Bacówka PTTK on Rycerzowa

Bacówka PTTK on Rycerzowa is a wooden mountain hut on Hala Rycerzowa in the Żywiec Beskids, within the Żywiec Landscape Park. It lies at an altitude of 1,120 m above sea level in the municipality of Ujsoły. It opened on 14 September 1975 as the first of a series of small huts for experienced hikers, known as bacówkas.

The first of the PTTK bacówkas

Plans for a hut on Rycerzowa appeared as early as 1939, when the Bielsko branch of the Polish Tatra Society intended to build one. The outbreak of war put an end to them. The present building was designed by Stanisław Karpiel.

It is wooden, on a stone foundation, with a steep roof. The roof was originally covered with shingles; in 2012, during a renovation, the covering was changed to metal roof tiles and the facade was renewed. The series of bacówkas was built over the following years on the initiative of Edward Moskała. The construction of the hut was accompanied by an access road, a water intake and a sewage treatment plant.

Hala Rycerzowa and the views

The bacówka stands on level ground on the eastern slopes of the meadow, between the peaks of Wielka Rycerzowa (1,226 m) and Mała Rycerzowa (1,207 m). The meadow has large, treeless spaces, which makes it a good viewpoint. Among other plants, the sawwort bellflower grows here, and the former pastoral grazing has ceased. Hala Rycerzowa itself is a trail junction.

From the hut one can see the ranges of Lipowska and Rysianka, the Pilsko and Babia Góra massifs, the Tatras, Podhale, and the Low Tatras and Malá Fatra in Slovakia. In the area there are three nature reserves, including Muńcoł, which can be reached on trails. From the meadow it is also possible to walk to the open-air museum of the Kisuca Village in Vychylovka on the Slovak side.

Trails

Trails to the hut lead from Glinka, from Ujsoły via Muńcoł, from Rycerka Dolna via Mładą Horę, and two from Soblówka, one of which goes through Przysłop. Trails also arrive from Zwardoń via Wielka Racza and from Sól and Kolonia via Przegibek, where there is also a hut.

Conditions of stay

According to the description, the hut has 34 beds in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 10-person rooms. Guests can use a kitchenette, a sink, showers and a buffet with a dining room. Camping next to the bacówka is permitted. Heating is provided by central heating from its own boiler room and a fireplace.

The hut's website lists meals, snowshoe hire in winter and an annual open-air concert in September. Among the recurring events are also Kupała Night and the Open Stage of Amateur Song.

Practical information

• Address: Soblówka 450, Ujsoły municipality, Żywiec County.
• Altitude: 1,120 m above sea level, on Hala Rycerzowa, in the Żywiec Landscape Park.
• Access: on trails from Soblówka, Glinka, Ujsoły and Rycerka Dolna.
• Check bed availability, power supply and meal times on the hut's website before you travel.