Wonders of the sudetens

The Sudeten Mountains are fascinating thanks to their beautiful panoramic views, fantastic rock formations of the Karkonosze and the Table Ranges, splendid caves (Bear’s Cave) and charming waterfalls (Szklarka, Kamieńczyk, Wilczki). Mineral collectors will find many wonderful and interesting pieces, especially in the Kaczawskie Mountains; among them the majority of well-known ornamental and semiprecious stones such as chrysoprasm, agate, nephrite, opal, jasper, rock crystal, lydite, magnesite, and the like. Visitors are often enchanted by the beauty of the defensive castles at Bolków, Czocha near Sucha, Grodno in Zagórze Śląskie; they admire the church with the Calvary (79 stations) at Wambierzyce and the Wang Chapel at Karpacz, the Chapel of Sculls (3000) at Czermna and the basilica at Strzegom; they willingly visit monasteries (Krzeszów) as well as the palace-and-park complexes, spas and interesting cities such as Jelenia Góra, Wałbrzych, Kłodzko, and Lądek Zdrój. The latter two plus Karpacz and Kamienna Góra constitute an excellent tourist base for hikers exploring the Sudeten Mountains.

The Sudetens are ideal for those who are fond of active tourism. Some 3000km of marked tourist trails criss-cross their area, including the trans-European E-3 trail joining the Atlantic coast with the Black Sea. Those who choose several days’ tours can try the Mieczysław Orłowicz Main Sudeten Route, connecting Świeradów Zdrój with Paczków.

The Krucze Skały or Crow’s Rocks near Karpacz are often used by the fans of mountain climbing and cave explorers for practical exercises.

The Sudeten peaks with the highest of them, Mt Śnieżka (1602m), are quite a challenge for mountain bikers. The region of the Sudetens is frequented by tourists all year round. Mountain climbing can be practised in the summer, skiing – in the winter (Szklarska Poręba, Karpacz), kayaking down the mountain streams and River Bóbr – in the late spring, and hiking – during the autumnal season when countryside landscapes are so picturesque.

The Sudeten region is dotted with health resorts. Besides Lądek Zdrój, Kudowa Zdrój, Świeradów Zdrój and Polanica Zdrój, there is also Cieplice Zdrój (Jelenia Góra), a spa known for its therapeutic properties already in the 12th century. Hospitality of the host population, numerous cultural events, and a great number of old spa buildings – add much to the natural charm of these localities.