Mountains
a 1,058-metre summit above Szklarska Poręba with a panorama over the Karkonosze and the Izerskie Mountains
the remains of a 16th-century pyrite mine, with part of the passages open to visitors
Mountains
a gneiss peak of the Kamienica Ridge in the Izera Mountains, entirely covered with forest
Mountains
a 694-metre, forested elevation in the Izera Mountains built of gneisses and granite gneisses
Parks and nature
the only site in the Polish Sudetes and Silesia of Crocus scepusiensis, commonly known as the crocus
Things to do in Kopaniec: Wysoki Kamień with its panorama, Kamienica Ridge peaks, a pyrite adit and a crocus reserve. See what to choose.
The highest is Wysoki Kamień: 1,058 metres in the Izera Mountains, just above Szklarska Poręba. It belongs to the Crown of the Lower Silesian Mountains, and the summit opens a panorama over the Karkonosze, the Izera Mountains, the Kaczawskie Mountains and the Rudawy Janowickie. West of the main summit a ridge with three rocky elevations runs along the red trail, among them Duży Wysoki Kamień (1,050 m) and Zawalidroga (1,025 m). A lookout tower once stood on the summit.
Calmer options are the peaks of the Kamienica Ridge. Wrzosówka is 694 metres high, wooded and built of gneiss and granite gneiss, and the settlement of Kopaniec lies on its northern slopes. The blue trail from Świeradów-Zdrój crosses its summit. Jastrzębiec reaches 792 metres, is also covered in forest and also lies by the blue trail from the same direction. Check the markings on a hiking map of the Izera Mountains before you set out.
The adit of the former pyrite mine is a relic of 16th to 19th century mining. The mineral extracted here resembled gold and was processed in a nearby vitriol works. Entry is free, but only part of the corridors is open. You reach the adit along the black and yellow trails from Zakręt Śmierci, then by a narrow path.
The Krokusy nature reserve in Górzyniec protects the only sites of the spring crocus in the Polish Sudetes. It covers 3.90 hectares and has existed since 1962. It lies on the northern slope of the High Ridge at about 630 to 640 metres, in the Stara Kamienica municipality, and also protects rare hornbeam woodland plants. It is a floristic reserve, so you go for the plants, not for views. For a wet day there is the Wysoki Kamień Gallery, run since 2003 by local artists. Check opening hours beforehand on the gallery's social media.
The peaks alone are gathered on Kopaniec: mountains, and places for a solo trip on Kopaniec solo. Neighbouring Szklarska Poręba offers more ideas.
