Szklarska Poręba Travel Guide, Poland

Most things to do in Szklarska Poręba involve walking uphill from a town that spreads along the Kamienna valley at about 440 to 886 metres. The Karkonosze rise to the south, topped here by Szrenica at 1,362 metres, while the lower Izera Mountains lie to the north. Records of glassmaking go back to the 14th century, and the logging that fed the furnaces probably gave the town its name.

By the late 19th century it had become a resort and an artists’ colony, known in German as Schreiberhau. It gets less attention than Karpacz, but it has an important advantage: a station on a railway line with services from Wrocław and across the Czech border. Snow lies for about 110 days a year on average, which supports both downhill runs at Szrenica and well-regarded cross-country trails at Jakuszyce.

Kamieńczyk Waterfall

At about 27 metres, this is the tallest waterfall in the Polish part of the Sudetes, and it drops in stages into a narrow rock gorge. The walk from town takes under an hour. It has its own ticket, around 16 zł as of late 2026, separate from the park entry fee. Dogs are not allowed here.

Szrenica

The park’s suggested loop from Turystyczna street runs about 14 km through Kamieńczyk Waterfall and Hala Szrenicka and takes most of a day. Chairlifts from the ski area can shorten the climb when they are running. The upper part is exposed, so check the wind forecast and turn around if visibility drops.

Szklarka Waterfall

This smaller waterfall lies in forest east of town and is a good choice on a day of low cloud. Allow about an hour there and back from the nearest parking. To walk back to the centre along the Kamienna, take the green trail, because the park warns that the main road has no shoulder.

The high ridge to Wielki Szyszak

Fit walkers can continue east past Szrenica along the ridge to Łabski Szczyt and Wielki Szyszak, at about 1,509 metres, and see the Snow Cirques on the way. It is a long, committing day above the treeline. Stay on the trail, and stay well back from cirque edges.

Skiing at Szrenica

Ski Arena Szrenica has around 12 km of runs, the longest about 3.5 km, making it a good choice for intermediates and a cheaper alternative to the Alps. Check current conditions and lift passes before you travel. Lifts may also close in strong wind.

Cross-country skiing at Jakuszyce

The Jakuszyce area in the upper part of town is Poland’s best-known Nordic skiing centre and the base for the Bieg Piastów ski marathon. Groomed loops run into the Izera Mountains, and it also has a station. Allow a half or full day, and expect crowds in event weeks.

Glass and art history

The house of the Hauptmann brothers and the home of the painter Wlastimil Hofman recall the town’s artists’ colony. They are small sites but make a useful rainy-day stop with about an hour each. Confirm opening hours in advance, as they can be limited.

June to September is the most dependable time to walk, with the waterfalls at their most popular in July and August. Early mornings and weekdays avoid most of the queues at Kamieńczyk. Summer storms can build quickly, and streams can rise fast after heavy rain.

December to March brings the ski season, with higher prices in the Polish winter school holidays. Late autumn can be a quiet period in the valley, but the ridge may already have ice, with temperatures feeling well below zero in the wind. April and May often bring snow up high and wet paths below.

Trains from Wrocław and Jelenia Góra stop at Szklarska Poręba Górna, the most central station, and the regional line continues through Jakuszyce to Harrachov and Liberec in the Czech Republic. Wrocław has the nearest major airport.

By car, road 3 links the town to Jelenia Góra and on to the Czech border. Parking is usually paid and can be limited, so ask your accommodation about it. The town is about 4 km end to end but hilly, so plan for walking to take longer than it looks. Check current timetables in advance.

The map above is for orientation only; the coloured lines are marked hiking trails. For navigation on the trail, use the Mapy.com tourist map, which offers offline downloads in its app, or the park’s interactive trail map. Before you set out, check the park’s daily notice for closed trails.

The upper town around Szklarska Poręba Górna station suits anyone arriving by train, with most of the shops and restaurants nearby. The area around Turystyczna street is best for skiers and hikers heading for Szrenica, since the lifts and trailheads are a short walk away.

Jakuszyce suits cross-country skiers but has few services, so bring supplies. Staffed mountain huts such as Hala Szrenicka and Kamieńczyk give a night closer to the trails. Book them early, especially at weekends, as camping is not allowed in the park.

Two days is enough for the main walks, and three give you a margin for bad weather or time in the Izera Mountains. Skiers usually stay longer.

1. Day 1: Kamieńczyk Waterfall in the morning, then Szklarka Waterfall or a town walk.
2. Day 2: The Szrenica loop, or the ridge towards Wielki Szyszak if the forecast is good.
3. Day 3: The Izera Mountains from Jakuszyce, or a rail trip to Harrachov.

Izera Mountains

This range of rounded forested hills and upland meadows offers gentler walking and fewer people than the Karkonosze, and it is known for its dark night skies. Start from Jakuszyce or take the Main Sudetes Trail north over Wysoki Kamień.

Świeradów-Zdrój

This spa town on the far side of the Izera range has a large wooden promenade hall and a gondola to Stóg Izerski. It is a full-day walk along the marked trail or a shorter trip by road.

Karpacz

The town at the other end of the range is the main base for Śnieżka and home to the Wang stave church. By road, allow about an hour, as the route goes around the mountains. Strong walkers can link the two along the ridge with a night in a hut.

Harrachov

This Czech resort just over the border is known for its ski jumps and glassmaking and can be reached by train. Carry ID, because you are crossing into another country even without border checks.