How many people, so many styles of wandering. While some choose to hike for hours on wild trails, others love short trips and conquering the most difficult peaks. Regardless of the preferred type of vacation, the beginning of vacation in terms of conditions is the best time for a short vacation in the mountains. Which directions to choose to make the best use of the trip, depending on the temperament and tastes of the traveler, suggests mountaineer Jakub Rybicki.
Summer in the mountains is amazing and… universal. Although it can be a bit capricious in terms of the weather, it is hard to imagine a better time to go. The trails will welcome us with conditions adapted to various activities and nature in full bloom.
Both enthusiasts of active leisure, conquerors and those who only need a deckchair by a picturesque shelter will find something for themselves. However, let's leave the obvious places to others.
Because what if instead of going to Morskie Oko again, this time going on a journey through the breathtaking backwoods of Ukraine?
Great space for a wanderer
If you are a fan of escapades along picturesque wilderness, Czarnohora, the highest mountain range in Ukraine, will be an ideal place for a short trip. - This place will delight anyone who likes wild nature, because the views along the routes are unique - says Jakub Rybicki, Merrell brand expert. Long-distance travelers can reach the highest peak of the Beskids here - Hoverla (2061 m above sea level).
- We plan our first night in the Zaroślak turbaze, from where we will be able to go directly to the summit the next day. On the way back, it is worth deciding to hike the mountain meadows and stay overnight in a tent by the picturesque Brebeneskul Lake - says Rybicki. - The weather is rainy in summer. During long hikes, i.e. to Hoverla, we cannot afford to walk in wet shoes, so when embarking on such a route, it is worth wearing a model with a waterproof, but also breathable GORE-TEX®l membrane - adds Rybicki. High, durable, comfortable and adaptable to the foot shoes will be perfect for demanding routes.
Gerlach for the top conqueror
Experienced travelers and climbers looking for an interesting and at the same time advanced route should consider a trip to Slovakia. Ascent to the highest peak not only of the Tatra Mountains, but also of the entire Carpathians - Gerlach (2655 m above sea level) is a reala challenge and a treat for the conquerors! If you want to get Gerlach, you need to hire a guide, because there is no official trail leading to the top. It is worth starting the hike from the Dom Śląski hostel. It takes about 4-5 hours to reach the summit, and the route itself resembles the one on Orla Perć. Note, due to the height of this massif, it will be snowy at the top!
Observer goes to Izery
Anyone who appreciates the beauty and closeness of nature above peaks should go to the Jizera Mountains, less known and crowded than the Tatra Mountains or the Karkonosze Mountains. The choice of routes is wide, but lovers of breathtaking landscapes should decide to trek the High Jizera Ridge all the way to the Frýdlantské cimbuří rock labyrinth in the Czech Republic. The trail starts in Szklarska Poręba and we can easily divide it into sections adapted to our abilities.
You can find accommodation in Chata Górzystów or in a hostel on Stóg Izerski, and then in Bily Potok, in the Czech Republic. The route is full of wonderful views. We will find here, among others the highest located Quartz Mine in Poland. - The Czech part of the trail is more demanding. There are numerous steep slopes, protruding roots and fallen trees.
The best shoes for this route will be the so-called approach games. When choosing them, you should pay special attention to the tread and the outer sole, its hardness and adaptation to various routes - says Rybicki. It is worth choosing shoes with a durable, abrasion-resistant sole, with a tread equipped with specially profiled tabs, designed not only to perfectly harmonize with the ground, but at the same time not to retain impurities, such as e.g. mud. The sole, importantly, is to provide excellent grip on various types of trails - even in the most difficult conditions: on slippery, wet rocks or on uneven, forest terrain.
Peace in the Rudawy Janowickie
All those who are looking for an ideal place for short trips, and who value peace and quiet the most, should consider a trip to the Ore Mountains - a small mountain range away from large centers. - When looking for accommodation, it is worth choosing agritourism farms, which are not missing in this area, or one of the most beautiful shelters in Poland, PTTK Szwajcarka - suggests the Merrell brand expert.
Nearby you will find the famous colorful lakes, the abandoned town of Miedzianka or the ruins of palaces. One of the most picturesque routes in this area is the ten-kilometer loop from Strużnica to Bolczów Castle.
The mountains still hide many unknown and surprising places. It is worth remembering that each trip is an opportunitytrying something new and inspiration to change your habits. Who knows, maybe a nature observer will soon become a summit conqueror, and a leisure enthusiast will go on a long walk?