Wisła – the longest stay so far

A quick photo coverage of my foray to Wisła. I grabbed the opportunity of not having to pop in to the office during the theoretically slack period around Christmas and resided in the mountain resort for 10 days. One event I slightly regret as a zealous weather observer was missing out on experiencing the January heat record for Warsaw and the whole Poland (+18.9C on 1 January 2023). Where I was temperature in full sunshine barely climbed above +10C.

Higher into the mountains, remnants of snow lingered until the end of the 2022. During our trip to Trzy Kopce Wiślańskie on New Year’s Eve, we came across regular snow at 700 metres above sea level and such ice 100 metres higher. The dog was elated. We made it to the peak thanks to winter footwear we had worn.

On New Year’s Day we drove to Jaworzynka, a village close to a place where borders of Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia converge. We hiked to the spot and to two other countries from the village, while other tourists had to carry their arses in their cars up to the venue. Twoje serce przypomina – piechotą zdrowiej. To the right – viaducts being a part of D3 motorway in Slovakia. I drove here in May 2018 not realising such valley was beneath the road.

A snap taken on the same day shows the undulating landscape of the Czech village Herczawa, which we later ambled through during our 11-kilometre hike. The weather was March-like and while we were ascending, two layers of clothing were absolutely sufficient.

The very tourist destination where the borders meet is in a state of reconstruc- tion. Instead of grass, mud is all around, presence of solar panels and wind turbines is notable. Sadly, cars in the background remind for many one mile is a far too long distance to cover on foot. Entry to such spots should be prohibited to visitors’ vehicles.

On 6 January we hiked to Stecówka. We cycled through part of that route in August, but this time we rambled up a shorter trail. To the right, a panorama from the viewing platform en route. In the fog one sees the confluence of Biała Wisełka and Czarna Wisełka. Where the two brooks join each other the river Wisła officially starts.

As we roamed downhill, we passed the winter residence of the president of Poland. Due to unfavourable skiing conditions (the weather resembled late autumn), Mr Duda was absent at that time.

As my girlfriend rightly claims, you should not stay in Wisła for too long, not to get accustomed to that place. After at most two weeks you should return to Warsaw to foster the longing for the place. For business (quite many tribulations at work) reasons I doubt I will visit the town in the coming weeks.