Główny Szlak Sudecki
Encyclopedia
Główny Szlak Sudecki (full name Główny Szlak Sudecki im. Mieczysława Orłowicza) – public hiking trail in Poland
running along the Sudetes. The total length of this route is 350 km and the approximate time to cover it varies between 87 and 90 hours. The trail was constructed in 1947 and throughout its history has been several times modified. It is marked red.
. In Szklarska Poręba
it enters Karkonosze
, the highest mountain range on its way. For the next 20 km it merges with the Polish - Czech Friendship Trail at Szrenica
and runs on the main ridge along Polish and Czech border, to reach its culminating point, the highest peak in the Sudetes - Śnieżka. The path then descends to Karpacz
and leads through another mountain range - Rudawy Janowickie
. Having passed Krzeszów
, the Stone Mountains
and Owl Mountains
the trail enters the area of the Kłodzko Valley and runs along the ridge of the Table Mountains
with its reserves, spas such as Polanica-Zdrój, Duszniki-Zdrój
and Kudowa-Zdrój
and the Table Mountains National Park, one of the youngest national parks in Poland. Then it inclines to the north to run through the Śnieżnik Mountains
, the second highest point on the route, then along the Golden Mountains. The trail finishes in Paczków
, although for several years there has been a detached part in Prudnik
(Opawskie Mountains
).
s (Karkonosze
) as well as dangerous marsh
es (Table Mountains
). It does not involve any kind of advanced climbing, neither the mountain ranges are steep, nevertheless the long distance hiking requires advenced preparations. In the most difficult parts climbing aids are provided. The trail has numerous junctions with other trails and public paths, in Karkonosze it is accessible through chairlift
s both from Polish and Czech sides. There are many mountain huts and small hotels, espacially in the western and middle part, although some of them offer only common sleeping rooms and refreshments. Polish mountain huts are obliged to overnight each person, who is not able to find any other place before sunset or in emergency, although in rough conditions.
Booking in advance is recommended. Most of huts are run by the PTTK
- Polish National Tourist Society. Refreshments and organised forms of catering are available on each part of the trail, although it is recommended to have own food.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
running along the Sudetes. The total length of this route is 350 km and the approximate time to cover it varies between 87 and 90 hours. The trail was constructed in 1947 and throughout its history has been several times modified. It is marked red.
Towns and landmarks on the trail
The trail starts in Świeradów Zdrój in the Jizera MountainsJizera Mountains
Jizera Mountains , or Izera Mountains, are part of the Western Sudetes on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland. The major part is formed from granite, with some areas formed from basalt. The mountains got their name from the Jizera River, which rises at the southern base of Smrk...
. In Szklarska Poręba
Szklarska Poreba
Szklarska Poręba is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. The town has a population of around 7,000...
it enters Karkonosze
Karkonosze
Krkonoše is a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system . The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge...
, the highest mountain range on its way. For the next 20 km it merges with the Polish - Czech Friendship Trail at Szrenica
Szrenica
Szrenica is a mountain peak situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park. Its name originates from the Polish word szron . There is a weather station situated close to the summit. The peak is deforested, both the southern and the...
and runs on the main ridge along Polish and Czech border, to reach its culminating point, the highest peak in the Sudetes - Śnieżka. The path then descends to Karpacz
Karpacz
Karpacz is a spa town and ski resort in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland, and one of the most important centres for mountain hiking and skiing, including ski jumping. Its population is about 5,000...
and leads through another mountain range - Rudawy Janowickie
Rudawy Janowickie
The Rudawy Janowickie is a mountain range in Western Sudetes in Poland....
. Having passed Krzeszów
Krzeszów, Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Krzeszów is a village in the Middle Sudetes in south-western Poland. It is part of the administrative district of Gmina Kamienna Góra, within Kamienna Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship .The village lies approximately south of Kamienna Góra, and south-west of the regional capital Wrocław...
