Polish-Czech Friendship Trail
Encyclopedia
The Polish–Czech Friendship Trail is a public walking path in the Karkonosze
Mountains (Giant Mountains). The path runs on both sides of the Czech–Polish border
, along the main ridge and crosses or traverses all its summits. The maintenance of the trail is performed by the staff of both adjacent national parks: the Polish Karkonosze National Park
and the Czech Krkonoše National Park
. The trail is marked red and the signs mostly bilingual. The start point is located on Szrenica
and the end in the Okraj Pass
/Pomezní boudy; the length of the trail is approx. 30 km; the level of difficulty is moderate. The trail partially overlaps with ski trails.
, the peak area of Karkonosze remained untouched; the first people to explore it were treasure hunters looking for gold, and shepherds. Already in the 18th century ascents to the Sněžka/Śnieżka were fairly common, albeit the forms of organised tourism appeared in the second half of 19th century, along with railway access to Jelenia Góra
, Szklarska Poręba
and Karpacz
. Before the rush time for Karkonosze, Śnieżka was climbed amongst others by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
. In that period many shepherd's huts were built, called in German Baude and bouda in Czech. Some of them were developed later in mountain huts, which exist even now, e.g. Lucni Bouda. Due to the industrial revolution and the period of prosperity (which corresponds to Victorian times in England) tourism and hiking became popular. This was about the time, when the whole network of roads and trails, altogether ca 300 km, was constructed in both Silesian and Bohemian parts of the mountains. The whole idea was conceived, implemented and managed by two mountain clubs, Austrian Riesengebirgenverein and German Riesengebirgenverein. All the main paths and trails, including these in the alpine area, had been constructed before World War I
. The trail, later dubbed Polish-Czech Friendship Trail, was completed before the end of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century the upper zones of the range were a busy tourist region with numerous huts and other facilities.
treaty concerned with tourism and mutual relations. It was made possible to hike along the border, but it still involved some formalities (eg.identity card and check-in to a hotel) and the trail was not accessible to tourists outside these two countries. In the 1970s and 1980s Polish and Czech dissident
s met on the trail, including Jacek Kuroń
and Václav Havel
. With the implementation of martial law in Poland
on 13 December 1981 the trail was closed. It was reinstated in 1984. Paradoxically, despite the declared friendship, the trail route was the subject to some formal issues: Czech authorities claimed that the route infringed the Czech territory by 2 metres. Trips to the peak of Sněžka were possible only if accompanied by a guide approved by local authorities (including the army and militia). After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia
in 1993, the name changed to Polish-Czech Friendship Trail and the regulations were reduced considerably: the check-points were often left unstaffed and only random inspections on the border were performed. On the introduction of the Schengen rules
in 2007, all border controls were eliminated. Nonetheless, any persons crossing the border must have a valid identity document (ID card, passport) with them.
are shrouded in fog or cloud for more than half of the year: for 296 days and 264 days respectively. The annual average temperature on Mount Sniezka reaches approx +0.2°C, for Szrenica +1.9°C. Snow covers the ground until at least April; in the snow pits melts even in summer. Also, Śnieżka is one of the windiest place in Poland; only about three days a year are calm.
monoculture prevails. Acid rain
s, frequent in years 1980 and 1990 affected the area, though their destructive effect was not as powerful as in the lower zones. In some parts, especially around Mały Szyszak mountain meadows cover the large areas, used in 19th and in the first half of the 20th centuries as mountain pasture areas. This has come to a standstill, although some traces of those activities, as old shepherd huts, can still be found; some of them have been converted into mountain huts.
The subalpine vegetation zone, prevailing along the track, consists of subarctic highmoors and mountain pine
. Many species coexist here, as cloudberry
and lichen
. The alpine vegetation zone appears only at the slopes of Śnieżka which is a rocky desert covered in granite rubble
.
