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The MTB zone of the Sudetes (Sudety Mountains) is the largest and fastest-growing system of mountain bicycle routes in Poland. This project is a response to the growing trend of active recreation. It is created from 2013 by a professional and committed team, which introduces new quality and solutions, known from the world’s best bicycle regions.
To fully appreciate the uniqueness of this project, you should pay attention to diverse routes (including single tracks), cyclist-friendly infrastructure and certification of accommodation, catering and service facilities. The MTB zone in the Sudetes is also about emotions and competition in the series of races for the MTB Sudetes Cup appreciated by the participants and fans. Knowledge, passion and energy, combined with unique nature, make the MTB zone in the Sudetes the best place in Poland for MTB fans.
The MTB zone in the Sudetes is not only the best place for cycling in Poland but also a unique combination of three factors: active leisure (sport and recreation), interaction with unspoiled nature (Owl Mountains Landscape Park (Park Krajobrazowy Gór Sowich), Suche Mountains) and tourism in an area offering more than ten monuments famous in Poland and Europe (including the Silver Mountain Fort (Twierdza Srebrna Góra), Riese, Osówka, Grodno Castle) and more than 100 smaller local attractions.
During visiting the MTB Sudetes MTB Zone, everyone will find something for themselves, no matter if they are a child, a person in their prime, a senior citizen, a professional or an amateur.
NOTE: the colours of the route marking of the MTB zone in the Sudetes have absolutely nothing to do with their difficulty level. Remember this.
It is worth to buy printed map available on the MTB Sudetenland Zone website (Strefy MTB Sudety). All routes included no need to worry about a poor internet connection.
This route is less than 25 km long. It starts in Bardo, that’s the best place because you can leave your car there. Also, the Singletrack Glacensis starts from this village – you can read about it here. On the route, we have two mountain passes to cross: Wilcza and Mikołowska. One of the most interesting elements of this route is the Cisowa Góra Reserve (Rezerwat Cisowa Góra).
The orange route starts at the Wilcza Pass (Przełęcz Wilcza), leads to the Silver Pass (Przełęcz Srebrna), where it bends and returns to Bardo. Its length is about 11 km, and the ascent is about 221 m. This route may be a link between Srebrna Góra Fort and another branch of the trail to the west direction.
This is a short loop, only 7.5 km long. It starts and ends at the Srebrna Pass (Przełęcz Srebrna). The ascents are about 318 m, which makes a ride challenging. Its characteristic places are the Iron Bridge (Most Żelazny) and the Silver Mountain Viaduct.
The Green Loop in the Zone is a 15 km long route surrounding the Enduro Silver Mountain Route complex (read more here). The ascent is about 740 meters. It starts at the Srebrna Pass (Przełęcz Srebrna), passes through Chochoł Wielki, where after a long descent and a short climb it enters the Peasant’s Valley (Dolina Chłopiny). Further on, there is a 2 km drive up and downhill to the Srebrna Pass.
The Blue Route at Silver Mountain is the longest trail in this area. It is almost 26 km long, with a total ascent 1195 m. It also starts at the Srebrna Pass (Przełęcz Srebrna) with an uphill climb and reaches an altitude of 831 m. Then you will gain the Waliborska Pass (Przełęcz Waliborska), here you can take the following routes: Strefa, Bielawa – Red or Bielawa – Yellow. If we want to return to the Srebrna Pass, we pass the Wide Pass (Przełęcz Szeroka), Stone of Three Borders (Kamień Trzech Granic) and after a few kilometres we are back on the Silver Pass.
The Red route is a loop of 31 km. It starts in Bielawa near the Sudeten Reservoir (Zbiornik Sudety). You can also enter it from the trail above from the Waliborska Pass (Przełęcz Waliborska). The ascent is about 1109 m. It is worth to take a break at Jodłownik, Wigancicka Polana.
Another route in the vicinity of Bielawa, this time in yellow, it is 21 km long, and the ascent is 800m in total. It starts and ends at Waliborska Pass (Przełęcz Waliborska). You will cross Bielawska Glade (Bielawska Polana), and Jugowska Pass (Przełęcz Jugowska). A short section of it runs through the Bukowa Kalenica Reserve in the Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie).
This route also starts at the Sudetenland Reservoir (Zbiornik Sudety) in Bielawa. This trail is 28 km long, and the ascent is about 1117 m in total. It begins with an uphill ride over 12 km, you will reach Trzy Buki and the Jugowska Pass (Przełęcz Jugowska), and the peak is Kozia Równina (Goat Plain). Right after it, there is a short and fast downhill. Next, you will ride a short uphill to climb Kalenica Peak, located next to the Bukowa Kalenica Reserve in the Owl Mountains. Descending you will pass Bielawska Polana, and after a few kilometres, you will return to the Sudety Reservoir.
Like the previous routes, it starts at the Sudeten Reservoir. The black loop is 45 km long, and this is the longest route in the area. The ascent is about 1700 m in total. You will go in the direction of Stara Jodła, and the first climax is the Great Owl (Wielka Sowa) with a height of 1010 m above sea level. It is the highest peak of the Owl Mountains, and it belongs to the Crown of Polish Mountains (the list of highest peaks of each mountain chain). Then the route leads to Kozie Siodło, Jugowska Pass and Bukowa Chata Mountain Shelter, where you can stop for a break. Nearby there is also the Zygmuntówka Mountain Shelter. From this point, you still have about 13 km to the end of the trail. It is not an easy stage you will pass Bielawska Polana and Kalenica. And later you will reach the Sudeten Reservoir.
