Żegiestów – Trails along the Poprad and spa history

Żegiestów combines trails through the landscape of Żegiestów-Zdrój with nature along the Poprad and historic buildings. The town offers a range of ideas to help you plan your trip: a walk in the spa district, a nature trail by the riverbank, a longer hiking route and churches with different histories. Canoeing or rafting on the Poprad are also among the possible experiences.

Trails through Żegiestów-Zdrój and along the Poprad

A blue hiking trail starts in Żegiestów-Zdrój and leads over wooded climbs and clearings, as well as through the area around Pusta Wielka and Wyżnie Młaki, to the Bacówka PTTK nad Wierchomlą mountain hut. These places and landscape features help you find your bearings along the route. Before setting out, check trail conditions and plan your return journey as well.

The “Łopata Polska” nature trail offers another way to explore the area on foot. It runs along the riverbank in Żegiestów-Zdrój and combines a walk with nature education and outdoor recreation. You can think of the trail both as an opportunity to walk and as a way to engage with nature. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

For a shorter, clearly measured walk, a trail about half a kilometre long runs through the spa district of Żegiestów-Zdrój to the “Anna” pump room. This route can be viewed differently from the blue hiking trail, which is described as crossing climbs and clearings. If you would like to visit the pump room, check access in advance.

Discover churches and architecture

Among the notable buildings is the former Greek Catholic Church of St. Anne and St. Michael the Archangel. It was built between 1917 and 1925 in the ecclesiastical architectural tradition. The stone-and-brick building has a cruciform floor plan, a nave and two sacristy extensions. These specific architectural features give your visit a distinct focus: you can take note of the building’s form as well as its materials and history.

Żegiestów-Zdrój is also home to the Church of St. Kinga, a filial church of the Żegiestów parish. Together with the former Greek Catholic church, it offers an opportunity to discover different church buildings in the town, although the two buildings do not share the same history. If you are interested in religious architecture, you can include both names in your exploration of Żegiestów.

River landscape and activities

The Poprad forms a gorge in the Żegiestów-Zdrój area and is a Polish-Slovak border river here. The riverbank is also the setting for the “Łopata Polska” nature trail. In this part of Żegiestów-Zdrój, the landscape and the walk are therefore closely connected. You can also go canoeing or rafting on the Poprad in the area. If you are planning a trip on the river, check availability for your travel dates.

A ski lift is also one of Żegiestów’s attractions. If you would like to include it in your trip plans, check in advance whether it will be accessible during your travel dates. The possible focuses of your trip therefore vary: you can follow hiking trails and walking routes, spend time by the river or explore historic buildings. When looking for a hotel in Żegiestów, consider which of these interests will shape your trip to Poland.

Discover more destinations: Binczarowa, Zubrzyk, Zawadka, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Świdnik, Tylicz, Nowa Wieś, Stary Sącz.

For the broader travel overview: Nowy Sącz.