The fauna to be met on the trail is relatively poor due to the fact that the region was long ago penetrated by human beings. Bears, volves, once numerous, especially in the pass areas, are extinct. Badger
s, mouflon
s occur relatively rarely, especially in the topmost regions along the trail. One representative of alpine fauna is the mountain shrew
. The world of birds is much richer, comprising among others black grouse
, Tengmalm's owl
, alpine accentor
, water pipit
, common redpoll
, Western Capercaillie. Numerous nonvertebrates also occur in the alpine zone.
joining the main Sudetes Trail
, which starts in Świeradów-Zdrój
in the Jizera Mountains
, subsequent mountain range and runs eastwards along the main ridge to Śnieżka, the highest summit of the range.
After a mild descent amongst the vast mountain pine
shrub, it traverses the second highest peak of the range, Wielki Szyszak
, the helmet shaped peak, which it derives its Polish name from. Covered in granite rocks, it elevates distinctly over other peaks of this part of the range, being the steepest and with the most alpine features. Then the trail touches the upper border of Śnieżne Kotły
, two glacial cirque
s, the nature reserve. The radio tower above has been the distinctive landmark since the moment it was built. Sniezne Kotly offer landscapes over the whole Lower Silesia
region. The trail traverses Łabski szczyt hosting the sources of the River Labe
on the Czech side, then runs along the top of another post-glacial cirque, Wielki Kocioł Jagniątkowski, which precedes two mild peaks with the prominent rock formations, Czeskie Kamienie and Śląskie Kamienie (Silesian Rocks and Czech Rocks). These names are entirely Polish, as in Czech and German they are dubbed "Male Rocks" and "Female Rocks". Finally, the trail falls mildly to reach the Przełęcz Karkonoska
, dividing Karkonosze into western and eastern part.
From there on the way to Śnieżka, the trail traverses the mild peak Smogornia
and, leading through the exposed grassy slope with common mountain pine shrubs slowly descends to the standalone rock Słonecznik
. On the left, suddenly a deep cirque appears with Wielki Staw
and Maly Staw at the bottom, two postglacial lakes, accessible by means of a path downhill, marked blue. Near the lakes, there are two mountain huts: Samotnia and Strzecha Akademicka. Then the trail crosses the plateau Równia pod Śnieżką
with cirques on both sides. The Friendship trail intersects here with several important paths to remarkable towns: Špindlerův Mlýn
and Karpacz
. At the mountain hut Śląski Dom, once the border checkpoint, the trail ascends the peak of Śnieżka; the only fragment which involves climbing up the steep slope. There is a possibility of avoiding this effort, by choosing Droga Jubileuszowa, (Jubilee Road), mild cobblestone road able to carry car and small truck traffic. Although shortcuts are forbidden along the whole trail, this place is extremely dangerous due to marsh
y ground. Having passed the peak, the pass runs parallel to the border on the Czech side, that is the place when the trail does not stick directly to the borderline.
The trail finishes at the grassy Okraj
Pass.
, Karpacz
and Špindlerův Mlýn
. It is open the whole year, although some parts as well as linking routes may be closed in winter due to avalanches. Along the trail there are over 10 junctions with other trails, leading to towns, bus and railway stations in both countries respectively. Mountain huts are available on the trail or in the vicinity, mostly with refreshments and some offering catering for organised groups. The route is secured with fences along abysses (Śnieżne Kotły, Mały Staw
and Wielki Staw
), other climbing aids, mostly chains, are available in the most difficult parts. The route falls under the Karkonosze National Park
ordinance, according to which, among others, hiking out of the marked trails, shortcuts and rough camping are forbidden and are subjects to fines. The path is clearly and visibly marked, although Polish signs show distances in hours, Czech ones - in kilometres.
and Czech Krkonoše National Park
. They are in charge of the current maintenance, road repair and other current and long term plans, which is regulated by an act issued by the parliaments of both countries and there are government financed and supported institutions.
In all emergencies and accidents, the operations are conducted by the mountain rescue services of two countries: Górskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (Polish Mountain Voluntary Emergency Corps) - Karkonosze Group, which operates 3 permanent and 6 winter stations in the vicinity of the trail and the Czech corpse Horská služba - respectively 5 permanent and 9 winter stations.