, the Stone Mountains
Stone Mountains
The Stone Mountains is a mountain range in Central Sudetes on the border of the Czech Republic and Poland....
and Owl Mountains
Owl Mountains
The Owl Mountains is a mountain range in the Central Sudetes in south-west Poland. It runs between the historic Lower Silesian region and Kłodzko Land. The range includes a protected area called Owl Mountains Landscape Park....
the trail enters the area of the Kłodzko Valley and runs along the ridge of the Table Mountains
Table Mountains
The Table Mountains are a -long mountain range in Poland and the Czech Republic, part of the Central Sudetes. The range is situated southeast of the Karkonosze. The Polish part of the range is protected as the Table Mountains National Park...
with its reserves, spas such as Polanica-Zdrój, Duszniki-Zdrój
Duszniki-Zdrój
Duszniki-Zdrój is a spa town in the Klodzko Valley on the Bystrzyca River in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. It is a notable spa town and a major tourist attraction of the area.-Economy:...
and Kudowa-Zdrój
Kudowa-Zdrój
Kudowa-Zdrój is a town situated in the foothills of the Stołowe Mountains in the southwestern part of Poland, in Kłodzko County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, about 400 m above sea level. It has a population of about 10,000...
and the Table Mountains National Park, one of the youngest national parks in Poland. Then it inclines to the north to run through the Śnieżnik Mountains
Snieznik Mountains
The Śnieżnik Mountains is a mountain range in the Eastern Sudetes on the border of the Czech Republic and Poland. On the Polish side it is largely covered by the protected area called Śnieżnik Landscape Park.Major towns and villages:* Międzygórze...
, the second highest point on the route, then along the Golden Mountains. The trail finishes in Paczków
Paczków
Paczków is a town in Nysa County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 8,226 inhabitants . It is one of the few towns in Europe in which medieval fortifications have been almost completely preserved...
, although for several years there has been a detached part in Prudnik
Prudnik
Prudnik is a town in Poland, located in the southern part of Opole Voivodeship. Its population numbers 26,400 inhabitants . It is the capital of Prudnik County.- Education :* * * II Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Prudniku...
(Opawskie Mountains
Opawskie Mountains
The Opawskie Mountains is a mountain range in the Eastern Sudetes in the Czech Republic and Poland. The Polish part of the range includes the protected area known as Opawskie Mountains Landscape Park. It is originally an area where the Opawski family was the ruler.Major towns:* Prudnik * Krnov *...
).
Tourism and hiking
The trail is accessible the whole year, although some of its parts may be closed in winter due to the possibility of avalancheAvalanche
An avalanche is a sudden rapid flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers or human activity causes a critical escalating transition from the slow equilibrium evolution of the snow pack. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the...
s (Karkonosze
Karkonosze
Krkonoše is a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system . The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge...
) as well as dangerous marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
es (Table Mountains
Table Mountains
The Table Mountains are a -long mountain range in Poland and the Czech Republic, part of the Central Sudetes. The range is situated southeast of the Karkonosze. The Polish part of the range is protected as the Table Mountains National Park...
). It does not involve any kind of advanced climbing, neither the mountain ranges are steep, nevertheless the long distance hiking requires advenced preparations. In the most difficult parts climbing aids are provided. The trail has numerous junctions with other trails and public paths, in Karkonosze it is accessible through chairlift
Chairlift
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...
s both from Polish and Czech sides. There are many mountain huts and small hotels, espacially in the western and middle part, although some of them offer only common sleeping rooms and refreshments. Polish mountain huts are obliged to overnight each person, who is not able to find any other place before sunset or in emergency, although in rough conditions.
Booking in advance is recommended. Most of huts are run by the PTTK
PTTK
Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze, PTTK, is a Polish non-governmental tourist organization founded in 1950...
- Polish National Tourist Society. Refreshments and organised forms of catering are available on each part of the trail, although it is recommended to have own food.