Łysa Góra is a modest but intriguing peak in the Beskid Wyspowy range, rising right above the town of Limanowa. While the summit itself hides in dense forest, its slopes are steeped in legend, WWI history, and one of the tallest crosses in the region.

The elongated, twin-topped ridge of Łysa Góra sits next to Miejska Góra, separated by a shallow saddle. The forested summit offers no views, but a short detour to the south-eastern shoulder rewards you with the striking 15-metre concrete Stary Krzyż (Old Cross) and a genuinely lovely panorama. In winter a small ski station with a chairlift operates nearby, while summer brings peaceful, shaded forest walks perfect for slowing down.

How to reach the summit

• Limanowa — blue trail, approx. 1-1.5 hours, easy
• Parking below the forest of Miejska Góra — yellow trail, loop via Łysa Góra and Miejska Góra, easy

Practical information

• A small cave (Schronisko w Łysej Górze, 7 m long) lies on the eastern slope
• A car park and a disused, recreationally developed quarry are located at the south-western foot of the mountain, on Kasprowicza Street
• Near the Old Cross you'll find Limanowa-Ski, with a chairlift and two T-bar lifts

Local legends tell of a devil drying stolen money on the summit every Palm Sunday, and of a sinful village that sank into the earth as punishment — a story oddly echoed by a still-unexplored tectonic fissure running through the whole ridge.