Karpacz, Mountain resort town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
Karpacz is a town in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, stretching along a winding road at the foot of Mount Śnieżka over ten kilometers and divided into Lower and Upper sections. The settlement sits at elevations between 480 and 885 meters (1575 and 2900 feet), spreading across an elongated valley with several districts and access routes to the mountains.
The settlement began in the late 14th century when miners found deposits of iron ore, silver, and gold in the Sowia Valley. Mining shaped the development of this place until the 16th century, before the focus shifted to forestry and later to tourism.
The Norwegian chapel relocated here in 1842 dates from the 13th century and shows traditional Nordic wooden construction built entirely from pine without metal fasteners. Visitors today see original carvings and runic inscriptions on the beams and pillars.
Six marked hiking trails lead from here to the summit of Śnieżka, while several ski lifts provide access to the slopes during winter. The main road connects the different districts and makes orientation easier for visitors traveling by car or on foot.
The mountain range nearby shows deep glacial hollows called kotły, formed by ice age erosion. These formations with steep rock walls now provide habitat for rare plant species adapted to harsh conditions.
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