Discover Maków Podhalański

Maków Podhalański combines marked hiking trails with regional art, crafts and architectural history. When choosing a destination, the different trail destinations and lengths are especially helpful: some trails lead to the slopes of Magurka, while others cross Makowska Góra or run from Sucha Beskidzka into the town. Churches, chapels and collections add specific cultural themes to the hiking experience.

Hiking trails by distance and destination

A blue hiking trail starts at Maków Podhalański railway station, follows ul. Orkana to the bridge over the Skawa, and continues through Grzechynia Zagórze and Ostra Góra to the eastern slope of Magurka. The route is listed as approximately 7.5 kilometres long. Its named stages and destination area make it easy to get a sense of the hike.

Another blue-marked route runs from the Sucha Beskidzka bus station via Mioduszyna and the Piatkówka settlement to Maków Podhalański railway station; it is approximately 10.8 kilometres long. Along the way, the trail follows the ridge of Mioduszyna, passes through the Polana settlement and goes by the summit of Góra Polany, which is 611 metres above sea level. In Maków, the route passes the Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Makowskiej and crosses the market square on its way to the railway station.

The green and yellow trail descriptions also offer a concrete comparison of distances. The PTTK-marked green hiking trail runs for approximately 10.5 kilometres via Makowska Góra and Budzów to Chełm Wschodni. The yellow PTTK trail crosses Ostrysz, Przysłopski Wierch, Koskowa Góra and Góra Kotoń on its way to Pcim, and is approximately 27 kilometres long. The distances range from shorter trails to a considerably longer route.

From the slopes of Makowska Góra, there are views of the Pasmo Jałowieckie and Pasmo Babiogórskie mountain ranges; farther north, Pasmo Chełmu is also visible. Those who consider the landscape alongside their hiking destinations will find these named ranges defining the view from the slopes.

Art, crafts and architectural history

The Izba Regionalna im. E. Wacyka displays folk art by embroiderers and sculptors, wooden toys and household items from earlier times. Photographs and documents explore the history of the town and its surroundings. The collection offers insights into arts and crafts and everyday life, as well as local history.

At the Galeria autorska Mieczysława Głucha, the artist presents wooden sculptures with sacred, modernist and classical styles. Visitors can attend talks on the sculptural tradition in Podhale and try their hand at carving wood, clay and stone during demonstrations. If you are interested, check in advance whether talks or demonstrations will be taking place during your visit.

Another local craft is Maków embroidery: dense white embroidery featuring embroidered openwork patterns. Anna Koziana from Maków Podhalański uses it to decorate tablecloths, table runners, napkins, bedding and shirts. The technique and the variety of textiles give this craft its own distinctive, tangible form.

The Church of the Transfiguration (Przemienienia Pańskiego) stands behind the small, almost triangular market square and is built in the Josephine style. Elements of its former Baroque furnishings have been preserved. Since the early 17th century, the church has been especially revered for its image of the Virgin Mary as Protector of Families, also known as the Madonna of Maków, which is believed to work miracles.

The brick-built Filas Chapel (Kaplica Filasowa) is on ul. 3 Maja. J.K. Filas had it built in 1845. Its shape resembles the chancel of the parish church. Another link to local history is the remains of the stone wall of a 19th-century furnace belonging to the Maurycy ironworks. They are in the northeastern part of Maków Podhalański, near Moniuszki Street and the yellow hiking trail.

Discover more destinations: Zarnowka, Jachówka, Lachowice, Hucisko, Sucha Beskidzka, Sidzina, Zachełmna, Jordanów.

For the main travel overview: Sucha.