Polish Mountains: 12 Best Places To Visit (1 Day & Weekend)

Polish mountains are Poland’s great treasure. From the high and demanding peaks of the Tatra Mountains through the varied trails of the Karkonosze, Pieniny and Gorce Mountains to easy walks in the lower mountain ranges of Poland. The wealth of trails, peaks and interesting treks is enormous.

I have selected 12 of Poland’s most beautiful mountain ranges. You will find their main attractions, the best places to see & hints of places to stay – with a map of the best things to do in the Polish mountains.

Your head will be full of ideas on where to go to the mountains for the weekend in Poland.

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An addition to the article is a map of beautiful places in Polish Mountains with worth visiting places, peaks, beautiful mountain ranges and accommodations.

Works on phone & computer (Google Maps).

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1. Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie)

If the Owl Mountains are not the most beautiful in Poland, they can be the most mysterious. Each step along the routes of the Owl Mountains is a journey through the curious history that took place there during World War II. To protect these areas, the Owl Mountains Landscape Park was established.

You can divide the time spent in the Owl Mountains between hiking along the picturesque trails and visiting interesting places in this mountain range:

• Riese Complex – a secret Nazi construction project. It was supposed to make the interior of the Owl Mountains a new command centre of the Third Reich and the headquarters of Adolf Hitler. The backbreaking construction was interrupted by the end of World War II, but it managed to kill thousands of victims. You can visit some parts of the Riese underground complex,

• Srebrna Góra Fortress – the largest mountain fortress in Europe. The monument is recognizable in Poland, Europe and the world. The well-preserved buildings of the central part of the fortress will allow you to imagine what the everyday life of the soldiers barracked there looked like.

The most important peaks worth reaching are Wielka Sowa (the highest peak of the Owl Mountains) and Kalenica. There are observation towers on both mountains. Your base may be Walim, Jugów or Wałbrzych.

2. Bieszczady Mountains

The Bieszczady Mountains were a paradise for people looking for peace in the past. Nowadays, the popularity of this mountain range has increased. There are more and more tourists here every year. Still, many places in the Bieszczady Mountains allow you to spend a quiet weekend in the mountains.

While wandering around the Bieszczady Mountains, it is worth going through the characteristic meadows – Połonina Caryńska, Połonina Wetlińska and Bukowe Berdo. They offer beautiful views of this mountain range. You will meet a lot of tourists there, so if you prefer less crowded attractions, go to Hyrlata. The Bieszczady National Park protects beautiful nature.

A weekend spent in the mountains does not have to be just hiking along the trails. During your stay in the Bieszczady Mountains, you can visit:

• The Bieszczady Forest Railway – a narrow-gauge railway, which used to be used to transport woodcuts from the surrounding forests. Nowadays, it carries tourists and is a great tourist attraction in the area of ​​Cisna,

• Sources of the San – located in the border region, right next to the border with Ukraine, along which this river meanders. The San Valley Landscape Park was created in its valley. You can start your trip to the springs from the Bukowiec parking,

• Wooden Architecture Trail – Bieszczady is a multitude of wooden churches. They are evidence of the turbulent history of these areas. Select the ones that interest you the most from the list.

The most important peaks worth reaching in the Bieszczady Mountains are Tarnica (the highest peak in the Bieszczady Mountains), Halicz and Smerek. Your base in Bieszczady can be Wetlina, Ustrzyki Górne or Cisna.

3. Giant Mountains (Karkonosze)

The Giant Mountains are the highest range of the Sudetes and one of the most-visited parts of Lower Silesia by tourists. If you haven’t had a chance to admire the views from Śnieżka, you should add Karkonosze to your list of ideas for a trip to the mountains for the weekend. The mountain range is located within the Karkonosze National Park.

If you decide to spend a mountain weekend in the Giant Mountains, you can also consider:

• Walking along the Giant Mountains from Śnieżka to Szrenica – a full-day hike that will lead you through the most beautiful corners of the Giant Mountains. You will pass by Śnieżne Kotły. From the top you will see the Cauldron of Mały Staw with the Samotnia Shelter,

• Visiting Szklarska Poręba – a loop around the city along the black trail that will lead you to the Szklarka Waterfall, the Złoty Widok vantage point and the Old Walloon Cottage, spreading the contemporary Walloon traditions of the former inhabitants of these lands,

• Visiting Karpacz – a walk in the footsteps of the most important attractions of the city. During the trip, you will reach the wooden Wang Church brought in chests from Norway. You will also see the dam on Łomnica, which was built to protect the town from floods, the former Orlinek Ski Jump and the Raven Rocks (Krucze Skały), which are the point viewpoint on the Giant Mountains.

