Current list and map of Polish records of long-distance observations. List of the most distant photographically documented observations of terrestrial objects from the territory of Poland, at a distance of at least 200 kilometres (as of 16.02.2024).
Presented observations concern objects located on the Earth’s surface – natural (e.g. mountains) or man-made and were also made from the Earth’s surface or objects attached to it.
| No. | Distance WGS-84 (km)1 | Distance FAI1 | Place of observation (mesoregion) | Voivodeship | Farthest visible point | Date and sources2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 292.6 | 292.5 | Śnieżnik (Śnieżnik Mountains) | dolnośląskie | Heukuppe (Styrian-Lower Austrian Limestone Alps, Austria) | 02.01.202015.02.2021 – observation of Klosterwappen (281.9 km) with visible shape of Schneeberg massif18.12.2023 – Schneeberg/Klosterwappen |
| 02. | 258.1 | 258.1 | Tarnica (Western Bieszczady) | podkarpackie | Vârful Vlădeasa (Apuseni Mountains, Romania) | 31.12.201502.11.202310.01.2024 |
| 03. | 247.9 | 247.4 | Ślęża – observation tower (Ślęża Massif) Farthest observation between points located in Poland. | dolnośląskie | Gówniak – Babia Góra (Żywiec Beskids, Poland) | 19.12.2023 |
| 04. | 243.6 | 243.3 | Wielki Szyszak – west of the summit (Giant Mountains) | dolnośląskie | Vysoký stolec (Šumava, Czechia) | 31.12.2016 |
| 05. | 241.1 | 240.5 | Rysy (High Tatras) | małopolskie | Keprník (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 19.09.2020 |
| 05. | 241.1 | 240.7 | Godziszów Pierwszy (Western Roztocze) 50,773722°N, 22,488722°E Farthest observation of Tatras from Poland. | lubelskie | Malý Ľadový štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 30.01.2024 |
| 07. | 240.1 | 239.7 | Wierzchowiska Drugie (Western Roztocze) 50,80175°N, 22,425361°E | lubelskie | Ľadový štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 13.02.2022 |
| 08. | 236.3 | 236 | Polichna (Urzędów Hills) 50,818278°N, 22,316417°E | lubelskie | Ľadový štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 07.01.2022 |
| 09. | 235.8 | 235.1 | Rysy (High Tatras) | małopolskie | Stoj (Polonyna Borzhava, Ukraine) | 12.02.2012 |
| 10. | 235.7 | 235.4 | Rzeczyca Księża/Dąbrowica (Urzędów Hills) 50,840267°N, 22,258423°E | lubelskie | Malý Ľadový štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 30.01.2024 |
| 11. | 235.4 | 234.8 | Świnica (High Tatras) | małopolskie | Šerák (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 09.01.2002 |
| 12. | 235.2 | 234.6 | Zadni Granat (High Tatras) | małopolskie | Keprník (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 01.02.2021 |
| 13. | 233.9 | 233.5 | Potok-Stany (Urzędów Hills) 50,822222°N, 22,25575°E | lubelskie | Ľadový štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 13.02.2022 |
| 14. | 233.1 | 232.8 | Potok Wielki (Urzędów Hills) 50,791361°N, 22,181806°E | lubelskie | Gerlachovský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 07.01.202203.12.2021 – Ľadový štít 227.8 km |
| 15. | 232.9 | 232.4 | Kasprowy Wierch (Western Tatras) | małopolskie | Šerák (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 17.12.2013 |
| 16. | 232.2 | 232.1 | Góra Kamieńska (Bełchatów Upland) 51,202081°N, 19,427526°E | łódzkie | Gerlachovský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 01.01.2023 |
| 16. | 232.2 | 231.9 | Karkówka, Węglin, Łychów Gościeradowski, Zdziechowice Pierwsze – several points near the village boundaries (Urzędów Hills) | podkarpackie, lubelskie | Gerlachovský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 06.11.2021 Karkówka (50.796417°N, 22.152556°E) – 232.2 km03.11.2022 Łychów Gościeradowski (50.800314°N, 22.143807°E) – 232.1 km15.03.2020 Węglin (50.801194°N, 22.136972°E) – 231.9 km05.11.2021 Zdziechowice Pierwsze (50.797909°N, 22.136625°E) – 231.6 kmOther nearby observation points are marked on the map: link |
| 16. | 232.2 | 231.6 | Beskid (Western Tatras) | małopolskie | Keprník (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 01.02.2021 |
| 19. | 231.5 | 231.2 | Zdziechowice Pierwsze, near Salomin-Józefów road (Urzędów Hills) 50,809888°N, 22,076435°E | podkarpackie | Končistá (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 12.10.201931.10.2018 – Gerlachovský štít 230 km |
