Overview
One of Europe’s most underrated and yet totally exquisite mountain ranges, the Karkonosze Mountains, are at the centre of this seven day, self-guided walking holiday in Poland. Protected by Karkonosze National Park, up on the Czech-Polish border, this is a landscape of untouched alpine meadows, traditional mountain villages, stone ridges with colossal views, waterfalls and magnificent cirque lakes. The highlight for many is the summit trek of Mount Sněžka (1,603m), the highest peak in the range, right on the border with the Czech Republic (Czechia). The tour comes to a close in the historic city of Wroclaw, for a final treat of Polish cultural heritage.
- Karkonosze National Park
- Śnieżne Kotły Cirques
- Wielki Staw and Maly Staw Lakes
- Summit trek of Mount Sněžka
- Wroclaw
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Szklarska Poręba
Arrive in Szklarska Poręba which is at the foot of Mount Szrenica, at the western end of Karkonosze National Park, and a perfect traditional village to be your starting base for the next three nights.
- Accommodation: Boutique Eco Hotel Sasanka or similar in Szklarska Poręba
Day 2: Śnieżne Kotły Cirques | 21km
Start by walking on the main Karkonosze ridge to Mount Labski Szczyt (1,472m). The trail then continues to the two glacier cirques of Śnieżne Kotły and four viewpoints. Then follow the same way back to Szklarska Poręba.
- Walking for the day: 21km, 7-8h, ↑829m ↓829m
- Accommodation: Boutique Eco Hotel Sasanka or similar in Szklarska Poręba
Day 3: Circular walk to Mount Szrenica | 17km
After breakfast, walk the ridges towards Mount Szrenica (1,361m), with excellent views of Jelenia Góra Valley, the Jizera Mountains and Czech Karkonosze Mountains. Along the way, pass by two cosy mountain cabins, Schronisko Kamieńczyk and Schronisko PTTK na Hali Szrenickiej, perfect for rests and views. Continue on the main ridge path to descend through the forest back to Szklarska Poręba. On the way back, there is another mountain cabin for another rest stop.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 5-7h, ↑769m ↓770m
- Accommodation: Boutique Eco Hotel Sasanka or similar in Szklarska Poręba
Day 4: Wang Church – Karpacz | 17km
You are transferred to Wang Church (40mins), where the walk begins. The trail takes you next to Wielki Staw Lake at 1,228m, the largest glacial cirque lake in the Karkonosze Mountains. Continue along the main ridge with views to Maly Staw Lake and Strzecha Akademicka, one of the oldest mountain chalets in the area, built in 1907. This is a lovely spot to take a rest before descending to Karpacz.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 6-7h, ↑582m ↓840m
- Accommodation: Hotel Relaks Wellness & Spa or similar in Karpacz
Day 5: Mount Sněžka | 17km
Today you are summiting Mount Sněžka (1,603m), the highest peak in the Karkonosze Mountains. Start by heading towards Łomniczka Waterfall, from where you continue the steep ascent to the top, on the border with the Czech Republic. From the summit, walk back towards Karpacz on a different trail through the Bialy Jar area.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 5-6h, ↑979m ↓984m
- Accommodation: Hotel Relaks Wellness & Spa or similar in Karpacz
Day 6: Karpacz – Wroclaw
A private transfer takes you to Wroclaw (2h), the capital of Lower Silesia. This city has a unique architectural and cultural makeup, starting with Rynek market square. We recommend visiting Racławice Panorama, a vast panoramic painting of the Battle of Racławice, the historic Ostrów Tumski quarter, where you can also visit Wrocław Cathedral.
- Accommodation: Europeum Hotel or similar in Wroclaw
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast or extra nights in Wroclaw available upon request.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of 3-star locally-owned hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to natural adventures. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view our default hotels
- Boutique Eco Hotel Sasanka (Szklarska Poręba)
- Hotel Relaks Wellness & Spa (Karpacz)
- Europeum Hotel (Wroclaw)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your accommodation the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for experienced walkers (no high mountain experience required) and requires a good level of fitness (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
The tour is available from June to the end of September. As July and August are the busiest months, you should book as early as possible. The climate is mostly of a mountain and alpine character. Windy weather is typical, and during summer afternoon rainstorms are usual. The average temperatures vary from 15C in June to 20C in August. The highest precipitation occurs in June.
For more information on travelling in Poland, please visit our blog Best time to go to Poland.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Wroclaw Airport (WRO).
By train or bus
- Wroclaw Airport – Wroclaw: Bus 106 will take you straight into the city centre (every 20 mins). To get back to the airport, take the same bus from Dworcowa Street bus stop, near the main railway station. The journey time is approximately 30mins.
- There are regular bus and train connections from Wroclaw to Szklarska Poręba (please note that you need to go to Szklarska Poręba Górna bus or train station). For timetables and further information, visit Flixbus, Lower Silesian Railways or use the Omio planner above. The journey time is approximately 3h – 3h 30mins.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation in 3-star hotels (private en-suite rooms)
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between the accommodations
- Transfer from Szklarska Poręba to Borowice on day four
- Transfer from Karpacz to Wroclaw on day six
- Detailed digital pre-departure holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and road note; maps with daily routes and optional hikes marked
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Any transfers not listed as included
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights are available upon request.