The most important peaks worth climbing during a trip to these mountains are Śnieżka (the highest peak of the Giant Mountains) and Szrenica. Wandering around Szrenica, you should see Śnieżne Kotły. Your starting base in the Giant Mountains could be Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba.

4. Tatra Mountains (Tatry)

A mountain range that does not need an introduction. These are the highest Polish mountains. At its feet lies the winter capital of Poland – Zakopane. When looking for ideas for a trip to the mountains for the weekend, you cannot forget about the Tatras and the most famous peaks of this range. The Tatra National Park protects the naturally valuable Tatra Mountains.

The most important attractions that you should consider:

• Climbing Giewont – the peak towering over Zakopane, connected with the legend of a sleeping knight. In the high season, queues of tourists form under the summit of Giewont, who want to climb it,

• Climbing or reaching Kasprowy Wierch by cable car – a better option for your health and fitness will be a hiking trip. If you do not have the time, desire or possibilities, you can buy a ticket for the cable car. But notice that the queues at the entrance can be long. So after a dozen or so minutes, you will enjoy the mountain views from one of the most recognizable peaks of the Tatra Mountains,

• Hiking to Morskie Oko – a route that hundreds of tourists walk to see one of the most beautiful views of the Tatra Mountains – Morskie Oko. It is lying at the foot of soaring peaks. Remember not to use a horse-drawn carriage on the route. The animals do a backbreaking job on the trail, and you should not add any money to it.

The most popular peaks of the Tatra Mountains are Kasprowy Wierch and Giewont. Better-prepared tourists also climb Świnica and Rysy (the highest, quite technically difficult peak in the Polish part of the Tatra Mountains). Zakopane will be your natural base.

DISCOVER THE BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE POLISH MOUNTAINS

Find worth visiting places, peaks, mountain ranges and good hotels & apartments on a map of places to see in Polish Mountains.

A good place to discover the most beautiful corners of Poland. Works on phone & computer (Google Maps). 

Check price & buy a map

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5. Pieniny Mountains (Pieniny)

The Pieniny Mountains are a small border mountain range that tourists appreciate for the variety of attractions in a small area. In addition to mountain trails, you can enjoy the picturesque Lake Czorsztyn with a magnificent dam, castles and the legendary rafting down the Dunajec River. The Pieniny National Park protects nature in this area.

The Pieniny Mountains are not a vast mountain range, but do not let this fool you – attractions should not be missing for long days. In your plans for a weekend in the Pieniny Mountains, consider:

• Rafting on the Dunajec River – an attraction that brings many tourists to the Pieniny Mountains. Rafting on a rafting boat from Sromowce Niżne to Szczawnica or Krościenko will allow you to see the Pieniny Mountains from the perspective of the river and listen to the stories of raftsmen,

• Visiting Lake Czorsztyn – the picturesque lake owes its popularity not only to its location at the foot of the Pieniny Mountains. It is also because of the Czorsztyn and Niedzica castles standing by the lake. The dam with a hydroelectric plant is also very impressive,

• Seeing the famous Pieniny pine – a tree that has been growing on the top of Sokolica for over 500 years. A popular photo theme and a compulsory frame from most postcards. The tree was damaged during a rescue operation in 2018, and in 2021, a strong wind broke off another fragment. This amazing tree remembers the world from the 16th century.

Wandering through the Pieniny Mountains, climb to the top of Trzy Korony (the highest peak in the Pieniny Mountains) and Sokolica. Your starting point may be Szczawnica, Sromowce Niżne and Sromowce Wyżne.

6. Silesian Beskids (Beskid Śląski)

The Silesian Beskid is a mountain range located in the southern part of the Silesian Voivodeship. A dense network of hiking trails wraps around this mountain range like a spider’s web. So you should not run out of ideas for trips to this region for a long time. In this valuable area, the Silesian Beskids Landscape Park was created.

