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Sudecka Highway
Table of contents
Like many other places and attractions in the Sudetenland, the Sudetska Highway is full of uncertainties, paradoxes and mysteries. On the one hand, beautifully guided, with many excellent viewpoints. On the other hand, it is often difficult to cross it due to snowdrifts or not the best condition of the road surface, which, moreover, also makes it unique. However, regardless of its final assessment, it fits perfectly with the nature of these lands, constituting something that must be known, seen and visited.
From the article you will learn:
- What were the original assumptions of the Sudeten Way and why it was also of military importance
- Where are the most beautiful viewpoints and tourist attractions along the route
- Why is it worth devoting the whole weekend to the Orlicka Way through the Bystrzyckie and Orlickie Mountains
The Germans were famous for their ambitious architectural plans. In Lower Silesia, this can be seen at every step. In addition to magnificent castles, palaces or townhouses, there are many other examples of ambitious architectural thought and concept throughout the region, including often related to military projects. Was this the Sudetenstraße, or rather its original shape under the name Sudetenstraße? Indeed, if you look at the entire project from a broader perspective, such a conclusion suggests itself.
Tourist attraction or military construction?
What, then, was the Sudeck Way supposed to be before it was built, and it functioned only in the heads and minds of its creators? It was, of course, about running a mountain road route along the border with Czechoslovakia. And although it was probably intended to fulfill an exclusively tourist and tourist function at the beginning, the events of the 1930s influenced the modification of these assumptions, as evidenced by the numerous military buildings located along the route today. These are shelters, mining footpaths or culverts, the purpose of which has not been fully explained to this day. Most of these structures can still be admired today, of course, because they are quite clearly visible from the road itself.
It is extremely interesting that the original plan was to lead the road from Żytava (a town located in Germany, near Bogatyn), to Opava, which is located in the Czech borders today. So in a straight line about 300 kilometers!
What leaves no doubt, however, is that today we have two picturesque sections of this beautiful route; the first - from Świeradow-Zdrój to Szklarska Poreba with the famous Death Bend, and the second, leading from the Polskie Wrota pass (departure from the national road no. 8 towards Zieleniec) to Międzylesie. It is a total of 42 kilometers and one of the highest located asphalt roads in Poland. Its highest point is located near Zieleniec and reaches a height of 925 meters!
Work on the construction of the route in the vicinity of Zieleniec, also known as the Orlica Way, began in 1931 and lasted until 1938, when its last section leading to Międzylesie (Mittelwalde) was completed.
Southern tip of Poland
Although the state of the highway in many places leaves much to be desired, overcoming it is an excellent idea to visit this part of the Sudetenland, because along the way there are many tourist attractions, where it is necessary to spend at least a weekend getting to know.
The first stop is, of course, the viewpoint at Sołtysiej Kopa. Here it is worth stopping for a while and looking towards Dusznik-Zdrój and the Table Mountains. With nice weather and good viewing conditions, you can even see Śnieżka, located in the distance in the Krkonoše Mountains. A little further up the green trail goes up, which you can jump out on Observation tower on Orlicy. Also in this area there is the highest point of the entire route, which reaches a height of 925 meters here!
The next stop is, of course, Zieleniec, which can also be treated as a permanent base. We have a lot to choose from when it comes to accomodation, as well as Gastronomy, and there is no shortage of tourist attractions around.
Another, and certainly a longer break, should be planned in the charming villages Lasówka, Piaskowice and Mostowice located further away. Wonderful views, architectural monuments, beautiful meadows and halls, which today are also pastures, create a wonderful and wild perspective that relaxes and relaxes.
Further on the highway they will head towards Jagodna and the shelter located there. It is also worth stopping here for a while, going inside and throwing something on your tooth, before they reach the top - also Jagodna. It is worth it and I will climb on Lookout tower, from which, in good weather, the panorama covers views from the Giant Mountains to Jeseniki.
On the way to the cave and the castle
The next section, perhaps the most experienced in the passing of time, is the passage to the Przelęcza nad Poręba. Also there it is worth parking your car, go for a walk, immerse yourself in beautiful panoramas. The more valuable will be the impressions that still few tourists go to these places, so you can be alone in peace. A little further, in the town called Pod Gniewoszem, it reflects the yellow trail first to the peak of the same name, and then to another beautiful observation tower, which rises on Czerniec. Visitors to it can be connected with quite a long excursion to the Salt Cave (black and then blue trail) and to the ruins of the Shcherba castle, the construction of which began in 1368 and with which many secrets are associated, if only because the fortress is very poorly documented in the source texts.
The highway continues down through the Różanka, another historical gem, which houses the historic Barbary Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin from 1661 and several beautiful houses from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The last stop is of course Międzylesie, also full of interesting sights.
The Sudecka motorway has little to do with the expressway. But on the other hand, in this, everything that is fast is absolutely unreasonable. In the Orlickie and Bystrich Mountains, time passes more slowly and there is no reason to speed up anything.
The Sudeck Highway is not just a road — it is a story written in landscape, architecture and history. From the bend of Death to the Salt Cave, from the tower on Jagodna to the ruins of Szczerba Castle — every section of this route hides something special. If you are looking for a less obvious idea for a weekend in the mountains, away from the crowds and at the same time full of impressions, plan an expedition along the Sudeten Way. Move slowly, stop often, enjoy the views and explore the Sudetenland anew.
