Parks and nature
the second-highest waterfall in the Polish Karkonosze, with a route accessible for wheelchairs
Mountains
the fourth highest peak of the Sudetes with a boulder field on the summit and the ruins of an emperor's monument
Mountains
the fourth highest peak of the Polish Karkonosze, with a PTTK mountain hostel on the northern slope
Lakes and bathing areas
eight post-glacial ponds at the bottom of the Śnieżne Kotły cirque, a habitat of the Alpine newt
Mountains
Mountains
the highest summit of a massif in the Karkonosze Mountains, with a guesthouse that was once Chancellor Bismarck's residence
a granite peak of the Karkonosze Foothills with rock formations right above Sobieszów
a granite peak of the Karkonosze Foothills with rock outcrops and lower montane forest on its slopes
Mountains
a peak between Szklarska Poręba and Jagniątków, on the route of two mountain trails
a hill of gneiss and granite gneiss at the eastern end of the Kamienicki Ridge in the Izera Mountains
Mountains
a forested peak of the Karkonosze built of granite, with small rocks known as Paciorki
Mountains
a summit of the Śląski Grzbiet ridge, 1090 m above sea level, with a granite boulder field and the red trail below the top
Mountains
a 593-metre peak with cliffs above the Kamienna valley, at whose foot the Szklarka stream forms a ravine with a waterfall
Mountains
a peak of the Karkonosze Foothills made of Karkonosze granite, formerly called Trzy Jawory (Three Sycamores)
a granite summit of the Karkonosze Foothills, 604 metres, on the trail linking Piechowice with Michałowice
a granite summit above Jagniątków with closed adits from a post-war uranium mine
Free attractions in Piechowice: a waterfall, tarns and peaks. Build a low-cost day in the Karkonosze, from a walk to a ridge trip.
The free tag here goes to natural targets: a waterfall, glacial tarns and more than a dozen peaks. You will not buy a ticket at any of them, because they are open places in the landscape. For free you can see the Szklarka Waterfall, the Snowy Tarns, the peaks of the Silesian Ridge and the hills of the Karkonosze Foothills. The tarns lie in hollows between moraine ridges left by the glacier that once filled the Snowy Cirques. The cost is travel, food and gear, which you plan yourself.
Start at the Szklarka Waterfall. The cascade is 13.3 metres high, lies at 525 m above sea level and is the second highest waterfall in the Polish Karkonosze. According to the listing it is accessible for wheelchair users too. The water forms a plunge pool at the base, and next to it you can see potholes, hollows carved in the rock. Add one lower hill, for example Grzybowiec (751 m), where a guesthouse called Grzybowiec-Bismarckhöhe stands on the summit, the former seat of Otto von Bismarck, or Świerczyna (665 m) with a blue and a black trail on its slopes.
The highest goal is Wielki Szyszak (1,509 m), with the border with Czechia and the ruins of the Wilhelm I monument from 1888, but no marked trail to the top. Nearby are Łabski Szczyt (1,471 m), with a PTTK hostel on its slope, and Śmielec (1,424 m). The red trail passes below Ostroga (1,090 m) and links the hostel at Łabski Szczyt with the crossroads below Wielki Szyszak. Below Łabski Szczyt lie the Snowy Cirques, with eight small lakes at roughly 1,250 to 1,350 m above sea level. The cirque itself belongs to the Karkonosze National Park, so follow its rules.
The foothills offer several calmer rises. Płoszczań (747 m) has clearings on its north-eastern slope, Łagodna (676 m) hides the Trzy Jawory crossroads, and Bucznik (about 670 m) has small rocks called Paciorki. Sośnik (650 m) is tied to a short attempt at uranium mining in 1954, and its adits are closed. Piechowicka Góra (604 m) has a road tunnel to Michałowice beneath it, Szklarz (593 m) has cliffs above the Kamienna valley, and Sobiesz neighbours Chojnik Castle. Standing apart is Mały Ciemniak (578 m) in the Izera Mountains, with no marked trails.
Free entry does not mean a trip needs no preparation. Check the forecast, take a map and plan the route with spare time. Do not enter the closed adits under Sośnik. Do not set out for peaks without marked trails if you lack experience.
Wider lists are on the pages Piechowice attractions, mountains in Piechowice, nature in Piechowice and beautiful views. Prefer to go alone? See Piechowice solo. Further on, choose Szklarska Poręba, and free places across the whole region are collected in the Free section.
The waterfall carries the free tag. Rules for entering the Karkonosze National Park may change, though, so check them before your trip.
The Szklarka Waterfall, accessible according to the listing for wheelchair users too. Older children can add a low foothill peak.
Wielki Szyszak, 1,509 m above sea level. No marked trail leads to it, so treat it as a goal for experienced walkers.
In the neighbouring towns such as Szklarska Poręba, Karpacz and Kowary. An overview of all free places in the region is in the Free section.
