Szklarska Poreba - 25 attractions. Guide to the heart of the Karkonosze | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Szklarska Poreba sits in the Karkonosze Mountains and is one of Poland's most popular mountain resorts
• The Kamienczyk Waterfall is 27 metres high with three cascades - the tallest on the Polish side of Karkonosze
• Direct trains from Wroclaw reach Szklarska Poreba Gorna in approximately 3 hours
• Ski Arena Szrenica offers 12 km of runs with snowmaking, three cable cars and seven ski lifts
• Esplanada Family Amusement Park operates year-round with Alpine Coaster, Mini Golf and winter ice rink
• The Szklarki Waterfall drops over 13 metres in Piechowice, under 4 km from the town centre

Szklarska Poręba is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the map of Poland, especially if we consider mountain destinations. This is not surprising, as it is not only picturesquely located, but also encourages visitors with its numerous attractions. The city is well connected, so we can easily reach it by various means of transport: by car, bus and also by train. For the latter, we can easily book tickets online using dedicated apps such as**PolishTrains**.

Your destination is Szklarska Poręba? What to see to make the most of your sightseeing time? We will not leave you with these questions! Both the Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains are famous for their beautiful views and interesting rock formations. Numerous mountain trails encourage long hikes, during which you can visit unusual places. Attractions in Szklarska Poręba that every nature lover must see are mainly two waterfalls: Kamieńczyk and Szklarki, the extremely scenic glacial cirques Śnieżne Kotły and Chojnik Castle.

The Kamieńczyk Waterfall

The Kamieńczyk Waterfall is the highest waterfall of the Karkonosze Mountains on the Polish side. It is 27 metres high and has three impressive cascades. If you keep your eyes peeled, you can see the Zlota jaskyòa (Golden Cave) under the middle cascade, which was partially carved by a man.

• The easiest way to get to the waterfall from the centre of Szklarska Poręba is via the red trail, which we can use to go further into the higher parts of Karkonosze.

• Alternatively, we can get there by taking the black trail from the bottom station of the cableway to Szrenica, and then, at the crossroads below Kamieńczyk, by taking the same red trail along the border of the Karkonosze National Park.

It is also possible to climb down to the bottom of the waterfall to fully admire its enormity, but a ticket is required to get there. There is a private Kamieńczyk chalet at the lookout point.

Szklarki waterfall

The Szklarki waterfall, although less impressive than the Kamieńczyk waterfall, is extremely charming and well worth seeing. It is not strictly in Szklarska Poręba, but in Piechowice, located right at its outlet. However, the route from the centre of Szklarska Poręba is not long, as it is less than 4 km long. We can get there by taking the green or black trail. Nearby, there is the PTTK (Polish Tourist Country-Lovers' Association) Kochanówka mountain hostel, which offers a view of the 13.3-metre Szklarka waterfall.

When it comes to interesting places in Szklarska Poręba, we strongly recommend a trip to the Snowy Cirques, one of the most spectacular places in the region, located on the border between Poland and the Czech Republic. The Śnieżne Kotły is a complex of two glacial cirques - the Small Snowy Cauldron and the Large Snowy Cauldron. Importantly, the site is located within the Karkonosze National Park and is under strict protection. There used to be a shelter there, which today serves as a radio and television relay station. The easiest way to get there from Szklarska Poręba is to follow the yellow trail.

Chojnik Castle is located in neighbouring Jelenia Góra, more specifically in its southern district - Sobieszów. It offers a magnificent view of the nearby surroundings and mountain peaks. To reach this medieval fortress, we can take several trails:

• the blue from Jagniątków and later the green from the Trasa Wokół Żaru trail;

• the black trail from Zachełm;

• theblack trail from Sobieszów, leading through the Zbojeckie Rocks and the interesting cave Dziurawy Kamień, which will be a great attraction for everyone; or, more often chosen, the red trail.

