Grodzisko (618 m) is a modest but distinctive peak in the northern part of the Beskid Wyspowy range, hiding a remarkable story that stretches back to the Lusatian culture and the Celts. This is a place where nature and history intertwine — on the forested summit you can still spot the earthworks and moats of an ancient stronghold and the remains of a medieval castle.

The peak rises steeply as a rocky spur above the ridge of the Cień Range. Although the summit itself is now completely wooded, the open fields nearby offer a wide panorama of surrounding peaks — Kamionna, Kostrza, Łopień, Mogielica, Ciecień and Księża Góra — with the village of Szczyrzyc and its Cistercian abbey visible below. It is a peaceful, atmospheric spot, especially beautiful in autumn when the forest turns gold, and in winter when snow highlights the outlines of the old fortifications.

How to reach the summit

• Poznachowice Górne – Grodzisko, 1:30 h, 1 h back, easy trail
• Kasina Wielka – Dzielec – Ciecień – Księża Góra – Cubla Góra – Grodzisko, 5 h to the summit, demanding route for experienced hikers
• Szczyrzyc – Cubla Góra, 1:15 h, 1 h back, moderate trail

Practical information

• Visible earthworks, moats and remains of a gate from the ancient stronghold and Szczyrzyc castle survive on the summit
• Inside the castle ruins lies a symbolic grave of Home Army (AK) partisans who fell in the Battle of Łysina (September 1944)
• On 22 May 2018 a large oak cross with a memorial plaque honouring AK soldiers of the Murawa district was erected on the summit

Grodzisko is more than a viewpoint — it is a genuine time capsule spanning the Celts, the Piast dynasty and WWII partisans. The site also inspired Karol Bunsch's novel Dzikowy skarb.