Welcome to our travel blog! Today we are taking you to the very heart of Beskid Żywiecki, to a place that has exceptionally stolen our hearts – the PTTK Hostel on Hala Boraczej. After all, this is more than just a spot on the mountain map; it is a true oasis where history intertwines with beautiful views, and the smell of the famous blueberry cakes (more on that later!) is in the air. When planning a trip to these mountains, it’s worth exploring all aspects – from the access, to the fascinating history, to the attractions and practical information on accommodation or food. Whether you are a keen hiker looking for new trails, or a family with children wanting to spend some quality time in nature, Hala Boracza offers something special for everyone. It is a place you want to return to at any time of the year, be it winter or summer, spring or autumn, always enjoying a different atmosphere. We have prepared for you, dear readers, a complete guide that we hope will help you plan the perfect trip. With us, you will learn the whole truth about this charming corner of the Beskydy Mountains. Ready for a hike and an adventure?

Access and location of the hostel

The hostel on Hala Boracza is picturesquely located in the Beskid Żywiecki, precisely in the Lipowski Wierch and Romanka Group. Administratively, it is located in the Żywiec county, in the area of the Węgierska Górka municipality, and the houses themselves, located on and around the mountain pasture, well, they belong to the village of Żabnica. This quite central location in the mountain range makes it an excellent base for trips to higher parts of the mountains, such as Rysianka or Lipowska, as well as other surrounding peaks. The hostel is accessible by several hiking trails leading from different directions, which makes it possible to plan both short, easy trips and, if you have more time and strength, longer, more ambitious hikes. The accessibility of these trails varies; it is worth checking their current status before you go.

How to get to Žabnica and where to start a hike from?

The most popular, and probably the most convenient, starting point to Hala Boracza is the village of Żabnica. You can get to Żabnica by car without much trouble. The journey from Bielsko-Biała (Śląskie Voivodeship) leads through Żywiec (Małopolskie Voivodeship) and Węgierska Górka. In Węgierska Górka you need to turn off the main road in the direction of Żabnica, which is quite easy. If you are coming from Katowice, the drive will take you, depending on traffic, about 1.5 hours.

In Żabnica itself, you have several options for leaving your car. You can look for a place along Fr. Karol Śmiech Street or use the paid car park in the hamlet called Żabnica Skałka. Usually these are free or inexpensive car parks, less often guarded car parks, which is worth checking. We often choose this particular spot, which seems to be a very convenient start for many of the trails in the area. There is also a small local shop at the start of the black trail in Zabnica, at the very end of the village, where you can park your car for free, which is a good option, especially in low season when there are no crowds. Basic services, such as a grocery shop or pharmacy, as well as an ATM or bank, can also be found nearby. A petrol station, car repair shop or service are available in nearby towns.

For those using public transport who don’t want to worry about parking, this bus service to Zabnica from Zywiec (to which, in turn, a train runs from Zwardon) is quite a sensible option. By bus, or rather by bus, you will pass through Węgierska Górka. This is convenient if you prefer to travel without a car.

Route description: parking, hiking trails and hiking time

The shortest and, let’s face it, easiest route to the mountain shelter on Hala Boracza – the black tourist trail – leads from Żabnica Skałka (near the Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa and the aforementioned car park). Initially, the trail leads along the Studziański Stream, also known as Żabniczanka (which is a tributary of the Soła River, and on its banks you can see interesting sandstone outcrops). Actually, this asphalted section is only the beginning, then, after a while, the forest road turns into the asphalted Boracza or Halna street, which leads straight from the junction where Świerkowa and Wojtatówka streets diverge to the right. But the asphalt road will also take you to the Boracza mountain chalet. However, the black trail enters the forest and becomes a little steeper, leading straight ahead, away from the asphalt. Following this trail, you will reach the hostel in about 1.5 hours, although for us, at a good pace, the journey from Żabnica Skałka to the hostel took 85 minutes. Returning along the same route, descending along the black trail, took 50 minutes, showing that the descent is much quicker. The difficulty of this route for beginners is low.

