At Lake Żywieckie, the dam in Tresna is more than a striking structure: a hiking trail crosses its crest, and boat trips depart right beside it. There is also another marked route starting at a bus stop and a walk to a viewpoint on Góra Żar. These specific destinations offer a way to explore Tresna’s lakeshore, trails and history of construction.
Lake, slopes and dam
Tresna lies on the northern and southern shores of Lake Żywieckie and on the slopes of Kościelec and Góra Przysłop. The Żywieckie Reservoir was created in the 1960s by damming the Soła and blocking its valley with a dam. The structure is located in Tresna and is 310 metres long and 39 metres high above the valley floor.
The lake and dam are therefore two closely connected but distinct aspects of the place: the creation of the reservoir shapes the history of the landscape, while the named shores and slopes form its geographical setting. The dam is also a specific landmark for trails and boat trips. Tresna also has restaurants and holiday centres.
Hiking trails and walks
A yellow-marked hiking trail leads from Tresna I (bus stop) to Solisko, at an elevation of 635 metres. The blue hiking trail follows a different route: it passes through Tresna and over the crest of the Żywieckie Dam. Its described route starts in Bielsko-Biała Lipnik and ends at Przełęcz Przysłop Cisowy.
Along the way, the blue markers follow the ridges of Czupla and Magurka Wilkowicka. Near Tresna, the trail crosses the Soła valley over the dam and then climbs to the Cisowych Grap ridge, where it meets the red-marked Mały Szlak Beskidzki. The two marked trails therefore differ mainly in the points along their routes described here: the yellow trail connects Tresna I with Solisko, while the blue one passes through Tresna as part of a route between the specified starting and ending points. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
While waiting for a boat trip, you can walk over the crest of the Tresna Dam to a viewpoint on Góra Żar. A 2022 tourism article also describes a walking path with benches on the right bank of Lake Żywieckie. These are different ways to explore the area on foot: a marked hiking route, a walk to take while waiting for a trip, and a path along the lakeshore.
Boat trips and getting there
Boat trips on Lake Żywieckie depart from Tresna, right beside the dam. If you are planning a trip, check before your visit whether trips are operating and what the departure times are. This lets you plan the boat trip as a separate activity and consider the walk to the viewpoint as something to do while waiting.
A 2022 tourism article mentions parking near the departure area and access by public transport, including MZK Żywiec buses. Check the current timetable for your specific connection. Together with the named hiking trails and lakeside path, these offer several starting points for planning: you can consider Tresna for its lakeside location, a particular route, the dam or a boat trip. Plan your day around the activities you choose and check trail conditions or departure times in advance.
Discover more destinations: Złatna, Ślemień, Zwardoń, Czernichów, Gilowice, Rycerka Górna, Milowka, Okrajnik.
Return to the main travel overview: Żywiec.
