Podgorzyn: Hiking and Tram History

Hiking Trails with Different Timeframes

Podgórzyn is a good starting point for hikes and cycling trips in the Karkonosze Mountains. The hiking trails described here differ in their starting points, routes, destinations, and approximate durations. The black trail starts in Podgórzyn Górny by “Tramwaj przy Skałce,” runs through Zachełmie to Chojnik Castle, and takes about an hour and a half. Of the routes described here, this is the shortest stated timeframe; the castle is the clearly identified destination.

A blue trail starts by “Tramwaj pod Skałką” in Podgórzyn and runs through Przesieka to Przełęcz Karkonoska. It is estimated to take about three and a half hours. From there, you can continue toward Śnieżka or Wielki Szyszak. Another blue hiking trail begins in Podgórzyn Dolny and runs through Zachełmie and Jagniątków to Czarna Przełęcz; it takes about five hours. The approximate times help you plan your schedule, while the starting points and destinations distinguish the routes from one another.

A Tram Car as a Reminder of Local History

On the edge of Podgórzyn, by “Pod Skałką,” a historic tram car stands at the former terminus of the Cieplice–Podgórzyn line. The tram line was closed in 1964, and the car is a reminder of this former connection. Its technical details also give the place a specific historical link: it is a 5N-type car, manufactured by “Konstal” in Chorzów in 1960. The names “Tramwaj pod Skałką” and “Tramwaj przy Skałce” are also used for the starting points of the hiking trails described here. This same local landmark thus features both in the history of public transport and in finding your way to the routes.

Ponds, an Oak Avenue, and a Rock Formation

The Stawy Podgórzyńskie ponds on the edge of the village form a picturesque complex of 22 fishponds. As a landscape attraction, they complement the hiking trails, whose descriptions lead to named mountain passes and a castle. Aleja Dębowa offers a different experience: it is a walking path lined with a row of more than a hundred-year-old oak trees. It also connects Dolny Podgórzyn and Cieplice as a walking and cycling route.

Rozpadlisko Skalne is also located near Podgórzyn. The narrow rock fissure is 30 metres long and lies between stone walls several metres high. Alongside the trails to named hiking destinations, there are also distinctive natural landmarks to explore. If you choose Podgórzyn as your starting point, you can plan around the hikes and cycling trips described here, a specific route destination, or the area’s natural and historical attractions.

More Destinations

Stara Kamienica, Marczyce, Milków, Łomnica, Sosnówka K Jeleniej Góry, Przesieka, Bukowiec, Wojanów

For the higher-level travel overview: Jeleniogórski.