PTTK Shelter on Magurka Wilkowicka

The PTTK Shelter on Magurka Wilkowicka, located in the western part of the Beskid Mały Mountains at an altitude of 909 meters above sea level, offers 56 overnight accommodations in rooms of various sizes and full board. Built by the Bielsko section of the German organization Beskidenverein, it was opened on September 27, 1903, and its wooden structure with an open veranda attracted tourists from Bielsko and Biała. The shelter burned down just two years after its opening but was quickly rebuilt and named in honor of Archduchess Maria Theresa. In the following years, the shelter enjoyed great popularity, especially after the establishment of a ski club in 1907. In 1912, the building burned down again, and a brick structure was erected in its place, opening in 1913 with 64 overnight spots. During the interwar period, the shelter was popular among German tourists and featured modern amenities for the time. After World War II, the facility was taken over by the Polish Tatra Society and later by PTTK, which modernized the shelter between 1972 and 1974. It now bears the name of Józef Grzybowski. The shelter attracts tourists not only for its comfortable accommodations but also for the accessible hiking trails from various towns, making it an appealing destination for mountain trips. It is worth noting that access to the shelter is also facilitated by an asphalt road from Wilkowice, though non-residents are prohibited from driving there. The shelter combines a rich history with recreational appeal, making it a unique spot on the tourist map of the Beskid Mały Mountains.