| 20. | 231.1 | 230.8 | Stare Baraki – near Salomin (Urzędów Hills) 50,817056°N, 22,054583°E | podkarpackie | Končistá (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 15.03.202020.04.2018 – Gerlachovský štít 229.7 km |
| 21. | 230.9 | 230.5 | Łysaków (Urzędów Hills) 50,761944°N, 22,187806°E | podkarpackie | Gerlachovský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 27.03.2022 |
| 22. | 226.3 | 225.6 | Tarnica (Western Bieszczady) | podkarpackie | Ďumbier (Niżne Tatry, Slovakia) | 24.01.202229.12.2012 – the neighbouring Štiavnica peak is visible (225.3 km) |
| 23. | 224.4 | 223.9 | Starorobociański Wierch (Western Tatras) | małopolskie | Šerák (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 25.01.2020 |
| 24. | 223.7 | 223.2 | Kozi Wierch (High Tatras) | małopolskie | Praděd (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 12.10.2019 |
| 25. | 217.8 | 217.5 | Tarnica (Western Bieszczady) | podkarpackie | Grohotu (Rodna Mountains, Rumunia) | 10.01.202429.12.2012 – Pietrosul Rodnei (216.8 km) |
| 26. | 213.4 | 212.9 | Zwornik (Beskid Sądecki) 49,470333°N, 20,572944°E | małopolskie | Stiy (Polonyna Borzhava, Ukraine) | 10.01.2024 |
| 27. | 213.1 | 212.9 | Cerle (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,47722°N, 20,863639°E Farthest observation of Western Tatras from Poland. | świętokrzyskie | Baranec (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 20.10.202210.05.2021 – Bystrá (208.9 km) from a nearby place in Podlesie (50.947555°N, 20.866140°E) 22.11.2020 – Kriváň (208 km) from Podlesie (same point as above) |
| 28. | 213 | 213 | Chełmo mountain – quarry (Radomsko Hills) 51,057828°N, 19,743885°E | łódzkie | Končistá (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 18.12.2023 20.10.2021 – Lomnický štít 209.9 km 15.03.2020 – photographic capture of the snow-covered Ľadový štít (209.2 km) Tatra Mountains were later photographed several times (the farthest peak - Mały Gerlachovský štít), more on dalekiewidoki.pl, zdlugiejrury.pl, dalekieobserwacje.eu. |
| 29. | 210.6 | 210.4 | Święty Krzyż – monastery tower (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) | świętokrzyskie | Ostrá (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 07.11.2021History of observing the Tatras from Święty Krzyż – dalekiewidoki.pl The first available photographs of the Tatra Mountains were published in the 1990s. 1993 - book by Włodzimierz Sedlak „Człowiek i Góry Świętokrzyskie” 1997 – author: Piotr Polak – Słowo Ludu 1997. XLVI, nr 23 – Świętokrzyska Biblioteka Cyfrowa. |
| 30. | 210.5 | 210.3 | Opatów Gate in Sandomierz (Sandomierz Upland) | świętokrzyskie | Kriváň (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 25.10.2021 |
| 30. | 210.5 | 210.3 | Huta Szklana (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,866583°N, 21,020222°E | świętokrzyskie | Mládky (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 07.11.2021 15.03.2020 – Baranec ~209 km |
| 32. | 210.4 | 210 | Biskupia Kopa – south-eastern slope (Opawskie Mountains) 50,25409°N, 17,43094°E | opolskie | Bystrá (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 08.03.2019 |
| 32. | 210.4 | 209.8 | Radziejowa (Beskid Sądecki) | małopolskie | Stiy (Polonyna Borzhava, Ukraine) | 29.01.2012 |
| 34. | 209.8 | 209.7 | Klonów (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,954639°N, 20,819°E | świętokrzyskie | Nižná Bystrá (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 29.12.2022 |
| 35. | 209.2 | 208.7 | Srebrna Kopa (Opawskie Mountains) | opolskie | Bystrá (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 01.01.2021 |
| 36. | 208 | 207.9 | Występa hill (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,98259°N, 20,74688°E | świętokrzyskie | Končistá (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 01.10.2019 26.12.2017 – Gerlachovský štít 207 km |
| 37. | 208 | 207.8 | Kamień Łukawski - Pepper Mountains (Sandomierz Upland) 50,68518°N 21,7861°E | świętokrzyskie | Končistá (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 31.10.2018 |