Another option from Żabnica is the PTTK blue trail, which connects Żabnica Dolna with Hala Boracza via Borucz and the slopes of the Prusów peak. In Żabnica Dolna you start your hike, leading through the slopes of Palenica and Abrahamów. You will be faced with a steep climb of approx. 700 m to the sub-peak slopes of Prusów, but then Hala Boracza is not far away and the views reward the effort. To the right you can see an increasingly nice panorama of the Żywiec and Silesian Beskids, the Żywiec Basin, and on the horizon, with good visibility, the summits of the Beskid Mały, the western and eastern parts of the Silesian Beskids, with the Wilkowicka Gate separating them.

The shelter on Hala Boracza is also part of larger loops and longer, rewarding routes. It can be reached by trails from Rajcza (via Hala Redykalna), from Milówka (via the green trail), as well as from Hala Lipowska or the Rysianka mountain hostel. The trails leading, one could say, from four directions make it possible to make a loop through Hala Lipowska, Rysianka and Boraczka. Such a variant will satisfy even the most skilful hikers! As my mountaineer friend says, “Boracza is a great place to start planning something bigger”. For lovers of two wheels, there are also interesting cycle routes in the area, although not all of them lead directly to the mountain hut. Detailed online and offline maps, as well as mobile apps for navigation and checking trail markings and walking times, can help with hiking planning.

Hostel: history and architecture

The PTTK (Polish Tourist Country-Lovers’ Association) hostel on Hala Boracza is a place with a remarkable history that dates back to the inter-war period and is closely linked not only to the development of tourism in Beskid Żywiecki, but also, interestingly, to the history of skiing in the region. It is located in the Lipowski Wierch and Romanka Group in the Żywiec Beskid, on a picturesque pass between the Prusów and Redykalny Wierch peaks, at an altitude of 854 metres above sea level. The hostel is located in the upper part of the mountain pasture and is a building (structure) erected in the 1930s. Its standard has improved over the years through modernisation and local investment. The general infrastructure around the chalet, including trails and access, has been continuously developed and maintained.

The origins of the hostel: from the “Makkabi” initiative to the inter-war period

The history of the hostel is, shall we say, quite fascinating. The first one was established here in 1925 (or 1928) on the initiative of the Jewish Sports Association “Makkabi” from Bielsko. Attention, curiosity: it was the world’s first Jewish mountain hiking hostel! The society was active in what is now Poland, having been founded in Bielsko in 1896 as Bielitz-Bialer Israelitischer Turnverein, and in 1925 it changed its name to Bielsko-Biala Jewish Gymnastics and Sports Association “Makkabi”. The association’s aim was to promote sport and tourism and it was also strongly, oh very strongly, committed to the idea of Zionism. The location of Bielsko and Biała meant that one of the main activities of the members was skiing and mountain tourism. The skiing section was established at the end of the 1920s. The hostel was initially only open on Sundays, with hikers visiting in summer and skiers in winter. In 1931, the first Jewish Central European Ski Championships were organised there – isn’t that a piece of history?

Unfortunately, the chalet building burnt down in the early 1930s, a sad event. The old building was, moreover, slated for demolition as it proved too small, so it was decided to build a new, larger and more robust one. Although destroyed, the site retained its memory and significance.

The period of occupation and the post-war fate of the hostel

Unfortunately, the turbulent fate of the 20th century, as is well known, did not omit Hala Boraczej. During World War II, the hostel was taken over by the German tourist organisation Beskidenverein. The Żywiec branch of the Beskidenverein became the formal owner of the facility, appointing Rudolf Krupiła as host. This Volksdeutscher, taking advantage of his position, together with his accomplices (including the host of the hostel on Hala Lipowska) looted the inhabitants of the nearby settlement of Milówka. The inhabitants, as a result of the brawl, complained to the Gestapo, which resulted, fortunately, in the host being replaced by the Volksdeutscher Pietrzyk from 1943. Towards the end of the war there was even, curiously enough, a police station in the hostel.

After the war, the hostel, like many other Beskid sites, was taken over by the Babia Góra Branch of the Polish Tatra Society in Zywiec. In later years, around the 1960s, the hostel underwent a major renovation. Nowadays, as we well know, the hostel is managed by PTTK, continuing its rich tourist tradition.