A lot of routes and a large number of shelters will give you the freedom and flexibility in planning trips. When planning your visit, consider:

• Crossing the red trail next to the springs of the Vistula River – the longest Polish river originates in the Silesian Beskids. The red trail running next to the Przysłop Shelter will allow you to get to know the area at the foot of Barania Góra better,

• Seeing famous laces from Koniaków – you can admire the world-famous Koniaków laces in the Lace Museum. You will learn more about the history of lace crafts in the museum. You will also see many of the creations of this art. The largest lace – a Guinness record holder, is located in Istebna,

• Visiting Adam Małysz Ski Jumping Hill in Wisła-Malinka – polish legendary ski jumper Adam Małysz comes from Wisła. In the town, there is a ski jump named after him. World Cup competitions are held in this place. You can take the lift to the top of the ski jump and admire the surroundings from this perspective.

The Silesian Beskids’ most important peaks worth reaching are Skrzyczne (the highest peak of this mountain range, the trail to Skrzyczne begins in Szczyrk), Barania Góra and Szyndzielnia (towering over Bielsko-Biała).

The natural starting points in the Silesian Beskids are Wisła, Ustroń, Szczyrk and Bielsko-Biała.

7. Landeshut Ridge (Rudawy Janowickie)

Rudawy Janowickie is a Lower Silesian mountain range that lies at the foot of popular among tourists the Giant Mountains. The Rudawy Janowickie trails are an exciting alternative to hiking in the Giant Mountains.

You can expect relatively easy routes in these mountains with numerous viewpoints over the surrounding area. The area is protected within the Rudawy Landscape Park.

When planning a trip to Rudawy Janowickie, do not forget about the most beautiful places of this area:

• Colorful Lakelets – recognized as one of the new wonders of Poland. Lakes are shimmering with a riot of colours, tinted by water flowing from the mountains. Formerly, the Colorful Lakelets were excavations of a pyrite mine. Today it is one of the most fantastic attractions of Lower Silesia,

• An observation deck on the top of Sokolik – a vantage point. You can get up there shaking steel stairs. It offers a view of the entire range of the Giant Mountains. An easy trail leads here from the Szwajcarka Shelter,

• An abandoned town Miedzianka – for hundreds of years, a mining town bustling with life collapsed and completely depopulated. It happened due to intensive mining and depleted deposits of natural resources. The valuable architecture was destroyed, and the inhabitants were displaced. Today, Miedzianka is reborn. The interest among tourists is growing, and the Miedzianka Brewery, serving tasty beer, brings more and more visitors,

• Ruins of Bolczów Castle – the ruins of Bolczów Castle, incorporated into the surrounding rocks. It has not been rebuilt since the Swedish Deluge. The ruins are well preserved and allow you to imagine what the castle might have looked like in its golden period.

In Rudawy Janowickie, go to the top of Sokolik, visit Starościńskie Skały (rocks) and see Skalny Most (rock bridge) up close. The starting point is Janowice Wielkie, but you can also stay in a hotel operating in the Miedzianka Brewery.

8. Żywiec Beskids (Beskid Żywiecki)

Żywiec Beskids, located next to the Silesian Beskids, is the second-highest mountain range in Poland. It is situated on the border of Upper Silesia and Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Tourists appreciate this region, among others, thanks to Babia Góra. It is located in the Babia Góra National Park, where the Tatra Mountains are clearly visible. There is also the Żywiec Landscape Park in Żywiec Beskids.

When hiking in the Żywiec Beskids during your weekend in the mountains, take into account:

• Climbing the peaks of Babia Góra and Pilsko – these are the two most interesting peaks of the Żywiec Beskids. You will be able to admire the surrounding landscapes from these places. At the foot of Babia Góra, there is the Markowe Szczawiny Shelter. You can combine the entrance to Pilsko with a visit to Hala Boracza and Hala Rysianka. There are also shelters next to them.

You can look for accommodation in Żywiec Beskids in Korbielów or at the foot of Babia Góra, e.g. in Zawoja.

DISCOVER THE BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE POLISH MOUNTAINS

Find worth visiting places, peaks, mountain ranges and good hotels & apartments on a map of places to see in Polish Mountains.

A good place to discover the most beautiful corners of Poland. Works on phone & computer (Google Maps). 

Check price & buy a map

Find more about the map

9. Stołowe Mountains (Góry Stołowe)

The Stołowe Mountains is a characteristic mountain range in Lower Silesia. The area is protected by the Stołowe Mountains National Park. In the close neighbourhood of the Stołowe Mountains, there are several health resorts near Kłodzko. They can also be an interesting destination for a weekend trip to the mountains.

