Great Prehyba
Needed water: ok. 1 liters between sections
Food on the road: 14 km, 24 km, 34 km
Length: ok. 43 km
Elevations: +1740/-1740 m
The highest point: Radziejów, 1266 m n. p. m.
Lowest point: the estuary of Grajcarek to the Dunajec, ok. 440 m n. p m.
Great Prehyba (tilt, I guess… I guess how many lovers of Beskid Sądecki, so many versions of the name) it is the highest peak of Beskid Sądecki and at the same time the highest point among all the runs in Szczawnica, which you may come across at all. A demanding route, slightly above the marathon distance, leads around the Grajcarek valley. W 2015 i 2016 year, Marcin Świerc won the title of the Polish champion in long-distance mountain running there, a w 2016 of the year set a tremendous route record 3:15:19 and ran around Bartek Gorczyca by over 6 minutes, however, whenever Marcin showed up at the start, he corrected the record of the route.
The start of Wielka Prehiba takes place, of course, at Grajcarek, we run slowly up the stream for a while, and right after the cable car we turn left, we reach ul. main, from it we run into ul. Source. Follow the yellow trail towards, of course, old spa. We reach Dietl Square among the beautiful avenue of trees (I mentioned him, in the sense of Joseph), you will recognize him by the fountain in the middle and beautiful, the old buildings of the spa, buildings pretending to be half-timbered. On your right side is Park Górny and the rest (a bit newer, which doesn't mean, that new) part of the spa. 50 meters behind Dietl Square, turn left and turn right (there is a trail marker at the fork of the road), we start the right part of the ascent to Bereśnik. Here on 2,3 km we run almost 250 meters high (the ascent is rather evenly distributed - one wall is located approx. 600 meters from the crossroads, however, it is not long) passing the Bryjarki peak on the way (with a cross). It is worth taking a look mainly behind your back - a little to the left of the Tatra Mountains you can see Szafranówka and the entire ridge all the way to Durbaszka. Generally - the entire route runs around the Grajcarek valley, which is clearly visible as the main valley.
3 km from the start, we pass the shelter - PTTK qualified tourism shelter near Bereśnik. It has been running since 1989 year, during the competition, however, we continue to fly. About half a kilometer from the shelter, we have a temporary flattening between Cieluszki and Kotelnica, then we start another ascent, already for the bell (990 m n. p. m.). At this peak, we change the trail to the red one - the Main Beskid Trail. On the kilometer descent to the Przysop Pass, we almost lose 200 meters high, but we stick to the ridge, which should make you optimistic. From Przysłop to Rokita we have approx 0,5 kilometers and crazier 150 meters up the hill. Don't get too tense in here, because which starts here ends only after 3 km, on which you buy a total of over 350 meters high (and the stretch from the Bells to the Food Point is in total 450 meters up!), so take it easy. From Rokita, a gentle descent to the Short Glade (it really is short) and here the real fight for height begins. Again: calmly. Remember, that there is still over ahead of you 30 km. Don't be crazy about this episode, you should calmly sip water from the water bladder - the feeding point is close. When the ascent is over, you only have to 2 km to Wielka Prehiba basically on the flat. There you will find a shelter, and during the competition a checkpoint and a food point. The hostel started operating in 1937 year, however, at the end of the war it was destroyed. It was rebuilt only in 1953 year as a tourist shelter, and five years later, w 1958, a normal shelter was launched, which largely burned down in 1991 year. From 1998 year, the shelter stands and operates in this form, which you will meet during the competition. You do not need to stock up on any ungodly amounts of water here, to the next food point is suddenly 10 km!
We leave Przechyba towards the east, still following the Main Beskid Trail. We're around now 5 km of a very calm ascent (250 m up) to the highest peak of Beskid Sądecki - Wielka Radziejowa. The main part of this track is in the woods. after approx. 2,5 km from the shelter, we run to the Długa Przełęcz, it can be recognized by much rarer afforestation, mainly there is a young forest, however, there is a beautiful view from the pass, mainly be interested in this, what's on the right - you'll be there today! After the pass, the ascent to the very top of Wielka Radziejowa begins (1266). You will probably not have time and strength at the competition, to jump on the almost 20-meter high observation tower (worth it! Beautiful view of the Small Pieniny Mountains, Tatras…), but look carefully around. At the top, you will also find a statue set in 1966 on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the Polish state and the obelisk. Just an obelisk.
From Radziejowa, approx. 1 km insane, dangerous runaway, on which we are losing 150 meters high. The last time I was there, the climb was awfully rocky - that hardly changed. The end of the run-off means, that we are reaching the Nursery Pass, also called Valve, where it starts very much, a very gentle ascent to the Big Cuckold, and then basically all the pleasures, because it is only downhill to the next grocery point in Bacówka in Obidzy, and then to the Rozdziela Pass - in fact, the route is flat and very scenic.
In Bacówka na Obidzy, however, it is worth stocking up on at least 1 liter of water, because the next grocery point is only after 12 km in Durbaszcze, and you will have one nice uphill stretch along the way.