Karkonosze
Krkonoše is a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system . The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge...
Mountains (Giant Mountains). The path runs on both sides of the Czech–Polish border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
, along the main ridge and crosses or traverses all its summits. The maintenance of the trail is performed by the staff of both adjacent national parks: the Polish Karkonosze National Park
Karkonosze National Park
The Karkonosze National Park is a National Park in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwestern Poland.The park is located in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, along the border with the Czech Republic. It was created in 1959 to cover an area of 55.10 km²; today it is slightly larger at , of which 17.18 km²...
and the Czech Krkonoše National Park
Krkonoše National Park
Krkonoše National Park is a national park in the Liberec and Hradec Králové regions of the Czech Republic. It lies in the Krkonoše Mountains which is the highest range of the country. The park has also been listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site...
. The trail is marked red and the signs mostly bilingual. The start point is located on Szrenica
Szrenica
Szrenica is a mountain peak situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park. Its name originates from the Polish word szron . There is a weather station situated close to the summit. The peak is deforested, both the southern and the...
and the end in the Okraj Pass
Okraj
Okraj is a mountain pass in Poland and the Czech Republic, on the eastern end of Karkonosze, separating two side ranges of the mountains. Former checkpoint, dismounted in 2007 after the implementation of the Schengen Agreement....
/Pomezní boudy; the length of the trail is approx. 30 km; the level of difficulty is moderate. The trail partially overlaps with ski trails.
History
Background
Until the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, the peak area of Karkonosze remained untouched; the first people to explore it were treasure hunters looking for gold, and shepherds. Already in the 18th century ascents to the Sněžka/Śnieżka were fairly common, albeit the forms of organised tourism appeared in the second half of 19th century, along with railway access to Jelenia Góra
Jelenia Góra
----Jelenia Góra is a city in Lower Silesia, south-western Poland. The name of the city means "deer mountain" in Polish, Czech and German. It is close to the Krkonoše mountain range running along the Polish-Czech border – ski resorts such as Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba can be found...
, Szklarska Poręba
Szklarska Poreba
Szklarska Poręba is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. The town has a population of around 7,000...
and Karpacz
Karpacz
Karpacz is a spa town and ski resort in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland, and one of the most important centres for mountain hiking and skiing, including ski jumping. Its population is about 5,000...
. Before the rush time for Karkonosze, Śnieżka was climbed amongst others by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, pictorial artist, biologist, theoretical physicist, and polymath. He is considered the supreme genius of modern German literature. His works span the fields of poetry, drama, prose, philosophy, and science. His Faust has been called the greatest long...
. In that period many shepherd's huts were built, called in German Baude and bouda in Czech. Some of them were developed later in mountain huts, which exist even now, e.g. Lucni Bouda. Due to the industrial revolution and the period of prosperity (which corresponds to Victorian times in England) tourism and hiking became popular. This was about the time, when the whole network of roads and trails, altogether ca 300 km, was constructed in both Silesian and Bohemian parts of the mountains. The whole idea was conceived, implemented and managed by two mountain clubs, Austrian Riesengebirgenverein and German Riesengebirgenverein. All the main paths and trails, including these in the alpine area, had been constructed before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The trail, later dubbed Polish-Czech Friendship Trail, was completed before the end of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century the upper zones of the range were a busy tourist region with numerous huts and other facilities.
History of the trail
The trail was opened on 16 June 1961, as a result of the Polish–CzechoslovakCzechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
treaty concerned with tourism and mutual relations. It was made possible to hike along the border, but it still involved some formalities (eg.identity card and check-in to a hotel) and the trail was not accessible to tourists outside these two countries. In the 1970s and 1980s Polish and Czech dissident
Dissident
A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution. When dissidents unite for a common cause they often effect a dissident movement....
s met on the trail, including Jacek Kuroń
Jacek Kuron
Jacek Jan Kuroń was one of the democratic leaders of opposition in the People's Republic of Poland. Kuroń was a prominent Polish social and political figure; educator and historian; an activist of the Polish Scouting Association; co-founder of the Workers' Defence Committee; twice a Minister of...
and Václav Havel
Václav Havel
Václav Havel is a Czech playwright, essayist, poet, dissident and politician. He was the tenth and last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic . He has written over twenty plays and numerous non-fiction works, translated internationally...
