Rock formation of the Giant Mountains: stone carvings and legend

One of the most recognizable elements of the landscape of the Krkonoše Mountains are the amazing rock formations, rising as high as twenty-five meters in the midst of the forest. A total of about one hundred and fifty rock groups and individual rocks form a unique in the country complex of natural stone sculptures of various forms and heights, which, due to their fantastic shape and the legends associated with them, have taken individual names such as Pielgrzymy, Słonecznik or Końskie Łby.

Glacial basins and waterfalls of the Giant Mountains: natural mountain wonders

Glacier kettles, which are huge rocky depressions surrounded on three sides by steep slopes, are also incredibly impressive. In the Karkonosze, the most spectacular are the twin Snowy Cauldrons, as well as the Great Pond and Little Pond Cauldrons with the beautifully located Samotnia hostel. If we add to this numerous streams, waterfalls headed by the Kamieńczyk Waterfall and Szklarki Waterfall, as well as rich fauna, including wolves, lynx or mouflons, we get a wonderful, rich land ideal for a holiday or winter holidays.

Karkonosze Mountains: an adventure with nature and architectural monuments

However, the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze) are not just about nature and landscapes; they are also a region full of architectural landmarks and picturesque towns. It’s worth visiting the beautiful town of Jelenia Góra with its spa town of Cieplice; Szklarska Poręba, chosen by Polish Radio Program III as the Winter Capital of Poland; and Karpacz, known for the Wang Temple and a popular destination year-round. Chojnik Castle (Zamek Chojnik ) on Mount Chojnik, near Jelenia Góra, also offers a spectacular view.

The Jizera Mountains: a picturesque region on the border of Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany

The Jizera Mountains, along with their foothills, constitute the westernmost part of the Polish Sudetes, through which the borders with the Czech Republic and Germany run. The highest peak of the Jizera Mountains is Wysoka Kopa (1,126 m above sea level), rising in the Grzbiet Wysoki (High Ridge). The picturesque, captivating landscape of the Jizera Mountains is dominated by wide valleys and hills with elongated, gentle slopes. The four major rivers flowing through them: the Izera, Kwisa, Kamienica, and Kamienna, in some sections have the rushing currents characteristic of mountain rivers, while in others they gently meander in a typically flat manner. The extensive peat bogs, the oldest of which are up to 10,000 years old, are overgrown with many unique plant species, protected by four nature reserves: “Torfowiska Doliny Jizery”, “Krokusy w Górzyniec”, “Grądy koło Posady” and the forest-flower reserve “Góra Zamkowa”.

An excellent destination for skiing and bicycle tourism

The Jizera Mountains are attractive to tourists all year round. In winter it is a mecca for cross-country skiers with a network of perfectly groomed trails on both sides of the border, accessible via tourist border crossings, while in summer it is a region where many two-wheeled enthusiasts can be found. Large sections of these mountains feature flattened peaks and large tracts of nearly level terrain, providing excellent opportunities for planning varied bicycle routes. Tourist traffic is concentrated in two towns: Swieradow-Zdroj and Szklarska Poreba, part of which is Jakuszyce with the famous Jakuszycka Glade.