Stanisław Nowak PTTK Shepherd's Hut above Wierchomla

The Stanisław Nowak PTTK Shepherd's Hut above Wierchomla (Bacówka) is a PTTK mountain hut in the Sącz Beskids, at 895 m above sea level. It stands on a wide clearing on a side ridge of the Jaworzyna Krynicka range, between Runek and Pusta Wielka, and the slopes of the clearing drop into the valley of the Mała Wierchomlanka.

History of the building

The hut was officially opened on 15 October 1978. The initiator was Stanisław Nowak, an activist of the Krynica branch of the PTTK, after whom the hut was named in 1994. The building is a granary moved from the village of Złockie, which is why its architecture differs from typical mountain huts. In 2011 a sheet-metal roof was laid, a south-facing viewing terrace was added, and a new kitchen, a hikers' laundry, a sewage treatment plant and solar collectors were installed.

Views and accommodation

From the clearing one can see the Radziejowa range and, in good visibility, the Tatras. The main building has 26 beds in rooms for 2-4 people, next to it stands a Finnish cabin with 12 beds, and the Moskałówka has 2 beds in the summer season.

Trails

The black trail from the stop in Wierchomla Mała takes about 1.5 hours. The blue one from Żegiestów-Zdrój via Pusta Wielka takes about 5 hours. The red-and-blue variant via Jaworzyna Krynicka and Runek takes 1.5-2.5 hours. There is also a green cycling trail linking the surrounding peaks. Close by lies the PTTK mountain hut on Jaworzyna Krynicka.

Practical information

• Location: Wierchomla Mała, Nowy Sącz County, about 1.5 km from the Dwie Doliny Muszyna-Wierchomla ski station.
• Nearby, the Lembarczek nature reserve protects a Carpathian beech forest.
• Bookings and details of the offer: wierchomla-schronisko.pl, so check them before you travel.