When choosing points of your weekend travel program to the Stołowe Mountains, consider:

• Climbing Szczeliniec Wielki – the highest peak of the Stołowe Mountains, which you can reach by stairs. The path for tourists was marked by the Sudeten guide – Franz Pabel. There is a shelter at the top of the mountain,

• Wandering in the labyrinth of Błędne Skały – a tourist attraction located near Karłów. It has a form of rock labyrinth with a tourist trail led. On the route, you will find a lot of narrow and low passages through which you will have to squeeze,

• Resting in Kłodzko spas – you can choose between one of the spa towns (e.g. Kudowa Zdrój, Duszniki Zdrój, Polanica Zdrój). In these places, you can drink healing water in the pump room and walk in the spa parks.

During the weekend in the Stołowe Mountains, I recommend you to climb Szczeliniec Wielki. Your starting point for trips to the Stołowe Mountains can be Karłów, Radków and the health resorts – Kudowa-Zdrój, Polanica-Zdrój or Duszniki-Zdrój.

10. Gorce Mountains (Gorce)

Gorce is a mountain range in Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The central part of this area is the Gorce National Park. Trails are not so crowded there so you will be able to spend a quiet weekend in the mountains. You can combine your visit to Gorce with wandering around the Pieniny Mountains.

When planning your mountain weekend in Gorce, take into account some of the most interesting attractions of this region:

• Climbing Turbacz – the highest peak of the Gorce Mountains. There is a view of the Tatra Mountains from that place. There is a shelter under the peak of Turbacz,

• Lookout tower at Gorc peak – this is one of the three existing observation towers in Gorce Mountains (the others are in Lubań and Magurka). You can see almost the entire area of ​​the Gorce National Park from here,

• Admiring Lake Czorsztyn from the top of Lubań – another lookout tower (in Lubań) will allow you to see the peaks of Pieniny Mountains and the picturesque Lake Czorsztyn from above.

The nearest larger towns in the Gorce region are Rabka-Zdrój and Nowy Targ. You can also stop in Koninki at the foot of the Gorce Mountains.

11. Ślęża

If you are thinking about a weekend in the mountains, you cannot forget about the queen of short journeys – Ślęża. The lonely peak is located near Wrocław, within the Ślęża Landscape Park. Tourists often choose Ślęża as the destination where they want to actively spend their weekend in the mountains.

The most convenient trail to Ślęża leads from Sobótka. The town can be your accommodation base. At the top of the mountain, you will find the tourist house, observation tower and a church. The entrance from Sobótka will take you approx. 2 hours. The journey by bus from Wrocław to Sobótka takes approx. an hour.

12. Kaczawskie Foothills (Pogórze Kaczawskie)

This range of hills in Lower Silesia is not popular among tourists yet. Although, every mountain lover should know about it. Despite their low heights, the hills hide millions of years of history. Many of them are remnants of volcanoes that operated here in the past.

When planning your trip to the Kaczawskie Foothills and the Chełmy Landscape Park, consider:

• Myślibórz Gorge – the most important attractions are interesting geological forms related to the volcanic past of this place. Exploding hundreds of millions of years ago, underwater volcanoes released lava, which quickly solidified to form the rocks for which the Myślibórz Gorge is famous today.

• The Wielisław Organ – one of the most characteristic places of both the Chełmy Landscape Park and the entire Land of Extinct Volcanoes. This is a group of spectacular fractures, which are solidified lava from a volcanic eruption about 270 million years ago.

• The observation tower on the Zawodna Mountain – it offers the most extensive views not only of the Kaczawskie Foothills, but also of the Karkonosze, Rudawy Janowickie and the Stone Mountains. You can also see Ostrzyca – the highest elevation of the Kaczawskie Foothills.

• Ostrzyca – the highest elevation of the Kaczawskie Foothills, located 501 m above sea level. Its pointed, conical silhouette is characteristic. It became a symbol of the Land of Extinct Volcanoes and the vicinity of the Chełmy Landscape Park.

You can stay overnight in Sokołowsko, Świerzawa, Dobków or Sędziszowa. Each of these places will be a good base for exploring the area.

I hope that the article helped you find the answer to the question “where to go to the mountains for the weekend”. My suggestions and the list of the most beautiful places in the mountains can serve as inspiration for many trips in the future. I wish you a successful exploration of the Polish mountains!

EXPLORE POLISH MOUNTAINS WITH NO EFFORT

An addition to the article is a map of beautiful places in Polish Mountains with worth visiting places, peaks, beautiful mountain ranges and accommodations.

Works on phone & computer (Google Maps).

Check price & buy a map

Find more about the map