Attractions in the neighbourhood

Base Camp Istebna Rope Park

In a quiet forest valley above a rushing stream, the Base Camp Istebna rope park is spread out. It provides fantastic fun in a safe environment. Everyone, both young and old, can enjoy the obstacles of the rope park. It's not just physical activity, but also a time for gaining new experiences under the watchful eye of experienced instructors.

7 routes of varying difficulty - a total of up to ONE KILOMETER of routes, over 80 interesting obstacles, and 10 long zip lines (Tyrolean traverses) between the trees! Fantastic fun in safe conditions (Safe Rope Park certificate, trained team of instructors, and the latest continuous safety system that does not require reattaching/clipping in).

Base Camp Istebna also offers:
Paintball - an innovative polygon full of forest corridors and barricades.
Recreational shooting range (shooting with an instructor using bows, air rifles, and paintball markers).
Climbing Tree (a climbing wall on a tree).
Relaxation Zone (rest and delicious food).
Toddler Zone - a special route for the youngest children (from 2 years old!) at a low height, entirely secured with a net.
Additionally for the youngest ones - Sand Factory and a climbing wall.
You can also organize an integration meeting for your team with elements of outdoor activity. Attractions for companies: a forest rope park away from the hustle and bustle, team building games, orienteering marches, and games on the forest paintball field - this is the best way for active relaxation and building a well-knit team of employees in a friendly atmosphere.

Location:

Istebna 804
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance — 7.2 km

Contact:

Phone:   +48 888 661 794
Email: kontakt@bcamp.pl

Website: http://www.bcamp.pl

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

At weekends, the Rope Park is open from 10:00 a.m. till dusk; from Monday to Friday, you need to book a visit over the phone. Paintball — groups of at least 6 upon telephone booking.

Electric Bike Rental

Rental of electric and traditional bicycles. Delivery of bicycles to guests of accommodation facilities.

Location:

ul. Kubalonka 687
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna

Contact:

Phone:   +48 571 430 827

email: kontakt@lets-ride.pl

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

You need to book over the phone

Shepherds’ Centre

In 21st century, the shepherds’ traditions are continued by few highlanders. This is why it is worth visiting the Shepherds’ Centre of Piotr Kohut situated on the north-western slopes of Ochodzita mountain, near the centre of Koniaków. The main seat of the Shepherds’ Centre is situated at a “highland” shop selling all sorts of souvenirs in a stately building. In the Centre, we can see an exhibition devoted to shepherds’ life, including the documents corroborating the story of mountain huts, shepherd’s utensils and bells as well as boards with information on sheep grazing in the mountains. On the ground floor, there are real kids and lambs. Nearby, there is a small shepherd’s hut with a log structure. In it, you can watch the demonstration of the production process of the traditional highland speciality, i.e. regional sheep cheese called “oscypek” which is protected by EU regulations nowadays. The shepherd’s hut is open in the grazing season, meaning April to October. The shop and the exhibitions are open all year round.

Location:

ul. Koniaków  33
43-474 Koniaków
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 1.5 km

Contact:

Phone:  +48 602 128 388
Email:  kolyba@op.pl
Website: www.seroscypek.pl

AVAILABILITY — All year round

The Highland Shop is open every day from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. all year round.
The Shepherd's Hut is open from May to October from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Once the summer season ends, the cheese can be bought in the Highland Shop.

Regional Museum on Grapa

This is a small open-air museum thanks to a historical cottage and a barn which were transferred to it and a traditional forge which was built here. The chimneyless wooden cottage dates back to 1920 Its room houses a unique “chimneyless oven” and other components of the traditional highland house equipment. In the hallway, dividing the house in two, there is an exhibition of agricultural tools and skis, so indispensable in winter in this region. The second room exhibits jobs so popular here in the past, including weaving or shepherd’s life.

In the barn, dating back to 1930s, there are all sorts of old machines and farming equipment. The museum houses exhibitions of non-professional handicraft, those presenting customs and ceremonies related to the annual cycle and educational workshops. Here, you can listen to interesting lectures on former highlanders’ ways of life, their culture, customs and costume (one room exhibits dummies dressed in its various forms). What is new in the museum is the traditional Carpathian Plant Garden.

