Bendoszka Wielka, Mountain summit in Beskid Żywiecko-Kysucki range, Poland
Bendoszka Wielka is a mountain summit in the Beskid Żywiecko-Kysucki range, sitting on the border between Poland and Slovakia at 1144 meters. The top is open, covered with alpine meadows, and offers wide views over the surrounding valleys and ridges.
The summit sits in a border area between Poland and Slovakia that was contested by different powers over the centuries. The open pastures visible today were shaped by centuries of sheep farming brought to the region by Wallachian shepherds.
A large cross stands on the summit, erected in 2000 to mark the millennium of Christianity in Poland. It is a visible sign of how closely religion and mountain life are linked in this part of the country.
The summit is reachable via marked trails from Rycerka Górna on the Polish side; the climb is moderate and takes a few hours. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the paths can be slippery depending on the weather.
Two source streams of the Rycerka River start in valleys on opposite sides of the ridge running from this summit. This means that rainwater falling near the top drains into two different river valleys.
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