There are many mountain ranges in the southern part of Poland. This is why Poland attracts skiers and snowboarders, as well as hikers. Tourists who decide to go on vacation to the mountains in Poland are guaranteed to have a good time, relax in body and soul, regardless of the season.
General information about the mountain systems of Poland
Mountain systems with a total length of 1,300 km of different heights and geological structures form the entire massif of the Polish mountains, at the foot of which travelers can always spend their holidays.
The main mountain systems that pass through the territory of Poland are the Carpathians and the Sudetes. Also, the territory of Poland is decorated with a low, in comparison with the Carpathians and Sudetenlands, the Swietokrzysk mountain system.
Mountains occupy the south of the country: the Sudetes are located in the southwest, and the Carpathians - in the southeast of Polish territory.
Between these systems is the Moravian Gate mountain pass, through which the trade route from north to south of Europe used to pass.
The Carpathians stretch along the Polish and Slovak border, while the Sudetes stretch along the Polish and Czech border. The highest point in the Polish Carpathians is Mount Rysy with a height of 2499 m, which is the peak in the High Tatras. The highest point in the Sudetenland is the town of Snezhka, 1603 meters high.
The Carpathians are divided into regions: Western, Eastern and Southern. The Carpathians in Poland are part of the Western Carpathians, and only one of the parts on the border with Ukraine belongs to the Eastern Carpathians. The western part of the Carpathians in Poland is divided into Tatras and Beskydy.
The Tatras differ significantly from the rest of the mountainous area due to the alpine relief and height. The main ridge of the Tatras coincides with the line of the state border of Poland and Slovakia. The maximum elevation reaches 2300 meters. It is at the foot of the Tatras that the famous resort of Zakopane is located.
Beskydy is a part of the mountain system of the Western Carpathians. They stretch from the Tatras to the west, north and east. The highest point is Mount Baba Gura with a height of 1725 meters.
The Sudetenland is located in the southwestern part of Poland on the border with the Czech Republic. Like the Carpathians, the Sudetes are also divided into Western and Eastern. Besides this, they also have the Central part.
In the Western Sudetenland, in addition to the Giant Mountains, there are the Izerské and Kachavské mountains. The Opava and Golden Mountains rise in the Eastern Sudetenland. The main feature of the ancient Sudetenland is the smooth outlines of the slopes and the presence of deep intermontane basins.
Polish Carpathians
The Polish Carpathians are in many ways similar to the Carpathians in Ukraine. Although the rocks themselves are different, there are the same log trees, stone embankments, grass and flowers - mostly edelweiss. The Polish Carpathians also have many depressions, caves, alpine lakes and waterfalls. All this was formed due to the activity of the glacier.
Mysterious place - Sudetes
Shrouded in legends, the Sudetenland is a mountain system of extraordinary beauty more than 4.5 billion years old on the border of Poland with the Czech Republic.
Near the town of Myslibozh, there is a formation of stones called the Small Organ. This structure is all that remains of the basalt mine. People by their own labor were able to open the middle part of the mouth of the long extinct Ratay volcano. From the frozen lava, a unique structure emerged, which in appearance resembles an organ.
One of the most mystical places is Basaltova Góra. During pagan times, a sacred grove stretched here. When Poland was converted to Christianity, the pagans were ardent opponents of this event. Once the bishop gave an order to destroy the grove together with the Magi, and since then this area has an unusual energy, attracting neo-pagans.
There is also an observation tower in the mountains, erected in 1906. Its height is 10 meters, but in the summertime it is difficult to see the landscapes from there because of the large amount of greenery, but in early spring or late autumn there are panoramas at a glance.
Sights of the Swietokrzyskie Mountains
This mountain system is the oldest and at the same time the lowest in Poland. One of the recognizable peaks is Lysa Gura, the center of pagan cult, rituals and mysticism. Here, ordinary inhabitants were sacrificed to three deities - the Whistle, the Whistle and the Weather. Weather conditions at the peak are always bad - cold, fog and rainy.
Another notable place is the Chencin Castle, the ancient residence of kings, erected in the 13th century during the reign of Vladislav Loketk. There are only ruins left of the castle, but they are worth coming here. The cost of the visit is up to 2 euros.
Yaskinya Rai is a cave with amazing dripstone formations, which is worth getting to for the sake of amazing stalactites and stalagmites.
Sightseeing tours run from January to November, Monday is a day off. Entrance fee is up to 3 euros.
Krzyztopur is the noble palace of the Osselyansky family. Their estate has always been decorated with a cross and an ax - symbols of strong faith. Only the walls remained from the palace, but the historical monument has already begun to be reconstructed.
The best resorts in the highlands of Poland
Tourism in Poland is booming. Kosygin and Honnecker rested in Polish resorts, and divers once managed to collect 1200 kg of coins at the bottom of a mountain lake. The table shows the best resort places in the Republic of Poland.
| Resort | Peculiarities |
|---|---|
| Arlamow | Located in the Beskydy, a fashionable resort with swimming pools, saunas, golf courses, stables. |
| Zakopane | A popular resort at the foot of the Tatras among fans of winter sports and mountaineering. It is easy to get there if you happen to be near Poznan. |
| Vistula | The mountain resort with affordable prices is located on the longest river in Poland - the Vistula. Here 74% of green spaces. |
| Bukovina-Tatrzanska | The resort belongs to the Tatrovsky county territorially. There is Siklava - the highest waterfall in Poland with a mesmerizing fall of water from a height of 70 meters. |
| Szklarska Poreba | The town is located in the valley of the Kamena river among the mountains - Jizera and Krkonoše, where snow lies 110 days a year. |
| Kazimierz Dolny | The settlement is associated with the legend of the wise bird - the rooster. In the confectionery of the resort, you can buy a cockerel made of dough as a souvenir. |
When does ski season open in Poland
Poland is a great alternative to western skiing and snowboarding resorts. The country was included in the top ten of those who best develop ski infrastructure in Europe.
The ski season begins in early December, sometimes in the 20th of November, depending on the weather, although now modern technology is able to provide skiing in any conditions.
Prices in Polish winter resorts are much lower than in Italy, Austria and Finland. During high season and Christmas holidays, apartments start at € 30, while hostels offer accommodation for € 6.
Tourists from different European countries and travelers from the CIS prefer skiing on the slopes of local mountains. The most expensive resort is Zakopane, but the more affordable vacation spots are in no way inferior to it.
Conclusion
Holidays in the Polish mountains will appeal to everyone. Developed transport infrastructure, low cost in comparison with other European resorts attract many tourists. And immigrants from the CIS will additionally appreciate the absence of a language barrier, a similar climate, delicious cuisine, hospitable residents and the amazing nature of the Carpathians.
