Winter in the Sudetes is a time of extraordinary contrasts: the severity of the mountains, the silence of white spaces, and a real challenge for enthusiasts – from walks with children, through skiers, to experienced winter tourists. The main regions for winter activities are the Karkonosze Mountains and the Śnieżnik Massif, where not only fairytale views and magical landscapes await, but also real challenges – snowdrifts, avalanche danger and very changeable weather conditions.
Winter Hiking Trails in the Sudetes
Karkonosze Mountains: The most extensive winter infrastructure, routes to Śnieżka, Samotnia, Mały Staw (Small Pond) and Wielki Staw (Great Pond), shelters open throughout the season. Popular winter trails: Karkonoska Pass – Śnieżka – Strzecha Akademicka – Samotnia Shelter, trail above Mały Staw and to the Dom Śląski shelter.
Śnieżnik Massif: Routes from Międzygórze to Śnieżnik, from Czarna Góra (Black Mountain) along the yellow trail to the shelter under Śnieżnik – often groomed by ski touring skiers, but requiring orientation skills.
Stołowe Mountains and Izerskie Mountains: Trails around Szczeliniec, Pasterka, numerous cross-country skiing routes (e.g. Jakuszyce), “winter road of a hundred turns” – beware of slippery and unpaved sections.
Winter Snow and the Magic of Landscapes
Snowfall in the Sudetes can be heavy, and the snow cover can reach from a dozen to over a hundred centimeters depending on the altitude and microclimate of gullies and glacial cirques.
Above the upper forest limit, the landscape changes into a sleepy tundra – a world of snowdrifts, cornices on the edges of cirques, fairytale caps on trees, frost and fog limiting visibility to several dozen meters.
The magic of the Sudetes in winter also includes auroras, spectacular sunsets reflecting off snow-covered fields, and night walks under the starry sky – conditions for photographers and nature lovers.
Avalanches in the Sudetes – Risk and Warnings
The greatest avalanche risk concerns the Karkonosze Mountains, primarily the cirques of Mały Staw and Wielki Staw, Biały Jar (White Ravine) and the gullies on the slopes of Śnieżka (especially the Jubilee Route).
In the Sudetes, there are several avalanche accidents every year. Avalanches also threaten the yellow trail between Śnieżne Kotły (Snowy Cirques) and the shelter Pod Łabskim Szczytem, and on the edges of all glacial cirques.
The main factors contributing to avalanches are heavy snowfall, a significant increase in temperature, snow cornices on ridges, and steep slopes (inclination above 30°).
Winter Tourism Safety – What You Need to Remember?
Plan your route in advance: in winter, some summer trails are closed or very dangerous (icing, avalanches, cliffs).
Check avalanche reports: current warnings on the GOPR (Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue), KPN (Karkonosze National Park) website and in shelters.
Hike only on marked winter trails: do not leave the trail – you risk getting lost, entering avalanche-prone terrain or falling.
Proper equipment: warm, layered clothing, gaiters for snow, snowshoes/crampons/trekking poles,
czołówka, zapas jedzenia i termos z gorącym napojem, dobrze naładowany telefon, mapa i kompas (GPS może zawieść).
Conditioning: in winter, every kilometer in deep snow is a great effort, and the falling dusk quickly ends the day.
Never go alone, inform your loved ones about the route and the expected time of return.
Do not approach the edges of cirques and snow cornices! A broken cornice can cause an avalanche under its own weight.
Winter Activities – You Don’t Have to Just Walk
Ski touring and cross-country skiing are becoming more and more popular: special trails have been prepared in Jakuszyce, the vicinity of Karpacz, on the routes around Międzygórze and Czarna Góra.
Snowshoes – a great way to explore untrodden trails and valleys in deep snow without sinking.
For the brave: evening walks with a headlamp, photographing the moon over Śnieżka, night sledding in Międzygórze.
The Magic of the Sudetes in Winter – Inspiration and Respect
In winter, the Sudetes can be more demanding than the Tatra Mountains: untrodden trails, rapidly changing conditions, fog and wind, but also unprecedented silence and spectacular views.
Most importantly: enjoy snowy adventures with responsibility and common sense.
