In the Kłodzko Valley, not only amateurs of trekking (Table Mountains), but also those who prefer a more peaceful rest. Why is it worth coming here? Among the many tourist attractions in the region, you cannot miss the bear cave with the remains of the cave bear, the American canyon and one of the largest waterfalls in Poland. And on the way you can meet dwarfs marching with … Smurfs.

Kłodzko Valleyis wonderful, as if lost in the universe. Surrounded on three sides by mountains, it is only 40 km long and 10-12 km wide. And although it is so small (only 1700 sq km), it has several faces. One of its faces is the Table Mountains with Szczeliniec and the maze of Błędne Skały. The other face of gold prospectors is attracted by gold - this ore is present in a dozen or so minerals at Złoty Stok. And its next face is the Śnieżnik Massif, a huge mountain protruding above the tops of forests. The unspoiled nature of Śnieżnik is evidenced by … chamois that came here from Moravia. You can also meet herds of deer, wild boars and roe deer, as well as black grouses and capercaillies.

You cannot pass the entire Kłodzko Valley in one fell swoop, through the mountains. In order to get, for example, from the Stołowe Mountains to the Śnieżnik Massif, you have to go down the valley and cross the Basin (it is better and more comfortable to travel by bus, for example). So we propose an expedition to the highest parts of the Basin - to Śnieżnik.

Kłodzko Valley: description of the tourist route

Route:from Kletno to Międzygórze via ŚnieżnikTime:2 days (night at the shelter)Cash desk:120 PLN (including accommodation in a double room, entrance to the cave and the Garden of Fairy Tales)Difficulty level:easy

Itinerary: day 1

  • Day 1:to Śnieżnik
  • Time:approx. 5 hours

You are leavingKletna , from the parking lot, next to the marble heaps. You have approx. 20 minutes to reach the cave. You go through the gate to the reserve"Bear's Cave".You pass the pits where marble (pink or green) was mined since 1838. You come to the cave. Warning! It's worth booking your ticket in advance! Price: July-August 19 PLN, March 12 PLN, other months 17 PLN (tel 074 814 12 50).

From the cave along the valleyKleśnicy you come toHala pod Śnieżnik . There are still 40 minutes from the hall to the top. Stay overnight at the hostel as the views are worth it. On clear nights, the lights of Wrocław shimmer on one side, and Czech Prague on the other. Watching the sun rise is also a great experience.

Śnieżnik(1425 m above sea level) is the 17th highest mountain in the entire Sudetes. It is the only mountain in the Śnieżnik Massif that protrudes above the upper edge of the forest. Snow lies here 243 days a year, and the first rainfall occurs in August! The shelter in Śnieżnik is the oldest in Poland. The "Swiss" was built in 1869. Price: PLN 32 for a double room (tel. 748 135 130, 501631134).

Itinerary: day 2

  • Day 2:to Międzygórze
  • Time:approx. 5 hours (including a trip to Igliczna)

In the morning, go straight toMiędzygórze(approx. 1.5 hours). From there, after a short rest and looking around the charming town, go to Igliczna throughGarden of Fairy Tales . We have about half an hour to the garden. This unusual place was created after the First World War. It is the work of Izydor Kriesten, a forest worker who for many years created fairy-tale creatures at his home, using bark, cones, tree trunks and branches. He also planted many plants, including rhododendrons, giving the garden a fabulous look.

We will meet here, among others Rumcajs, the three-headed dragon, the Errant Knight, the hut of Baba Yaga and Snow White. There is Koszałek Opałek, there are also the Smurfs. The obligatory point of the visit is to drink water from the Source of Love and kiss the prince enchanted in a frog. Ticket price: PLN 3.50

From the garden, we move toIgliczna . At the end of the road, a steep climb to the top awaits us. After about an hour we stand atthe Shrine of Our Lady of the Snow .

This will be useful to you

The Bear Cave , discovered in 1966 during marble mining, is the longest cave in the Polish part of the Sudetes. The entrance is at an altitude of 800 m above sea level, the corridors are approx. 3 km long in total and are located on 4 levels. The remains of a cave bear were found in the cave, hence its name. The temperature inside is about 6 degrees Celsius (warm covers are necessary).

Igliczna(847 m above sea level) is a steep peak. It houses the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snow and a shelter. The origins of the sanctuary date back to 1750. Then the pious old bachelor Christoph Veit brought a miraculous statue from Mariazell in Styria. The church was built at the end of the 18th century. The figures of the Madonna and Child are dressed in embroidered robes, and their heads are crowned with rubies and sapphires crowns donated by JohnPaul II. The Maria Śnieżna shelter (tel. 074/135118) was built in 1880 as the Pod Dobrym Widokiem inn (the views are really wonderful).

After lunch at the shelter you go down to Międzygórze, this time taking the path toWilczki waterfall . It is 22 m high and is the second largest in the Polish Sudetes (after the Kamieńczyk waterfall). Before the great flood in 1997, the waterfall was 5 meters higher. The flood washed away the artificially constructed threshold from the beginning of the 19th century. Before 1945, the waterfall was even 30 m high. The waters fell from the threshold, about 3 m wide, into a small boiler. The gorge behind the waterfall, approximately 3 meters wide, 20 meters long, and 15 meters deep, is known as theAmerican canyon .

After enjoying your eyes with a beautiful view, cross the steel bridge over the rushing water and after a while you are back in Międzygórze. Our trip ends here.

You need to climb:

  • to Śnieżnik (because it is the highest mountain here with wonderful views)
  • on Igliczna (because it is a sacred place)

Must see:

  • Bear Cave (because you will see beautiful stalagmites and stalactites)
  • The Garden of Fairy Tales in Międzygórze (because you will return to your childhood years, or maybe you will disenchant the prince enchanted in a frog)
  • Wilczki waterfall (because it's very big!)

Worth seeing:

  • sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snow on Igliczna

You may need this number:

  • Tourist information, Kłodzko, tel. 074 865 46 00

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