Czantoria really enchanted us. This is one of those mountains that you can either hike up or take a cable car. This time we will show you the second option.
There are plenty of attractions waiting for you in the Silesian Voivodeship. You must see them!
Czantoria cableway in Ustron, Poland – photos
The cable car to Czantoria starts in Ustroń – the exact location can be found at the bottom of the entry. There is a large parking lot right in front of the ticket office entrance, and bus and train stops nearby. Lack of access cannot be an excuse for getting here, so get in a car, bus or train and run to Czantoria. We are talking about Wielka Czantoria, because its “sister”, i.e. Mała Czantoria, is a completely separate topic, which one day we will explore completely on foot.
This time, however, we felt the Sunday vibe and chose the convenient option. Comfortable, but also fond of a little thrill. Even though the cable car to Czantoria, opened in 1967, has already undergone two modernizations (in 1994 and 2006) and gives the impression of being really safe, there is always a hint of uncertainty during the descent or ascent. But you know, there is no fear, only positive adrenaline.
Our tip: if there are not too many people waiting at the station, take a four-person bench with just the two of you. Then you have a romantic VIP ride. Once you sit comfortably in your chair, you can start enjoying the delicious views. There’s really something to see here! Beskid Śląski will reveal all its beauty to you. And Wisła and Ustroń from a bird’s eye view will look like their own models.
Soon the lift will go straight into the forest. Have you ever walked through treetops? Here you can take a train ride among them. The impression is amazing! As soon as your couch is surrounded by trees several meters high, you will only hear the quiet sound of the train, the natural sounds of nature and (possibly) each other. A few minutes in such a green corridor will bring you relaxation and solace.
The entire ride up takes 8-10 minutes. During this time, you will reach the upper station, located in the Stokłosica clearing, at an altitude of 851 m above sea level, and thus cover a distance of 1,640 meters and an elevation gain of 462 meters. Interesting fact: the railway can transport as many as 1,800 tourists per hour. What’s more, it slows down a bit when getting in and out. This means that you don’t have to jump on or jump off the chair in panic, and it can also be used by people with limited mobility.
After getting off the chair, it’s time to make a big decision. You have two options: stay in the Stokłosica clearing or reach the Czantoria peak. In the first case, you will relax on a (free) deckchair on the largest mountain beach in Poland. The view of the Beskids and tourists traveling by cable car – priceless. You can grab a bite to eat here, buy souvenirs or use the summer toboggan run. I guess everyone, when they were a kid in the mountains, went crazy on such “bobsleighs”.
Of course, using the first option does not exclude the second one. A walk to Wielka Czantoria from the Stokłosica clearing along the red trail will take you only 30 minutes. And it has little to do with mountain climbing or trekking – more with a relaxing Sunday walk. Anyway, if you have the opportunity, take a look at Wielka Czantoria “in profile” (for example, while driving to Ustroń from Wisła). You will see that from a distance it looks as if its top was almost flat.
The red trail is traditionally the most scenic. Much of the route from Stokłosica glade to the peak of Wielka Czantoria leads through the forest, so you will mainly observe… trees. But there are also gaps, like the one seen below. In some places you will feel like you are on the roof of the world. These views are not breathtaking, but they will certainly delight mountain lovers. And by the way, see how tiny the people are compared to the individual trees visible along the trail.
Before you know it, you will see the yellow sign shown in the photo below. This is an undeniable sign that you have reached the magical Wielka Czantoria. You are at an altitude of 995 m above sea level, on the top of the highest hill of the entire Stożek and Czantoria Range. Therefore, you are also on the Polish-Czech border running through the mountain peak. Besides, you will probably quickly find out by the inscriptions, products available for purchase and the possibility of payment in Polish zlotys or crowns. Don’t worry, you won’t need passports.
Maybe not all of you know, but in the 20th century Czantoria served a political function and was also… an important smuggling channel. In the 1930s, leaflets of the Polish Communist Party were smuggled in, and its representatives organized rallies and festivals here. Moreover, volunteer soldiers, industrial goods (from Czechoslovakia) and food and farm animals (from Poland) were “sent” across the border. And in 1990, Adam Michnik (contemporary Polish dissident) organized a protest against the Iron Curtain at the top of Czantoria.
