Karkonosze Bicycle Land
Szklarska Poręba - Bicycle Land
Szklarska Poręba lays in the valley of the Kamienna River and its tributaries at an altitude of 440 – 1471 m above sea level. From the south on the slopes of the Karkonosze Mountains with a climax over the town of Szrenica (1362 m), from the north on the slopes of the Jizera Mountains with the High Stone (1058 m) and the Black Mountain (965 m), and from the east the hills of the Karkonosze Foothills separate the town from the Jelenia Góra Basin.
Szklarska Poręba is called a bicycle land. In the city and its surroundings, there are 19 loops of trails. They can be mixed and freely connected. Bicycle routes running on the picturesque roads of the Karkonosze and Jizera Mountains are 450 km long in total. Among many trails of Bicycle Land, we can find both easy, for beginner mountain bikers, and very difficult routes, raising the adrenaline level to the maximum. Extremely beautiful cycling paths run through the Jizera Mountains. After crossing the slope of Czarna Góra or Wysokie Kamień, you will ascend to the top of the Jizera Mountains, from where you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Karkonosze.
The route marking of the trails is a cyclist’s silhouette, route number(s) and direction arrows on a white background in a black frame. Warning signs – an exclamation mark (from one to three) signals the necessity to be careful. You can find route markings on trees, stones, walls and plaques. You can find them free-standing, or as a large-format bicycle route maps placed at crossroads to facilitate orientation and travelling. Most of the bicycle routes in the Cycling Land lead along forest roads (mainly gravel roads) and rocky mountain trails. We advise cycling through them by mountain bike.
Route no 1 | Mała Szklarska Loop | easy/ medium | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 12 km / 300 m
It is a short route with varying difficulty. It leads through several spectacular places. Worth to take a break nearby are Corpus Christi Church (Kościół Bożego Ciała), Wlastimil Hofman’s House (Dom Wlastimila Hofmana), Chybotek, Złoty Widok.
Route no 2 | Cogeneration Route | easy | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 55 km / 1250 m
The route is quite long but easy. It runs mainly along gravel or asphalt roads of Polish and Czech Jizera Mountains and Czech Krkonoše Mountains. On the Czech side, the route is not marked by the Cyclists’ Association, but it runs by Czech 2 and 2A trails. It is worth seeing Harrachov and Mumlava Waterfalls on the Czech side and Stanisław Mine on the Polish side. Route no 2 is one of the most beautiful trails in the Szklarska Poreba surroundings.
Route no 3 | Duża Szklarska Loop | difficult | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 21 km / 540 m
The trail is difficult, so you have to be well-prepared. It leads around Szklarska Poręba, along a black tourist trail. Partly runs forest paths that require some technique. All this makes this route raising the adrenaline, and also, there are breathtaking views. The trail runs through the popular tourist points such as Zakręt Śmierci, Zbójeckie Skały, Waterfall of Szklarka (Wodospad Szklarki), Waterfall of Kamieńczyk (Wodospad Kamieńczyka).
Route no 4 | Three Districts’ Joint | easy | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 9 km / 240 m
The trail is short and easy. It connects Szklarska Poręba Górna, Średnia and Dolna (Upper, Middle and Lower). It runs mainly on asphalt roads with low car traffic. It is worth seeing the Church of Corpus Christi (Kościół Bożego Ciała). By bike, you can admire beautiful views of the panorama of the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze) in the nearby of the railway station in Szklarska Poreba Średnia.
Route no 5 | Karkonosze Express Route | easy | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 20 km / 480 m
The route is not very difficult. It runs along the gravel roads of the Giant Mountains. The trail overlaps with the tracks of MTB marathons organized in Szklarska Poreba. The route is perfect for familial Sunday trips.
Route no 6 | Trzy Jawory Loop | easy | Start point: Piechowice
Length / Ascent – 7.3 km / 170 m
The trail is easy and short. This route is perfect for familial Sunday trips. Old mine workstation (Wyrobisko Kopalniane) and Michałowice surroundings are must-see.
Route no 7 | Two Rivers Loop | easy | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 31 km / 660 m
It is a long trail, perfect for a one day trip. An asphalt road part is 10 km long, but the traffic density is low. There are nice views at Zakręt Śmierci, Holiday House „Horyzont” (Dom Wypoczynkowy Horyzont) and the Izerski Crossroads (Rozdroże Izerskie).