The Orange route is the last one of the Bielawa routes. To reach the trail it’s better and closer to start from Walim. It is 19 km long, and you have to go up 688 meters all over the road. It starts at the place named Goat Saddle (Kozie Siodło), crosses the Great Owl (Wielka Sowa) and goes down to the Walimska Pass (Przełęcz Walimska), and turns towards Deers’ Glade (Jelenia Polana). Further on you go down to the Pass of Sokół (Przełęcz Sokoła). Later there are two possibilities of a break: The Eagle Shelter (Schronisko Orła) and Owl Shelter (Schronisko Sokoła). Next, you have a quick descent and the ascent through Lisie Skały (Foxs’ Rocks) and the loop is closed in the Kozie Siodło. Nearby you will find a viewing platform. The route is best to start at Szyprówka – Chata Pod Sowa (a cottage).
The Walim Red Route is a 22-kilometre loop. The ascent in total is less than 570 m. The route starts at Bystrzyckie Lake at Wodna Street among trees. In the area, a place worth visiting is Grodno Castle. On the route, the Kurasz and Bareczna peaks and Glinno (a small city) are waiting for you. At the end, you go towards Zagórze Śląskie.
The yellow route through Głuszica and Walim is 30 km long. On the map, the starting point is the village of Głuszyca, but feel free to choose a different place like Walim. After 5km ride, you will find an unusual place – the Osówka Complex (Kompleks Osówka) very famous place. The next point is the Sokola Pass (Przełęcz Sokoła) and the village of Walim. After a break, you go on and get to the point Grządki. The next unusual place that waits for you is Riese – Soboń Complex (Kompleks Soboń), later there is a descent towards Głuszyca.
Another trail in the region of Głuszyca and Walim is the Green route. It is the longest one in the entire MTB zone in the Sudetes. We suggest you start near Rybnica Mała, but it is even better to begin in Głuszyca or Walim. At the first stage, the route leads through the Sudety Wałbrzyskie Landscape Park (Park Krajobrazowy Sudetów Wałbrzyskich). While riding, you will see a few interesting places. These include passes: near Wawrzyniak, Marcowa. You will see places connected to the Second World War such as the complex “Włodarz”, “Moszna” – which are part of the Riese project. Following the trail, you will get to Walim. The Great Owl is the next point to reach it. After an exhausting climb, you can stop at the Owl Shelter. Then go down to the Passes Sokola, near Czarnochem, near Szpiczak. Before the last kilometres, you can rest in the Andrzejówka Shelter and finally admire the Rogowiec Castle. After driving almost 73 km and the ascent of 2490 m in total – the loop is complete Being full of excitement and very tired is what mountain biking is about.
The orange route from Głuszyca is a short, 10 km loop with a total of 340 m ascent. In the beginning, there is an uphill of 652 m. Later there is a downhill, while you will pass the Imperial Rocks (Cesarskie Skały). Next, there is a route in the direction of Głuszyca. It’s a good idea for a quick round around the area.
The Blue Route is a loop, less than 23 km long and 670 m uphill. The beginning and end are in the centre of Głuszyca. Andrzejówka Shelter is a place where you can regenerate. The first and last 4 km are the same section.
Another route recommendation in the area of Głuszyca is the red loop, which you can also enter from Mieroszów. It is almost 40 km long and 1166 m ascent. A large part of it runs along the border with the Czech Republic. After an 8-kilometre drive you get to the Andrzejówka Shelter, then you go down to Sokołowsko. Later there is a 4-kilometre ascent to the Pass under Szpiczak (Przełęcz pod Szpiczakiem) next to the Pass under Czarnochem (Przełęcz pod Czarnochem). After a downhill, you will reach Melafir’s Quarry (Kamieniołom Melafirów). The centre of Głuszyca is 4km from it.
The black route is the last suggestion of the loop from Głuszyca. It is 21 km long, and you have to drive 735 m up. On the trail, you will see Rock Gates (Sklane Bramy) and Rogowiec Castle. The highest point of the route is the Rock Gate (Skalna Brama) located at 831 m above sea level. You can find there a plaque with the inscription “To those who have gone forever, and for those who will come after us”. There is also a viewing point over a small cliff with a panorama of the Głuszyca and Owl Mountains.
Now it’s the turn to the west and the Mieroszowa area. The starting point is Sokołowsko, as it connects with previous routes, but you can also start in Mieroszów. The trail is 27 km long, and the ascent is 850 m. The first dazzling place is Herman’s cave (Grota Hermana). After 7 km you will see the Bike Arena in Mieroszów. Then you will make a loop around Mieroszów.
This route is about 17 km long. The ascent is about 755 m with the highest point at 862 m above sea level at the top of Lesista Wielka Mountain.
The orange route is a link between Mieroszów and Kamienna Góra. It is 5 km long.
The yellow route, 14 km long, starts near Kochanów. The ascent is 275 meters, so it is not very demanding. On this trail, you will pass the Watchtower Corner Pass (Przełęcz Strażnicze Naroże) and see the Devils’ Rocks (Czartowskie Skały).
This is the last trail of the MTB zone in the Sudetes. The blue route, which also starts in Kochanow, is 15 km long. The ascent is less than 300 meters. It is a pleasant, interval loop.