It’s wintertime in Poland! Snowclad mountains and nature trails in Lower Silesia are such an irresistible temptation when you live in a city like Wrocław, only a couple of hours away from the likes of Sudetes and Karkonosze, and the world of treasure they sheathe. Lower Silesia is mapped by the mountain ridge of the Western and Central Sudetes and Carpathians further down south. Therefore, most of the hikes near Wrocław starts and ends somewhere in the vastness of Karkonosze, Owl Mountains (Sudetes), Izera Mountains, and even the Carpathians further south. 

Since southwestern Germany and the Czech Republic are pretty close to Wrocław, it is possible to cross over and head into the neighbouring territories. It is easy to locate the border change with apt markings and signs in different languages.

Hikers and nature enthusiasts find these hikes as nature’s biggest allure. Polish mountains, including Tatry in the south, Karkonosze, and the Sudetes in the west, are so diverse and rich with nature diversity. The allure of the Polish mountains precedes its reputation. It is evident when you walk one of these protected areas, treading obscure trails, recharging yourself after an exhausting week. Polish mountains in Lower Silesia are the bundle of joy for hikers.

Koleje Dolnośląskie (KD) – Lower Silesia’s local train network is exceptional, and it’s the best means of transport one can take to reach most of the places in the region. The KD trains are fast, clean (their toilets are amazing :)), comfortable, cheap, and cover most of the scenic routes of the Dolny Slask region. 

Before proceeding further, ensure that you have the Mapa Turystyczna app installed on your phone. It’s a navigation app specially designed for the Polish Mountains and accurately depicts all the trails, ridges, viewpoints, and elevations. The app is free in the Playstore, while iPhone users have to a pay few extra bucks for the extravagance.

If you live in Wrocław or are considering a trip to Poland, these popular winter hikes in near Wrocław in the Polish mountains will tempt you for sure.

1. Mt. Ślęża, Ślęża Landscape Park

Hike to the top of Mt. Ślęża near Sobotka town in Lower Silesia should be on top of the list of every newcomer in Wrocław 😉 The hike to the top and back is almost 10 km (depends on the trail you choose) with a slight elevation. It would be safe to put this nature hike near Wrocław in the easy category. While the forest is green and perfect in summer, autumn here is a grand spectacle of colours. 

Mt. Ślęża is for everyone looking for a half-day hike amidst lush nature in the vicinity of Wrocław. Lower Silesia is much more than scenic riverfronts and drool-worthy medieval architectures skirting city centres, and Ślęża hike will explain to you why!

Buses are the most reliable and the quickest option to travel to Sobotka Town from where Sleza Mountain is a 10 km hike (back and forth). There is a beautiful church & a nice resting place at the top of the mountains.

Other recommendations near Ślęża: Ślęża Mountain,  Sleza Landscape Park,  and Wiezyca Mountain Observation Tower

Distance from Wrocław: 44 km, 46-minute drive

2. Wielka Sowa, Góry Sowie

At an altitude of 3,329 feet, Wielka Sowa stands as the highest peak of the Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie), a range of the Central Sudetes encompassing the best of south-western Poland. The mountain is located in Dzierżoniów County in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, only a couple of hours away from Wrocław Main Railway Station.

Sowie Mountains, made of metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian rise above the village of Walim near Dzierżoniów, is a top tourist attraction in Poland. The surroundings associated with the Owl Mountains Landscape Park offer endless views of whitewashed landscapes in winter. During the peak of winter in Poland, the forest in the landscape park lies snuggled under heaps of snow.

Must read: 1.5 Hours From Wroclaw, Wielka Sowa In Owl Mountains Is A Perfect Winter Hike

The Wielka Sowa hike starts from the foothills of the Sowie Mountains near Kamionki. Kamionki Dolne is a picture-perfect location ready to greet all the nature enthusiasts in its warm embrace. The breath-taking outdoors of Sowie Mountains Landscape Park in the Sudetes sends a perfect welcome to every hiker.

Other recommendations near Wielka Sowa: Underground Town Osowka, Skiing (cross-country), The Broumov Monastery, Dawna Kopalnia – Nowa Ruda museum tour, Riese Complex – Wlodarz, Grodno Castle, Bielawa Lake, and a cup of mulled wine at the mountain shelter

Distance from Wrocław: 82.3 km, 1 hour 50-minute drive

3. Bardo – Kłodzko hike, Kłodzko Valley

Kłodzko region, with lush nature, viewpoints, and numerous mountain trails, make a top tourist destination in summer and winter alike. Bardo-Kłodzko trail turned out to be a perfect winter hike near Wrocław in Poland.

