All roads and trails to Śnieżka summit
All roads lead to Śnieżka!
How to climb Śnieżka? Being in the Karkonosze Mountains means being in the shadow of Śnieżka - the queen who "keeps an eye" on us wherever we are: whether on the promenade in Karpacz or on one of the many trails in the area. It's really worth reaching its summit, but how?
How to easily reach the summit of Śnieżka?
Firstly, you can not hike, but take a ride: there are two ways to do it. From the Czech side, a cable car goes up to the highest peak in the Czech Republic (we only have to walk a few meters). It's worth considering this easiest solution if we have little time, bad weather for long hikes, or a child with us who is too big to carry for a long time but too small to climb the summit independently. More about the ride to Śnieżka with the Czech cable car from Pec pod Sněžkou:
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Cable car to the top of Śnieżka Peak
Taking the cable car to Śnieżka from Karpacz
We can also take the cable car to Śnieżka from the Polish side. The cable car starts from Turystyczna Street in Karpacz (parking at Olimpijska Street). However, this will be a ride combined with a walk because the Zbyszek lift will take us only to Kopa pod Śnieżką.
We will still have to walk for just 3 km (1.2 km to the Śląski Shelter and less than 2 km from the Śląski House along the Jubilee Road to the summit of Śnieżka). The road is wide but bumpy and steep (with an elevation gain of 250 m). The trail is theoretically accessible for people with disabilities, but we do not recommend taking a stroller (unless it has very large wheels).
How to climb Śnieżka?
Or maybe try to climb the highest peak of the Karkonosze Mountains independently?
Hiking trails are safe, and apart from good footwear, we do not need any special equipment. Thanks to numerous mountain huts along the way, we don't have to carry large supplies of food and drinks (we can replenish them along the way). If we start early enough and plan longer breaks, every energetic preschooler can conquer Śnieżka, and the satisfaction and memories will be priceless!
The easiest trail to Śnieżka from Karpacz
The easiest and most popular trail to Śnieżka is the so-called "ceprostrada," which is a wide stone road that will lead us from Upper Karpacz (below the Wang Temple) to the summit of Śnieżka, like a paved street:
Near the Strzecha Akademicka shelter, we can choose whether to go via Kopa (4 km, 1:40 h) or take a more scenic route "Na Śnieżkę" via Spalona Strażnica (5 km, 2 hours).
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Main trail from Karpacz to Śnieżka summit
Both routes are wide and made of stone. However, do not be deceived by the "ease" of this solution. Nevertheless, the road can be tiring for several reasons. Firstly, it can be crowded like the road to Morskie Oko. Secondly, although it is made of stone, it is not paved - the stones are large, uneven, and uncomfortable, especially for little feet. On a sunny day, the downside will be the strong sun exposure, and regardless of the weather... it can get boring.
Perhaps it's worth diversifying the hike a bit by choosing a different, more interesting trail (at least partially)?
To Śnieżka on the yellow sledding trail
This trail allows us to bypass a significant section of the crowded main road to Śnieżka and mostly leads through the forest:
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Yellow sledding trail from Karpacz
Bronisław Czech's green trail + blue trail through Samotnia
We enter the forest path to Polana. Then, right after crossing the main road, we switch to the blue trail towards Mały Staw and the charming Samotnia Shelter. From there, we continue the climb to the Strzecha Akademicka shelter and then to Śnieżka:
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Bronek Czech's Path: Green Trail from Karpacz to Polana and Słonecznik
To Śnieżka via Jelenka and Czarny Grzbiet
Or perhaps it's worth climbing Śnieżka from a different side? Walking from the east, we bypass the stone and crowded "ceprostrada" and the "Jubilee Road" (we join it literally 15 minutes before reaching the summit). We can reach the Jelenka shelter from the Czech side or from the Polish side through Sowia Dolina via Sowia Przełęcz. From the shelter, we choose a scenic but much more challenging trail through Czarny Grzbiet:
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Śnieżka through Czarny Grzbiet - red trail from Jelenka
Avoiding the crowd on Śnieżka?
Yes, if we choose the Travers, a narrow forest path with a green trail from the Jelenka shelter, and a steep but short ascent with low rocky steps to the summit:
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Travers - Śnieżka via the green and yellow trails from the Czech side
To Śnieżka through Kocioł Łomniczki
We are not familiar with the route from Karpacz through Kocioł Łomniczki to Śnieżka, which is the yellow trail from Wilcza Poręba or the red trail from Olimpijska Street. (Note: dogs are not allowed in Kocioł Łomniczki). If you know this route, please let us know!
Have you climbed Śnieżka from Karpacz on the black trail, known as the "Śląska Droga"? - Also, please share your experience!
At the summit of Śnieżka
And once we reach the summit of Śnieżka, what will we find there?
Śnieżka Summit - Attractions, Fun Facts
The highest peak of the Sudetes and Karkonosze Mountains, the highest peak in the Czech Republic, and once a "sacred mountain" in the Giant Mountains. No wonder it holds many secrets! ...
Publish Date: 2021-08-10
Last Updated: 2022-06-07