| 38. | 207.8 | 207.7 | Gliniany Las (Suchedniów Plateau) 51,023611°N, 20,409667°E | świętokrzyskie | Gerlachovský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 29.12.2022 – clearly visible Tatras 07.01.2022 – first photos of Gerlachovský štít 06.09.2021 – Lomnický štít 203.9 km |
| 39. | 207.5 | 207.4 | Krajno Pierwsze (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,890472°N, 20,873111°E | świętokrzyskie | Štrbavý (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 10.05.2021 2019 r. – first available images of the Tatras (High Tatras) from Krajno |
| 40. | 207.1 | 206.9 | Masłów Drugi – Podwiśniówka (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,925004°N, 20,720201°E | świętokrzyskie | Baranec (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 12.01.2023 13.04.2022 – Končistá 201.4 km |
| 41. | 207 | 206.5 | Kalenica (Owl Mountains) | dolnośląskie | Skrzyczne (Silesian Beskids, Poland) | 02.01.2020 |
| 42. | 206.5 | 206.4 | Barania Góra – west of the summit (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,970643°N, 20,462117°E | świętokrzyskie | Baranec (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 01.01.2023 04.12.2021 – Kriváň 203.8 km |
| 43. | 206.2 | 206.1 | Radostowa – south-west of the summit (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,897559°N, 20,79966°E | świętokrzyskie | Baranec (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 10.11.2021 14.10.2021 – Jakubina 202.6 km |
| 43. | 206.2 | 206.1 | Klonówka – viewing terrace (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,909019°N, 20,751999°E | świętokrzyskie | Baranec (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 18.09.202031.10.2018 – Gerlachovský štít 199.1 km |
| 45. | 205.5 3 | Kamiennik – between the northern and southern peak (Island Beskids) | małopolskie | Malý Děd (Hrubý Jeseník, Czechia) | 09.09.202106.07.2016 – Praděd from Kamiennik Północny 205 km 49.79662°N, 20.05144°E | |
| 46. | 205.3 | 205.2 | Śnieżnik (Śnieżnik Mountains) | dolnośląskie | Čertov kopec (Little Carpathians, Slovakia) | 02.01.2020 |
| 47. | 205.2 | 205 | Porąbki (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,877323°N, 20,894618°E | świętokrzyskie | Baníkov (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 28.03.202205.11.2021 – Kriváň 201.2 km |
| 48. | 205 (?)3 | Milczany (Sandomierz Upland) | świętokrzyskie | Končistá (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 05.10.2012 | |
| 49. | 204.9 | 204.8 | Tumlin-Węgle (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,965705°N, 20,589195°E | świętokrzyskie | Kriváň (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 09.11.202329.03.2023 – infrared observation |
| 50. | 204.2 | 204.1 | Siniewska Góra – south-west of the summit (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,971959°N, 20,440192°E | świętokrzyskie | Nižná Bystrá (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 15.03.202008.12.2017 – Kriváň 203.7 km |
| 51. | 204 | 203.7 | Wysoka (Chełm) 50,466807°N, 18,169893°E | opolskie | Kežmarský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 04.12.2021 |
| 52. | 203 | 202.7 | Góra Świętej Anny (Chełm) 50,455485°N, 18,172355°E | opolskie | Kežmarský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 14.11.2010 |
| 53. | 202.8 | 202.7 | Krzemionka (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,937023°N, 20,650021°E | świętokrzyskie | Kriváň (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 09.11.2023 |
| 54. | 202.6 | 202.4 | Góra Wymyślona (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,897089°N, 20,822055°E | świętokrzyskie | Bystrá (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 09.10.202202.09.2022 – Kriváň 201.7 km |
| 55. | 202.3 | 202.1 | Masłów Pierwszy, southern slope of Domaniówka (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,907333°N, 20,706222°E | świętokrzyskie | Nižná Bystrá (Western Tatras, Slovakia) | 08.11.202213.02.2022 – Kriváň 200.5 km, from 50.907008°N, 20.704314°E |
| 56. | 202 | 201.9 | Krzemyk (Pasmo Przedborsko-Małogoskie) 51,002214°N, 19,937525°E | świętokrzyskie | Lomnický štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 13.11.2010 |