Location:

ul. Jaworzynka 720
43-476 Jaworzynka
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 7.5 km

Contact:

Phone:   +48 338 556 520
Mobile: +48 508 844 275
Email: nagrapie@gmail.com

Website: http://www.nagrapie.com

1 May to 31 October

Opening hours: Open 09:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Monday — CLOSED
Tuesday — 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday — 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday — 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday — 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday — 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday — CLOSED 

Jerzy Kukuczka Hall of Remembrance

Jerzy Kukuczka was born in Bogucice, a district of Katowice, in 1948. His parents came from Istebna, a highland village in the Silesian Beskid. He was an electrician and a passionate conqueror of mountain walls who climbed the tallest and most difficult peaks. In 1976, he started his adventure in the Himalayas. He climbed Lhotse three years later and then, in subsequent years, all 14 8,000'ers. In 1989, he made an attempt at climbing Lhotse again, using its southern wall this time. He failed. He fell from the wall on 24 October 1989. Today, Jerzy Kukuczka is a legend. In Istebna, you can visit the Hall of Remembrance devoted to him where you can get to know this fascinating man better. The Hall was arranged by the widow, Cecylia Kukuczka, in the family home of the Kukuczkas which was turned into a chalet by the climber. The mountain cottage with a green roof and the number of 340 on the wall is situated in the hamlet of Wilcze, ca. 3 km northward of the village centre. One room houses e.g. the Silver Olympic Order awarded to him in 1988 during the Olympic Games in Calgary, skis used by him to ski from Shisha Pangma, tourist and climbing equipment, cups and other sports trophies, books and lots of photographs. Mrs Cecylia Kukuczka is a wonderful guide of this exhibition. The Hall can be reached on foot from the centre of Istebna. You need to take Jerzy Kukuczka’s blue walking path. From Wilcze, it goes on through Olecki to Kubalonka pass where Jerzy and Cecylia got married in a small church. It is worth mentioning as well, that the Jerzy Kukuczka Mountain Rally takes place every year in May in Istebna.

Location:

ul. Istebna Wilcze 340
43-470 Istebna
Gmina: Istebna
Powiat: cieszyński

Contact:

Phone:  +48 537 365 519
Mobile: +48 508 389 558
Email: cecyliakukuczka@gmail.com
Website: http://jerzykukuczka.com/#/memories

AVAILABILITY — All year round

to be arranged by phone

Environmental Education Forest Centre

The first floor houses a permanent exhibition presenting flora and fauna of the Beskidy forests. Here, you can see stuffed animals and plant models. Moreover, the visitors can admire mockups of the terrain history, a river diorama, a department devoted to the environmental protection forms and an X-ray image of a tree. Children can play interesting games of various types. When watching dioramas, you can listen to information on every animal and plant, and also learn something about the history of Wisła Forest Inspectorate, Istebna spruce, dead wood and many other interesting facts.

The Centre is surrounded by the Silesian Beskid Plant Garden. This facility comprises parking space, an educational path network which can be taken to see interesting species of both ornamental plants and those typical of local habitats, as well as a viewing area with a mini amphitheatre. Children can enjoy themselves at a unique, eco-friendly playground and a wooden educational canopy with benches inside which play the role of a forest classroom.

Location:

DW941
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 7 km

Organiser: 

Wisła Forest Inspectorate

Contact:

Phone:    +48 338 556 014
Email: oeezv.wisla@neostrada.pl
Website: https://wisla.katowice.lasy.gov.pl/loee#.X_19o3ZKjIU
Opening hours: Open 09:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

AVAILABILITY — All year round

Jan Wałach’s Museum

A wooden buildings’ complex connected with artist Jan Wałach is situated in the northern part of Istebna, in the hamlet of Andziołówka.

The oldest building is a log one with a shingle roof with two eaves, a characteristic ox-eye window, Dutch gables and chimney saddles in the gables. It comes from ca. 1865 and was remodelled in 1911–1912. This house was inhabited by Jan Wałach and his family (the interior is not open to visitors).

Ca. 60 metres from the house, there is a rectangular studio built in 1922 from spruce beams, the structure of which was inspired by regional buildings. During the artist’s life, it was used as his painting studio. At present, it houses a biographical museum. Inside, there are various pieces of furniture and equipment, easels and the artist’s works, including oil paintings, drawings, gouache paintings and graphic arts created in 1902–1979.

Location:

ul. Andziołówka 293
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 9.5 km

Contact:

Mobile:  +48 513 043 431
Email: walach0@op.pl

Website: http://janwalach.com

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

May to October from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Wednesday to Sunday).