The architecture of the chalet: highlander style and history of reconstructions

The new hostel building, erected in December 1932, was very, very modern for its time. Designed and built by the Korn family building firm in Bielsko, it could accommodate up to 100 people, offering living quarters, a kitchen, buffet, dining room and sanitary and staff facilities. It was the first mountain chalet in the country with an electric line, equipped with tiled cookers in the living rooms – can you imagine the comfort then? The kitchen located on the lower floor was connected by lift to the dining room on the first floor, which was an innovation. The Spa House and the Ski Depot were built next door. They were considered the most modern in the country, which was a matter of pride. The Borča chalet, like many Beskydy tourist hostels, is characterised by its highland style, although its appearance has changed over the years. The walls of the building used to be clad in eternit, but during reconstruction this was replaced, fortunately, with wooden planks, giving the hostel the more traditional mountain character we like so much. Further modernisation and potential expansion are possible directions for the resort.

Attractions and surroundings

Hala Boracza is not only the chalet itself, but above all a beautiful area located on a mountain pass between Prusov and Redykalny Wierch, offering plenty of attractions and opportunities to spend time in the bosom of Beskid nature. It is a place where you can admire the Beskydy panorama, set off on interesting tourist trails and discover the charming corners of the area, and I assure you, there is no shortage of them. It is worth looking for information on current events or workshops organised in the area.

Panorama from Hala Boracza: views of the Beskids and surrounding peaks

Hala Boracza, located at 854 m above sea level, offers beautiful views, although, to be honest, not as extensive as from the nearby Rysianka or Lipowska. There is a large wooden bench where you can sit quietly and savour the moment, admiring what you can see. But Hala Boracza is an excellent base for a trip to the higher parts of the mountains, from where the panorama becomes even more spectacular – and this is key. While in the area, it is really worth climbing Rysianka or Lipowska, from where one of the most beautiful Beskid panoramas can be seen, as everyone can confirm. It includes the Rysianka, Lipowska and Romanka massifs, as well as views stretching from Pilska to Wielka Racza. You can find here, with good visibility, the Choč Mountains and the Little and Big Fatra Mountains in Slovakia. From Hala Redykalna, located on the trail from Rajcza, you can “crane” into the Silesian Beskid. And from Hala Pawlusia, on the popular loop trail from Żabnica, you can see the Silesian Beskid with Barania Góra, Malinowska Skała and Skrzycze, which descends towards Szczyrk, as well as the majestic Babia Góra and Pilsko. Compared to the Tatras, the Alps or the Pieniny, the Beskids offer a different, gentler type of view, but equally charming.

Hiking trails around Hala Boracza: suggested routes for different levels of difficulty

Hala Boracza is, needless to say, a great starting point for hikers of all levels, from Sunday walkers to seasoned hikers.

• For beginners and families with children: the shortest and easiest trail is the black trail from Żabnica Skałka (about 1.5 hours, although it may take a little longer with toddlers). This is a route that can even be done with children in pushchairs or people with limited mobility on the initial tarmac section, including disabled access. Those who hike in the company of little legs will be satisfied with the shortest possible trail, I guarantee. Hala Boracza is also a great place for seniors looking for quiet, short trails.
• For the intermediate: The blue trail from Żabnica Dolna via Borucz and the slopes of Prusow (about 2 hours). Although there is a steep climb to Prusów, the route is very scenic, which makes up for the effort, and the panorama from Prusów is well worth it. The difficulty rating of this route is moderate.
• For the advanced: Longer loops through Hala Lipowska and Rysianka, this is something for real mountain lovers. Trails leading from four directions, allowing you to make a loop through Hala Lipowska, Rysianka and Boraczka. It takes only a quarter of an hour to get from Hala Pawlusia to the Rysianka mountain shelter, and then along the trails you can return to Hala Boracza and descend to Żabnica, closing the loop. The subsequent descent to Żabnica, which will complete this longer loop, should take you, descending along the black trail, about 45 minutes. The difficulty of these trails is greater, requiring better preparation and equipment.
• Other options: Trails also lead from Rajcza (via Hala Redykalna) and Milówka (green trail), offering a variety of landscapes and walking times, giving you great flexibility in planning your routes. Tourist centres in the area often offer maps and guidebooks.

Points of interest in the area: what is worth seeing during a stay in the Beskydy?