| 57. | 201.9 | 201.8 | Skrajna Turnia (High Tatras) | małopolskie | Bukowa Góra (Świętokrzyskie Mountains, Poland) | 25.06.2022 |
| 58. | 201.1 | 201.1 | Skoki (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,999139°N, 20,40575°E | świętokrzyskie | Lomnický štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 04.11.2023, 18.12.2023 |
| 59. | 200.6 | 200 | Śnieżka (Giant Mountains) | dolnośląskie | Kleiner Fichtelberg (Rudawy, Niemcy) | 30.12.2010 |
| 60. | 200.2 | 200.1 | Miedziana Góra (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,941639°N, 20,572472°E | świętokrzyskie | Gerlachovský štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 04.11.202329.03.2023 – infrared observation of Končistá (201.2 km) 14.01.2023 – Wysoka 199.7 km |
| 61. | 200.2 | 200.1 | Nieskurzów Stary (Świętokrzyskie Mountains) 50,816974°N, 21,195746°E | świętokrzyskie | Končistá (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 28.03.2022 |
| 62. | 200.1 | 199.9 | Lipska Górka near Lubliniec (Próg Woźnicki) 50,687472°N, 18,654889°E | śląskie | Lomnický štít (High Tatras, Slovakia) | 19.12.202318.12.2023 – from a point approx. 200 m closer to the Tatras09.11.2023 – Gerlachovský štít 200 km |
1 Distances have been calculated from geographical coordinates using the Ed Williams calculator according to two Earth shape models, with rounding to the nearest 0.1 km. The WGS 84 model is an accurate ellipsoidal model, while the FAI model is simplified and assumes a spherical shape with a radius of 6371 km. The spherical model deviates more from the actual shape of the planet, but requires much simpler calculations and is often used for distance measurements, e.g. on Google Maps or in Ulrich Deuschle’s panorama simulator. The order of observations in the table is determined according to the distances in the WGS 84 model.
2 Dates and authors refer to the first known, confirmed, photographically documented observations of a given object from a given location (unless otherwise stated).
3 The exact location of the observation point is missing. For Kamiennik the distance is given according to the source. For Milczany the distance is approximate – the source does not specify the distance to the farthest visible peak – Končistá.
Distances to visible mountain peaks are given to their summits. Observations from the same point of objects located in different physical-geographical macro-regions are treated as separate. In determining the location of points according to administrative division, the data available in Geoportal was used, while according to physical-geographic division – Geoservice of the General Directorate for Environmental Protection.
Currently, the Polish record for distant observations is held by the Austrian Alps as seen from Śnieżnik in the Sudetes, from a distance of 292.6 km.
From a slightly shorter distance (258 km), Romania’s Vlădeasa peak was observed from Tarnica in the Bieszczady Mountains or Babia Góra from Ślęża (248 km).
This is followed by the Šumava from the Giant Mountains (244 km), the Czech Sudetes (Hrubý Jeseník) as seen from the Tatra Mountains and the Tatras from Roztocze, the Lublin Upland as well as Góra Kamieńska (Kamieńsk Mountain) in the Mazovian Lowland, interspersed with several other observations. Thus, a view of the Ukraine (Stiy 236 km) was documented on Rysy, and the highest peak of the Low Tatras, Ďumbier, over 226 km away, was spotted from Tarnica in Bieszczady.
Then there are numerous observations of the Tatras from the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and neighbouring areas – the Tatras were also seen from, among others, the Opatowska Gate in Sandomierz or the nearby Pepper Mountains. There are also several other places within a similar range of distances – the Tatras were visible, for example, from Chełmo Mountain in the Łódzkie Voivodeship, from the Opawskie Mountains in the Sudetes and St. Anne’s Mountain, while the Ukrainian Stiy was observed from Radziejowa and Zwornik in the Beskid Sądecki. Noteworthy is the farthest view of the Sudetes from outside the Tatras – the Hrubý Jeseník from Kamiennik in the Island Beskids (approx. 205.5 km). The list closes with the Tatras from Lipska Górka near Lubliniec in Silesia.