Szeroka Nature Reserve

The "Szeroka" reserve lies in the Andrychów Beskids, in the eastern part of the Little Beskids, in Łękawica municipality (Żywiec County), within the Little Beskids Landscape Park. Contrary to some sources, it is not at Kocierz, but on the eastern slopes of Maleckie and Wielka Cisowa Grapa.

Forest of the lower montane zone

The reserve was established in 1960 on an area of 49.51 ha, to protect remnants of the natural Carpathian primeval forest of the lower montane zone, with monumental firs and beeches. Beeches, firs and sycamores grow here above all, and some trees are 200-250 years old. More than a hundred species of vascular plants have been counted, among them wood sorrel, sweet woodruff, glandular bittercress and almond-leaved spurge. The area is under strict protection.

Boundaries and name

The upper boundary runs at an altitude of about 780-790 m above sea level from Przełęcz Cisowa to Szeroka Przełęcz, from which the reserve takes its name, and in the valley it descends to the 650 m contour line. Nearby lies the other reserve of the Little Beskids, the Zasolnica Nature Reserve.

Practical information

• Location: Łękawica municipality, the eastern slopes of Maleckie and Wielka Cisowa Grapa.
• Getting there: the blue trail from Tresna via Kościelec, Jaworzyna and Przełęcz Cisowa runs along the reserve; the walk takes 3 hours, and 2 hours 10 minutes on the way back.
• Rules: the area is under strict protection, so restrictions on entry apply; check them before setting out on the trail.