For both the experienced tourist-geologist and the collector of precious and semi-precious minerals the Sudetes are certainly the most interesting Polish mountains. They are the highest part of the Czech Massif; they range from the Elba Valley to the Moravian Gate, a depression where the Odra River crosses the border of Poland, marking the start of the Carpathian Mountains.

Even though the mountains are characterized by typical strata (lower and upper woods, mountain pines, and pastures), they resemble the Tatras or Alps only superficially. The Sudetes are lower and different in shape. They were formed much earlier than the Tatras or Alps in the course of highly varied geological processes. For 200 millions of years they have been smoothed by erosion, but the orogenic movements that shaped the Tatras crumbled and elevated the old rocks of the Sudetes. This is how the horst mountains were formed, with steep sides and extensive flat peak areas. The earliest form of the Sudetes can still be seen in the slightly undulating Sudetes Foothills in Lower Silesia.

The most characteristic mountain areas of the Sudetes are the Table Mountains - gigantic sandstone slabs rising some 200 meters over the surrounding valleys. Their peaks can be reached by a winding trail consisting of steps laid in 1814 by Franz Pabel, the world’s first licensed mountain guide.

As the highest mountain range of Prussia, the Table Mountains were the first range in the world developed for tourism, thus forming the cradle of modern alpine tourism. It was here that the first mountain lodges were built, and even the highest levels of the Sudetes can now be effortlessly reached by anyone using one of several funicular railways or chair lifts. Once there, you can expect many kilometers of hiking on comfortable... roads.

Szczeliniec Wielki
POT

Szczeliniec Wielki is the biggest and most stunning rock labyrinth in Poland.

The sandstone cliff is situated north-east of Łężyce.

Among numerous different shapes of rocks of Great Szczeliniec, you can see the one that is simillar to ape's head.

Stołowe Mountains in Winter.

The highest peak of Sudety Mountains. In the background one can see "Rownina pod Sniezka" (lit. the Plain under the Sniezka peak)

The highest peak of Sudety Mountains (5259 ft.) during wintertime.

The largest waterfall in Polish Sudety Mountains (over 88 ft. high) is located close to Szklarska Poreba.

Such moors which are protected areas are typical for Sudety mountains.

The evangelical Wang Temple is located in Karpacz, Karkonosze.