The Krkonoše Mountains are famous for their picturesque waterfalls, which are a must-see on any mountain hike. The two most famous of them - Szklarki Waterfall and Kamieńczyk Waterfall - delight tourists with their beauty and power of nature.

The Szklarki waterfall, located in the valley of the Szklarka stream, is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls in the Polish Karkonosze Mountains. Water falls here from a height of 13.3 meters, creating a spectacular sight especially after heavy rainfall. A comfortable path of about 1.5 kilometers leads to the waterfall, starting at the parking lot near the Kochanówka chalet. The route is easy and accessible even to less experienced hikers, making the Szklarki Waterfall an ideal place for a family outing. There is a viewing platform around the waterfall, from which you can admire the falling cascade of water. Interestingly, the waterfall has a fascinating history - back in the 19th century it was a popular tourist attraction, and there was a glassworks in the area, which gave its name to the stream and the waterfall itself.

Slightly more challenging, but equally stunning, is the Kamienczyk Waterfall - the highest waterfall on the Polish side of the Karkonosze Mountains. The water here cascades down three steps from a height of 27 meters. The waterfall is located in a picturesque gorge, which was formed as a result of the erosive activity of the Kamienczyk stream. To reach this natural wonder, one must set out from Szklarska Poreba along the green trail, which leads through a beautiful forest. It is worth knowing that during the tourist season (usually from May to October) admission to the waterfall is paid, and the facility is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A special attraction is the metal stairs carved into the rock, which lead to the lower part of the waterfall and the caves behind the curtain of falling water. The place is also shrouded in legends - according to one of them, the Walloons, medieval mineral prospectors, hid their treasures in the caves behind the waterfall.

The two waterfalls differ not only in height, but also in character. Szklarka Waterfall is more accessible and less demanding in terms of fitness, making it ideal for families with children and the elderly. Kamieńczyk Waterfall, on the other hand, offers more wild and rugged beauty, and the route to it requires a bit more effort. However, the effort is worth it, as the views compensate for every drop of sweat.

It is interesting to note that both waterfalls have been used as movie sets on several occasions. The most famous example is the movie tale 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Old Wardrobe', where the Kamienczyk Waterfall served as a backdrop for several scenes. This is an additional reason to visit these places and feel like a character in a movie adventure.

Snow Cauldrons is one of the most spectacular places in the entire Giant Mountains, which impresses with its monumental form and geological uniqueness. These two post-glacial cauldrons, the Great and Small Snowy Cauldrons, were formed by glacial activity in the Pleistocene and are a true paradise for lovers of nature, geology and breathtaking views.

The Snowy Cauldrons are located at an altitude of about 1400-1490 meters above sea level and are characterized by impressive rock walls that drop almost vertically to a depth of more than 100 meters. This unusual geological formation is one of the most valuable elements of the Karkonosze landscape and is strictly protected within the Karkonosze National Park. The Great Snowy Cauldron has a diameter of about 800 meters, while the Small Snowy Cauldron is slightly smaller, with a diameter of about 600 meters.

Several hiking trails of varying difficulty lead to the Snowy Cauldrons. The most popular is the red trail from Szklarska Pass through Szrenica, which offers unforgettable views of the entire Karkonosze range. This route, although demanding in terms of fitness, rewards tourists with a panorama that remains in the memory for a long time. An alternative option is to take the cable car to Szrenica from Szklarska Poreba, and then follow the red trail to the viewpoint above the Snowy Cauldrons.

Snowy Cauldrons is not only a geological peculiarity, but also a place of unique flora and fauna. In this harsh, high-mountain environment, rare plant species can be found, including post-glacial relics that have survived here since the last glaciation. One such species is the snow scalpet, which in Poland is found only in the Karkonosze Mountains. In spring and summer, the cauldrons are decorated with colorful alpine flowers, creating an unusual contrast with the rugged rocks.

