The Falcon Mountains – climbing with great views

Where to go on a day trip to spend time actively, and at the same time enjoy the eye with wonderful views? We have a suggestion! It is the Sokol Mountains, belonging to the Rudawy Janowickie, specifically Krzyzna Mountain and Sokolik. It will be active, it will be beautiful, but there will also be a place for relaxation and rest. So let’s pack our backpacks and hit the road. Lower Silesia is waiting to be discovered!

The Falcon Mountains are beloved by climbers. The numerous rocks here provide plenty of opportunities to climb and experience a real adventure. We, however, will focus on the hiking route. We can start our hike to Krzyzna Gora and Sokolik in Trzcinsk (leaving the car there, e.g. near the church) and from there, passing the river and following the trail, head to the Szwajcarka Hostel. We can also shorten the route and drive by car all the way to the parking lot near the hostel itself.

It is in the Swiss that we recommend stopping to gather strength, relax, have pancakes or hot coffee. What is the uniqueness of this place? Szwajcarka is the only all-wooden hostel in the Sudety Mountains, which has retained its original shape and appearance. It is also the oldest of its kind in Poland. Szwajcarka received its name in honor of the wife of the first owner Wilhelm von Hohenzollern. The building initially served as a hunting lodge and occasional office of its owner. Only later, when the route leading to Krzyzna Mountain became very popular, Szwajcarka began to serve as a tourist hostel. Today there is a PTTK hostel in it, from where we start our hike to Krzyzna Gora and Sokolik.

Following the trail from the hostel, you will come to a fork that leads to two peaks. Both are worth a visit and are located in close proximity to each other. The first trail leads to Krzyzna Mountain, the second to Sokolik. Let’s climb both hills in turn.

Krzyzna Mountain (654 meters above sea level) is the highest elevation of the Sokol Mountains. Formerly known as Sokola Gora, it received its current name due to the seven-meter-high cross placed on its summit. The iron cross on the mountain was dedicated on May 28, 1832, and was founded by Princess Maria Anna Amalie von Hessen-Homburg to commemorate her husband’s birthday. The climb to the top is quite steep, but the climb is made easier by stone steps. It is worth the effort, as the view is simply fabulous.

The second peak the trail will lead us to (when we return from Krzyzna Mountain to the fork) is the 644-meter-high Sokolik. Sokolik. A metal staircase leads to its top (beware it’s quite cramped), and from the top, where there is a vantage point, there is a beautiful panorama of the Karkonosze, the Kaczawskie Mountains and the Jeleniogórska Valley. You can also see perfectly Krzyżna Mountain, from which we descended not long ago.

The Sokol Mountains are a paradise for climbers, hikers and entire families. They are inviting with the already popular Krzyzna Mountain and Sokolik, but also with Browarówka or Rudzik. It is worth getting to know these peaks better and go on your own hike. Toward an active adventure!

Actively

For your health

Heritage

Out in nature

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