. With the implementation of martial law in Poland
Martial law in Poland
Martial law in Poland refers to the period of time from December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983, when the authoritarian government of the People's Republic of Poland drastically restricted normal life by introducing martial law in an attempt to crush political opposition to it. Thousands of opposition...
on 13 December 1981 the trail was closed. It was reinstated in 1984. Paradoxically, despite the declared friendship, the trail route was the subject to some formal issues: Czech authorities claimed that the route infringed the Czech territory by 2 metres. Trips to the peak of Sněžka were possible only if accompanied by a guide approved by local authorities (including the army and militia). After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia
Dissolution of Czechoslovakia
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia, which took effect on 1 January 1993, was an event that saw the self-determined separation of the federal state of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic and Slovakia, entities which had arisen in 1969 within the framework of Czechoslovak federalisation, became...
in 1993, the name changed to Polish-Czech Friendship Trail and the regulations were reduced considerably: the check-points were often left unstaffed and only random inspections on the border were performed. On the introduction of the Schengen rules
Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed on 14 June 1985 near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, between five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community. It was supplemented by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement 5 years later...
in 2007, all border controls were eliminated. Nonetheless, any persons crossing the border must have a valid identity document (ID card, passport) with them.
Weather and climate
Being situated in the upper part of the Karkonosze range, the trail’s climate is generally more varied and less favourable than in the lower levels. Both major peaks on the trail, Sněžka and SzrenicaSzrenica
Szrenica is a mountain peak situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park. Its name originates from the Polish word szron . There is a weather station situated close to the summit. The peak is deforested, both the southern and the...
are shrouded in fog or cloud for more than half of the year: for 296 days and 264 days respectively. The annual average temperature on Mount Sniezka reaches approx +0.2°C, for Szrenica +1.9°C. Snow covers the ground until at least April; in the snow pits melts even in summer. Also, Śnieżka is one of the windiest place in Poland; only about three days a year are calm.
Nature
The path on its whole course stays away from the hardwood forest; with the predominant montane and subalpine vegetation zone; spruceSpruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
monoculture prevails. Acid rain
Acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions . It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen...
s, frequent in years 1980 and 1990 affected the area, though their destructive effect was not as powerful as in the lower zones. In some parts, especially around Mały Szyszak mountain meadows cover the large areas, used in 19th and in the first half of the 20th centuries as mountain pasture areas. This has come to a standstill, although some traces of those activities, as old shepherd huts, can still be found; some of them have been converted into mountain huts.
The subalpine vegetation zone, prevailing along the track, consists of subarctic highmoors and mountain pine
Mountain Pine
Pinus mugo, the Mountain Pine or Mugo Pine, is a high-altitude European pine, found in the Pyrenees, Alps, Erzgebirge, Carpathians, northern Apennines and Balkan Peninsula mountains from 1,000 m to 2,200 m, occasionally as low as 200 m in the north of the range in Germany and Poland, and as high...
. Many species coexist here, as cloudberry
Cloudberry
Rubus chamaemorus is a rhizomatous herb native to alpine and arctic tundra and boreal forest, producing amber-colored edible fruit similar to the raspberry or blackberry...
and lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
. The alpine vegetation zone appears only at the slopes of Śnieżka which is a rocky desert covered in granite rubble
Rubble
Rubble is broken stone, of irregular size, shape and texture. This word is closely connected in derivation with "rubbish", which was formerly also applied to what we now call "rubble". Rubble naturally found in the soil is known also as brash...
.
