A Belgian blogger discovers the Beskids

Maxime from Trekking et Voyage on The Loop Trail

Can Poland surprise an experienced trekker from Western Europe? Absolutely. Maxime — a Belgian travel blogger and author of the popular blog Trekking et Voyage — found that out for himself when he visited the Beskids to hike a section of the long-distance trail The Loop.

Over several days, together with his colleague Sarah, he explored Beskid ridges, mountain huts, local cuisine and the unique atmosphere of the region — which, as he admitted himself, turned out to be a huge surprise.

“I didn’t really know what to expect”

Like many western european hikers, Maxime had previously associated trekking mainly with the Alps, the Dolomites or the Scottish Highlands. Poland was not an obvious choice for a multi-day hiking adventure. And that is precisely why The Loop made such a strong impression on him. The Belgian blogger emphasised that the strength of the Beskid trail does not lie in dramatic alpine scenery, but in something entirely different — authenticity, simplicity and the sheer pleasure of walking.

“You don’t need to go to Europe’s highest mountains to experience a real adventure. Sometimes all you need is a good trail, a few atmospheric mountain huts and a region that has preserved its authenticity.”

What Is The Loop?

The Loop is a long-distance trekking route running through the Beskids — mainly the Silesian Beskids, Żywiec Beskids and Little Beskids. The entire loop is approximately 225–250 kilometres long and was designed to be: logistically accessible,easy to divide into shorter sections, suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. The trail officially starts and ends in Bielsko-Biała, although it can realistically be joined at almost any point along the route. It was exactly this flexibility that particularly appealed to Maxime.

During his visit, the Belgian blogger walked a section of the route leading from Bielsko-Biała towards Wisła, crossing forested ridges and passing mountain huts along the way. In his account, he repeatedly highlighted the unique atmosphere of the Beskid trails: the absence of crowds, peace and close contact with nature, an exceptionally well-developed network of mountain huts,
the possibility of hiking light. He was also deeply impressed by the Soszów mountain hut above Wisła, which he described as a place full of simplicity and old-school mountain charm. He especially remembered its host, Ewa, who with great dedication is creating a space that feels more like a mountain home than a commercial accommodation facility.

Pierogi, pork cutlets and the taste of trekking

Naturally, there was also plenty of praise for the local cuisine. Maxime quickly discovered that pierogi taste even better after a full day on the trail. In his article, he mentions: pierogi filled with cheese and potatoes, traditional breaded pork cutlets, warm cabbage dishes, simple and hearty meals perfect after a long hike.

And it was precisely this daily trekking rhythm that stayed with him the most:

“We walk all day. In the evening we eat something warm. We sleep. Then we start again. Sometimes you really do not need much more.”

Poland as an outdoor destination? “People completely underestimate it”

In the conclusion of his journey, Maxime points out something important: many western european travellers still completely overlook Poland as a trekking destination. And yet the Beskids offer:excellent infrastructure, outstanding value for money, an authentic mountain experience, an extensive trail network, easy access from major European cities (two airport nearby in Kraków-Balice and Katowice – Przyrzowice).

As he admits himself, The Loop does not try to compete with the most famous Alpine treks — and that is exactly where its strength lies. It is a trail for those who genuinely want to immerse themselves in the rhythm of walking.