The castle is kept in a state of permanent ruin, and the earliest records of the stronghold here date back to the second half of the 14th century. It underwent numerous reconstructions over the years, until it was consumed by fire in a thunderstorm in 1675. It is interesting to note that the chateau inn, which is still in operation today, was built somewhat later, in 1822. You can eat there and buy souvenirs. For some time, a PTTK (Polish Tourist Country-Lovers' Association) chalet operated in the castle.

All those with a thirst for beautiful panoramas will feel perfectly at home in Szklarska Poręba, as there are numerous vantage points around the town from which to admire the peaks of the Karkonosze, the Jizera Mountains and the nearby town buildings.

Golden View

Złoty Widok (Golden View) is a place with one of the most beautiful panoramas in the area. Rising above an over 20-metre-high cliff, the rock viewing terrace at this location was opened in 2020. It is located near the Szklarka waterfall and Chybotek, so it is worth including it in your plans when visiting the area.

• The Golden View can be easily reached from the car park near Wlastimilówka by taking the blue trail. You will turn off to the viewing platform at the Krkonoše Tomb.

• Alternatively, you can get there from the Szklarka car park in Jeleniogórska Street, taking the black trail north and then the connector to the blue trail, as in the first case, turning to the platform at the Tomb of Karkonosz.

Death Bend

As far as attractions go, Szklarska Poreba offers a whole host of them, one of which is the Death Turn, famous throughout Poland. The bend is located on provincial road no. 358, the Sudeten Road. It was erected on the slope of Czarna Góra in the years 1935-37 as a strategic military facility, to be blown up in the event of the arrival of hostile forces, in order to impede the movement of military vehicles.

The bend 'owes' its infamous name to the many tragic accidents that took place there. However, it is not only a local curiosity, but above all a point from which to enjoy the view of the town below, the Jeleniogórska Valley and, of course, the Krkonoše Mountains.

There is a car park at the Death Turn, but it is also a place through which hiking trails run. This makes it easy to reach other points of the city and its attractions from here, such as:

• Diamond View - via the yellow/black trail to the east.

• Wysoki Kamień mountain hostel - yellow trail to the west.

• Szklarska Poreba - black trail along the Sudecka Road.

Bobrowe Skały

Bobrowe Skały, located north of Piechowice, neighbouring Szklarska Poręba, are a popular attraction in the Jizera Mountains. These unusual rock formations awe visitors of all ages. From the observation deck at the top, which is reached by metal steps, you can admire the panorama of the Karkonosze, Jeleniogórska Valley and the Janowickie Ore Mountains in the distance.

The Bobrowe Rocks are a must-see, but at the same time not very popular with climbers - there are as many as sixty insured climbing routes of various difficulty levels. Interestingly, back in the 1930s, there was a very popular restaurant here, as well as a permanent lookout tower. Today it is just a memory, reminded of by the remains of the foundations.

How to get to Bobrocks?

• The best way is to go there from Piechowice along the green trail.

• If you set off from Szklarska Poręba, follow the yellow trail and when you reach Piechowice, take the same green trail.

Diamond View

Diamentowy Widok is worth visiting on the occasion of the Death Turn, from which the black trail leads through Zbojeckie Rocks. It is a vast terrace built among trees, from which you can admire the peaks of the Krkonoše Mountains and Chojnik Castle. Admission is free and available at any time of the day.

The terrace is located right next to an interesting rock formation, the Robbery Rocks. And although it is difficult to find out where the name comes from, you can guess! The Robbery Rocks were once also called Fleischersteine, or Butcher's Stones.

Pyrite was mined here until the second half of the 19th century. When mining ceased, the extraordinary scenic value of the site was recognised and a chalet and lookout tower were built there. It operated under the name Moltkefels-Baude until 1945, while in the post-war period it was called the "Grunwald" colony centre. The tower was demolished shortly after the war, while the chalet ceased to function a little later when one of the walls started to slip. Its history came to a definitive end in 1969. It was then that a fire consumed the building and its remains were demolished.