The fauna to be met on the trail is relatively poor due to the fact that the region was long ago penetrated by human beings. Bears, volves, once numerous, especially in the pass areas, are extinct. Badger
Badger
Badgers are short-legged omnivores in the weasel family, Mustelidae. There are nine species of badger, in three subfamilies : Melinae , Mellivorinae , and Taxideinae...
s, mouflon
Mouflon
The mouflon is a subspecies group of the wild sheep Ovis aries. Populations of Ovis aries can be partitioned into the mouflons and urials or arkars...
s occur relatively rarely, especially in the topmost regions along the trail. One representative of alpine fauna is the mountain shrew
Shrew
A shrew or shrew mouse is a small molelike mammal classified in the order Soricomorpha. True shrews are also not to be confused with West Indies shrews, treeshrews, otter shrews, or elephant shrews, which belong to different families or orders.Although its external appearance is generally that of...
. The world of birds is much richer, comprising among others black grouse
Black Grouse
The Black Grouse or Blackgame is a large bird in the grouse family. It is a sedentary species, breeding across northern Eurasia in moorland and bog areas near to woodland, mostly boreal...
, Tengmalm's owl
Tengmalm's Owl
Boreal Owl, Aegolius funereus, is a small owl. It is also known as the Tengmalm's Owl after Swedish naturalist Peter Gustaf Tengmalm. Other names for the owl include Richardson's Owl, Funeral Owl , Sparrow Owl and Pearl Owl...
, alpine accentor
Alpine Accentor
The Alpine Accentor, Prunella collaris, is a small passerine bird found throughout the mountains of southern temperate Europe and Asia at heights above 2000 m. It is mainly resident, wintering more widely at lower latitudes, but some birds wander as rare vagrants as far as Great Britain.It is...
, water pipit
Water Pipit
The Water Pipit, Anthus spinoletta, is a small passerine bird which breeds in the mountains of southern Europe and southern temperate Asia across to China. It is a short-distance migrant moving to wet open lowlands such as marshes and flooded fields in winter...
, common redpoll
Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll is a species in the finch family. It breeds somewhat further south than the Arctic Redpoll, also in habitats with thickets or shrubs. Nominate C. f. flammea breeds across the northern parts of North America and Eurasia. There is also an Icelandic subspecies, Icelandic Redpoll...
, Western Capercaillie. Numerous nonvertebrates also occur in the alpine zone.
Route description
From Szrenica to Przełęcz Karkonoska
The trail starts at SzrenicaSzrenica
Szrenica is a mountain peak situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park. Its name originates from the Polish word szron . There is a weather station situated close to the summit. The peak is deforested, both the southern and the...
joining the main Sudetes Trail
Główny Szlak Sudecki
Główny Szlak Sudecki – public hiking trail in Poland running along the Sudetes. The total length of this route is 350 km 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...
, which starts in Świeradów-Zdrój
Swieradów-Zdrój
Świeradów-Zdrój is a spa town in Lubań County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland near the border with the Czech Republic. The town is located in the Kwisa valley of the Jizera Mountains, a part of the Sudetes range. It lies approximately south of Lubań, and west of the...
in the Jizera Mountains
Jizera Mountains
Jizera Mountains , or Izera Mountains, are part of the Western Sudetes on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland. The major part is formed from granite, with some areas formed from basalt. The mountains got their name from the Jizera River, which rises at the southern base of Smrk...
, subsequent mountain range and runs eastwards along the main ridge to Śnieżka, the highest summit of the range.
After a mild descent amongst the vast mountain pine
Mountain Pine
Pinus mugo, the Mountain Pine or Mugo Pine, is a high-altitude European pine, found in the Pyrenees, Alps, Erzgebirge, Carpathians, northern Apennines and Balkan Peninsula mountains from 1,000 m to 2,200 m, occasionally as low as 200 m in the north of the range in Germany and Poland, and as high...
shrub, it traverses the second highest peak of the range, Wielki Szyszak
Wielki Szyszak
Wielki Szyszak is a mountain on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland. It is situated in the central part of the main mountain range of the Karkonosze, right above the village of Jagniątków. Its peak is at 1509 m above sea level. It is situated between Śnieżne Kotły and Śmielec....
