Rudawy Janowickie

Rudawy Janowickie is a mountain range in western Poland near Jelenia Góra, built from granite with steep cliffs and rocky platforms. The landscape features old forests, soft moss-covered ground, and natural rock formations that attract climbers and hikers seeking different viewpoints throughout the range.

The area was historically significant for mining iron, copper, and gold from the Middle Ages onward, particularly around towns like Miedzianka. Mining activity shaped the region deeply and left behind archaeological traces including old shafts and tunnels, some of which have been opened for visitors to explore.

The hills carry the legacy of mining that shaped local identity for generations. Visitors can see how people today still move through these landscapes with knowledge of their complex past, finding ways to connect with both the historical scars and the natural recovery happening around them.

Car travel from Wrocław takes about one and a half to two hours, while from Krakow it takes roughly four hours. Trains and buses serve nearby stations like Marciszów and Trzcińsko, with marked trails and parking areas available at popular spots such as Sokolik.

Sokolik can be reached via a metal ladder to its summit and offers views of the Karkonosze mountains on clear days. Another notable formation is Krzyżna Góra with balancing rock blocks that resemble figures or animals, inspiring local legends about ancient warriors and monks who once walked these paths.