Sniezka (1,603 meters above sea level) - the highest peak of Karkonosze and the entire Sudetes - has been attracting tourists for centuries with its majestic appearance and unique location on the Polish-Czech border. This distinctive dome-shaped mountain, visible from many kilometers away, was formed as a result of glacial activity during the Ice Age. Its summit, often shrouded in fog and clouds, is home to harsh weather conditions for an average of 296 days a year, and winds can reach speeds of more than 200 km/h.

The road to the top of Sněžka offers several variants, the most popular of which leads from Karpacz via the Wang Temple and the Strzecha Akademicka hostel. This trail, marked with red signs, takes about 3-4 hours and allows you to admire the changing floors of vegetation - from the lower regiel, through the upper regiel, to the subalpine and alpine floors. An alternative route is the blue trail from Karpacz through Glade and Sunflower, slightly longer, but less steep and offering equally fascinating views.

At the top of Sněžka is the characteristic building of the meteorological observatory, resembling flying saucers in shape. The observatory, in continuous operation since 1974, replaced an earlier wooden structure from 1900. Next to it stands the St. Lawrence Chapel of 1681 - the highest-altitude temple in Poland, a testament to centuries of human presence in these harsh mountain conditions.

Sněžka is inextricably linked with the figure of the Mountain Spirit - Karkonosze (also known as Liczyrzepa or Rübezahl), the legendary ruler of these mountains. According to legends, this powerful spirit lived in an underground palace beneath Sněžka, guarding treasures hidden in the mountains and controlling the weather. Sometimes he helped stray hikers and poor residents, other times he played tricks and punished the greedy. One legend tells how Karkonosz fell in love with a beautiful princess and, to win her, turned turnips into horses and servants. When the spell wore off, he had to count all the turnips in his garden - hence his German name Rübezahl (counting turnips).

It's worth knowing that conditions on Snow Mountain can change rapidly. Even on a summer sunny day, the temperature can drop by a dozen degrees and visibility can be limited to a few meters. Therefore, an expedition to the summit requires adequate preparation - sturdy footwear, warm clothing and a supply of water. Despite these challenges, conquering Sněžka remains an unforgettable experience, rewarding the effort of climbing with panoramic views of the Polish and Czech sides of the Giant Mountains, and, in exceptionally good weather, even the distant Sudeten ranges and the Central Massif.

The Snowy Cauldrons are one of the most spectacular geological formations in the Giant Mountains, providing living testimony to the glacial past of these mountains. These two impressive post-glacial cauldrons, the Great and Small Snowy Cauldrons, were formed some 12,000 years ago as a result of erosive glacial activity. Their steep, near-vertical walls plunge more than 100 meters deep, creating a remarkable landscape reminiscent of alpine formations. Located at an altitude of about 1,400 meters above sea level, on the northern slopes of the Great Szyszak, they are a unique nature reserve protected within the Karkonosze National Park.

Several trails lead to the Snowy Cauldrons, the most picturesque of which leads from Szklarska Poreba via Szrenica. This route, marked by red signs, offers unforgettable views of the Czech side of the mountains and the characteristic Karkonosze peat bogs. The hike takes about 3-4 hours one way and requires good fitness due to the significant differences in altitude. An alternative option is the yellow trail from Przesieka via Borowice, slightly longer but less demanding.

The Snowy Cauldrons are a true paradise for botanists and geologists. They are home to a unique alpine flora, including rare relict plant species that have survived here since the Ice Age. You can find such rarities as snow scalpet, Karkonosze bellflower and mountain rhododendron. The walls of the cauldrons reveal the fascinating geological structure of the Giant Mountains, revealing layers of granite and basalt. Of particular interest is the basalt pillar in the Small Snowy Cauldron - the only such trace of ancient volcanic activity in the Giant Mountains.

On the other hand, the Kamienczyk Waterfall, the highest waterfall on the Polish side of Karkonosze (water fall of 27 meters), is another pearl of the region. Located in the picturesque Kamienczyk Gorge near Szklarska Poreba, it is fed by the waters of the stream of the same name. The waterfall consists of three cascades, the highest of which is about 8 meters high. The water falls through a narrow crevice, creating a spectacular sight, especially in spring during snowmelt or after heavy rainfall.

