We wanted a proper boys’ day out together – just me and my 10-year-old son, two bikes and the mountains. We chose Turbacz by bike, the highest peak of the Gorce Mountains in southern Poland (1310 m a.s.l.). We rode a loop from Rdzawka via the Stare Wierchy mountain hut, the summit of Turbacz and the Bukowina Obidowska meadow. Below you will find the map, a step-by-step route description and a few lessons we wish we had known before we set off.
Turbacz by Bike – Route at a Glance
- When: 6 September 2026, start around 9:30
- Start and finish: Rdzawka, car park by the Circle K petrol station on the Zakopane road
- Loop: Rdzawka – Obidowa – Stare Wierchy PTTK hut – Turbacz – Rusnakowa Meadow – Hrube – Bukowina Obidowska – Klikuszowa – Rdzawka
- Distance: about 31 km (30.8 km according to the route plan in Mapy.com)
- Elevation: about 700 m up and down (according to Mapy.com), highest point – the summit of Turbacz
- Who rode: dad on a gravel bike and a 10-year-old son on a mountain bike (MTB)
- Difficulty: the climbs are doable, but the final stretch to the summit and our descent meant pushing the bikes
Start in Rdzawka – Parking by the Circle K Station
We left the car by the Circle K station in Rdzawka. It was drizzling at first, but the forecast promised it would clear up – and luckily it was right. From the car park we set off along a path towards the mountains.
Important tip at the start: keep to the left. The right-hand branch leads to a hotel, not to the trail.
The first kilometres follow field and forest tracks across meadows where sheep and cows were grazing. For my son it was a great warm-up – and the first photos for the album.
Stare Wierchy PTTK Hut – A Tea Stop
Our first goal was the PTTK hut on Stare Wierchy, named after Czesław Trybowski (968 m a.s.l.). It is a perfect place for a short break and a hot tea. Next to the hut there is a large meadow with deckchairs – in good weather you can lie down for a while and rest. There is also a volleyball court, a campfire spot and you can pitch a tent.
From Stare Wierchy to Turbacz – Gravel or Mountain Bike?
The track from Stare Wierchy towards Turbacz is fairly good, but it is terrain for a proper bike. Wide forest roads alternate with stony and narrow sections.
My son rode a real mountain bike and, even though he is only 10, I think he found the climbs easier than I did. I took my gravel bike and quickly found out that:
- I was short of gears on the steep climbs,
- descents were hard – the gravel position puts your centre of gravity too far forward,
- braking from drop bars on steep, rocky ground is far less comfortable than with MTB brake levers.
The conclusion is simple: for Turbacz, a mountain bike is definitely the better choice.
Red Trail to the Summit of Turbacz – Steps and Pushing the Bikes
On the way we decided to go straight to the summit. We took the red trail and towards the end we had to push the bikes because of stone steps. Summit reached, photos by the obelisk taken!
Good to know: in Gorce National Park you may only cycle on designated bike trails (marked with a white rectangle with a black bicycle). One of them leads from Stare Wierchy via Obidowiec to Turbacz. On shared sections pedestrians have priority, and cyclists may ride in groups of up to 5. Check the current bike trail map on the park’s website before you go.
Lunch at the Turbacz Hut – Żurek and Schabowy
At the PTTK hut on Turbacz we traditionally had żurek (sour rye soup) and a schabowy (breaded pork cutlet). After that climb they tasted especially good. We also know the hut from our winter trip – to see what a night there looks like, read Turbacz in Winter.
A Different Way Back – via Rusnakowa Meadow and Bukowina Obidowska
For the way back we decided to take a different route than on the way up and ride a loop via Rusnakowa Meadow and Bukowina Obidowska. It was a good idea – we saw the chapel and the best view of the day – but, as it turned out later, the last section needed much better preparation.
Chapel of Our Lady Queen of the Gorce on Rusnakowa Meadow
On the way we stopped at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Forest, Queen of the Gorce on Rusnakowa Meadow, also called the partisan or papal chapel. The wooden chapel was built in 1979 to mark the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St Stanislaus and John Paul II’s first pilgrimage to Poland. From 1981 Rev. Prof. Józef Tischner celebrated masses here in the local highland dialect. Next to it stands the “Kazimierzówka” shepherd’s hut.
Bukowina Obidowska – The Best View of the Day
I am really glad we rode up to the Bukowina Obidowska meadow (1039 m a.s.l.). By then the sky had completely cleared, visibility was perfect and the view over the Podhale region towards the Tatra Mountains was stunning. It was the best moment of the whole trip.
Beyond Bukowina Obidowska – The Worst Section of the Route
The hardest part turned out to be the track beyond Bukowina Obidowska, towards Klikuszowa. There were big stones on the trail, and the path looked more like a dried-up riverbed than a trail. In many places we had to walk the bikes down because riding would simply have been dangerous.
We don’t even know exactly which trail we were on – and that is our biggest lesson from this trip. Before you set off, check on the map where the bike trails run and plan your descent from Bukowina Obidowska in advance, not on the spot.
Back via Klikuszowa – Watch Out for the Busy Road
We returned to the car via Klikuszowa. Unfortunately the last section runs along a busy road, so for safety we walked on the verge, pushing the bikes. With a child it is not worth the risk.
Turbacz by Bike with a Child – Our Tips
- Take a mountain bike. A gravel bike has too few gears for the climbs and is uncomfortable on rocky descents.
- Plan your descent before you go. Check on the map where the bike trails run – our way back would have been much more pleasant on an easier trail.
- Walk up to the summit. The red trail below the summit has stone steps and you have to push the bike.
- Don’t be put off in the morning. It was raining when we started and later it turned beautiful – check the forecast, not just the sky.
- Plan a stop at Stare Wierchy. Tea, deckchairs and the meadow are the perfect reward after the first climb.
- Be careful on the valley roads. With a child, busy sections are better walked on the verge.
How to Plan a Bike Route to Turbacz
Before you set off, check the official list of Gorce National Park bike trails and plan your loop so that both the climb and the descent follow them. We didn’t do that for the way back – and that was exactly the hardest part.
All in all – a great trip and we recommend it to everyone. Next time we will simply plan the way back better. Looking for more ideas for cycling with kids? See our ride from Rowy to Ustka by bike.
Turbacz by Bike – FAQ
Can you cycle up Turbacz?
Yes, but in Gorce National Park only on designated bike trails. One of them leads from Stare Wierchy via Obidowiec to Turbacz. To reach the summit itself on the red trail we had to push the bikes up stone steps.
What bike is best for Turbacz?
A mountain bike (MTB). On my gravel bike I was short of gears, and on rocky descents the position and braking from drop bars were uncomfortable. My son on a mountain bike clearly had an easier time.
Can a 10-year-old cycle up Turbacz?
Our 10-year-old son managed on a mountain bike. Expect to push the bike on steep and rocky sections, though.
Where to park when cycling to Turbacz from Rdzawka?
We left the car by the Circle K station in Rdzawka. At the start of the path keep left – the right-hand branch leads to a hotel.
How long is the loop from Rdzawka to Turbacz?
Our loop via Stare Wierchy, Turbacz and Bukowina Obidowska is about 31 km with about 700 m of elevation gain (according to Mapy.com).
What to eat on Turbacz?
We traditionally ordered żurek and a schabowy at the hut. On the way it is also worth stopping for tea at the Stare Wierchy hut.