There are also fascinating legends associated with the place. According to one, the Snowy Cauldrons were home to the Mountain Spirit, Karkonosz (also known as Liczyrzepa or Rübezahl), a mythical figure who guarded treasures hidden in the mountains and could control the weather. Legends tell that when the Mountain Spirit was angry, he sent violent storms and fogs that led travelers astray. Today, it is still said that sudden weather changes in the Giant Mountains are the work of the capricious Mountain Spirit.

It's worth knowing that, for conservation reasons, descending to the cauldrons themselves is forbidden - they can only be admired from vantage points on the edge. The best time to visit the Snowy Cauldrons is from late spring to early autumn, when the trails are free of snow and visibility is best. In winter, the area is particularly dangerous due to avalanche danger and should only be visited by experienced hikers with appropriate equipment.

The Snowy Cauldrons is a place where you can experience the true power of nature and feel small against the monumental landscape. It is also an excellent point from which to view the Czech side of the Karkonosze Mountains, allowing you to appreciate the cross-border nature of this mountain range and understand why the area deserves to be called one of the most beautiful places on the Polish-Czech border.

The Karkonosze National Park (KPN), established in 1959, is a priceless natural treasure on the map of Poland and Europe. Covering an area of more than 5,500 hectares, it protects the most valuable ecosystems of the highest Sudeten range. The park, together with its Czech counterpart (KRNAP - Krkonošský národní park), forms a transboundary nature conservation area, which in 1992 was recognized by UNESCO as the Karkonosze/Krkonoše Bilateral Biosphere Reserve.

The Krkonoše National Park is characterized by a unique overstory vegetation system, typical of high mountains. Wandering along the park's trails, one can observe a distinct change in ecosystems - from the lower regiel with dominant beech forests, through the upper regiel with spruce forests, to the subalpine floor with dwarf pine and the alpine floor with grassland vegetation. This diversity of habitats makes the park home to many rare and protected species of plants and animals. Particularly valuable are the high-mountain peat bogs, which are among the best preserved in Central Europe.

One of the most valuable areas of the KPN is Równia pod Śnieżką - a vast topland where one can admire unique subarctic peatlands with characteristic tundra vegetation. This place is often called 'Polish tundra', as the climatic conditions here resemble those of the far north. In spring and summer, the Plain delights with the colors of flowering herbs and shrubs, including cowberry and blueberry.

The park offers a dense network of hiking trails of varying difficulty to explore its most interesting corners. The most popular trails lead to Sněžka (1,603 meters above sea level) - the highest peak of the Giant Mountains and Sudetenland, to the aforementioned Snowy Cirques and to picturesque waterfalls. For less experienced tourists, educational paths such as 'Forest Ecosystems' or 'Szrenice Wetlands' are an excellent option, providing an accessible introduction to the park's natural wealth.

It is worth knowing that the Karkonosze National Park is working hard to protect and regenerate ecosystems that have suffered in the past due to air pollution and improper forest management. One of its greatest successes is the restoration of natural spruce forests, which were severely damaged by the so-called "ecological disaster" in the 1980s. Today, thanks to the efforts of scientists and foresters, these forests are slowly regaining their natural character.

For geology lovers, the park offers real treasures in the form of rock formations such as Pielgrzymy, Sunflower and Three Pigs. These granite outcrops, shaped by millions of years of erosion, take on fanciful shapes that spark the imagination and are the subject of many local legends. Also of particular interest are the post-glacial cauldrons, which testify to the glacial past of these mountains.

When visiting the Karkonosze National Park, it is worth remembering the rules that help protect this unique place. Travelling only on marked trails, not picking up plants and not disturbing animals are the basic rules that, if followed, help preserve the park's natural beauty for future generations. A fee is charged for entry to the park, which goes towards conservation efforts and maintenance of tourist infrastructure.

The Karkonosze National Park is not only a place for active recreation, but also a living lesson in nature and geology. It is a space where you can experience the harmony between man and nature and understand the importance of protecting natural heritage. Each season reveals a different face of the park - from a winter fairy tale, to a spring explosion of life, summer richness of color, to an autumn symphony of colors. Regardless of when you decide to visit the Krkonoše Mountains, the park will always offer an unforgettable experience and the opportunity for deep contact with wildlife.