Książ Landscape Park

Książ Landscape Park covers hills on the border of the Sudeten Foreland and the Central Sudetes, right by Wałbrzych and Świebodzice. It was established in 1981 by resolution of the Voivodeship National Council in Wałbrzych of 28 October that year, to protect the landscape around the castle, which today is a separately described attraction.

Three landscape zones

According to the physical-geographic classification, the park forms part of the Western Sudeten Foothills. To the north-west it lies within Wałbrzych, and to the north it borders Świebodzice. The area is divided into three landscape zones: Dobromierz to the north-west, Książ in the central part, and Lubiechów to the east. Besides these two towns, the park also covers land in the municipalities of Świdnica, Stare Bogaczowice and Dobromierz.

Reserves and natural monuments

Two nature reserves lie within the park's boundaries: Przełomy pod Książem, protecting a river gorge with rich flora and fauna, and Jeziorko Daisy, established around a former limestone quarry with exposed fossils from the Upper Devonian. The park also includes 17 natural monuments, mainly old yew trees, avenues of historic trees, and an arboretum with 130 species of exotic trees and 126 monumental trees.

A castle at the heart of the park

The core of the area is the castle hill with Książ Castle and the neighbouring Stary Książ Castle, with the Daisy Pond Nature Reserve also nearby. These sites already have their own descriptions; the landscape park forms their shared natural setting.

Practical information

• Location: hills between Wałbrzych, Świebodzice and Dobromierz, in the Western Sudeten Foothills
• Getting there: by local roads from Wałbrzych or Świebodzice, close to the route to Książ
• What to expect: forested hills, river gorges, old yew trees and an arboretum, trails around the castle