Kłodzko is a prominent rail and road hub. The city offers direct train and bus connections to all major Polish cities. Wrocław city is approximately 80 km from the Bardo Main Railway Station, which is 1.5 hours. Trains are the cheapest and the most efficient mode of transport, in my opinion, to travel to Bardo from Wrocław or any other Polish city.

The 22 km hiking trail took us almost 7 hours to complete. The trail (blue in our case) starts pretty easy from the Bardo Railway Station, and since it didn’t snow for a while in the mountains, the autumn colour game was still strong at the start. Some thin layers of snow followed pretty soon, but that wasn’t as much as I expected. 

With the mercury dipping fast and conditions so windy, the leftover snow had already toughened into a super-slippery layer of ice, and that’s when crampons came in handy. Carry them along if you’re considering a favourable winter hike in the Polish mountains. 

Sun rays falling flat on them all and scattered patches of snow and ice around made the hiking trail look so welcoming. The blue sky kept us company all the way along, and natural colours couldn’t be more striking.

While walking through the Valley, we stumbled upon some chapels on the hilltop and panoramic views of the Karkonosze mountain peaks in Lower Silesia. 

Must read: Bardo – Kłodzko Trail Is The Perfect Winter Hike Near Wrocław For The Weekend

The Kłodzko Valley in Lower Silesia is traversed by the upper Nysa Kłodzka river squirming from south to the north. The Nysa Kłodzka river is enveloped from different sides by the Table Mountains, Bardzkie Mountains and the Bystrzyckie Mountains of the Central Sudetes in the west and by the Śnieżnik Mountains, Golden Mountains and the Owl Mountains in the east.

Halfway through the hike, you can spot Wieża widokowa na Borowej – a lookout tower with panoramic views of the Karkonosze mountains. The views from the top are the actual prize for the climb, and words won’t suffice to paint a picture of the beauty. Wieża widokowa na Borowej is the highest point during the hike. 

In the end, we merged the hike with a quick excursion of Kłodzko city centre, treated ourselves to sumptuous Polish food, and took a train back home around 7 pm.

Other recommendations in Bardo – Kłodzko: Kłodzko city centre, Wieża widokowa na Borowej, Gothic bridge, City tunnels, The Church of Assumption, Baroque Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Franciscan monastery, the Kłodzko fortress, Townhall, Marian Column, the 15th-century stone bridge on the Nysa Kłodzka River, Basilica of the Visitation, Redemptorist Monastery, Monastery of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, Różańcowa Góra (Mount Rosary) chapels, and Ruins of the medieval Piast Castle

Distance from Wrocław: 80 km, 1-hour 48-minute drive

4. Rudawy Janowickie, Sokolik

If you fancy a lush nature trail studded with immaculate views to go hiking near Wrocław, you should consider Sokoliki in Rudawy Mountains. Sokoliki is also a top pick for rock climbing in Poland and Lower Silesia. The starting point of the hike is located 2 hours away from Wrocław.

The stunning landscape from the viewing point located atop the rocks makes it worth your while. Sokoliki, also referred to as Falcon Mountains, can be reached by a Koleje Dolnośląskie train from Wrocław to Trzcińsko. You must park your vehicle at Karpnicka Pass if you decide to drive to the starting point of the hike. The hike from the base takes almost 1.5 hours to complete.

On the way back, you can visit Szwajcarka Chalet near the parking area. The hike is easy & doable for people of any age group.

Other recommendations near Rudawy Janowickie: Karpniki Castle, rock climbing(summer), skiing (during winter), 19th century building Szwajcarka at the foot of Sokole Mountains, Kolorowe Jeziorka, and Jelenia Góra market square with neo-classical Town Hall

Distance from Wrocław: 110 km, 1 hour 45-minute drive

Suggested read: 9 Best European Cities Near Wrocław For A Perfect Weekend Trip

5. Szczeliniec Wielki, Stolowe Mountains

Stołowe Mountains are also known as the Table Mountains in Poland. With some of the oldest rock forms in Europe, the landscape park region is worth a hike. The Table Mountains are the top attraction in the Sudetes. If you’re looking for a lovely day-hike option near Wrocław, Stołowe mountain is the place to be. Positioned in the heart of Sudetes – one of the oldest mountains in Europe, the Stołowe Mountains National Park is a part of the 42-kilometre-long mountain range that spreads from Poland up to the Czech Republic. 