Whenever possible, please arrange the visit for larger groups (phone: +48 513 043 431)

Tripoint

This is a picturesque site at the junction of three borders, i.e. Polish, Czech and Slovak. It was created in 1993 when Czechoslovakia was divided. The exact point where the borders meet is situated in the bed of the river which has three names: in Poland it is called Wawrzaczkowy Potok, in Slovakia — Gorylów Potok, whereas in the Czech Republic — Kubankowski Potok. This is the only place in Poland with three posts at the junction of three borders. This is because the borders meet in the river bed. The obelisks at the Tripoint were erected in 1995. They are 240 cm high and their weight is more than 800 kg. During their erection, commemorative documents, newspapers and coins were placed in metal tubes in the monolith plinths. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, there are tourist canopies with furnaces, whereas in Poland there is an outdoor gym, playground and the graduation tower were built. The access along the Polish and Czech border is made easier thanks to the slab-covered steps and a path.

The Tripoint is also a site of numerous cross border cultural and sports events.

Location:

ul. Jaworzynka
43-476  Jaworzynka
Commune:  Istebna
Distance — 13 km

AVAILABILITY — All year round

Koniaków Lace Centre in Koniaków

The Koniaków Lace Centre in Koniaków was opened in April 2019 by the Koniaków Lace Foundation. It houses the Koniaków Lace Museum and a shop selling folk handicraft.

This is a place presenting the comprehensive history, methods and specific features of traditional lace from Koniaków. 

The museum exhibition tells the story of the crocheting tradition still cherished in Koniaków today in an interesting, modern way. It displays splendid small tablecloths and other traditional Koniaków lace products made by one of the most outstanding lace makers. The exhibition including old, historical exhibits made by deceased artists enriched with modern works is an interesting presentation of the living tradition which was entered in the Polish List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. 

In the shop selling folk handicraft, you can buy Koniaków lace souvenirs, meaning beautiful small and big tablecloths, collars, gloves, jewellery, cauls, holiday decorations, dream catchers and other knickknacks. The shop offers traditional Beskid cross-stitch embroidery products, too. All works sold by the shop have been made by the local artists with utmost care for the quality monitored also by an ethnologist, President of the Koniaków Lace Foundation, Lucyna Ligocka–Kohut, MA

Location:

ul. Centrum 704
43-474 Koniaków
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 1.5 km

Contact:

Phone: +48 535 328 291
Website: http://www.centrumkoronkikoniakowskiej.pl

AVAILABILITY — All year round

Monday - closed
Tuesday – Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Kawulok’s Chimneyless Cottage

Kawulok’s Cottage was built in 1863. At present, it houses an exhibition of extraordinary, historical furniture and household utensils as well as musical instruments, including bagpipes, shepherd’s horn, tacikowa reed or pipe. Thanks to the interesting interior design of the regional chamber and stories of local guides, this place has been popular with visitors for a long time. The cottage is situated at the Wooden Architecture Route of the Voivodeship of Silesia.

Location:

ul. Istebna 163
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance — 4.5 km

Contact:

Phone:  +48 338 556 231
Email: chatakawuloka@gmail.com
Website: http://www.chatakawuloka.eu

AVAILABILITY — All year round

to be arranged by phone.

Istebna Spruce Museum

The museum was established at the forest nursery called Wyrchczadeczka. It houses scientific and historical documents concerning the spruce from Istebna and exhibits relating to the history and culture of the Silesian Beskid. Near the nursery, you can see a demo tree stand.

Nowadays, the Istebna spruce is used primarily as a resonant material to make lutes and similar instruments. The spruce growing in Istebna and nearby is considered the best seed stand in Europe. To protect the genetic values of spruce forests and retain them for future generations, the Regional Spruce Gene Bank was created.

The museum is an integral part of the nursery and of the Carpathian Gene Bank. At the nursery, you can also see a Demo aviary, where we can admire wood grouses cultivated here by Wisła Forest Inspectorate.

Location:

Jaworzynka 812
43-476 Jaworzynka
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 5 km

Organiser: 

PGL LP Nadleśnictwo Wisła (Wisła Forest Inspectorate) Wisła, Czarne 6

Contact:

Phone:   +48 338 552 426
Fax:  +48 338 551 160
Email: wisla@katowice.lasy.gov.pl
Website: https://www.wisla.katowice.lasy.gov.pl

AVAILABILITY — All year round.

It can be visited based on a telephone arrangement at least 1 day in advance. With no such an arrangement, it can be visited Monday to Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Stable Las

A small riding school located in the picturesque area among Beskidy peaks. They create a family, cosy atmosphere together which allows to enjoy the wonderful sport of horse-riding. Thanks to their gentleness and intelligence, Fidel, Bakardia and Nila will guarantee great joy both to advanced riders and to beginners. The rides are monitored by a certified horse riding instructor, Karolina Trybalska. Her long experience acquired in the stud and formal knowledge guarantee the top quality of the rides.

