Cyl, also known as Mała Babia Góra, is the third highest peak in the entire Polish Beskids at 1516–1517 m a.s.l. — and one of its best-kept secrets. Sitting on the Polish-Slovak border in the Babia Góra massif, it rewards hikers with a sweeping panorama covering nearly three quarters of the horizon.
The grassy summit plateau makes the views here feel unusually open and generous. Only to the south-east does the massive bulk of Diablak interrupt the skyline. In summer the peak is a relaxed, wind-swept viewpoint; in winter it takes on a raw, almost alpine feel. The upper slopes on the Slovak side are also grassy, a reminder that the entire Babia Góra ridge was once used for mountain pasturing. Since the creation of the Babia Góra National Park grazing was abolished, and dwarf pine scrub is slowly reclaiming the old pastures. The curious name 'Cyl' comes from a local dialect word meaning to aim — villagers from Zawoja said the peak 'aims' directly at the midday winter sun.
How to reach the summitIf you want Diablak-level views with a fraction of the crowds, Cyl is your answer — a grassy, wind-blown summit that punches well above its fame.