PTTK mountain hut "Orlica" in Szczawnica

The PTTK mountain hut "Orlica" stands in the Pieniny Mountains, within Szczawnica, at an altitude of 520 m above sea level. It lies on an escarpment above the bank of the Dunajec River and the Cypel island, above Droga Pienińska. It is also called the Pod Orlicą hut. It is a base for people who want to combine a stay in the mountains with short walks to the surrounding peaks.

From a guesthouse to a PTTK hut

The building was constructed in 1932 as a private guesthouse. In 1970 it was taken over by PTTK (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society) under compulsion, and it has been a hut of the society since 1952. The name of the facility is connected with Józef Madeja, a mountain guide, whose name the hut received in 1956. Major renovations were carried out in 1982-1986, then in 2001 and in 2016.

Trails from the hut

The red trail links the hut with Szczawnica and runs along Droga Pienińska; the walk in one direction takes about 20 minutes. The blue trail runs through Trzy Korony, then through Sokolica to Szafranówka, and the whole route takes more than 3 hours. Sokolica itself lies about 1.3 km from the hut in a straight line.

There are also other accommodation facilities nearby, for example the "Na Piaskach" hut, less than 300 m away. A longer trip into the Pieniny area can be planned through the Homole Gorge, but this route requires separate preparation and transport.

Accommodation and facilities

The hut has 44 beds in rooms for two to five people, most of them with their own bathrooms. Besides these there are additional places without such amenities. On site there is a dining room with a buffet and a restaurant serving regional cuisine, as well as a viewing terrace, a children's playground, a spot with a fireplace and grill, and a bicycle rental. The interiors are wooden, and the hut's website also mentions a museum room and free Wi-Fi. The facility receives guests all year round. The old camping cabins by the hut are dilapidated and unfit for use.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Pienińska 12, 34-460 Szczawnica.
• It is about 10 minutes on foot from here to the end of the Dunajec rafting route.
• Red trail to the centre of Szczawnica: about 20 minutes one way.
• Check availability, exact conditions of stay and contact details on the hut's website before arriving.