The High Stone Shelter

One of the intriguing places with a remarkable view of the Krkonoše Mountains is the High Stone Shelter. For some time now, there has been an observation tower at the hostel, which, for a small fee, you can climb to admire the breathtaking panorama.

However, the High Stone Shelter is distinctive for another reason - you cannot spend the night there. This is prevented by the lack of running water and, consequently, places to sleep. However, you can have a delicious apple pie there and relax during a mountain hike in the charming Jizera Mountains. From Szklarska Poręba, we can take the red trail towards Jizera Humpbacks or the yellow trail from the Death Turn.

Szklarska Poręba, in addition to a mass of attractions that can be visited at any time of the year, is an important point on the ski map of Poland. When it comes to interesting places, Szklarska Poręba offers two facilities for winter sports enthusiasts:

• Ski Arena Szrenica - this is the largest ski station in the Polish Karkonosze Mountains, offering five slopes of varying levels of difficulty. The lower station of the cable car, which takes you to Szrenica, is located at Turystyczna Street in Szklarska Poręba.

• Polana Jakuszycka - although this winter sports centre is not strictly in Szklarska Poręba, but in nearby Jakuszyce, access to it is quick. The Jakuszyce Glade is a true paradise for cross-country skiers. Since 1976, the famous Bieg Piastów race has been held there every year.

Szklarska Poręba offers attractions for every age group - both in the town and its surroundings there are quite a few places where children will be able to give vent to their energy, as well as ideal for the whole family to go. There are also locations where we can calm down a bit and gain valuable knowledge about the history and natural values of Szklarska Poręba and its surroundings.

Szklarska Poręba - attractions for children

What is worth seeing in Szklarska Poręba if we came with children and want them to have fun? We definitely encourage you to look at the places on the list below!

The Esplanade Family Amusement Park is open all year round, but there is definitely more going on there in summer. The park's biggest attraction is the Alpine Coaster, which also provides great entertainment for older visitors.

But that's not all, as the Esplanade Park offers many other attractions, among which are:

• The Two-Level Labyrinth and the Inflatable Garden - attractions open during the summer.

• Mini Cars - at this attraction children can enjoy electric cars and motorbikes. The track is protected by bumpers, while the vehicles are equipped with bumpers to keep them as safe as possible.

• Mini Golf with 18 courses to play - great fun for the whole family, regardless of the age of the players.

• Laser Pontoon - pontoons are equipped with devices that shoot a laser beam. Each hit pontoon starts to spin around its own axis.

• Rodeo simulator - this is an attraction for thrill-seekers. The Rodeo has different levels of difficulty, which are adjusted to the age of the participant. The minimum age for this attraction is 6 years.

• The Tower of Excitement is an attraction where you can feel weightlessness for a moment, as you fall 12 metres down from the tower at a speed of 6 m/s. The tower is open all year round, so it can even be used in winter.

• Ice rink - during the winter season, the facility operates an ice rink with a hire centre for hockey skates and figure skates. Helmets and double blade skates are also available for the youngest in the rental.

Both children and adults definitely won't complain of boredom! And when you get tired of the craziness, you can sit down in the Cafe Park Esplanada, where a lounging area with a view of the Krkonoše Mountains is additionally available in the summer season.

Dinopark Szklarska Poreba

The Szklarska Poreba Dinopark is a must-see for all lovers of these prehistoric reptiles! Visitors will not only get to know different species of dinosaurs, but will also be able to enjoy other numerous attractions, such as tyrolean rides and a 6D cinema. All this in unusual natural surroundings, in the buffer zone of the Karkonosze National Park. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to enter the Dinopark with a dog.

Park of the Mountain Spirit

As far as Szklarska Poreba attractions are concerned, it is also worth taking the children to the Park of the Mountain Spirit, which is located by the Gerhard and Carl Hauptmann house. The park aims to promote environmental education and on its 4.5 hectares you will find various interesting trails and five themed houses. Children and adults can learn about the unique nature of the Krkonoše Mountains there.

