Karkonosze (also called Giant Mountains) are the highest and largest mountain chain in Sudetes mountain system. Located in the south - western Poland on the border with the Czech Republic. Karkonosze area is approximately 650 km2 of which over 2/3 is located on the Czech Republic side. But the highest peak Śnieżka (1602 m. above sea-level ) and many attractions such as Śnieżne Kotły (glacial cirques called: Snow boilers), most interesting rock formations, waterfalls are located in the Polish part of Karkonosze. The entire Sudetes mountain system, thus also Karkonosze are the oldest mountains in Poland. Formation of the Sudetes has started in the Precambrian era about 650 million years ago.
Currently, the entire main ridge of the Karkonosze is subject to strict protection. In 1933 nature reserves were established. They included glacial cirques: Śnieżne Kotły (Snow Boilers), Kocioł Małego Stawu (Little Pond Boiler), Kocioł Małego Stawu (Great Pond Boiler). The Karkonosze National Park was established in 1959. Karkonosze has probably the best  developed and extensive network of shelters in comparison to other mountain ranges in Poland.
This is caused by the fact that over the main ridge runs the state border, so Poland has a lot of shelters on its side and the Czech Republic as well. I counted 16 shelters on the main, red marked trail, (within half an hour away from the trail in both directions) from the Szrenicka alp to Okraj pass. A curiosity encounter at the main trail are imaginative state border posts.

Small gallery with state border posts below:



The main transport hub in Karkonosze is Jelenia Góra town. Buses and trains from various places in Poland run here. Jelenia Góra has a good connection to bigger city - Wroclaw. From Wroclaw to Jelenia are some buses a day. From Jelenia Góra You can easily get a bus to the mountain towns: Szklarska Poręba and Karpacz. If You have a few hours of free time, e.g. waiting for a bus, You can take a walk in the Jelenia Gora. It is one of the largest cities in the Lower Silesia region (Dolny Śląsk), the traffic is routed edging, so the city center is very calm and walkers friendly. From the railway station and bus station to the old market, there is about 15 minutes walk.

A photo gallery from Jelenia Gora:


Szklarska Poreba and Karpacz as a typical tourist towns have a well developed accommodation base. Many little hotels, guesthouses and private accommodation offer something for everyone. I don't recommend anything, because we did not use the accommodation in these destinations, we slept in mountain chalets. An interesting alternative (depending on your time and approach routes) is an accomodation in Michałowice and in the ruins of Chojnik Castle.

Below photos of hostels where we slept, ate and drank:


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