However, we return to the tourist aspects of Wielka Czantoria. Since 2002, an observation tower has stood proudly on its top. It is made of steel, so you don’t have to worry about the stability of the structure. The building can accommodate 170 people at a time. It is 29 meters high, and its highest terrace is located on the fifth floor, at a height of 21.4 meters. To get there you have to climb only 118 stairs.
After climbing to the upper level, a “360 panorama” awaits you. From the observation tower you will see not only the catering outlets located at the top of Wielka Czantoria, but also the entire surrounding area of the mountain. Of course, you must take a look at each of the four corners of the world. Don’t worry if you can’t recognize the peaks by their shapes – neither can we. Fortunately, there will be signs with photos and names attached to the barriers. This will make it much easier for you to admire the panorama.
And there’s a lot to see! You will have the opportunity to look from above at the Polish, Czech and Slovak mountain ranges. In the foreground the Beskid Mountains, in the background the Fatra Mountains and (if visibility is good) the Tatra Mountains. If you’re lucky, you should also see the Sudetes on the horizon. We easily managed to spot Lake Goczalkowickie and the towns of the Silesian Agglomeration in the background. The views from the tower are perfect proof that the Silesian Voivodeship is not as sad and gray as some people think.
After reaching the Czantoria peak, it’s time for a well-deserved rest. We couldn’t resist drinking a little classic from our neighbors. And it’s not about the beer, it’s about Kofola. This Czech product tastes a bit like watered down, degassed and oversweetened Coca-Cola. So not the best. But we associate it with childhood, so out of sentiment we drink the whole cup. At the top there are also bars where you can buy grilled meat, oscypek cheese with cranberries, Polish traditional bigos, draft beer, non-alcoholic drinks or sweet snacks. After eating, we go straight to the upper station of the cable car. The descent is even faster and more pleasant than the ascent. We end this adventure by going down, hoping that thanks to us, you will also come across the charming Czantoria.
Czantoria Cableway – price list / tickets
Tickets for the Czantoria Cable Car ride can be purchased at the following prices:
- regular ticket:
- up-down – PLN 40.
- one way – PLN 32.
- with a bike – PLN 35.
- reduced ticket:
- up-down – PLN 35.
- one way – PLN 28.
- with a bike – PLN 30.
- group ticket (over 15 people):
- up-down – PLN 30.
- one way – PLN 25.
- children up to 4 years old enter for free.
Tickets for the alpine coaster cost:
- PLN 15/person for 1 ride.
- PLN 12/person for 4-9 runs.
- PLN 10/person for 10 runs.
Tickets for the observation tower are purchased separately at the following prices:
- normal ticket – PLN 10.
- ticket for retirees and students – PLN 8.
- children from 4 to 12 years old – PLN 6.
Czantoria Cable Car – opening hours
The Czantoria Cable Car is open 7 days a week from 08:30 to 17:30 (last descent from the mountain).
Czantoria Cable Railway – Ustroń – how to get?
The Czantoria cable railway is located at 130 3 Maja street in Ustroń.
- On foot/bike. If you live in Ustroń or spend your free time there, you can go to Czantoria on foot or by bike. A walk from the city center will take you about 40 minutes, and a bike ride – about 15 minutes.
- Bus. When taking the bus, get off at the Ustroń Polana stop. The journey from Katowice will take you about 1 hour 45 m, from Cieszyn – about 25 minutes, and from Bielsko-Biała – about 55 minutes.
- Train. If you are traveling by train, get off at the Ustroń Polana station. The journey from Katowice (without a transfer) on the Silesian Railways will take you about 1 hour 35 minutes, and from Cieszyn (with a transfer) about 35-50 minutes.
- Car. There is a large paid parking lot under the lower station of the Czantoria Cable Car. One-time fees apply for parking vehicles: PLN 15 for a passenger car, PLN 10 for a motorcycle, PLN 23 for a bus and PLN 35 for a coach.
