Macelak (857 m a.s.l.) is the second highest peak in the Czorsztyn Pieniny range — quietly tucked away, yet full of botanical surprises and a touch of legend. Its meadows are among the most species-rich in the entire region, and the mountain carries an old tale of hidden treasure. If you enjoy places where nature rewards the curious rather than the crowd, Macelak is worth the detour.

The summit itself is now fully forested, but just below it wide-open clearings spread across the slopes, framing views of the surrounding ridges. Spring brings the blooms of cowslip across the meadows, while autumn sees the delicate lilac flowers of meadow saffron emerge. Sun-warmed exposed slopes attract rare thermophilous insects, and the meadow grassland is so diverse that up to 50 species of higher plants can be counted within a single square metre — an extraordinary figure even by Pieniny standards.

• Czorsztyn — red trail towards Szczawnica, via Osice Pass and Macelak; the trail circles the peak on its southern side, approx. 1.5–2 h, moderate difficulty.

• Macelak lies within Pieniny National Park — staying on marked trails is mandatory and picking plants is prohibited.
• The marked trail does not cross the actual summit — it bypasses it from the south.

Local legend speaks of treasure hidden in a mysterious sinkhole on the mountain called the 'Golden Well' — still undiscovered, and still waiting for the right adventurer.