Tresna on Lake Żywieckie: Dam, Trails and Shoreline

Tresna connects the shores of Lake Żywieckie with the slopes of Kościelec and Góra Przysłop. The striking dam in the village is another defining feature. Together, the water, mountains and a structure that has helped shape the history of the landscape give this destination its character.

The lake and dam shape the landscape

The Lake Żywieckie reservoir was created in the 1960s, when the Soła was dammed and its valley closed off by a dam. The Żywieckie Dam is in Tresna. The Tresna Dam is 310 m long and 39 m high above the valley floor—measurements that give a clear sense of the structure’s scale. The northern and southern shores of the lake are as much a part of the landscape as the slopes of Kościelec and Góra Przysłop. If you enjoy moving between lakeside scenery and mountain ridges, you’ll find different options here to shape your day.

Hiking trails with different routes

A yellow-marked hiking trail leads from Tresna I (bus stop) to Solisko at an elevation of 635 m. The named starting point and elevation target give the route a clear reference. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

A blue-marked hiking trail runs through Tresna and across the crest of the Żywieckie Dam. The detailed route description begins in Bielsko-Biała Lipnik and ends at Przełęcz Przysłop Cisowy. It follows the ridges of Czupla and Magurka Wilkowicka, crosses the Soła Valley at Tresna via the dam, and then climbs to the Cisowych Grap ridge. There it meets the red-marked Mały Szlak Beskidzki. While the yellow trail description focuses on the section from Tresna I to Solisko, the blue trail description places Tresna on a route that crosses several ridges. This lets you choose according to the kind of hike that interests you; for both routes, check trail conditions before setting out.

A walking path along the right shore of Lake Żywieckie also offers another way to experience the lakeside scenery. A 2022 tourist description mentions benches along the path.

Boat trips and time by the water

Boat trips on Lake Żywieckie depart from Tresna, right next to the dam. If you’re planning a trip, check the timetable in advance. While waiting for departure, you can walk across the crest of the Tresna Dam to a viewpoint on Góra Żar. This lets you combine a planned boat trip with a walk, without implying a specific walking time.

A 2022 tourist article mentions parking near the departure area and describes access by public transport, including buses operated by MZK Żywiec. For your specific journey, please check the current timetable. Tresna also has restaurants and leisure centres, which, alongside the hiking trails and lake, are part of what the village has to offer.

Tresna as a base for your stay

When choosing a holiday apartment in Tresna, you can consider what you want your stay to revolve around: a marked hiking trail, the lakeside scenery, or a combination of a boat trip and a walk. These interests can help guide your search for a suitable location, without requiring every activity to fit into the same day’s plans. If you’re mainly interested in hiking, you can compare the different trail descriptions; if the lake is your focus, the boat trips and lakeside path offer other ideas. Tresna thus offers several specific themes to guide your travel plans and choice of holiday base.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pietrzykowice, Korbielow, Lodygowice, Łękawica, Soblówka, Przyłęków, Milowka, Gilowice.

Back to the main travel overview: Żywiec.