczeliniec Wielki — Attraction in gmina Radków

One of the most impressive holiday/exploration locations in southern Poland if you like heights and adventure. The trip to the top and most of the trails around the mountain starts by a central avenue with shops selling both food and nicknacks. From there on out it's your own choice where you want to go and what you want to do. The easiest way to get to the top is simply to take the stairs. Halfway to the top there is a cabin where you can purchase water, drinks, alcohol, and food. From that point you have to pay for the rest of the journey to the top. Roughly 10 PLN per person. The final journey to the top can only be described as "taken straight from and Indiana Jones movie". Steep climes and narrow passages, but be cautious! There are some tight squeases so being rather chunky will be a issue. The view can't be described and can only fully be appreciated once there in person. Highly recommend! The journey down is much the same as the one to the top, steep stairs and roughly 30 minutes of walking. All in all, a wonderful day trip for the family (with older children or carrying devices) DOGS ARE PERMITTED WHEN...

We accessed Szczeliniec Wielki from one of the car parks (20 pln/day) by the entrance to the trail. It took us about 40 minutes to climb up almost 700 steps that lead to the mountain challet. The chalet is located in a very picturesque place, and there are some benches around it, where you can sit and enjoy the panoramic view of the surroundings.

Next we entered the "trasa widokowa". The entrance is located behind the chalet and there is an additional fee to enter it. The trail that starts here is very pictoresque, some of the most interesting spots like "Małpolud", "Tron Liczyrzepy", "Piekiełko" etc are clearly marked. Also, the trail itself is well maintaines so it is impossible to get lost there. There were 2 places where there was still some snow (as of mid May 2021), but the trail was fully passable.

The only disappointing thing was that the "trasa widokowa" ends by the car park down in the village, so if you want to come back to the chalet on Szczeliniec you have to climb up again...

If you’re looking for a super good hike and an incredible view from the highest point of the Table Mountains, Szczeliniec is the place to go. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this intense of a hike when my friend’s grandmother took us on a visit to Poland (but, to be fair, I’m also pretty out of shape). Within the first five minutes, I thought I was dying and the remaining hike up to the peak was a blur.

Once you recover physically, and scrape up the last remains of your dignity after having a 70+ year old who climbs this trail once a week he’ll drag you up the last 100 or so metres, the view is 100% worthwhile. You overlook the Czech Republic, and Stołowe National Park. There’s also a little chalet up there, where you can grab a drink and snack before making the (much, much easier) descent back...