In addition to hiking on the mountain trails themselves, the area around Hala Borča and the entire Beskid Zywiecki hides, as it turns out, many other points of interest worth mentioning. In Żabnica itself, not far from the Żabnica Skałka car park, there is a small, charming wooden chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa. The foundations were laid in 1951 and Mass is celebrated here on Sundays from May to October at 3 p.m. Nearby you will also find the Loretto belfry, which was built on a site consecrated by a Jesuit who could not get pastoral services to Horní Žabnica due to flooding – an interesting story, isn’t it? Although these are not typical monuments or museums, they have their own local memory and significance.

If you have more time and inclination to venture further afield, the Beskids offer many other attractions. Although our guide focuses on Hala Boraczka and its immediate surroundings in the Beskid Żywiecki, it is worth knowing that you can take a trip to other ranges, or even, if you are prepared to make a longer trip, visit Czorsztyn Castle overlooking Lake Czorsztyńskie and the Czorsztyn Settlement situated on the lake, or go to Slovakia, where you will find the popular Bachledka with its path in the treetops, as well as the viewing tower on Skoruszyna in Oravica. You will also find picturesque valleys and gorges in the Beskydy region.

The hostel: practical information

In order to fully enjoy your stay at the Hala Borča mountain hostel, it is worth familiarising yourself with some practical information about accommodation, food and additional facilities. The PTTK (Polish Tourist Country-Lovers’ Association) hostel on Hala Boraczej, located in Żabnica, attracts tourists not only with its picturesque location, but also, importantly, with its hospitality and good standard of services.

Accommodation: number of beds, prices and bookings

At present, the hostel can accommodate 37 tourists per night, which makes it a rather intimate place when compared with larger hostels or night shelters. Rooms are available with different numbers of beds, so there is something for a lone hiker (single) as well as a larger group, couple or family. Accommodation prices vary and, as elsewhere, depend on the room and the date – they can be more expensive in high season (summer, holidays, long weekends, free days in the calendar). The hostel accepts bookings by phone or e-mail, which is particularly, but especially, recommended during high season and at weekends, when Hala Boracza experiences a veritable onslaught of tourists, and it can be difficult to find a vacant bed. Remember that tourists visiting the Beskid Żywiecki certainly know this popular place and book in advance. Information about prices (price list) and availability calendar can be found online. The hostel honours discounts for PTTK members (10% on hotel services after paying the annual fee and receiving a PTTK discount card) and holders of the Silver Badge (up to 30% discount on hotel services) and the Large Family Card (10% discount on accommodation). It is worth remembering that the discounts are valid only for hotel services. It is possible to sign up for a stay via contact forms or email.

Catering: menu, meal times, possibility to order

The Hala Boracza mountain chalet is famous, and for good reason, for its good, homemade cuisine. The menu includes traditional regional and Polish dishes, something that tastes best in the mountains. You can often find vegetarian options or dishes with healthy food. There is a buffet where you can order hot meals and drinks, as well as have something sweet. Meal times are usually adjusted to suit hikers on the trails, but it is always worth checking the current opening times of the kitchen and buffet on site to avoid disappointment. Particularly recommended and well-known far beyond the Beskid Żywiecki are, well, the legendary Jagodzianki from Boraczej. The ‘Jagodzianki’ on Hala Boraczej are said to be the tastiest in the mountains! Namirka, my imaginary travel companion, ate a warm berryodzianka with relish, and we often take a few to go – that’s how good they are. But, it seems, most hikers don’t leave the hostel without trying at least one fluffy blueberry bun. Everyone who arrives, I have a feeling, wants a taste of that atmosphere and, of course, the blueberry bun. Information on menus and hours can be found at the chalet. It is also worth checking out the current news or new products on offer. Occasionally, cooking workshops are organised in the region.