Location:

ul. Las 1025
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 8 km

Contact:

Phone: +48 515 406 623
Website: www.stajnia-las.pl

AVAILABILITY — All year round

Cross-country skiing trails in Poland — Kubalonka

Kubalonka is the second most important cross-country skiing centre in Poland, following the famous one in Jakuszyce. It is located between two villages popular with skiers and visitors: Wisła and Istebna. The appropriate microclimate usually ensures more abundant snowfall here than in many other regions of the Silesian Beskid Mountains and the snow cover stays for longer.
This area is administered by the Central Sports Center - Olympic Preparation Center in Szczyrk where you can frequently witness a workout of sportspeople in such disciplines as Nordic combined, biathlon and cross-country skiing. The trails go in the woods where you can also admire wonderful views of the Beskidy Mountains.

Location:

ul. Kubalonka
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 12 km

Contact:

Phone:  +48 666 047 146

Website

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Olza Aquapark

Olza Aquapark is a medium-sized facility located in Kompleks Zagroń in the very heart of the Beskidy Mountains. Its hallmark is warm water with the temperature of 30ºC. The Park attractions include a spiral slide, jacuzzi tub, rapid river, waterfalls and geysers as well as a paddling pool for children. Moreover, it offers a sauna zone (with a dry and steam sauna) and a grotto where you can relax after your sauna session.

Location:

Istebna 1588
43-470 Istebna
Gmina: Istebna
Powiat: cieszyński

Contact:

Phone:   +48 728 312 322
Email: zagron@istebna.org

Website: http://istebna.org

AVAILABILITY — All year round

The Konarzewski Family House 

The Konarzewski Family House is an extraordinary place where you can learn not only the artistic achievements of four generations of the family members, but its rich history, too. This is a story of the times of war and peace, of various artistic disciplines, from music, through painting, sculpture, cabinet-making, pottery, to weaving. This is also a travel in space from Mazovia, through Kraków, the Silesian Beskid, the Ural Mountains and Upper Silesia back to Istebna. Today, Konarzewski family have still been affiliated with art as the granddaughter of Ludwik Konarzewski senior is a painter who has organised artistic workshops for children. Her paintings can be admired e.g. in the Our Lady of Fatima church in the area called Stecówka.

Location:

Istebna 596
43-470 Istebna
Commune:  Istebna
Distance – 8.5 km

Kontakt:

Phone:  +48 338 557 509
Phone: +48 338 556 529
Mobile: +48 506 444 211

AVAILABILITY — All year round

to be arranged by phone

Lace Museum - Maria Gwarek’s Hall of Remembrance

The Lace Museum is devoted to the achievements of local artists, in particular of famous Maria Gwarek, a long-term crochet instructor and the initiator of the Lace Cooperative in Koniaków in 1947. The Hall of Remembrance exhibits a non-finished small tablecloth for the Queen of England, Elisabeth II. That was the last work by Maria, interrupted by her death. In the Museum, you can buy lace, see folk costume components and some household equipment used in the past. The visit is accompanied by a short storytelling.

Location:

ul. Koniaków 550
43-474 Koniaków
Commune:  Istebna
Distance – 1.3 km

Contact:

Phone:    +48 338 556 423

AVAILABILITY — All year round

to be arranged by phone

Shepherd’s Hut on Złoty Groń

A contemporary, genuine shepherd’s hut where you can buy sheep cheese.

It is situated on a large area cleared long ago and offering a wonderful view of e.g. Ochodzita mountain. Around the hut, you can meet a herd of sheep or cows which will surely be a great attraction for children. The shepherd’s hut is open when sheep go grazing in the mountains. In it, you can buy all sorts of traditional highland cheeses.

Location:

ul. Złoty Groń
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 5 km

Contact:

Phone: +48 664 222 580

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Open in the sheep grazing period: 7.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.; 4.00 p.m. –7.00 p.m.

Złoty Groń Airduro Tralis & Ski Resort

It is an ideal location for enthusiasts of enduro and winter sports. In its summer version, the complex offers one-way single-track cycling paths – away from hiking trails. Winter sports lovers have access to very well-prepared ski slopes of varying difficulty.

Location:

ul. Zaolzie 1628
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 7 km

Contact:

Phone:  +48 510 250 210
Email:  biuro@zlotygron.pl
Website: http://www.zlotygron.pl

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

The chairlift is available solely in winter.

Paintball Base Camp Istebna

Paintball is great fun for the whole group. Tactics, strategies, shooting skills and camouflage. The area consists of various innovative labyrinth corridors and an open area with numerous barricades. An extraordinary recreation opportunity and a way to spend active time, relieve stress with adrenaline rush and outdoor activity.