Trollandia rope park

The Trollandia rope park is another place in Szklarska Poręba worth visiting with children. The rope park offers five routes of varying difficulty, some of which are already accessible to children aged 3. The park uses an innovative belay system, so each route is safe and does not require carabiners.

Trollandia is open every day during the summer season, which runs from May to September, and the other months, except from December to March, at weekends.

If you are in the area with the whole family and are wondering what to visit in Szklarska Poręba so that both young and old have a great time, it is worth marking museums on your map, where you can learn interesting facts about the culture, history and nature of the town.

What to see in Szklarska Poreba on a cloudy day, for example? An excellent choice would be the Mineralogical Museum, which houses numerous minerals and fossils from around the world. The museum also has an exhibit from beyond our planet in its display - the Gibeon meteorite! But this place is not only about minerals. There are also fossils and dinosaur skeletons, which is the largest private collection of its kind in Poland.

The Karkonosze Environmental Education Centre at 28 Okrzei Street in Szklarska Poręba is a place worth visiting, especially if you go hiking in the mountains. There, we will learn about the peculiarities of the Karkonosze and their unique nature and, importantly, about safety rules in the mountains. The KCEE houses a library with a reading room, a shop with publications about the Krkonoše Mountains, maps and souvenirs, but above all a multimedia exposition entitled "Virtual Krkonoše", available in as many as four language versions - Polish, Czech, English and German.

JUNA Earth Museum

As far as tourist attractions are concerned, Szklarska Poręba stands for minerals! Another place where we can see them, as well as learn about the history of their extraction, is the JUNA Earth Museum. On 350 square metres, fossils are presented, but not only. There we will also learn about the local traditions of the Walloons and see a collection of minerals that glow under UV light. Of course, there is also a shop next to the museum where you can buy minerals in their raw state and decorative stones.

Hauptmann House

What is worth visiting in Szklarska Poreba, especially when visiting the already mentioned Park of the Mountain Spirit? Definitely the Hauptmann House - a museum dedicated to Gerhart and Carl Hauptmann, famous 19th-century writers associated with the Karkonosze Mountains. The beautiful villa in the Valley of the Seven Houses provides an introduction to the writers, but also to the artistic life of the Krkonoše Mountains.

In addition to permanent exhibitions about the writers, you will find the expositions: The Lukes, The Post-War Generation of the Art Colony and The New Mill - Art Colony. Works from the Wlastimil Hofman Gallery are also on display in the Hauptmann House for the duration of renovation work in the Wlastimilowka. Numerous cultural events and temporary exhibitions are also held here. The Hauptmann House in Szklarska Poreba is one of the branches of the Karkonosze Museum in Jelenia Góra.

If this is still not enough and we are still wondering what there is to see in Szklarska Poręba, the town also offers less obvious attractions. Among them, we will find not only unusual places, but also thematic and historical trails and, of course, those related to the local craft - glass, so popular in this region.

If you are interested in Szklarska Poreba, a visit to this town can be extended to include extremely interesting places, slightly different from the main attractions.

Cuckoo Rocks

One such non-obvious attraction is the Cuckoo Rocks, located on the yellow trail near the Chalet below Łabskie Peak. It is a rock formation made of Krkonoše granite and consists of three rock towers, up to 7 metres high! The middle part is called the Pendulum, supposedly because an exceptionally strong wind is able to move it.

Wobble

Moving rocks in the Krkonoše Mountains are not that rare. That is why we recommend a visit to the Wobbling Stone. It is a set of granite blocks, and the highest of them, the seven-sided one, is supported in two places. This allows it to be rocked - hence its name.

As the shape of the Wobbling Stone may bring to mind a sugar bowl, until 1945, when the area belonged to Germany, the stone was just called Zuckerschale. Another name sometimes used is also the Seven-sided Stone. The Chybotek can be reached from Szklarska Poręba via the blue trail towards Piechowice, for example with a trip to the Zloty Widok observation point.

