Gaiki (816 m a.s.l.) is a forested peak in the Magurka Wilkowicka Group of the Little Beskids, tucked along the main ridge between the summits of Kopce and Czupel. It may not be the tallest in the range, but its peaceful woodland character and good trail connections make it a rewarding destination for anyone exploring this corner of southern Poland.
The summit is wrapped in dense forest that offers welcome shade in summer and a spectacular show of colour in autumn. The ridge drops northward, separating the Niwka stream from a tributary of the Pisarzówka, while the Straconka stream rises on the southern slopes. This natural, unhurried atmosphere is what sets Gaiki apart — no crowds, no facilities, just the quiet of a Beskid forest. In winter the beech trees carry a heavy coat of snow, and in spring the hillsides come alive with fresh green.
How to reach the summitThe peak was once known as 'Hanslik', named after Tomasz Hanslik, a forester from the nearby town of Biała. In 1899 a timber observation tower called 'Rudolfswarte' (Rudolf's Watchtower) was erected near the summit in honour of Rudolf Lukas, then mayor of Biała — the tower is long gone, but its story gives this quiet hilltop a surprisingly rich history.