Główny Szlak Sudecki

Główny Szlak Sudecki (full name Główny Szlak Sudecki im. Mieczysława Orłowicza, which means Mieczysław Orłowicz Main Sudetes Trail in Polish) is a public hiking trail in Poland running along the Sudetes. The total length of this route is 350 km[1] and the approximate time to cover it varies between 87 and 90 hours. The trail was constructed in 1947 and throughout its history has been several times modified. It is blazed red.

Mieczysław Orłowicz Main Sudetes Trail
Trail blazing
Length440 km (273 mi)
LocationSudetes, Poland
TrailheadsŚwieradów-Zdrój 50.908333°N 15.333333°E / 50.908333; 15.333333
Prudnik 50.319722°N 17.579167°E / 50.319722; 17.579167
UseHiking
Elevation
Highest point1,509 metres (4,951 ft)
Hiking details
SeasonAll year

Towns and landmarks on the trail

The trail starts in Świeradów Zdrój in the Jizera Mountains. In Szklarska Poręba it enters Karkonosze, the highest mountain range on its way. For the next 20 km it merges with the Polish - Czech Friendship Trail at Szrenica and runs on the main ridge along Polish and Czech border, to reach its culminating point, the highest peak in the Sudetes - Śnieżka. The path then descends to Karpacz and leads through another mountain range - Rudawy Janowickie. Having passed Krzeszów, the Stone Mountains and Owl Mountains the trail enters the area of the Kłodzko Valley and runs along the ridge of the Table Mountains with its reserves, spas such as Polanica-Zdrój, Duszniki-Zdrój and Kudowa-Zdrój and the Table Mountains National Park, one of the youngest national parks in Poland. Then it inclines to the north to run through the Śnieżnik Mountains, the second highest point on the route, then along the Golden Mountains. The trail finishes in Paczków, although for several years there has been a detached part in Prudnik (Opawskie Mountains).

  • Trail blazing at the summit of Słonecznik 1,420 metres (4,660 ft)
  • Śnieżka - the highest summit next to the trail
  • Samotnia - mountain hut in Karkonosze
  • Golden Mountains in the eastern part of the trail
  • Trail towards Hala Szrenicka

Tourism and hiking

The trail is accessible the whole year, although parts of it may be closed in winter due to the possibility of avalanches (Karkonosze) as well as dangerous marshes (Table Mountains). It does not involve any kind of advanced climbing, neither the mountain ranges are steep; nevertheless the long-distance hiking requires advance preparations. In the most difficult parts climbing aids are provided. The trail has numerous junctions with other trails and public paths In Karkonosze it is accessible through chairlifts from both the Polish and Czech sides.

There are many mountain huts and small hotels, especially in the western and middle parts,[2] although some of them offer only common sleeping rooms and refreshments. Polish mountain huts are obliged to overnight each person who is not able to find any other place before sunset or in an emergency.[3] Booking in advance is recommended. Most of the huts are run by the PTTK (Polish National Tourist Society). Refreshments and organised forms of catering are available on each part of the trail, although it is recommended to bring one's own food.

Main Sudetes Trail as seen on the map of the mountains

References
  1. Główny Szlak Sudecki im. M. Orłowicza Archived 2009-12-15 at the Wayback Machine [retrieved 2009-12-25]
  2. Schroniska górskie w Sudetach Archived 2011-04-29 at the Wayback Machine [retrieved 2009-12-25]
  3. Regulamin schroniska PTTK [retrieved 2009-12-25]
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