A convenient path leads to the waterfall from Szklarska Poreba (about 1.5 km), and the site itself is available for a small entrance fee (price: average). It is worth knowing that in the immediate vicinity of the waterfall is the adit of a former pyrite mine, which can also be visited with a guide. The Kamienczyk waterfall is surrounded by legends related to the Mountain Spirit. According to one of them, in a cave behind the waterfall Karkonosz hid his treasures, and the entrance is guarded by guards enchanted in stone.

It is interesting to note that both the Snowy Cauldrons and the Kamienczyk Waterfall have been film sets for many productions, including the cult fairy tale 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Old Wardrobe'. The raw, wild beauty of these places perfectly reflected the magical atmosphere of the literary original.

While wandering along the trails leading to these unusual formations, it is worth noting the natural phenomena characteristic of Karkonosze - the gołoborza (stony fields), high peat bogs and subalpine meadows called halls. The latter, covered with lush vegetation in summer, are a remnant of the ancient pastoral economy that shaped the landscape of these mountains for centuries. Today, thanks to protection within the national park, we can admire these unique ecosystems in a state close to natural.

Karkonosze National Park, established in 1959, is a priceless nature reserve protecting the most valuable ecosystems of the highest range of the Sudeten Mountains. Covering an area of more than 5,500 hectares, the park protects unique geological formations, rare species of plants and animals, and landscapes characteristic of the Giant Mountains shaped by Pleistocene glaciers. It is worth noting that, together with its Czech counterpart (Krkonošský národní park), it forms a transboundary nature conservation area, recognized by UNESCO as a Bilateral Biosphere Reserve.

The biodiversity of the park is impressive - scientists have identified more than 15,000 species of invertebrates and more than 320 species of vertebrates here. The park is an important breeding and migration area for about 200 species of birds and nearly 60 species of mammals. Among the rare inhabitants of the Giant Mountains are the mouflon, introduced here in the 19th century, the skittish lynx, and numerous species of bats. Of the birds, noteworthy are the black grouse, owl, hairy owl and collar thrush.

The flora of the park is equally rich and varied. A clear zonation can be observed in the plant floors - from the lower regale with mixed forests, through the upper regale dominated by spruce, to the subalpine floor with dwarf pine and alpine with grasslands and tundra plant communities. Particularly valuable are the relict species of the Ice Age, which have survived in isolated enclaves such as the Snowy Cauldrons and Little Pond. Among the park's botanical treasures are the Karkonosze bellflower, Sudetenland gnidosh and snow scalpet.

One of the most characteristic elements of the landscape of the Karkonosze National Park are the raised bogs, also known as subalpine bogs. These unique ecosystems, formed as a result of specific climatic and hydrological conditions, are home to many rare plant species, including various species of peat bogs, round-leaved sundew or vaginal woolly adelgid. Peatlands also perform an important function in regulating water relations, acting as natural retention reservoirs.

The park offers extensive tourist infrastructure, including some 550 kilometers of hiking trails of varying difficulty. For those interested in nature education, two main centers are available: Karkonosze Environmental Education Center in Szklarska Poreba and the 'Hunting Lodge' Information and Education Center in Karpacz. Especially noteworthy is the 'Virtual Karkonosze' exhibit in Szklarska Poreba, offering an interactive experience of the region's natural wealth.

While wandering along the park's trails, it is worth noting the numerous elements of cultural heritage, such as old shepherd's huts, remnants of historic mining or stone border embankments. These traces of human activity, harmoniously blended into the mountain landscape, remind us of the centuries-long history of human coexistence with the rugged nature of the Karkonosze.

When visiting the Karkonosze National Park, it is important to remember the rules of nature conservation. Moving only on designated trails, not harvesting plants and not disturbing animals are the basic rules whose observance helps preserve this unique ecosystem for future generations. There is a small fee to enter the park (price: low), and tickets can be purchased at information desks or from foresters on the trails.

It is worth planning a visit to the park with the seasons in mind - each season offers different attractions. Spring delights with blossoming meadows and awakening nature, summer is the ideal time for longer hikes, autumn enchants with the fever of colors of the Karkonosze forests, and winter transforms the mountains into a fairyland, offering opportunities for cross-country skiing and skydiving on designated trails.