Gówniak, Mountain summit in Żywiec Beskids, Poland.
Gówniak is a mountain summit in the Żywiec Beskids that reaches 1644 meters and forms part of the Babia Góra massif. The peak features rocky outcrops, extensive boulder fields, and alpine vegetation that define its upper elevations.
This mountain marked the boundary between Galicia and Orawa during the Kingdom of Hungary period. Granite border markers remain visible on its slopes today, revealing its past role as a territorial dividing line.
Local shepherds from the Orawa region traditionally used the rocky outcrops near the summit as natural shelters for livestock during overnight stays. This practice shaped how people connected with this mountain area over many generations.
Several hiking trails cross the summit and connect it with the Main Beskid Trail and nearby peaks such as Mały Garb Niżni and Mały Garb Wyżni. The paths are generally well marked, though the terrain can be rocky and slippery in places.
Alpine anemones bloom abundantly in spring across the boulder fields, creating natural gardens at this high elevation. This seasonal flowering surprises many hikers who expect bare rock and sparse vegetation.
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