Durbaszka (934 m a.s.l.) is a rewarding ridge-top destination in the Małe Pieniny range — quiet, pastoral, and marked by a real sense of borderland character, since the Polish-Slovak state border runs right across its summit.

The upper, treeless part of the ridge opens up wide views over the Radziejowa Range and the Pieniny Właściwe massif, while gaps in the forest on the Slovak side reveal distant glimpses of the Tatras. The southern slopes are cloaked in woodland hiding limestone formations known as the Kościelne Skały (Church Rocks). On the Polish side, broad highland meadows — połoniny — sweep down towards the Grajcarek valley. These were once Lemko farming fields; today shepherds from Podhala graze their sheep flocks here, giving the landscape a timeless, pastoral feel.

How to reach the summit

• Parking near Wąwóz Homole gorge (Jaworki village) — yellow ridge trail through Szafranówka, Łaźne Skały, Cyrhle and Wysoki Wierch to Durbaszka — moderate difficulty.
• Unmarked path alongside the Durbaszka shelter (835 m) — shorter approach from the meadow side, easy.

Practical information

• The Durbaszka mountain shelter (835 m) also serves as a GOPR mountain rescue post — useful to know in an emergency.
• Along the descent path towards Jaworki you pass several limestone rock groups: Sołtysie Skałki, Czerszlowe Skałki and Czerszla — worth a short detour.
• A ski tow operates on the ridge in winter, so the area sees more activity in the snowy season.
• The summit sits on the state border — carry an ID if you plan to descend to the Slovak side.

The meadows here were cultivated by the Lemko community of Jaworki before World War II; after their forced displacement the land gradually returned to nature, and only the grazing sheep and the old shepherds' hut remind visitors of that vanished highland life.