, the helmet shaped peak, which it derives its Polish name from. Covered in granite rocks, it elevates distinctly over other peaks of this part of the range, being the steepest and with the most alpine features. Then the trail touches the upper border of Śnieżne Kotły
Śnieżne Kotły
Śnieżne Kotły are two glacial cirques in the western Krkonoše mountains , situated in the Karkonosze National Park on the Polish side of the border. They are a unique example of the alpine landscape in the area and have been a nature reserve since 1933.- Description :The walls of both cirques are...
, two glacial cirque
Cirque
Cirque may refer to:* Cirque, a geological formation* Makhtesh, an erosional landform found in the Negev desert of Israel and Sinai of Egypt*Cirque , an album by Biosphere* Cirque Corporation, a company that makes touchpads...
s, the nature reserve. The radio tower above has been the distinctive landmark since the moment it was built. Sniezne Kotly offer landscapes over the whole Lower Silesia
Lower Silesia
Lower Silesia ; is the northwestern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia; Upper Silesia is to the southeast.Throughout its history Lower Silesia has been under the control of the medieval Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy from 1526...
region. The trail traverses Łabski szczyt hosting the sources of the River Labe
Elbe
The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northwestern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia , then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 110 km northwest of Hamburg...
on the Czech side, then runs along the top of another post-glacial cirque, Wielki Kocioł Jagniątkowski, which precedes two mild peaks with the prominent rock formations, Czeskie Kamienie and Śląskie Kamienie (Silesian Rocks and Czech Rocks). These names are entirely Polish, as in Czech and German they are dubbed "Male Rocks" and "Female Rocks". Finally, the trail falls mildly to reach the Przełęcz Karkonoska
Przełęcz Karkonoska
Przełęcz Karkonoska is a mountain pass in the central Karkonosze Mountains on the Polish-Czech border. At , it is the lowest point of the main ridge of the Karkonosze and, despite lying on the Polish-Czech border, Przełęcz Karkonoska, the Polish name, has no Czech equivalent...
, dividing Karkonosze into western and eastern part.
From Przełęcz Karkonoska to Okraj Pass
The pass is a junction of short distance trails as well as ski trails; the tarmac road, crossing the pass is one of the steepest in Poland. Albeit the quality of tarmac on Polish side is relatively poor, the pass is the goal of mountain bikers. There are two mountain huts on the pass: Czech Spindlerova Bouda and Polish Odrodzenie. In 1936, The latter, as being the property of a Jew, was confiscated by Nazis and converted into a boarding house for members of Hitlerjugend, later changed into a hotel for Nazi officers. The pass is accessible by car and bus from the Czech side.From there on the way to Śnieżka, the trail traverses the mild peak Smogornia
Smogornia
Smogornia - peak in the Karkonosze Mountains on Polish and Czech border. It is situated in the eastern part of the main range. The peak is not accessible; the main Sudetes trail and Polish - Czech Friendship Trail traverses the mountain ca 300 m north from the peak...
and, leading through the exposed grassy slope with common mountain pine shrubs slowly descends to the standalone rock Słonecznik
Słonecznik
Słonecznik may refer to:* Słonecznik, Ostróda County, a village in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland* Słonecznik, Szczytno County, a village in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland* Słonecznik , a standalone prominent rock in the Krkonoše mountains...
. On the left, suddenly a deep cirque appears with Wielki Staw
Wielki Staw
Wielki Staw - post glacial natural lake in the Krkonoše mountains, in western Poland. It is situated in the Karkonosze National Park at the bottom of the cirque, on the southern slope of the Smogornia mountain....
and Maly Staw at the bottom, two postglacial lakes, accessible by means of a path downhill, marked blue. Near the lakes, there are two mountain huts: Samotnia and Strzecha Akademicka. Then the trail crosses the plateau Równia pod Śnieżką
Równia pod Śnieżką
Równia pod Śnieżką is a subalpine plateau in the Karkonosze mountains west from the peak of Śnieżka. Its area is ca. 9 km2, mostly covered in borgs and marshes and clumps of mountain pine...
