Ostra is a modest, forest-covered peak in the Dukla Beskids that hides one of the most fascinating natural attractions of the Beskid Niski — the gorge of the Jasiołka River. If you're after a quiet trail away from the crowds but with genuinely wild scenery, this is the spot for you.

The northern slopes of Ostra drop steeply toward the Jasiołka valley, forming a scenic river gorge together with the neighboring Piotruś peak, protected as the 'Przełom Jasiołki' nature reserve. This stretch is the real highlight of the hike — the river winds between wooded slopes, giving the area a raw, untamed character. The summit itself is forested, so there are no sweeping panoramas, but instead you get shade in summer and a moody, misty atmosphere in autumn. At the top stands a statue of the Virgin Mary, a quiet resting point for hikers.

How to reach the summit

• Hermitage of St. John of Dukla – Tylawa – Stasianie – Ostra — hiking trail, moderate difficulty, continuing further to Zyndranowa and Barwinek

Practical information

• Part of the route runs through the 'Przełom Jasiołki' nature reserve — extra care is required to protect the natural environment
• The trail runs near the border with Slovakia, ending at Barwinek

According to local tradition, the statue of the Virgin Mary at the summit has long been a pilgrimage destination for nearby residents, giving this spot a quiet spiritual character amid the wild landscape of the Beskid Niski.