A mother has sparked outrage in Poland after reportedly leaving her two sons, aged eight and 14, alone on a mountain hiking trail while she continued towards a summit without them.
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The incident took place in the Bieszczady Mountains in southern Poland on Saturday, 17 October, according to a report by Euronews. The children were left waiting in poor weather conditions, with thick fog covering the area, until a group of hikers came across them and stopped to help.
Hikers find distressed boys alone on mountain trail
The Rzeszów branch of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK) shared an account of the incident on its Facebook page. The group was hiking near the point where the blue and yellow trails split above Muczne when they heard a child crying.
According to the post, the hikers found an eight-year-old boy in tears and his 14-year-old brother standing bewildered beside the trail. The boys explained that their mother had gone ahead to reach the summit, which was still about an hour’s walk away.
The mother had reportedly told her sons that if they were complaining and did not want to continue walking, they should wait for 15 minutes. However, the children were left alone for considerably longer.
With visibility affected by the thick fog and the conditions on the trail poor, the hikers stayed with the boys until their mother returned.
Mother reportedly shows little remorse
According to PTTK’s account, the woman arrived around 15 minutes after the group had found the children. Her younger son immediately took her hand and stopped crying.
When the hikers questioned her decision to leave two minors alone in the mountains in such conditions, she reportedly said she had only been gone for a moment and had wanted to continue towards the summit. She also claimed the children had forced her to abandon her planned objective.
PTTK criticised the woman’s apparent lack of remorse, saying she only offered a reluctant apology after being warned that her actions could lead to criminal charges.
The person who wrote the account also reportedly pointed out that the apology should have been directed at her children rather than the other hikers. According to the post, the woman did not respond to the remark.
Incident sparks debate about mountain safety
The incident was reported to local authorities and has prompted public discussion in Poland about parental responsibility and the risks of leaving children unattended on mountain trails.
Mountain weather can change quickly, and fog can significantly reduce visibility, making it harder for hikers to navigate unfamiliar routes. Even experienced walkers can face difficulties when conditions deteriorate, while children left without adult supervision may be particularly vulnerable if they become frightened, lost or injured.
For families planning mountain hikes, it is important to choose routes suited to the youngest or least experienced member of the group, check the forecast before setting out and adjust plans when conditions become unsafe.
Reaching a summit should never take priority over the safety of the people hiking with you.
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