with cirques on both sides. The Friendship trail intersects here with several important paths to remarkable towns: Špindlerův Mlýn
Špindleruv Mlýn
Špindlerův Mlýn is a town in the Czech Republic in the Krkonoše. It received its name after a mill belonging to Spindler's family, where neighbours used to meet...
and Karpacz
Karpacz
Karpacz is a spa town and ski resort in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland, and one of the most important centres for mountain hiking and skiing, including ski jumping. Its population is about 5,000...
. At the mountain hut Śląski Dom, once the border checkpoint, the trail ascends the peak of Śnieżka; the only fragment which involves climbing up the steep slope. There is a possibility of avoiding this effort, by choosing Droga Jubileuszowa, (Jubilee Road), mild cobblestone road able to carry car and small truck traffic. Although shortcuts are forbidden along the whole trail, this place is extremely dangerous due to marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
y ground. Having passed the peak, the pass runs parallel to the border on the Czech side, that is the place when the trail does not stick directly to the borderline.
The trail finishes at the grassy Okraj
Okraj
Okraj is a mountain pass in Poland and the Czech Republic, on the eastern end of Karkonosze, separating two side ranges of the mountains. Former checkpoint, dismounted in 2007 after the implementation of the Schengen Agreement....
Pass.
Landmarks on the trail
The trail runs through or traverses the following peaks:- SzrenicaSzrenicaSzrenica is a mountain peak situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park. Its name originates from the Polish word szron . There is a weather station situated close to the summit. The peak is deforested, both the southern and the...
, 1362 metres (4,468.5 ft), summit station of chair lift from Szklarska PorębaSzklarska PorebaSzklarska Poręba is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. The town has a population of around 7,000... - Łabski SzczytŁabski SzczytŁabski Szczyt or Violík is a mountain peak located in the western Karkonosze on the Czech-Polish border. The source of the River Elbe , one of Europe's major rivers, is situated on the southern slopes of the mountain.- Situation :In the main range the very distinct peak is situated between...
1476 metres (4,842.5 ft) (traverses) - Wielki SzyszakWielki SzyszakWielki Szyszak is a mountain on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland. It is situated in the central part of the main mountain range of the Karkonosze, right above the village of Jagniątków. Its peak is at 1509 m above sea level. It is situated between Śnieżne Kotły and Śmielec....
, - ŚmielecŚmielecŚmielec is a mountain peak situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park. The prak is covered in granite rubble.- Situation :...
, 1424 metres (4,671.9 ft) - Czeskie KamienieCzeskie KamienieCzeskie Kamienie or Mužské kameny , and Śląskie Kamienie or Dívčí kameny , is a twin peak and a rock formation situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park on the Polish–Czech Friendship Trail...
, 1416 metres (4,645.7 ft) - Śląskie KamienieŚląskie KamienieŚląskie Kamienie or Dívčí kameny , and Czeskie Kamienie or Mužské kameny , is a twin peak and a rock formation situated in the western part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park on the Polish–Czech Friendship Trail...
, 1414 metres (4,639.1 ft) - Przełęcz KarkonoskaPrzełęcz KarkonoskaPrzełęcz Karkonoska is a mountain pass in the central Karkonosze Mountains on the Polish-Czech border. At , it is the lowest point of the main ridge of the Karkonosze and, despite lying on the Polish-Czech border, Przełęcz Karkonoska, the Polish name, has no Czech equivalent...
, 1198 metres (3,930.4 ft) separating two parts of the mountain range - Mały Szyszak ,
- SmogorniaSmogorniaSmogornia - peak in the Karkonosze Mountains on Polish and Czech border. It is situated in the eastern part of the main range. The peak is not accessible; the main Sudetes trail and Polish - Czech Friendship Trail traverses the mountain ca 300 m north from the peak...
