Hiking,
cycling tours, rock-climbing, gliding, hang-gliding, canoeing – there are not
many places where one can practice so many forms of active recreation. One such
place is the area of the
Karkonosze
Mountains, the
Jeleniogórska
Valley
and the surrounding Rudawy Janowickie. the
Kaczawskie
Mountains and the
Izerskie
Mountains.
There is no
other place that offers in such proximity such a variety of hiking trails.
The land relief of the
Karkonosze
Mountains enables unlimited planning of
trips depending on likes, physical fitness, capabilities, and age.
Even the highest peaks are accessible during
family trips.
The lower
areas of the mountains are perfect for cycling tourism practiced by amateurs as
well as true professionals. The
Izerskie
Mountains offer more than
300 km
of various cycling trails. The entire
Jeleniogórska
Valley
can boast more than
500 km
of trails running mainly through forest ducts and paths that are perfect for Nordic
Walking.
The
Jeleniogórska
Valley is well-known among gliders from
all over the world. Air currents and the famous "Karkonoska Wave"
make it possible to break records
of height of flight. Gliders take off from
the ridge of the
Karkonosze
Mountains. The River
Kamenna and the River Bóbr are perfect for mountain canoeing, and the many
rocks are good for learning rock-climbing. The most famous Polish Himalaists
learned and trained in Rudawy Janowickie.
HIKING TOURISM
The history of tourism in the Karkonosze dates
back to the seventeenth century. These mountains have for centuries attracted
hikers from the most remote parts of
Europe. The
region currenly offers more than
400
km of hiking trails of various degrees of difficulty. There
are trails for hikers at any age and level of training. One can plan short,
several-hours-long trips to the mountains, as well as multi-stage all-day hikes.
The variety of trails lets people of any age go hiking. Guides offer their help
both to individuals and to groups of tourists.
The
Karkonosze
Mountains
are often referred to as the Little Alps or the
Giant
Mountains
in miniature. The justification for this is climate, which at a level of
1000 metres is similar
to the Alpine climate found at a level twice as high. Therefore, subalpine
vegetation is found in the Karkonosze. Although these are not very high
mountains, it is good to think in advance of proper clothing and to be prepared
for any eventuality.
CYCLING TRIPS
The entire region is a cycling paradise,
offering several hundred kilimetres of trails of various degrees of difficulty.
The world’s best mountain cyclists train here, among whom is Maja Włoszczowska,
the two-time world vice-champion.
The
Izerskie
Mountains and the Karkonosze Foothills
deserve particular attention. One will find here many trails both for
beginners, for family trips, as well as for more demanding cyclists, who like
elevations both during downhill and uphill rides.
In the
entire
Jeleniogórska
Valley, from spring to
late autumn, many competitions for amateurs and professional are organised. The
most important ones are The Cycling Festival in August in Szklarska Poręba,
which is often referred to as the Cycling Capital of Poland, and the Tour de
Pologne in the Pro Tour of the world league of road cycling.
CLIMBING
The
Karnonoski
National Park, due to protection of the
natural environment, is not open to rock-climbing. However, both in Karpacz and
in Szklarska Poręba, places have been established where one can start learning
to climb.
The real
"
Mecca"
of mountain climbing is Rudawy Janowickie and two rocks called "Sokoliki."
From spring to late autumn, every weekend, one can see mountain climbing
novices there. This is the place where many Polish Himalaists trained.
GLIDING
The "Karkonoska Wave” has been known for
decades. It occurs in autumn. Masses of warm air from over the
Karkonosze
Mountains
flow to the bottom of the
Jeleniogórska
Valley, to flow upwards through the ridge
of the
Kaczawskie
Mountains. Gliders from
all around the world make use of these warm currents, breaking world records of
flight elevation over and over again.
The land
relief and weather conditions are also an advantage for hang-gliders, who are easy
to find in "Góra Szybowcowa" (Gliders' Mountain) located in the
Jeleniogórska
Valley
vis a vis the
Karkonosze
Mountains. Lovers of
paragliding have taken a liking to Czoło Mount over Kowary as well as Kopa
Mount and Szrenica Mount in the
Karkonosze
Mountains. On sunny days
in March, they are most easily found on the last two mentioned peaks.
WATER SPORTS
Each spring, on the River Kamienna between Szklarska
Poręba and Piechowice, one can see daredevils who fight the elements of nature.
This mountain river carrier water from melting snow covering the Western
Karkonosze and the
Izerskie
Mountains. The turn of
April and May is the best time for canoeing along one of the most difficult mountain
river sections in
Poland.
Then it is worth going to the River Bóbr, which is floatable from Marciszów to
Żagań. From Wleń, the river again has a mountain character. The River Kwisa,
along which one can canoe far to Mirsk, still hides some mysteries.
Tourists can also make use of large
holding reservoirs, the largest of which is
Pilchowickie
Lake, originating in the River Bóbr
outflow from the
Jeleniogórska
Valley.
Many swimming
places and recreation centres can also be found by the Leśniańskie and
Złotnickie lakes situated in the Izerskie Foothills, as little as a 30-40
minute car drive from the Karkonosze Mountains.
| print
