Szrenica is one of the most popular peaks of the Karkonosze Mountains, whose height reaches 1,362 m above sea level. The view extends to the Karkonosze Mountains, the Jizera Mountains and the Jelenia Góra Valley. Right next to the peak runs the Main Sudetes Trail and the Polish-Czech border. The Szrenica Massif includes three impressive rock groups: Trzy Świnki, Szrenicka Skała and Końskie Łapy.
Szklarska Poręba it is also one of the most popular mountain tourism towns in Lower Silesia. The city is fully devoted to tourism with its infrastructure, which is why it has become an ideal accommodation base in the Karkonosze Mountains and a rich area of tourist attractions, such as mountain trails, ski slopes and museums.
Szrenica mountain peak - the peak of the Karkonosze Mountains
Szrenica Peak is located in the western part of the Karkonosze Mountains, south of Szklarska Poręba. It is raised above the Silesian Ridge of the Karkonosze Mountains to a height of 60 meters, and its peak is located entirely on Polish territory.
The peak of Szrenica is covered with Karkonosze granite. It is covered with characteristic yellow-greenish lichens resembling frost, which is where the name Szrenica comes from. At the top of Szrenica there is the "Shelter on Hala Szrenicka", and at the foot there is the "Kamieńczyk" Shelter.
Szrenica – an excellent viewpoint. How to get to the top?
The fastest way to get to the top of Szrenica from Szklarska Poręba is to use the chairlift, which has been operating since 1962. Traveling by lift allows you to admire the panorama of the Karkonosze Mountains and the Jelenia Góra Valley.
When it comes to hiking, the most frequently chosen route to the peak of Szrenica is the red trail from Szklarska Poręba, which starts right next to the railway station. In turn, tourists traveling by car can start their journey at the parking lot at Krucze Skały. This route is almost 7 km long and takes almost 3 hours up and about 1.5 hours down. The trail runs in a circle Kamieńczyk waterfall and Shelters in Hala Szrenicka. The route is part of the educational path "From Szklarska Poręba to Szrenica", which starts at the Karkonosze Center for Ecological Education. The trail is fast but demanding, which is worth remembering, especially in winter.
Other popular trails to the peak of Szrenica are:
- green trail from Jakuszyce, which will circle the peak from the north,
- connecting trail from the upper chairlift station,
- the Czech trail running from Trzech Świnki on the eastern slope of Szrenica, through the "Vesecka bouda" shelter, to Rokytnice nad Jizerą.
Szrenica mountain shelter (Shelter on Hala Szrenicka)
The history of the shelter in Hala Szrenicka dates back to the 18th century. Since then, it has been modernized and expanded many times. The shelter and the Szrenicka hall are located at an altitude of 1,362 m above sea level. From the shelter terrace there is a beautiful view of the ridges of the Jizera Mountains - from Smrek in the west to Zakręt Śmierci in the east.
The characteristic Szrenica shelter is an excellent tourist base. It is famous for its home cooking - especially the melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake and the "Czaru Góry", the iconic hot chocolate with electricity. The Szrenica shelter is open all year round and offers 90 beds in rooms for 1-9 people.
The shelter also offers three dining rooms and a dance hall where you can organize an integration or special event. For years, the shelter has also been organizing a grand New Year's Eve party until dawn. In turn, on the first floor there is a hidden "Library of Good Words", i.e. a wardrobe full of books, for those who decide to stay in the shelter a little longer.
Szrenica Ski Arena – what attractions does it offer to winter sports enthusiasts?
The northern slopes of Szrenica are an excellent area for downhill skiing. Szrenica Ski Arena (Arena Szrenica) is the largest ski station in the Polish Karkonosze Mountains, which offers numerous downhill slopes and ski slopes.
In addition, there are 12 km of additional snow-covered downhill skiing trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Szrenica Ski Arena includes 3 cable cars, 5 ski lifts and 5 ski slopes. The capacity of cable cars and ski lifts is a total of 10,000 people per hour.