The Path under Reglami is, according to many, the most beautiful trail in the Karkonosze Mountains. It goes from Pilgrims to Hala Szrenicka. The walk along the "green trail" takes about 7 hours. The route is approximately 28 km long and runs both at an altitude of 1,100-1,200 m above sea level and at the bottom of glacial cirques, thus enabling a hike on the border of two vegetation levels: the upper mountain range and the subalpine level.
The history of Ścieżka pod Reglami
Most of the Ścieżka pod Reglami leads through the Karkonosze National Park. Its route was planned in installments. The path under Reglami in its modern shape was formed in 1945 by combining the western section - from Graniczna Łąka to the Karkonosze Pass and the eastern section - from the Karkonoski Pass to Pilgrims. The name "Ścieżka pod Reglami" was probably copied from the Western Tatras to fully reflect its high-mountain character. The route also has other names used in guidebooks: "The Road over the Slopes" and "The Hanging Road" (a translation of the German name "Gehangweg").
The name of the path refers to the mountain ranges, i.e. layers of vegetation characteristic of a given height. The upper montane level (1000-1250 m above sea level) includes, among others: spruce and mountain pine, as well as meadows and peat bogs, along with endemic plants, such as the Karkonosze bluebell or the cotton grass. In turn, the vegetation of the lower montane (500-1000 m above sea level) consists mainly of spruces, felling trees, less numerous beech and fir forests, as well as bedstraws, forest wheatgrasses and common crows. While traveling along the route of Ścieżka pod reglami, we can also come across interesting species of birds - ring-necked thrush, spruce crossbill and rough owl.
What attractions do we pass along the way, following the Pod Reglami Path?
One of the most important points on Ścieżka pod Reglami is Śnieżne Stawki - several charming lakes at the bottom of Wielki Śnieżny Kocioł. Another interesting viewing spot is Paciorki, i.e. rocks that we pass while following the Coral Path from Jagniątkowo to Rozdroże pod Śmielcem.
Near Hala Szrenicka, the Ścieżka pod Reglami route leads through old spruce forests full of fallen trees covered with moss, lichen and mushrooms. Decaying wood is an excellent substrate for the development of various plant species, which makes walking through these areas even more attractive.
The path under Reglami sometimes runs along the bottom of glacial cirques - Czarny Kotło Jagniątkowski and Śnieżne Kotły, and at the same time the most important peaks of the Karkonosze Mountains are crossed during the hike. Thanks to this, this trail is considered one of the most interesting.
Path under Reglami – detailed route:
- Szrenicka Hall,
- The Three Little Pigs
- Szrenice Wetlands,
- Wet Pass,
- Shelter under the Elbe Peak,
- Snow Cauldrons and Śnieżne Stawki,
- Crossroads below Great Szyszak,
- Śmieliec slope,
- Black Cauldron Jagniątkowski,
- Hutniczy Grzbiet and Bażynowe Skały,
- Karkonoska Pass,
- We are pilgrims.
What should you remember when planning a trip along Ścież pod Reglami?
Although the areas around Ścieżka pod Reglami resemble a fairy-tale land, traversing it is not the easiest. Mainly due to the elevations and muddy and slippery ground, which is a problem especially after rains. In places, the "green trail" leads along wooden bridges and stone sidewalks. When planning a winter hike, always remember that the trail may be closed as soon as avalanche dangers occur.
The path under Reglami does not lead to the peak of Szrenica, but surrounds it at an altitude of 1,300 m above sea level. Although the hiking time is estimated at about 7 hours, when traveling with children, it is worth dividing the hike into two days. Especially since we will encounter two shelters along the way - the "Pod Łabskim Szczytem" shelter and the "Odpowiedzenie" shelter. Additionally, on the Czech side, we have several hotels of quite a high standard. Tourists who want to continue the hike can follow the yellow trail down to Polana and then to Karpacz or other mountain trails leading to the peak. Snowballs.