, 1489 metres (4,885.2 ft) (traverses) - Sněžka (Śnieżka, Schneekoppe), 1602 metres (5,255.9 ft), highest peak, summit station of chair lift from Pec pod SněžkouPec pod SnežkouPec pod Sněžkou is a small town at the base of Sněžka Mountain, near Trutnov in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic.The town is one of the most well-known and most frequented mountain resorts in the Czech Republic, with year-round use and with accommodation capacity of 8,500...
- Czarna KopaCzarna KopaCzarna Kopa is a mountain peak situated in the eastern part of Karkonosze on Polish and Czech border within the Karkonosze National Park on the Polish–Czech Friendship Trail. The peak area is exposed and windy....
- OkrajOkrajOkraj is a mountain pass in Poland and the Czech Republic, on the eastern end of Karkonosze, separating two side ranges of the mountains. Former checkpoint, dismounted in 2007 after the implementation of the Schengen Agreement....
1046 metres (3,431.8 ft) - completion
Access
The path is accessible by chair lifts from Szklarska PorębaSzklarska Poreba
Szklarska Poręba is a town in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. The town has a population of around 7,000...
, Karpacz
Karpacz
Karpacz is a spa town and ski resort in Jelenia Góra County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland, and one of the most important centres for mountain hiking and skiing, including ski jumping. Its population is about 5,000...
and Špindlerův Mlýn
Špindleruv Mlýn
Špindlerův Mlýn is a town in the Czech Republic in the Krkonoše. It received its name after a mill belonging to Spindler's family, where neighbours used to meet...
. It is open the whole year, although some parts as well as linking routes may be closed in winter due to avalanches. Along the trail there are over 10 junctions with other trails, leading to towns, bus and railway stations in both countries respectively. Mountain huts are available on the trail or in the vicinity, mostly with refreshments and some offering catering for organised groups. The route is secured with fences along abysses (Śnieżne Kotły, Mały Staw
Mały Staw
Mały Staw is a natural lake of glacial origin in the Krkonoše mountains in western Poland. It is situated in the Polish Karkonosze National Park at the bottom of the cirque, on the southern slope of the Smogornia mountain, 1 km south of Wielki Staw....
and Wielki Staw
Wielki Staw
Wielki Staw - post glacial natural lake in the Krkonoše mountains, in western Poland. It is situated in the Karkonosze National Park at the bottom of the cirque, on the southern slope of the Smogornia mountain....
), other climbing aids, mostly chains, are available in the most difficult parts. The route falls under the Karkonosze National Park
Karkonosze National Park
The Karkonosze National Park is a National Park in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwestern Poland.The park is located in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, along the border with the Czech Republic. It was created in 1959 to cover an area of 55.10 km²; today it is slightly larger at , of which 17.18 km²...
ordinance, according to which, among others, hiking out of the marked trails, shortcuts and rough camping are forbidden and are subjects to fines. The path is clearly and visibly marked, although Polish signs show distances in hours, Czech ones - in kilometres.
Maintenance and rescue service
The trail is maintained by the staff of the national parks of two countries: Polish Karkonosze National ParkKarkonosze National Park
The Karkonosze National Park is a National Park in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwestern Poland.The park is located in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, along the border with the Czech Republic. It was created in 1959 to cover an area of 55.10 km²; today it is slightly larger at , of which 17.18 km²...
and Czech Krkonoše National Park
Krkonoše National Park
Krkonoše National Park is a national park in the Liberec and Hradec Králové regions of the Czech Republic. It lies in the Krkonoše Mountains which is the highest range of the country. The park has also been listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site...
. They are in charge of the current maintenance, road repair and other current and long term plans, which is regulated by an act issued by the parliaments of both countries and there are government financed and supported institutions.
In all emergencies and accidents, the operations are conducted by the mountain rescue services of two countries: Górskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (Polish Mountain Voluntary Emergency Corps) - Karkonosze Group, which operates 3 permanent and 6 winter stations in the vicinity of the trail and the Czech corpse Horská služba - respectively 5 permanent and 9 winter stations.