Shelter on the Sudecka Road
5 minutes
Next point in the direction Podgorzyna
45 minutes
Next point in the direction Špindlerův Mlýn
A place to breathe and look back
This is where the historic Droga Sudecka ends – an ambitious mountain road that was supposed to connect the entire Sudetenland. At this point you will find a wooden shelter , ideal for a stop, a snack or just a peaceful breath before the next climb.
At the same time, it is a place where the paths symbolically divide: you can continue up to Przełęcz Karkonoską , or look back into the valley and understand why this part is among the steepest and most demanding sections of the Krkonoše Mountains - both for hikers and cyclists.
A challenge in the name of Karkonosze
The climb from this point to the Przełęcz Karkonoska saddle is one of the most challenging in the entire mountains – a steep asphalt section with a high elevation will test everyone. But the reward is the clean mountain air, the silence of the surrounding forests and the knowledge that you are walking on a trail with exceptional history and landscape.
On the other hand, the descent back is treacherously challenging. It is no wonder that this section is considered the most difficult cycling hike in the Krkonoše Mountains . Once you overcome it, a pleasantly winding path and many informative stops await you.
Vibrant and exceptional nature
This part of the Krkonoše is biologically diverse and rich. In a small area, rare and endangered plant species occur, originating from different geographical regions. The Krkonoše are also home to glacial relicts (isolated remnant populations from the Ice Age) and endemics , which are found nowhere else in the world.
Typical species include:
- Sudeki gnat (mountain lice),
- przytulia sudecka (Sudeten woodruff),
- biedrzeniec mniejszy skalny (rock boulder),
- Giant Mountains bellflower (dzwonek karkonoski).
These plants represent a unique botanical treasure that can only be found in this mountain range.
The interrupted road – the history of the Sudecka road
The Droga Sudecka was intended to connect towns, spas and recreational areas across the entire Sudetenland in the 1930s. It was planned as a “mountain highway” with views reminiscent of Alpine roads. It was intended to support not only tourism, but also propaganda and employment for the Third Reich.
However, the section between Podgórzyn and Przełęcz Karkonoska was never completed. Its construction was interrupted at the turn of 1944–1945 and completely abandoned after the war. The road from Špindlerův Mlýn (built in 1914–1921) does exist, but the connection was never made. Today it is a hiking and cycling route, managed by the Polish State Forests and KPN .