Gniazdów: Hiking Trail, Horse-Riding Routes and Mariavite History

Gniazdów brings together natural and cultural attractions: a 21 km yellow hiking trail starts here, and the village is part of an inter-municipal horse-riding route project. It also has a distinctive Mariavite history. The hilly landscape rises to elevations of up to 380 m above sea level.

Hiking and Horse-Riding Routes

The yellow Szlak Żarecki trail (Cz–1010) starts in Gniazdów and is 21 km long. From there, it runs through Koziegłowy, Miłość, Kuźnica Nowa, Lgota Nadwarcie, Żarki Letnisko, Koza, Żarki, Leśniów and Przewodziszowice. This gives you both the route’s length and its stops—a practical guide for anyone planning a day hike.

Another option associated with Gniazdów is the T.R.E.C. course. It was established in 2015 and is part of a horse-riding route project involving the municipalities of Koziegłowy, Poraj and Żarki. The course is open to the public and free of charge. Check its current operating status before visiting.

The two options have different focuses: the Szlak Żarecki trail has a specified length and route, while the T.R.E.C. course focuses on the horse-riding route project and its links between several municipalities. This makes it easier to decide which type of activity interests you, without treating the two options as equivalent.

Mariavite History in Gniazdów

The Mariavite parish is based in Gniazdów. On 2 (15) February 1909, it received state authorisation to operate. Today, the parish is considered a centre of Mariavitism in the Silesian and Lesser Poland Voivodeships; it has branch churches in Koziegłowy and Kraków.

The Mariavite Church of Mary Magdalene in Gniazdów is also an important point of reference for local history: it is listed in the municipal register of monuments. Those interested in the village’s religious heritage will find two distinct historical points of reference here—the parish and its regional role, and the church as part of the local historic building stock.

A School Nativity Play Tradition

A tradition at the school in Gniazdów, described in 2018, was staging Nativity plays on Epiphany, the Feast of the Manifestation of the Lord. The school’s tour visited churches in Mzyki and Gniazdów on 6 January. In Gniazdów, the venues included both the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Mariavite Church of Mary Magdalene. The tradition thus links the holiday with both churches in the village, without suggesting that an event is currently scheduled.

Traces of Koziegłowy Castle

Koziegłowy Castle once stood near Gniazdów, between Koziegłowy and Gniazdów. Its foundation remains can be seen behind “Kamionka”, on the other side of the DK road. This is another historical point of reference, in addition to the churches in the village, and a reason to include the history of the surrounding area in your travel plans.

Discover More Places

For your next search: Żarki, Ogorzelnik, Koziegłowy, Myszków, Żarki-Letnisko, Przybynow, Lgota Górna, Gorzków Stary.

Return to the main travel overview: Myszków.