Palenica is a quiet, unassuming peak at the north-eastern end of the Pewelskie Range, offering the kind of peaceful hiking experience that's increasingly hard to find on busier Beskid trails. It's a great choice for travelers who prefer solitude and gentle countryside views over crowded summits.

The peak sits between Wajdowy Groń and Łopuszniak, and its character shifts noticeably depending on which side you approach from. The south-eastern slopes are largely open, covered with fields and the buildings of the village of Lachowice, giving hikers wide views over the surrounding landscape. The north-western slopes, belonging to the village of Kuków, are forested and descend into the Kocońka valley, creating a completely different, woodland atmosphere. In spring and summer the open meadows give the summit a pastoral charm, autumn brings rich colors to the forested slopes, and in winter the whole area turns into a quiet, snow-covered retreat for those seeking peaceful walks away from the crowds.

How to reach the summit

• Lachowice — approach via the open, south-eastern slopes, time and difficulty depend on the chosen route, generally easy to moderate
• Kuków — approach via the forested north-western slopes, a scenic route through woodland descending to the Kocońka valley

Though modest in height, Palenica makes an excellent starting point for exploring the lesser-known but charming Pewelskie Range, situated at the meeting point of the Beskid Makowski and the Pewelsko-Krzeszowskie ranges.