Myślenice – Hiking, City History and Sanctuary

Myślenice combines hiking trails with a historic urban layout and the Sanctuary of Our Lady. If you are looking for a hotel in Myślenice, you can start by considering whether you would rather spend your time hiking, exploring the city’s history or attending religious events. The routes vary in length and duration; the cultural sites each have their own focus.

Hiking trails by distance and time

The red hiking trail from Myślenice via Działek, Kudłacze and Łysina to Jaworzyce is 15.5 kilometres long; the estimated time for the route is six hours. The yellow hiking trail runs from Myślenice via Dalin and Pisania to Sułkowice. It is 13.5 kilometres long and takes three hours and 45 minutes. This makes it two kilometres shorter, with an estimated time two hours and 15 minutes less than the red trail to Jaworzyce.

Another red route leads from Myślenice via Sularzówka, Trzebuńska Góra, Babica, Bieńkowska Góra and Końcówka to Palcza. It is 20.5 kilometres long and takes five hours and 45 minutes one way. For your planning, it is particularly important to note that this duration is explicitly for one direction.

Medieval urban layout and Sanctuary

The historic urban layout of Myślenice is an example of a medieval town plan. Surviving remnants of a settlement that predated the town’s founding are also part of this layout. It is considered a valuable monument at both regional and national level. If you are interested in the town’s development, you will find not only a medieval layout here, but also traces of an earlier settlement.

The church of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Myślenice was built in the mid-15th century. Between 1642 and 1646, it was given an early Baroque chapel. The Sanctuary also houses a miraculous image painted in Italy in the 16th century, which became the destination of numerous pilgrimages. The building’s history and the image offer different historical and religious points of reference for a visit.

The main feast at the Sanctuary takes place on 8 September. From May to October, night-time Fatima devotions with vigils are also held there on the 13th day of each month. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these dates, check the specific event dates in advance.

Raba riverbank, views and nature reserve

The Raba riverbank area in the Zarabie district has been transformed into a well-equipped recreational park. It has numerous walking and cycling paths. A circular route around Myślenice leads to a lookout tower at the summit, a private astronomical observatory and the upper station of the ski lift. There is a restaurant in operation there.

The Zamczysko nad Rabą nature reserve also combines natural and historical features: along Zamkowa Street, you can reach the foot of the slopes of Chełm, where the protected area and the ruins of a medieval castle are located. The walk takes about 10 to 15 minutes. For a trip that takes in hiking routes as well as city history and religious sites, these different destinations offer practical points of reference.

Discover more destinations: Glichów, Myslenice, Pcim, Trzemesnia, Gruszów, Sułkowice, Krzyszkowice, Głogoczów, Harbutowice, Stróza, Krzywaczka, Skomielna Czarna, Dobczyce, Wiśniowa, Osieczany, Siepraw, Sieraków, Krzczonów, Jawornik, Lubień, Wierzbanowa, Borzęta.

For the overview of the wider region: Lesser Poland.