Additional facilities: internet access, parking, other

The chalet offers, as befits a PTTK mountain chalet, basic facilities for tourists. Wireless internet (wifi) is usually available, allowing you to keep in touch with the world and plan further hikes, although it can be capricious, especially when there are a lot of people. Remember, however, that mobile phone (signal, mobile) coverage in the mountains can be limited, so don’t rely on it 100 per cent. Alternative connectivity or offline navigation is important. At the start of the trail at Żabnica, as already mentioned, parking options are available, both paid and free. This chalet on Borča was, as you will remember, the first mountain chalet in the country with an electric line, a testament to its modernity at the time. Although detailed information about all facilities (e.g. whether there is a shared kitchen, how many bathrooms there are, whether you can light a fire in the fireplace, what kind of terrace there is) is best checked directly at the hostel or on its website (email address, contact details can be found online), you can count on standard, typical PTTK conditions for a stay in a mountain hostel. And yes, holders of a PTTK card or a large family card can count on discounts on accommodation, which is a nice addition. Payments can be made by cash, card or BLIK (online transfers less popular locally). Feedback from other tourists and online reviews often provide valuable information about the standard and facilities. Online cameras showing conditions on the hall are sometimes available.

Hala Boracza: nature and its riches

Hala Boracza is not only a hostel, but above all, and in my opinion most importantly, a charming glade whose history and nature create the unique atmosphere of the place. Situated in the Beskid Żywiecki, it is a place where you can admire the wealth of mountain flora and fauna, and feel, tangibly, the spirit of ancient shepherding. Caring for ecology and environmental protection is particularly important here.

Flora and fauna of Hala Boracza: what can you see in the area around the mountain shelter?

Hala Boracza and its surroundings are an area with interesting mountain flora. In spring, the Beskids awaken to life and many species of plants, flowers, trees and shrubs appear in the mountain glades and forests – a beautiful sight. Although there is no detailed information about specific species of flora on Hala Borča in the available sources, you can certainly admire the vegetation typical of the Beskydy mountain pastures, from crocuses (if they appear) to a variety of grasses and herbs. In terms of fauna, Hala Boracza and its surroundings are a traditional grazing area for flocks of sheep, and this is something that adds to the special character of the place. In the summer, it is often possible to see sheep grazing on the grass, and if you are lucky, you may also spot birds or smaller mammals. This adds to the idyllic charm of the place and, importantly, alludes to its pastoral history. Hearing the bells of the sheep on the mountain is a really pleasant experience.

History of Hala Boracza: from pastoralism to modern tourism

Hala Boracza, like many Beskid glades, has a long history of shepherding, dating back centuries. It used to be a former shepherd’s glade and its name, like those of other glades (e.g. Polana, named after its owner), was often linked to the families farming in the area. The name of the nearby Hala Redykalna refers directly to the redyk, i.e. the spring expulsion of sheep to pasture and their autumn return – a beautiful folk tradition. With the development of mountain tourism, the mountain pasture became a popular hiking destination and resting place, which, naturally, led to the construction of the mountain hut we know today. As you can see, modern tourism on Hala Borča blends perfectly with tradition, as evidenced for example by the sheep grazing (breeding) that is still going on, which gives the place its authenticity. Agriculture and shepherding have shaped the landscape of the Beskids for centuries.

Interesting facts and legends connected with Hala Boraczá

Every place in the mountains has its own stories, anecdotes and legends, and Hala Boracza is no exception, although detailed local tales may not be widely documented. One of the documented curiosities already mentioned is the story of the construction of the first Jewish hostel in the world right here, a historical fact worth remembering. Another interesting story concerns the Loretto belfry in Zabnica, which was built when a Jesuit priest was unable to reach Horní Žabnica with his pastoral services due to flooding and, in this situation, consecrated the site for the belfry. Such local stories, in my opinion, add to the charm of hiking and allow you to feel the atmosphere of the place more deeply. And the Hala Boracza mountain chalet itself has, one might say, become the hero of numerous stories told by hikers, and the legendary fame of its blueberry cakes is actually a contemporary curiosity, passed down from mouth to mouth like a true legend. Information about the weather on Hala Boraczej and conditions on the trails is crucial before any expedition. In case of health problems, it is worth remembering basic assistance and having a first-aid kit and the numbers for the Mountain Rescue Service (GOPR). Basic medication should be in every piece of equipment. Mountain travel insurance is worth considering.

The hostel: who is it for?

The Hala Boracza mountain hostel is an extremely versatile and, most importantly, friendly place for various groups of tourists. Its accessibility and offer mean that anyone who wants to visit the Beskid Żywiecki will find something to their liking here. So who is Hala Boracza for? For families with children, for organised groups, for singles, for couples, for seniors and for those looking for healthy relaxation.

