fot. Lech_Darski / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Exactly 665 stone stairs, made at the beginning of the 19th century by the then mayor of Karłów, Franz Pablo (in gratitude for his contribution to the development of mountain tourism in the Sudetes, in one of the rocks next to the shelter in Szczeliniec, commemorating F. Pablo’s blackboard). Walking along the winding trail from Karłów to the top of Szczeliniec should not take much more than half an hour, because it is not relatively low height that makes it attractive. The reason why the Stołowe Mountains are considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the Sudetes is another – the cracks and fissures that formed in the Szczeliniec massif (Wielki and Mały) during centuries of erosion of sedimentary rocks, create amazing rock formations, gorges and labyrinths here . And so before we reach the flat top of the mountain, we will pass, for example, the Bear, the Needle’s Ear, the Ringing Stone and the Lamb – and these are only the first of many similar attractions. Further on, the trail leads to the Throne of Liczyrzepa (sometimes called Fotel Pradziada – lit. Grandfather Armchair), the highest point in Szczeliniec, from which there is an extraordinary view of the  Karkonosze and the Bystrzyckie Mountains. Nearby, there are other groups of rocks – Kaczęta, Małpolud or Wielbłąd. To descend from the top, we will first go through the Devil’s Kitchen (Diabelska Kuchnia), from which the path will lead us through a narrow gap to Hell (Piekło) (the deepest chasm in the massif). There are also viewing platforms in the south-eastern part of the hill (so called Niebo – Heaven) and other rocks – Kołyska, Kwoka or Koński Łeb.

Calm and safe crossing of the trail takes approx. 90 minutes.