The best mountain hikes around gmina Lądek-Zdrój

The first mention of the development of Śnieżnik Mountain dates back to 1809, when the owner of Międzygórze, Count Wilhelm von Magnis, built barns and shepherd's huts on the mountain pasture below Śnieżnik. In 1838, Międzygórze was purchased by Princess Marianna of Orange, the Lady of Kamieniec Ząbkowicki – daughter of the King of the Netherlands and wife of a Prussian prince. In 1840, she invited her father, King Wilhelm, with whom she reached the summit of Śnieżnik on July 20th. In 1869, the Duchess took over the land on the mountain pasture below Śnieżnik. She commissioned a highlander from Switzerland to build a Swiss mountain hut (Schweizerei am Schneeberg or Schweizerei auf dem Schneeberg) on the mountain pasture below Śnieżnik, which now forms the main part of the mountain hut. Construction was completed in 1871. The building initially served as a tourist inn, with 50 beds and a large dining hall. In the following years, the buildings were modernized several times. In 1872, utility rooms were built on the site of an old dairy farm. In 1880, a meteorological station was opened at the inn. In the 1930s, the inn had 30 beds. After World War II, the building stood empty until 1946. The dilapidated buildings were taken over by "Orbis," renaming it "Szwajcarka." In 1947, the Polish Tatra Mountain Shelter Board took over. The following summer, a shelter was opened, named "Na Śnieżniku" to distinguish it from the "Szwajcarka" shelter in Rudawy Janowickie. In 1950, the building became the property of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society. At that time, the shelter had 63 beds. In the 1980s, the shelter was thoroughly modernized and renovated thanks to the efforts of its then-lessee, Zbigniew Fastnacht, who managed the facility from 1982 to 2001. After his death, in recognition of his achievements, the shelter was named after him.

Śnieżnik is the highest peak of the Śnieżnik Massif, the second-highest range in the Polish Sudetes. It belongs to the Crown of Polish Mountains and lies in the Western Sudetes. The Polish-Czech border runs through the summit, where the borders of the historical regions of Silesia, Bohemia, and Moravia meet. In September 2022, a new observation tower was officially opened at the summit, offering views of Śnieżka in the Karkonosze Mountains, the Orlické, Bialskie, Złote, Bystrzyckie, and Opawskie Mountains. Trails lead to Śnieżnik from both the Polish and Czech sides. The most popular trails are from Międzygórze and Kletno, leading through the PTTK "Na Śnieżniku" mountain hut. The longer trail, running along the border, begins in the Czech Republic at Pod Klepáčem and passes through Trójmorski Wierch, Puchacz, and Mały Śnieżnik.

The Wilczki Waterfall was formerly called Wodogrzmoty Żeromskiego (The Żeromski Waterfall). Years ago, the waterfall reached a height of approximately 27 meters, but after the great flood of 1997, the water eroded the artificially created 5-meter threshold, and now the water falls from a height of approximately 22 meters. Admission to the waterfall is free. However, the Wilczki Waterfall is not accessible to people with strollers or wheelchairs due to the numerous steps. Around the Wilczki Waterfall, there are viewing platforms from which you can admire the waterfall and its surroundings, as well as benches for walkers where you can sit, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of this extraordinary place and listening to the sound of the falling water. Above the waterfall itself, an iron bridge provides a beautiful view of the falling water.

The climb is not easy, but the view makes up for it.

Far-sightedness guaranteed in good weather, only the dirt of the other visitors trickles down on your head🤭

It makes a good photo opportunity, but I don't know the story behind it. It would be nice if the inn were still standing; it's missing from the mountain.

The highest waterfall in the Śnieżnik massif (22 meters tumbling into a cauldron) is a sight to behold (and listen to). Good trails offer numerous viewing points. There's also a restaurant right next door, so once you've admired and admired it, you can relax comfortably.

A peak in the Śnieżnik Massif (1153 m above sea level) – a long and winding ridge. There's a lot of forest here, but you can still see! There's also a good information board here about the Puchaczówka Pass and Marianskie Skały. If that's not enough, there's also a pretty good viewpoint nearby, just above the trees: a short walk south (a minute) and a path to the left.