A family trip with children: is the hut suitable for families with small children?

Definitely yes! The shelter on Hala Boracza is, in my opinion, one of the best places in the Beskids for a trip with children, even the youngest ones, as I have checked myself many times. The shortest black trail from Żabnica Skałka is easy and pleasant, partly leading along an asphalt road, which makes the hall accessible even for those travelling with children in prams or those with reduced mobility – a huge plus. There is plenty, really plenty of space for outdoor play in the hall, and the famous blueberries are the perfect proven motivation for little hikers, it always works! The chalet offers accommodation and meals, making it easy to plan even a stay of several days with the family. Children hiking the shortest trail from Żabnica will certainly be satisfied and parents will be more relaxed. Before setting off, it is a good idea to ensure you have the right equipment, such as mountain boots, a jacket, a rucksack with equipment, poles for ease, a torch and a charged phone (mobile). A map and first aid kit are always useful.

A trip for experienced hikers: more difficult routes and attractions for advanced hikers

For skilled hikers, Hala Boracza can, of course, serve as a starting point or stopover on longer, more demanding routes in Beskid Żywiecki. It is possible to set off from here to Prusów (blue trail – about 1 hour), to continue towards Hala Lipowska and Rysianka, making a challenging, all-day loop, which will give you a bit of a challenge, but also a lot of satisfaction. The route from Rajcza through Hala Redykalna is another interesting option for those looking for a longer and more varied hike that does not go through the most popular places. The mountain hostel is a great starting point to reach the higher parts of the mountains, allowing you to conquer more peaks of the Żywiec and Silesian Beskids – the possibilities are great. It is a good idea to have a map with you, to know the trail markings and to be able to judge the difficulty of the route. Good shoes and appropriate equipment are key. For the most difficult expeditions, it is worth having a tent and sleeping bag in your equipment.

A romantic getaway in the mountains: a chalet as a place for a romantic weekend

Hala Boracza, with its charming location and beautiful views (especially at sunset or, if you get up early, in the morning), can also be an ideal, if not dreamlike, place for a romantic getaway for couples. The tranquillity of the mountain glade, the possibility of hiking together (even the short, easy route), the warm atmosphere of the chalet, the evenings by the fireplace (if available, it’s worth asking!) and the delicious food, including blueberries, create the ideal conditions for spending time for two, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Being able to book a room and dine in a mountain climate certainly fosters a romantic mood, and sunrises together on the trail? Priceless. You can plan a successful holiday or holiday here.

Hala Boracza: simply a mountain retreat

The mountain chalet on Hala Boracza is, it is safe to say, a complete picture of a mountain oasis in Beskid Żywiecki, a place that has a soul. It is a place where history, nature and hospitality create an unforgettable atmosphere that you can feel from the threshold. From the easily accessible trails from Żabnica, to the rich and interesting history associated with pioneering tourism, to the stunning views and, ah, those famous blueberries – Hala Boracza offers many, really many reasons to visit it at least once, and preferably repeatedly. It is ideal for families with children, experienced hikers looking for a challenge, as well as couples wishing to spend romantic moments in the mountains, or simply singles looking for a break. The traditional shepherding still present in the mountain pasture adds to the authenticity and, let’s not hide it, charm of the place. Whether you choose the shortest black trail or the longer loop through Rysianka and Hala Lipowska, your visit to Hala Boraczej will certainly be successful and leave you with fond memories. The possibility to admire the panorama of the Żywiec and Silesian Beskids, rest in a cosy PTTK mountain hostel and taste regional delicacies makes Hala Boracza one of our favourite places in the Beskids, to which we return regularly, and probably always with the same joy. It is worth remembering the accommodation and culinary possibilities that make the hostel a fully functional place for mountain trips, not just a day trip. Visitors to the region know it well, and anyone who visits will quickly understand why this place is so special and loved by tourists. Up-to-date information can be found on the website or on social media, such as Facebook or Instagram, where news and photos are often posted. Bloggers and influencers are also keen to share their impressions and opinions. Various payment methods are available, making it easy to shop.