Ślęża from Sobótka - the red trail
Nearby: Wrocław
beach_access Route in the shade
train Access by train possible
Located about 40 km south of Wrocław, the Ślęża Massif towers over the plains of Lower Silesia. It's no wonder that the mountain has been a place of legends and worship for centuries.
If you are planning to visit Ślęża from Wrocław, the closest starting point for hiking trails is Sobótka - it is also the easiest place to reach from Wrocław, to begin your journey towards Ślęża. You can reach Sobótka by train - the journey takes about 40 minutes.
Ślęża Mountain from Sobótka - the red trail
The red trail is the most popular trail to Ślęża from Sobótka. It starts from the railway station in Sobótka, but if you are coming by train, we recommend taking the yellow trail through Wieżyca instead, as it is more convenient for those arriving in Sobótka by train. For those with a car, you can start the hike at the end of Sobótka, from the parking lot on Armii Krajowej street.
What does the red trail from Sobótka to Ślęża look like?
- We will be walking on large, uneven stones - it is best to wear trekking shoes that cover the ankles.
- The trail is mostly shaded, passing through dense forest (it was pleasantly cool here on a hot day).
Rocky path
The red trail is mostly a wide, rocky path. As you go higher, there are more stones and they become increasingly uneven - it can be slippery after rain. We walk through dense forest, and the entire trail is fully shaded. Even on a hot day, it is pleasantly cool here, making Ślęża a great escape from the concrete of the city.
The Lady with the Fish - an ancient cult sculpture?
Along the red trail, we pass by a stone figure with a fish. It was found among the rocky rubble, near its current location. The granite sculpture depicts a headless figure dressed in a pleated robe, holding a huge fish with both hands. Although the sculpture likely represents a male figure, it has been named the "Lady with the Fish" due to legends. The "Lady" is accompanied by a bear figure - one of the two stone bears from the Ślęża Massif (we will encounter another one at the summit). There are theories that these stone statues are remnants of ancient Slavic cults and were created centuries before our era. Currently, it seems more likely that they are stone carvings from the medieval period.
Approaching the summit
Closer to the summit, the path becomes narrower and continues over uneven stones. After a few more stone steps, slightly uphill, we reach a vast meadow - the peak of Ślęża.
Ślęża - attractions at the summit
In Slavic languages, the word "ślęga," which is associated with the mountain's name, means mud and wet weather. The massif used to be under a glacier, and the surrounding areas were just wet marshland - perhaps this is also the origin of the name Śląsk (Silesia)?
Ślęża is a peak with an altitude of 718 meters above sea level. From here, you can see the Sudeten Mountains and the Silesian Lowland. It is a mountain with an extraordinary history - in the past, the Ślęża Massif was a place of worship and a religious center for the sun god, revered by the tribes inhabiting these lands. Druids used to pay homage to the sun on its summit, and they would visit the nearby Radunia to worship the moon.
Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Ślęża
The church was built on the ruins of a medieval stone castle. Currently, fragments of the castle walls can be seen through a glass floor in the church.
- Visiting the church on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm (free admission)
- There is a fee to access the observation tower and descend into the underground area, where you can see the apses, which are remnants of the castle walls - 5 PLN.
PTTK Tourist House "Na Ślęży"
Until recently, the PTTK Tourist House "Na Ślęży" served as a mountain shelter. Unfortunately, the water sources that supplied the building dried up, making it impossible to accommodate tourists at the shelter level. Currently, water is transported to the house. As a result, the PTTK Tourist House does not provide overnight stays, but it operates as a restaurant.
Ancient cult sculpture
At the summit of Ślęża, there is another "little bear" - a stone statue of unknown origin. One theory suggests that these are remnants of ancient Slavic cults, created centuries before our era. Currently, the more likely theory is that they are stone carvings from the medieval period.
Observation Tower
At the summit of Ślęża, there is also a publicly accessible observation tower, which can be reached by a path behind the church, near the stone "bear." Climbing the tower is not easy, especially for those with small children. The stairs are steep, and the platforms are very narrow. It is advised not to climb the tower during a storm.
Publish Date: 2022-09-18
More in the Region Sudety (The Sudetes)
Total Length 184 km
