Pilsko from Sedlo Hliny

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 8.1 miles / 13.1 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Visit the second highest mountain of Orava Beskids (SK - Oravské Beskydy, PL - Żywiec Beskids) while hiking on the border between Poland and Slovakia. The trail takes you through the romantic woods. The summit of Pilsko mountain will reward you with gorgeous views.

A moderate round trip from Sedlo Hliny (Przełęcz Glinne) is about 13.3 km, gaining about 832 m in elevation. It generally takes about 6:00 hours for an average hiker to complete the trip, allowing enough time for refreshment stops.

Leave your car at the parking lot of Sedlo Hliny which will be your trailhead. First gently, then steeply, ascend through the forest trail following the border between Poland and Slovakia to Pilsko summit. From Pilsko descend to Schronisko na Hali Miziowej in Poland. Then take another trail to complete the loop to get back to the trailhead.

Tips: You may undertake the trip even when it is drizzling. In that case you will possibly have to sacrifice gorgeous top views and be ready to cross some muddy sections of the trail.

The trail is suited for ski touring as well.

What to bring:
A water protection coat.
Snacks and enough water. You may replenish your supplies at POI 5 (Schronisko na Hali Miziowej).
Good hiking boots.

Points of Interest

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Sedlo Hliny (784 m)

Start your trip at Sedlo Hliny (PL: Przełęcz Glinne) or Hliny Saddle. Leave your car at the paid parking lot.

Next POI (The Fork) is 2.9 km. Head W. Eenter the forest trail. It will be a long, rather steep ascent.

Sedlo Hliny, the trailhead (POI 1) Photo

At places, it looks like in a primaeval forest. Photo

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The Fork (1128 m)

Once you reach the fork, just take notice of this spot. It is an inconspicuous point. Here you will come again but from another pathway upon completing a loop. Get ready for the most difficult ascent part.

Next POI (Pilsko razcestie) is 1.91 km. Continue W, first through the woods. Step by step, you may catch nice views of the surrounding mountains, including of Babia hora.

Between the Fork and Pilsko razcestie - 4. Photo

Between the Fork and Pilsko razcestie - 3. Photo

Between the Fork and Pilsko razcestie - 2. Photo

Between the Fork and Pilsko razcestie - 1. Photo

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Pilsko razcestie (1527 m)

Pilsko razcestie (Pilsko Crossroads) is a significant crossroads with a large signpost.

Next POI (Pilsko) is 415 m. A gentle ascent SW through the dwarf mountain pine trail will lead you to Pilsko.

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Pilsko (1557 m)

Now you are standing at the highest point of your journey. Pilsko mountain is the second highest peak of Orava Beskidi. Enjoy wonderful panoramic views, especially of Babia hora (1725 m) mountain in the east, the highest peak of Orava Beskids. Hopefully, you will be luckier than the author of this guide who experienced just a dense fog and drizzle.

From now on, basically, you will descend all the time until you come back to the trailhead. Next POI (Schronisko na Hali Miziowej) is about 2.11 km. But first you have to return to Pilsko razcestie and then head N and downwards.

Approaching the Schronisko na Hali Miziowej. Photo

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Schronisko na Hali Miziowej (1330 m)

Have a rest at the Schronisko na Hali Miziowej (Hali Miziowej Hut) in Poland.

Start the return part of the trip by heading back to the Fork but taking another pathway. It will be through a forest trail. The Fork (POI 2) is 2.56 km. The trailhead (POI 1) from the fork (POI 2) is about 3.16 km.