Lysá hora

Łysa Góra is one of the most recognizable peaks in the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains, rising to 595 metres just above the village of Krasna. It's the second-highest point in the entire Łysogóry range, and arguably the summit with the richest folklore in the region — stories of witches' sabbaths held here circulated well into the 19th century.

How do you get to the summit?

Several marked hiking trails converge at the top of Łysa Góra, so your route depends mainly on where you start. Nowa Słupia is a popular trailhead, with the walk through beech-and-fir forest typically taking around two hours one way. Krasna sits closer to the mountain itself, so the approach from there is shorter, though steeper toward the final stretch. Sturdy hiking boots are worth packing — the terrain is rocky, and parts of the trail cross gołoborza, bare stone screes typical of this range.

What will you see at the top?

The summit holds the remains of a pagan stone rampart dating back to the 9th century, one of the oldest traces of cult settlement in this part of Poland. Right next to it stands a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century, today known as the Shrine of the Relics of the Holy Cross, one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in the country. The third landmark on the summit is the Święty Krzyż TV tower — a massive structure visible from many points around the area, standing in striking contrast to the historic monastery buildings beside it.

The peak itself is covered in dense forest, so there's no sweeping open panorama here — instead, the appeal lies in the atmosphere of a place where centuries-old walls sit right next to modern telecommunications infrastructure.

When's the best time to visit?

Late spring and early autumn are the best seasons — the forest is clear and temperatures are comfortable for a longer hike. In summer, start early to avoid the heat on the exposed sections near the gołoborza screes. In winter, the trail can turn icy, especially on the steeper approach from Krasna, so crampons or trekking poles make a real difference.

The legend of the witches' sabbath

Łysa Góra has featured in Polish folklore for centuries as a gathering place for witches, with legend holding that sabbaths took place on the summit on the night of April 30 to May 1 (Walpurgis Night). The motif runs through Polish literature and folk art, and the name "bald mountain" itself has become almost a byword in Polish for a place with a dark, magical reputation. For visitors, it adds an extra layer to the hike — not just a scenic walk, but a step into local legend.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Łysa Góra? The summit reaches 595 metres above sea level, making it the second-highest point in the Łysogóry range within the Świętokrzyskie Mountains.

How long does the hike to the top take? Depending on the trail and starting point, it takes anywhere from about an hour (from Krasna) to two hours (from Nowa Słupia).

What are the gołoborza you pass along the way? They're bare rock screes without vegetation, characteristic of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, formed by the weathering of quartzite slopes — one of the more striking landscape features along the route.

Can you visit the monastery at the summit? Yes, the Benedictine monastery on Święty Krzyż (Shrine of the Relics of the Holy Cross) is open to visitors and pilgrims for most of the year.