One of the important figures for Szklarska Poreba was the Czech-Polish painter, Wlastimil Hofman. He lived in the town from 1947 until his death in 1970. Today, the wooden house he lived in with his wife, called Wlastimilowka by the locals, is still standing, where the Wlastimil Hofman Foundation now operates. Renovation work is being carried out on the Wlastimilowka, so the artist's collection of paintings has been temporarily moved to the Haumptmann house.

The surroundings of the Krkonoše and Jizera Mountains are a glass production basin. The first mention of glassworks here dates back to the early 14th century. Szklarska Poręba also had its glassworks. What is worth seeing if you are interested in this subject? Until 1992, the 19th century Julia glassworks was in operation. Although the historic buildings have fallen into disrepair, this does not mean that the tradition of glass production has been forgotten.

Leśna Huta

In Szklarska Poręba, we can visit a mysterious place where magic happens. Leśna Huta, as it is called, is a glass factory run by Henryk Łubowski and his family. All visitors can see how glass is made step by step. Thanks to this, a place of traditional craftsmanship, which Szklarska Poręba can boast, is still in operation. Attractions for adults include a hot glassmaking workshop, where participants form their own product from a liquid glass mass that reaches a temperature of 1,200 degrees Celsius. For safety reasons, children are not allowed to take part in this workshop. For them, but also for the older ones, the glassworks has instead prepared a glass decorating workshop. It is a great idea to create your own souvenir.

Not sure what else to visit? Szklarska Poręba, tourist attractions and beautiful views are a perfect combination! And if you wanted to combine all this into a route rich in monuments? There are two such proposals in Szklarska Poręba.

The Magical Trail of the Mountain Spirit

The Magical Trail of the Mountain Spirit is an interactive trail with fairy-tale touches, the idea for which was devised by local sculptor, Maciej Wokan. The starting package for the game, which consists of a guide, notebook and crayon, can be purchased at the Tourist Information Centre in Szklarska Poreba, located at 1A Jedności Narodowej Street.

The trail route includes 16 points, the common denominator of which is Szklarska Poręba. Attractions are marked with special symbols, which must be reproduced by pressing paper and drawing on it with a crayon. Among the sights and places of interest, you will find many of those described in this article. These include:

• Esplanade amusement park

• Wlastimilowka

• Golden View

• Wobbling Stone

• Szklarki waterfall

• Forest Ironworks

• Mineralogical Museum

• Cuckoo Rocks

• Snowy Cauldrons

• Kamieńczyk Waterfall

In order not to make the hike to all the points too exhausting, the trail was designed to be completed in three days, but of course the route and its pace can be adjusted to one's own possibilities, time and weather conditions. Once the conqueror has mapped out all the pictograms, he or she will receive a certificate of completion of the Magic Trail of the Mountain Spirit at the Tourist Information Centre, as well as a small gift!

The Walloon Trail

The Trail of the Walloon is the second didactic trail offered by Szklarska Poreba. Tourist attractions on this route are arranged in a loop, so that you can visit as much as possible. The Walloon Trail brings us closer to the history of gemstone prospectors in the area. On the trail you will also visit the places described in this article. It also partly overlaps with points on the Magic Trail of the Mountain Spirit. Among them:

• Szklarki waterfall

• JUNA Earth Museum

• Wlastimilowka

• Golden View

• Wobbling Stone

The trail was laid out in 2010 and its total length is 7 kilometres. The route is easy and can be followed by tourists of all ages, although due to the multitude of information boards and themes, older tourists will definitely have a better time here.

As you can see from the above examples, the attractions of Szklarska Poręba are numerous and varied. Everyone will find something for themselves here, regardless of age and interests, and the town can be visited at any time of the year. When considering what Szklarska Poręba offers, what to visit and where to spend time, it is necessary to check the opening hours and days of individual attractions. These can change very dynamically, so it is best to check such data directly at the place we want to go, either online or by phone.