The western part of the Transbeskidian Horse Trail (Transbeskidzki Szlak Konny) : a value or a trap

Abstract

There have been numerous horseback riding centres established and horse trails marked out within the areas attractive for their natural qualities. One of such trail is the Transbeskidian Horse Trail which has been waymarked through the particular mountain ranges, starting from Brenna and ending up as far as Wołosate. The article aims at analysing attractiveness, accessibility and tourist facility development of the western part of the Transbeskidian Horse Trail as a tourist attraction significant from the perspective of horse-riding tourism in the regions of Silesian Beskids and ywiec Bieskids. The research material was collected during a field study carried out on the Transbeskidian Horse Trail (Zawoja-Brenna sector). The main research method was a participant observation. The research showed numerous irregularities on the trail. First of all, its designing stage has included neither camping and grazing areas and facilities, nor routes as an alternative to the trail marked out through exposed top parts of the upland, which would significantly improve safety and comfort of tourists and horses. Due to the improper trail development, horseback riding on the Transbeskidian Horse Trail within Zawoja-Brenna sector is now a dangerous trap.