The wintry landscapes around here are breathtaking. While the hike from the base to the top of the Table Mountains is quite easy, spanning 1.5 hours more or less, the views are surreal. Even if you walk quite slow, it shouldn’t take more than 2 hours to complete this hike.

Other recommendations near Szczeliniec Wielki: Bludné skály, Polanica-Zdrój, Szczeliniec Mały, Wodospady Pośny, Fort Karola, Białe Skały 800 m n.p.m., and Park Dinozaurów/ Karłów

Distance from Wrocław: 122.3 km, 1 hour 48-minute drive

6. Śnieżka, Karkonosze National Park

The hike to Śnieżka from Karpacz town is one of the most popular winter hikes near Wrocław in Poland. Karpacz is a popular ski resort in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwestern Poland and serves as an ideal option for hiking near Wrocław. 

At 1603 m, Śnieżka is one of the highest points in Lower Silesia and the highest point in the entire Czech Republic. The peak is enclosed by Czechia on one side while Poland on the other. Cable cars ply from Karpacz to Śnieżka, but I’d recommend a hike in the park to experience this place at its best. 

It will be worth your while! You have to buy an entrance ticket to the Karkonosze National Park. The good news for students is that they have a student discount. This hike can be placed somewhere between the moderate and difficult categories. It is a perfect full-day hike for everyone. Don’t forget to stretch up a bit before and after the hike. It keeps cramps at bay.

Other recommendations near Karpacz: Karkonoskie Tajemnice, Parafia Wang, Wild Waterfall, Kopa Cable Car (Kolejka linowa na Kope), Private Museum of Technology and Structures made of LEGO, and Kolorowa Luge

Distance from Wrocław: 125 km, 1 hour 53-minute drive

7. Śnieżne Kotły, Karkonosze National Park

Szklarska Poręba, located in the foothills of Karkonosze, is a lovely mountain town attracting tourists around the year. Its proximity to Wrocław makes it a hot destination for nature and outdoor enthusiasts in Poland and those from faraway places. Besides hiking and skiing, Szklarska Poręba is also known for outdoor activities.

Śnieżne Kotły is two glacial cirques that sit atop a cliff in Karkonosze National Park in the Sudetes Mountains. And the hike to Śnieżne Kotły starts from Szklarska Poręba. The top of the mountains offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the mountains, frozen alpine, the fell from the Czech Republic side, and the uninterrupted views of Szklarska Poręba town. The strategic location of Śnieżne Kotły in the Karkonosze National Park with numerous trails from the Czech Republic and Poland make it an exciting prospect for all nature enthusiasts.

Other recommendations near Śnieżne Kotły: Szklarki Waterfall, Wodospad Kamienczyka, Huta Szkla Krysztalowego Julia, Zamek Chojnik, Parafia Wang, and Glassworks and microbrewery Novosad & son Harrachov

Distance from Wrocław: 131 km, 2-hour drive

8. Szrenica, Karkonosze National Park

Szklarska Poręba Jakuszyce is popular among outdoor enthusiasts as a top location for winter hikes near Wrocław. Some of the most favoured activities in the region are cross-country skiing, hiking, and cycling. Even a train ride in this region isso much fun. With such beautiful landscapes around, it is nothing less than a winter activity. The weather here remains pleasant year-round, even during the peak of summer, but winter here gets quite extreme.

Szklarska Poręba Jakuszyce to Szrenica to Szklarska Poręba Górna is an 18-km hike in total and takes approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to complete. Soon after commencing the hike you enter the world of lush green in the Karkonosze mountains. The sound of the fresh stream, and gradual slopes make the first 7-8 km patch quite easy to tread. Schronisko Szrenica is the first pitstop on the trail. A super nice winter hike near Wrocław, this is a must-do.

Other recommendations near Szrenica: Skiing (during winter), getting a stamp on Książeczka GOT PTTK, and pretty much the same recommendation as Śnieżne Kotły

Distance from Wrocław: 139 km, 3-hour drive

So where are you planning your next winter hike near Wroclaw? Let me know your thoughts on this write-up. For more informative content on Europe Travels, let’s connect on social media – Facebook & Instagram.

Further read: 20 Best Places Near Wrocław For Everyone Planning A Quick Escape From The City