Kasinka Mala: Mountain Scenery and Hiking Trails

Kasinka Mala lies on the road between Mszana Dolna and Krakow. In the village, the Kasinka stream flows into the Raba, a right-bank tributary of the Vistula. The peaks of Szczebel (977 m), Lubogoszcz (968 m) and Kiczora (735 m) surround the village. If you are looking for a hotel in Kasinka Mala, you can shape your trip around whether you want to focus on hiking trails and viewpoints, winter conditions, or local culture and history.

Mountain Scenery and Viewpoints

Viewpoints in Kasinka Mala include a summit meadow below the peak of Szczebel, as well as the summit and viewpoint meadow on Lubogoszcz. From there, you can look out over the valleys of the Raba and Mszanka rivers, as well as peaks in the Island Beskids and Gorce. The surrounding elevations can be compared directly: Szczebel reaches 977 m, Lubogoszcz 968 m and Kiczora 735 m. The two viewpoints also differ in specific ways: at Szczebel, there is a meadow below the summit, while at Lubogoszcz, there are the summit and a viewpoint meadow.

Trails to Szczebel and Lubogoszcz

Kasinka Mala is a hub for hiking trails to the nearby peaks of Szczebel and Lubogoszcz. The summit of Szczebel can be reached via three trails, one of which is the black trail from Kasinka Mala. Yellow and black trail sections lead to Lubogoszcz, followed by a red trail to the summit. If you are planning a hike, check the current condition of the trails before setting out.

Another hiking option is the “Baza Lubo Gości” quest. It starts in Kasinka Mala on the black trail, 300 metres before the gate of the “Lubogoszcz” Training and Recreation Centre and before the concrete slabs. The quest goes over Lubogoszcz and tells the story of the centre’s activities. Riddles lead to a solution word; at the end of the route, there is a treasure chest containing the quest book. The named starting point and the riddles give this tour a different focus from trails that head directly to a summit.

Winter and Nature Nearby

In winter, the climatic conditions in Kasinka Mala are considered favourable for winter sports and ski tourism. If you are planning a winter trip, check current conditions before taking part in specific activities.

On the northern slope of Szczebel lies the “Zimna Dziura” ice cave, where ice remains all year round. It is about 5 m high, 7 m long and 2 m wide. Also nearby, on Lubogoszcz, lies the seasonal lake “Żabie Oczko”. It can dry up and become overgrown with plants; when it holds water, its surface area is about 90 m². The lake’s changing state is part of how this natural feature is described.

Culture and Local History

A stone monument in the Szczypki settlement and a memorial grave with a commemorative plaque in the cemetery remember those killed during the 1937 peasant strikes. Both memorial sites relate to the same historical event, but are in different locations.

You can see traditional costumes worn by the Zagórzanie at local festivals and performances by a brass band. A literary connection is provided by the Szczepański family villa on the flank of Lubogoszcz: it is where Józef Szczepański’s novel Portki Odyssa is set. Along with the viewpoints, hiking trails and memorial sites, this cultural perspective offers another way to shape your trip to Kasinka Mala.

Discover more destinations: Limanowa, Kobyłczyna, Porąbka, Mstów, Poręba Wielka, Lubomierz, Laskowa, Kasina Wielka

Go to the main travel overview: Limanowa.