Route no 8 | Under Wysoki Grzbiet | medium | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 35 km / 690 m
The route is long, the difficulty level is medium. There are several steep uphill climbs on the trail, including the “Samolot” (“Airplane”), the area around Jagnięcy Jar and the entrance to the Stanisław mine. The route runs through the picturesque valleys of the Kamienna River and the Iizera. It is worthwhile to stop for a longer time at the crossroads near to the Cicha Równia, Orzeł, Jagnięcy Jar, Jakuszycka Glade and the Stanisław quartz mine.
Route no 9 | The Horse Path | medium | Start point: Jakuszyce
Length / Ascent – 18 km / 340 m
The trail runs through Izerskie Mountains. Must-see is the Jagnięcy Jar and Karkonosze panorama. You can see it near to the crossroads of Cicha Równia (Rozdroże Pod Cichą Równią).
Route no 10 | Izera Loop | medium | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 45 km / 960 m
The trail is a one-day trip. The route is long so it will be better for more experienced cyclists. It runs between Sklarska Poręba and Świeradów Zdrój. The part on the asphalt road is 17 km long. Must-see are Osiedle Orle, Izerska Hala with peat bogs and Zakręt Śmierci.
Route no 11 | Kamienna Loop | medium | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 13 km / 340 m
The trail is short, but medium difficulty level. It runs mostly on asphalt roads with low traffic density.
Route no 12 | Artistic Loop | medium | Start point: Szklarska Poręba
Length / Ascent – 11 km / 340 m
The trail leads through roads and paths in Szklarska Poręba. During this trip you can visit most of the cultural and artistic heritage of the city: Karkonosze Museum, old Wlastimil Hoffman house, manufactures and Złoty Widok viewpoint.
Route no 13 | Izera Loop | medium | Start point: Jakuszyce
Length / Ascent –38 km / 750 m
This trail runs mostly on gravel roads. It varies and has beautiful views of ranges of the Izera and Karkonosze Mountains, both Polish and Czech sides. It is one of the most tempting among bike trails of Szklarska Poręba. The route runs through Orle and near the small picturesque Czech village Jizerka near to the Bukowiec Mountain.
Route no 31 | Stara Kamienica Big Loop | medium | Start point: Stara Kamienica
Length / Ascent – 36 km / 800 m
The route is easy. It runs by asphalt and gravel roads. It leads partly on blue and green hiking trails, so it can be difficult for inexperienced cyclists. The route starts and ends at the main crossroads in Stara Kamienica. Must-see are the viewpoint on Bobrowe Skały, the magnificent village Antoniów and Rozdroże Izerskie.
Route no 41 | medium | Start point: Piechowice
Length / Ascent – 15 km / 300 m
A short route of little difficulty. Many gentle climbs through the forest. The trail mostly runs through forest areas. It starts and ends in the centre of Piechowice near to the bus stop.
Route no 42 | difficult | Start point: Piechowice
Length / Ascent – 9 km / 218 m
It is a short route of high difficulty. It is dedicated to those who want to test themselves in challenging terrain on the forest paths and trails of Karkonosze. Tough climbs, steep descents, narrow forest paths stuffed with stones and roots make this route very attractive for strong and experienced bikers. It starts and ends in the centre of Piechowice near the bus stop. It is worthwhile to stop for a longer time in Michałowice, near to the bus stop there is a beautiful view of the panorama of Karkonosze Mountains.
Route no 32 | medium | Start point: Stara Kamienica
Length / Ascent – 22 km
It is a medium-length trail. The road is mostly asphalt and gravel. It is easy, but in a few stages, you will need more skills. The route starts and ends in Stara Kamienica.
Route no 22 | Around Kwisa | medium | Start point: Świeradów Zdrój
Length / Ascent – 27 km
The route starts at Dom Zdrojowy (sanatorium) and runs along forest roads and streets of Świeradów Zdrój. The trail partly runs on asphalt roads, next on gravel roads into the woods. On the route, there are several viewpoints on the Izerskie Foothills and Izerskie Garby. There are several rest points along the trail. It is worth to take a break at the Izera Crossroads for a beautiful view of the Izera Mountains and the Stanisław Mines.
Route no 21 | “Lang Team” | difficult | Start point: Świeradów Zdrój
Length / Ascent – 7.5 km
It is a short route of great difficulty. It is dedicated to those who want to challenge themselves in difficult terrain on the MTB competition track. It is one of two trails starting and ending in Świeradów Zdrój.