The facility invites groups from 6 to several dozen people or individuals for open games announced on Facebook.

Location:

ul. Dzielec
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance — 7.2 km

Contact:

Phone:   +48 888 661 794
Email: kontakt@bcamp.pl

Website: http://www.bcamp.pl

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

At weekends, the Rope Park is open from 10:00 a.m. till dusk; from Monday to Friday, you need to book a visit over the phone. Paintball — groups of at least 6 upon telephone booking.

Skiing centres

Szańce

Szańce ski lift is a T-bar lift 400 m long situated in Koniaków, in the Silesian Beskidy Mountains. The trail along it is of medium difficulty and is snow-groomed on a regular basis. You can rent skis and eat something in a bar.

Location:

Distance – 2 km

Contact:

Website: Szańce, Koniaków - pogoda, kamery, warunki, narty (stok-narciarski.pl)

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Zagroń

A four-person ski chairlift 840 m long, level difference of 145 m, four skiing trails 1,100 m, 1,000 m, 900 m and 900 m long, throughput of 2,400 people per hour, the trails are lit, covered with snow and groomed.

A disc lift 260 m long, trails 260 m long, level difference of 40 m, throughput of 650 people per hour, trail of medium difficulty, lit, groomed and covered with snow.

Location:

Distance – 8 km

Contact:

Website: https://www.istebna.org/stacja-narciarska/stacja-narciarska

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Złoty Groń

It is located in the catchment area of the Olza River. Its unique microclimate ensures snow cover from November to April, with temperatures 4 degrees lower than in adjacent villages. The fans of winter sports can use well-prepared wide trails of various difficulty level.

The complex offers:

1. A 6-people detachable chairlift, 800 m long, throughput of 2,800 people per hour, level difference of 150 m, the trails are lit, covered with snow and groomed:
4 trails:
• 800 m long “red”, difficult;
• 400 m long “red”, difficult;
• 900 m long “blue”, easy;
• 800 m long “blue”, easy;

A disc lift 290 m long, blue trail, throughput of 900 people per hour, the trail is covered with snow, groomed and lit;

White Bear Snow Belt, including: A FREE lift (50 m long, throughput of 500 people per hour, very easy trail), daily classes for children (starting from 26th December), colourful figures and snow toys, music and lots of fun;

Location:

Distance – 6.5 km

Contact:

Website: https://zlotygron.pl/ski/trasy/

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Ski Siglany

- Siglany I (500 m), number of trails: 1, trail length: 500 m, lit, covered with snow, difficulty level: easy, disc ski

- Siglany II (250 m), number of trails: 1, trail length: 250 m, lit, covered with snow, difficulty level: easy, disc ski

Location:

Distance – 19 km

Contact:

Website: https://siglany.wisla.pl/

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Cieńków Ski Station

“Cieńków” Ski Station in Wisła Malinka is - a complex offering
- a modern cable car ca. 1,000 m long with four-people seats, with the throughput of up to 2,000 people per hour;
- a disc lift serving the lower Cieńków clearing, ca. 350 m long and with the throughput of up to 600 persons per hour;
- a disc lift serving the upper Cieńków clearing, ca. 100 m long and with the throughput of up to 600 persons per hour, connected with the trail where the skiing time can be measured;
- a magic carpet ca. 50 m long and with the throughput of up to 300 persons per hour;
- a rope lift called “Wisełka”, ca. 100 m long and with the throughput of up to 200 persons per hour;
- a disc lift called “Sarajewo”, ca. 220 m long and with the throughput of up to 300 persons per hour;

Contact:

Website: http://www.cienkownarty.pl/zima/trasy-narciarskie-stacja-narciarska-cienkow,1.html

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Klepki Wisła Malinka Ski Resort

Contact:

Website: Klepki – Ski Resort – Ski Resorts in Wisła (wisla.pl)

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

Ski Resort Złoty Groń

The resort is located in the Olza basin. The unique microclimate means that snow lasts from November to April, and the temperature is 4 degrees lower than in nearby resorts. Winter sports enthusiasts have at their disposal very well-groomed, wide slopes of various difficulty levels.

Location:

Ul. Zaolzie 1628
43-470 Istebna
Commune: Istebna
Distance – 7 km

Contact:

Phone:  +48 510 250 210
Email:  biuro@zlotygron.pl
Website: http://www.zlotygron.pl

AVAILABILITY — Seasonal

The chairlift is available solely in winter.