Żywiec Landscape Park

Żywiec Landscape Park covers the highest parts of the Żywiec Beskids, deeply cut by river valleys. It was established by a resolution of 13 March 1986 and since 1998 has been part of the Complex of Landscape Parks of the Silesian Voivodeship. It covers 358.7 km², and its buffer zone is 217.9 km².

Ranges and peaks

The park consists of three mountain groups: Worek Raczański, the Lipowska and Romanka range, and the Pilsko massif. The highest is Pilsko (1557 m above sea level), followed by Lipowska (1324 m), Romanka (1322 m), Boracz Wierch (1244 m) and Wielka Racza (1236 m). The main rivers are the Soła and the Koszarawa.

Nature

More than a thousand species of vascular plants grow here. About 40 species of mammals live in the park, including bears, wolves and lynxes, along with more than 100 species of breeding birds. The park has 10 nature reserves: Oszast, Pilsko, Pod Rysianką, Romanka, Śrubita, Butorza, Dziobaki, Gawroniec, Muńcoł and Lipowska. Among its greatest curiosities is a ten-metre waterfall in Sopotnia Wielka.

Trails and mountain huts

The Main Beskid Trail runs through the park, and PTTK mountain huts operate along the ridges, including the one on Hala Boracza. Before setting out, check the trail map and current restrictions on the website of the Complex of Landscape Parks.

Practical information

• The park lies in the southern part of the voivodeship, across seven municipalities, including Milówka, Jeleśnia and Rajcza.
• The management is based in Będzin, and the educational centre in Żywiec.