Czantoria – interesting facts and tips
- We know that no one asked, but the maximum speed of the “Czantoria” Cable Railway is 18 km/h. The level difference you overcome between the lower and upper stations is 462 meters.
- Why is Wielka Czantoria such a fairy-tale mountain? Well, probably because there are sleeping knights locked inside it, in a golden chamber. They are waiting there in full gear to defend the threatened Silesians if necessary. Or at least that’s what the legend says, repeated from generation to generation.
- Wielka Czantoria has some of the longest ski slopes in the Beskids. In winter you can ski or snowboard here. One of the routes is only opened when natural conditions allow it. The second one, 1,900 meters long, is snow-covered and illuminated – so you can use it regardless of snowfall.
- The cable railway to Czantoria can be used by disabled people. Due to the fact that the chairs slow down at stations, there should be no problem with getting on or off.
- The Czantoria Cable Railway will transport both your pets and bicycles. When riding with pets, keep them on a leash. Small dogs can be transported on your lap, large dogs should be provided with a blanket and, preferably, a muzzle. If you want to transport your bike, please report it when purchasing the ticket – you will receive the appropriate ticket and your bike will be transported on a special holder.
- There is also the Czantoria Nature Reserve nearby – partly located in Poland, partly in the Czech Republic. You can admire mountain flora here, and with a bit of luck, also fauna. Within the reserve there is the largest deer rut in the Silesian Beskids.
Czantoria Cableway – reviews
- Patrix – 6/10.I like conquering mountain peaks, but climbing with a cable car on warm days, when everything is green, also has its charm. We relax and admire wildlife. After entering, there is another 30-minute walk to reach the peak, so the cable car is a great option for people who are less physically active.
- Wiolczix – 8/10. Would you like to go on a family trip to the mountains? Czantoria will be the perfect choice. Both adults (who do not roam around the trails like chamois) and children (who quickly get bored or tired of climbing to the top) will reach the top. If you like to go uphill only by cable car – no problem, you ride a chair to the top station and use the toboggan run, bar or deckchairs with a view. If you like to reach the peak on foot, but not get too tired – from the upper cable car station you can reach the top of Czantoria in half an hour and admire the surroundings from the observation tower. And if you prefer longer mountain hikes, the route from Ustroń to the peak along the red trail will take you about 2 hours. Color to choose from. Whichever option you choose, you will definitely like the views. Even kofola doesn’t taste bad in Czantoria. 😉
Czantoria Cable Railway – Ustroń – frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to take the cable car to Czantoria?
Cable car entry to Czantoria costs from PLN 35 (discount ticket) to PLN 40 (normal ticket). You will pay PLN 28-32 for a round-trip ride. If you want to enter with a bicycle, the entry fee will cost PLN 25-30.
How long does the trip to Czantoria take?
The trip to Czantoria by chairlift takes 8-10 minutes. The ride starts in Ustroń and ends at the Stokłosica glade. You need to go to the top of Czantoria on foot.
Can you see the Tatra Mountains from Czantoria?
Yes, you can see the Tatra Mountains from Czantoria. But not always. 🙂 You have to find good weather and visibility.
How tall is Czantoria?
Wielka Czantoria measures 995 m above sea level. and is the highest peak of the Czantoria and Stożek ranges. Less than 3 kilometers to the north-west lies its younger and lower “sister” – Mała Czantoria, whose altitude is 866 m above sea level.
In what mountains is Czantoria located?
Czantoria is located in the Czantoria and Stożek range. It is part of the Silesian Beskids.
Can you eat something in Czantoria?
Yes, there are catering outlets in Czantoria where you can buy snacks typical of the mountain regions of Poland and the Czech Republic. So there will be sheep’s cheese and a lot of meat (especially grilled). For those who are thirsty, we recommend trying beer or Kofola.
Czantoria cableway in Ustroń – map
The lower station of the cable car is located in Ustroń. You can buy tickets here.
And from the upper station you can admire beautiful views or attack the Czantoria peak.
