Discover Sól: Brine Springs, Bell Tower and Trails

Sól can be explored through its distinctive features and named trails: the brine springs with their wooden wells, the historic bell tower Zabytkowa Dzwonnica w Soli, and several hiking routes. The brine springs are 2 km from Sól railway station and lie on both sides of the road that runs through the town. The bell tower stands on the left bank of the Słanica stream on the main road and dates from 1837; the hiking routes differ in their course, markings and the walking times given for individual trails.

Brine Springs and Tężnia Solankowa

The brine springs in Sól are 2 km from Sól railway station and lie on both sides of the road that runs through the town. The wells have wooden roofs and are enclosed by wooden fences. They are considered some of the most highly mineralised springs in the Polish Carpathians. Their location and wooden features, as well as their mineralisation and the precise arrangement of the wells, are therefore among the key characteristics of this area.

A Tężnia Solankowa is located behind the brine hut near the public kindergarten. While the springs are located by reference to the railway station and road, the brine hut and kindergarten provide specific landmarks for finding the Tężnia.

The Zabytkowa Dzwonnica w Soli

The bell tower stands on the left bank of the Słanica stream on the main road through Sól. It was built in 1837 and is a four-sided timber-framed structure. “Four-sided” describes the shape of the building, while timber-framed refers to a construction whose load-bearing structure consists of upright wooden posts. This distinguishes the building material from the construction method. Its year of construction, shape and structure together provide a historical and architectural context. Its location by the stream and main road adds a specific point of reference within the town.

Hiking Trails by Route and Duration

The marked hiking trail «Sól – Rycerka Dolna – przeł. Przegibek» is designated as an easy, 190-minute route for pedestrians. That is 3 hours and 10 minutes. The black trail from Sól PKP to Przełęcz Przegibek is listed as taking 3:45 or 3:15 hours. Both routes name Przegibek as their destination, but differ in their starting point and trail marking: the easy route’s name includes Rycerka Dolna, while the black trail starts at Sól PKP. Check trail conditions and the stated duration again before setting out on the easy route.

The educational trail «Ścieżka dydaktyczna Żywieckiego Parku Krajobrazowego – Sól – Wielka Racza – Rycerka Górna» runs between Sól, Wielka Racza and Rycerka Górna. It is described as a route in the Żywiecki Park Krajobrazowy. Another reference point for planning a hike is the red-marked trail «ZWARDOŃ PKP – Rachowiec (954 m ü. d. M.) – SÓL PKP», which is listed as running to Sól PKP. The route name also includes Rachowiec, with an elevation of 954 metres. The names and markings distinguish these trails from the routes for which a walking time is given.

Discover more destinations: Nieledwia, Łękawica, Pewel Ślemieńska, Lodygowice, Krzyżowa, Węgierska Górka, Czernichów, Kocierz Moszczanicki

For the broader travel overview: Żywiec.