Winter transforms the landscapes around Wrocław into a snowy wonderland, perfect for hiking enthusiasts craving crisp air and stunning views. The winter hikes near Wrocław offer a mix of challenge and charm, from the forested slopes of Ślęża to the icy peaks of Śnieżka. I’ve explored these trails in the heart of winter, and they never fail to impress with their serene beauty and rugged terrain. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these hikes are some of the best winter hikes in Poland. Here’s your guide to the top trails near Wrocław, with practical tips to make your snowy adventure unforgettable.

Since southwestern Germany and the Czech Republic are close to Wrocław, it is possible to hike across the border. Make sure to locate the international border markings.

Practical Tips for Winter Hiking Near Wrocław

• Gear Up: Wear waterproof boots, layered clothing, and a windproof jacket. Bring trekking poles and crampons for icy trails.
• Weather Check: Temperatures range from -5°C to 2°C. Check forecasts for snowstorms, especially in Karkonosze.
• Safety First: Trails like Śnieżka can have avalanche risks—check local alerts. Always hike with a buddy.
• Transport: Drive or take a bus from Wrocław to the trailheads (e.g., Sobótka for Ślęża, Karpacz for Śnieżka).

Recent Developments

Karkonosze National Park recently introduced new winter trail markers, making navigation easier. Stołowe Mountains now offer guided snowshoe tours. Trails near Wrocław remain accessible, but expect stricter park regulations to protect wildlife during winter.

Koleje Dolnośląskie (KD) – Lower Silesia’s local train network is the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient means of transport to reach most places. The KD trains cover some of the most scenic train routes in Poland. 

Make sure to install the Mapa Turystyczna app on your phone. The navigation app has all the mountain trails, ridges, viewpoints, and elevations marked. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store and is paid for iPhone users.

1. Mt. Ślęża, Ślęża Landscape Park

Ślęża hike near Wrocław should be on top of the list of every newcomer in the town. The total hike is almost 12 km (depends on the trail chosen). I’d mark it 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 medieval architecture. Ślęża hike will show you why!

KD trains offer the most efficient option to travel to Sobotka. An ancient church & a nice picnic spot on the top await hikers.

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, Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie)

At 3,329 feet, Wielka Sowa is the highest peak of the Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie) in the Central Sudetes. It is located in Dzierżoniów County in Lower Silesia, 2 hours away from Wrocław.

The surroundings associated with the Owl Mountains Landscape Park offer endless views of whitewashed landscapes in winter. During the peak of winter, the forest in the landscape park lies buried 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 nature enthusiasts. The breathtaking outdoors of the Owl 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 and 50 minutes drive

3. Bardo – Kłodzko hike, Kłodzko Valley

Kłodzko region, with lush nature, viewpoints, and numerous mountain trails, makes a top tourist destination in summer and winter. The Bardo-Kłodzko trail is 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 away. Trains are the most useful mode of transport to reach Bardo from Wrocław.

The 22 km hiking trail took us almost 7 hours to complete. We took the Blue trail from the Bardo Railway Station. The autumn colour was still intact, as it didn’t snow for a while in the mountains. 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 spare snow turned into a super-slippery ice. That’s when crampons came in handy. Carry them for a safe winter hike in the Polish mountains. 

Sun rays falling flat on snow patches made the hiking trail look 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. 

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 north. The Nysa Kłodzka river is surrounded on different sides by the Table Mountains. Bardzkie and Bystrzyckie Mountains (Central Sudetes) in the west and by Śnieżnik, Golden Mountains and the Owl Mountains in the east.

Halfway through the hike, Wieża widokowa na Borowej – a lookout tower dominated the landscape. The views from the top are worth the climb. The tower is the highest point of the hike. 

We finished the hike with a quick excursion of Kłodzko city centre, treated ourselves to a warm Polish meal, and took a train to Wrocław at 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 and 48 minutes drive

4. Rudawy Janowickie, Sokolik

Sokoliki in the Rudawy Mountains is a great option for hiking near Wrocław. Sokoliki is also a popular rock climbing spot in Lower Silesia. Janowice Wielkie – the hike starting point- is 2 hours away from Wrocław.

The stunning landscape from the viewing point atop the rocks makes it worth visiting. Sokoliki, also known as Falcon Mountains, can be reached by train from Wrocław. 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 your way back to the train station, Szwajcarka Chalet near the parking area is a great place to grab a warm meal.

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 and 45 minutes 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 formations 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. In the heart of the Sudetes, the Stołowe Mountains are a 42-kilometre-long fragment from Poland to the Czech Republic. 

The hike from the start to the Table Mountain’s top is easy, spanning 1.5 hours, and the views are surreal. Even if you are a slow hiker, it shouldn’t take more than 2 hours.

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 and a popular choice for hiking near Wrocław. 

At 1603 m, Śnieżka is the highest peak in Krakonosze (the highest point in the Czech Republic). The peak is enclosed by Czechia on one side and Poland on the other. Chair lifts are a great option for those looking to make the Karpacz – Śnieżka hike less intense. 

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 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 and 53 minutes drive

7. Śnieżne Kotły, Karkonosze National Park

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

Śnieżne Kotły are two glacial cirques atop a cliff in Karkonosze National Park in the Sudetes Mountains. The hike to Śnieżne Kotły starts from Szklarska Poręba. The top of the mountains offers breathtaking 360-degree views. The frozen landscapes of the Sudetes, uninterrupted views of Szklarska Poręba and stunning mountain shelters make this day trip from Wrocław worth it.

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. With such beautiful landscapes, 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 – Szrenica – Szklarska Poręba Górna is an 18-km hike and takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes to complete. The sound of the fresh stream and gradual slopes make the first 7-8 km easy to hike. Schronisko Szrenica is the first stop on the trail. This winter hike near Wrocław 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

Ready to lace up for a perfect escape? The winter hikes near Wrocław deliver snowy trails, crisp air, and untamed beauty that make every step a thrill. From Ślęża’s gentle slopes to Śnieżka’s icy summit, these hikes are a perfect way to embrace Poland’s winter charm. Grab your gear, hit the trails, and experience the season’s magic.

Want a local guide to lead the way? Book Wrocław guided tours with Whistling Hound. I’d love to show you the best of winter near Wrocław!

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

FAQs: Your Guide to Winter Hikes Near Wrocław

What are the best winter hikes near Wrocław?

Top picks include Ślęża Mountain, Śnieżka Peak, Karkonosze National Park, and Stołowe Mountains, offering diverse trails and snowy views.

How cold is it on winter hikes near Wrocław?

Expect -5°C to -10°c from December to February, with snow cover on most trails. Dress in layers and bring windproof gear.

Are winter hikes near Wrocław safe?

Yes, but check for avalanche warnings (especially Śnieżka) and use proper gear like crampons. Stick to marked trails.

What are some Poland winter activities near Wrocław?

Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in Karkonosze or Stołowe Mountains are popular, alongside cultural events in Wrocław.

How can I book a guided winter hike near Wrocław?

Book Wrocław guided tours with Whistling Hound for a personalised hiking experience.