Discover Gronków: Church, Rocks and Trails
Accommodation in Gronków
Gronków between village and landscape
Gronków can be explored through its built-up area, the rocks just outside it and the trails through the surrounding area. The built-up area lies at an elevation of 580 to 650 metres above sea level. This distinction is useful when planning a trip: the church is in the village, while the named rocks lie beyond the village boundary, and routes have different starting points and landmarks.
Rocks and views on the edge of the village
East of the village, Cisowa Skałka rises to 685 metres above sea level. Mała Skałka is also known as Grzebieniowa; both rocks lie just outside Gronków. Steep red limestone rocks among fields are also nearby. Their original vegetation and recreational character are as much a part of the landscape as the viewpoint overlooking the eastern part of Podhale. Comparing elevations helps put these points in context: Cisowa Skałka is at 685 metres, while Gronków’s built-up area lies between 580 and 650 metres.
Trails with different routes
The Szlak wokół Tatr runs from Gronków across the gently rolling plain of the Nowotarg Basin. The section between Gronków and Nowa Biała is considered scenic throughout. Nearby, a green hiking trail runs at the foot of the ascent from Szaflary through the Pieniny Spiskie to the castle in Niedzica. The two route descriptions emphasize different things: the Szlak wokół Tatr focuses on the basin and the scenic section, while the hiking trail follows a sequence from Szaflary through the Pieniny Spiskie to the named destination. This can help you tailor your plans to the landscape or your intended destination. Before setting out, check the latest trail details.
Church and local history
The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Gronków offers another way to explore local history. It was built in the 18th century as a chapel affiliated with the parish in Szaflary and became an independent parish only in the 20th century. The church is considered an example of Podhale’s sacred architecture and was built using log construction without nails. It has been extended and renovated several times, while retaining its original character. This local example brings together the transition from an affiliated chapel to an independent parish and a distinctive architectural feature.
Putting Gronków in context as a destination
Gronków’s local history and landscape can be considered side by side: the church is rooted in the village, while the rocks and trails draw your attention to the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gronków, you can decide whether your main interest is local history or the trails and rocky landscapes.
Discover more destinations
Chochołów, Nowy Targ, Szaflary, Bańska Niżna, Chyżne, Huba, Falsztyn, Ochotnica Górna
For the overview of the wider region: Nowotarski.
