Babia Gora

Babia Gora rises to 1725 metres, well above everything else in the Beskids, and its size means it makes its own weather. The summit, called Diablak, is a bare stony dome with the ridge running away to either side and the Tatras visible to the south-east on clear days. Below it the mountain passes through full bands of vegetation, from beech and fir forest to spruce, then dwarf pine, then open rock, which is why the whole massif is protected. There is no cable car and no easy option: every route is a proper climb of several hours from the valley or the pass.

History

The massif is first mentioned in the 15th century, in the writings of Jan Długosz, but it was explored and described in depth only in the 19th century, and the first known mountain hut on it was built in 1905 (Wikipedia, Babia Góra).

What's there

• Diablak summit - a stony dome with a marker and long views along the ridge and south into Slovakia.
• The vegetation bands - a clear sequence from beech forest through spruce and dwarf pine to bare rock.
• Perc Akademicka - the steepest marked route, with chains on the rock steps, for experienced walkers only.
• The northern cliffs - broken crags and landslip terrain falling away from the ridge on the Zawoja side.

When to go

June to September is the practical season, and even then the summit is in cloud more often than not. Start early and check the forecast seriously, since storms build over the massif in summer afternoons. Autumn brings the clearest air and the best chance of seeing the Tatras. Snow lies late on the upper sections, well into spring.

Good to know

The climb is four to six hours round trip with a substantial height gain and no shortcut, and the upper slopes are exposed. Weather here is notoriously fast changing, with wind and temperature drops that catch people in summer clothing. The chained route is not a walk. Many visitors reach the top and see nothing but cloud, and the national park charges entry regardless.

Nearby

Zawoja stretches along the valley below, and the Orawa lake and the Tatras lie further east.

Key facts