Śnieżka - trails to Śnieżka

Mount Śnieżka (1603 m above sea level), as the highest peak of the Karkonosze Mountains, the Sudetes, and the entire Lower Silesia region, has attracted crowds of mountain travel enthusiasts for years. Located right on the border with the Czech Republic, it symbolizes the Karkonosze National Park. The panorama from the summit stretches across the Jeleniogórska Valley and mountain ranges on the Czech side of the Sudetes – a view that stays in the memory for a long time.

How to get to Śnieżka?

The most convenient starting point is, of course, Karpacz. The journey from Wrocław takes less than 2 hours, and from Warsaw about five. If you travel by public transport, you can use buses, minibuses, or a seasonal train connection between Jelenia Góra and Karpacz. The trip from the hotel in Szklarska Poręba - Bergo Resort & Spa to Karpacz takes about 40 minutes by car.

Trails to Śnieżka – which route to choose?

Annually, Śnieżka welcomes nearly half a million tourists, most of whom choose routes from the Polish side. On sunny days, the summit is visited by even several thousand people daily, making it one of the most frequently visited spots in the Sudetes.

The variety of trails to Śnieżka means that everyone – from beginners to experienced hikers – will find something for themselves.

Trails to Śnieżka:

The shortest trail to Śnieżka – via Biały Jar and Kopa - the easiest trail to Śnieżka with a child

This is the most accessible and most frequently chosen route. Starting from Karpacz and the possibility to shorten the ascent thanks to the Zbyszek cable car make this path exceptionally comfortable. The trail first goes along the blue, then the red markings through Kopa to the summit.

• Start: Olimpijska Street, cable car station
  
  

• Hiking time to Śnieżka: on foot approx. 2.5 hours, with cable car – 1 hour
  
  

• Difficulty: moderate
  
  

• Views: panorama of the Karkonosze Mountains
  
  

• Ideal choice: to Śnieżka with a child or for tourists with limited fitness
  
  

The most beautiful trail to Śnieżka – via the Wang Temple and Samotnia

This route is a true classic of the Karkonosze Mountains. The yellow, black, and red trails here connect historical, natural, and landscape attractions: the Wang Temple, Samotnia, and Strzecha Akademicka.

• Starting point: parking at Wang
  
  

• Distance: 9 km
  
  

• Hiking time to Śnieżka: 3–3.5 hours
  
  

• Difficulty: medium
  
  

• Attractions: Mały Staw, wooden mountain huts, varied terrain
  
  

The easiest trail to Śnieżka – from the Okraj Pass

For those who prefer a gentler ascent, the red trail from the Okraj Pass is an excellent choice. It's a gentle, though somewhat longer route with beautiful views along the Karkonosze ridge.

• Start: Okraj (access from Kowary)
  
  

• Trail: red – Main Sudetes Trail
  
  

• Hiking time to Śnieżka: approx. 4 hours
  
  

• Length: 10 km
  
  

• Advantages: less crowd, scenic ridge walk
  
  

Śnieżka – trails from the Czech side

From Pec pod Sněžkou, there are various options: red trail, blue trail or... a modern gondola lift, which covers the altitude difference in just 13 minutes.

• Start: Pec pod Sněžkou
  
  

• Hiking time: 2.5–3.5 hours on foot
  
  

• Difficulty: medium with some challenging moments
  
  

• Attractions: Czech mountain huts, views of the Czech Sudetes, quick gondola ride
  
  

Śnieżka Cable Car – saving energy - cable car to Kopa

The cable car to Kopa is a great option if you plan to climb Śnieżka with a child or want to shorten the route. The lower station is located on Olimpijska Street in Karpacz. It operates seasonally, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Ticket prices vary depending on the season and option (up, down, both ways). It's also worth checking family tickets and discounts with the Large Family Card.

Śnieżka in winter – a fairytale landscape and demanding conditions

In winter, Mount Śnieżka reveals its harsh yet fascinating character. The most popular winter route is the Jubilee Trail from the Dom Śląski side. Even the easiest trail to Śnieżka in the winter season can be a challenge – therefore, crampons, poles, warm clothing, and common sense are essential.

What awaits at the summit of Śnieżka?

• St. Lawrence's Chapel on Śnieżka – a baroque building from 1681, the site of an annual mass on August 10
  
  

• IMGW Observatory – the iconic "dishes" are the highest meteorological station in Poland
  
  

• Dom Śląski – a mountain hut just below the summit with accommodation, hot meals, and access to Czech trails
  
  

• Viewpoints and educational boards – in Polish, Czech, and English
  
  

Useful tips and parking – Mount Śnieżka

• In the summer season, parking lots (e.g., at Wang or at the cable car) fill up quickly – it's worth arriving early.

• A ticket (online or on-site) is required to enter the Karkonosze National Park.

• Wear comfortable trekking shoes and layered clothing.

• The weather can be surprising – even in summer, the temperature at the top can be single-digit.

• Use the Tourist Map app
  Start your hike early in the morning (preferably between 7:00 and 9:00)

• Check the map in advance – especially if you plan a route like the blue trail to Śnieżka (map available online)
  
  

Śnieżka – Sudetes summit in a nutshell

Mount Śnieżka is a must-visit point on the map for every mountain hiking enthusiast. Whether you choose the easiest trail to Śnieżka with a child or the most difficult trail through the ridge – every ascent is a unique experience. In summer – with the lush green of the Karkonosze. In winter – in fairytale white. At any time of the year – with views that stay in the heart for a long time.

Highest peaks of the Karkonosze? Śnieżka always at the top

There is no other mountain like this in the Sudetes – neither in height nor significance. Whether you plan to conquer the most difficult trail to Śnieżka or look for the easiest trail to Śnieżka with a child, the journey to its summit is an experience that stays in the heart for a long time.

Among the highest peaks in the Karkonosze, it is also worth mentioning Szrenica (1362 m above sea level), whose trails enjoy great popularity, especially among visitors to Szklarska Poręba. Many routes start here, leading through the Szrenicka Clearing, Szrenica mountain hut, and picturesque sections of the Main Sudetes Trail. Although Szrenica does not match Śnieżka in height, it offers exceptional panoramas and gentler ascents – perfect for family hikes or warming up before bigger challenges.