POLAND by MOTOCYCLE along the roads of the Sudetenland on two sides of the border - an introduction to MOTOtourism

The place where we gather in the forenoon and from which we start for the multi-day tour is indicatively Orlen-Kostomłoty station (near Wroclaw), the exact place will be given in the ROAD BOOK. It is possible to join in another place indicated on our route (detailed plan of stops on the first day of the expedition will be given to participants shortly before the date of departure in the form of ROAD BOOK).

On the first day of the trip, not too hurriedly, with numerous stops, we head to our destination - the Saxon Switzerland region, taking the opportunity to visit several attractive places lying along our route.

One of them is Hohnstein Castle located on a steep cliff, whose prison by its inaccessibility inspired the greatest fear. The castle walls offer a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area.

Saxon Switzerland National Park and Rathen-Bastei-a unique place; a rock formation called the Tower (190m above sea level) and a bridge guided through narrow rocks 40m above the bottom of the gorge, all surrounded by the Elbe River glistening in the sun.

We set off at 8:30, right after breakfast.

Bohemian Switzerland is an intimate, romantic and still wild land lying on the Elbe River. A basin of natural wonders, unique wildlife and mineral resources. The river, flowing for centuries, has carved a 300m deep canyon in the sandstone here, along which stretch plateaus decorated with ravines, untamed streams and overgrown with forests, full of fantastic rock formations: gates, spires, towers, terraces and labyrinths. In addition, sprinkled with the complex history of the border lands.

Our custom is to set off no later than 8:30 a.m., and after breakfast. On the third day, we will leave the land of the Elbe and head towards the Oder River basin, to the Karkonosze - the highest mountain range in the Sudetenland, with its peak Sněžka at the top (1602m).

The first stop on the way - Spindleruv Mlyn. A town with exceptionally attractive climatic conditions and beautiful mountain landscapes, attracting domestic and foreign tourists regardless of the season. From here, along picturesque and very winding stretches of road, we will drive towards Harachov - a town picturesquely located at an altitude of about 760m above sea level, on the outskirts of which we will visit the captivating Mumlava Waterfall - a very wide cascade 10m high, where water falls from granite blocks creating deep evaporative cauldrons called "Devil's Eyes" at the bottom.

On this day we will also return to Polish territory, stopping from Czocha Castle for a short sightseeing tour. Heading towards Szklarska Poreba, we will cross the so-called Death Bend - a sharp (180°) road curve along with a vantage point over the Karkonosze and Jeleniogórska Valley.

Also in front of us are Krucze Skały with two granite towers 30m high, where a vantage point has been placed, as well as Kamieńczyk Waterfall - the highest waterfall in the Polish Sudetes (27m), and Szklarki Waterfall. These places will be perfect for a photo plein air, and the water falling with a bang will fill us with energy for further wanderings.

We set off customarily no later than 8:30, right after breakfast! On our route a lot of peculiarities of nature. We need good weather, although apparently the weather is always there, only the clothing is sometimes inadequate!

The first to pass through - located on the border of the Western and Central Sudetes - is the Ore Mountains Landscape Park. The landscape here is characterized by a number of picturesque river valleys, scattered rock formations, numerous hills, steep slopes and beautiful wooded areas with many streams.

One of the most interesting points, in the vicinity of which we will make a short stop, will be Ostra Mala - the highest summit rock in the Ore Mountains (935 meters above sea level), which claims the title of the most beautiful vantage point in the Sudety Mountains, and which offers a picturesque view of almost the entire Janowickie Ore Mountains, the Karkonosze Mountains and the Jeleniogórska Valley.

We will also pass through Karpnicka Pass (at an altitude of 475 m) and, if time permits, approach one of the most interesting rock formations - the Rock Bridge (located at an altitude of about 600-620 m). Its name derives from its natural shape - a stone footbridge is suspended on two rock crags.

Heading southeast you will reach the village of Wieściszowice and there you will find the Colorful Lakes - a worldwide rarity, a true treasure of the Kamienna Góra region. These are four lakes: yellow, purple, blue and black lying on the slope of Wielka Kopa. The coloration of the water in these lakes is related to the chemical composition of the walls and the bottom of the pits, but for tourists it is an unusual and colorful attraction that must be immortalized in photographs.

The main attraction of this day trip, however, will be a visit to our neighbors - the Rock City in Adršpach (Czech Republic). This place, is a naturally fantastic in its form stone labyrinth carved by the forces of nature, full of unusual monoliths rising to the sky and covered with forest. This reserve, is part of the Table Mountains.

Most of the rocks are sandstone from different geological periods with characteristic mountain vegetation - several hundred interesting species, including: two-flowered violet, alpine coltsfoot or mountain prairie.

After exploring the Rock City for 2-3 hours, we will head to the vicinity of Kudowa Zdroj, to a very special memorial... The Skull Chapel in Czermna, as it is referred to here, is one large communal tomb of the victims of the Silesian wars of 1740-1742 and 1744-1745, as well as infectious diseases of the 18th century. 3,000 human skulls and bones make up the interior facade of the chapel, covering the walls and ceiling. A further 20,000-30,000 human remains lie beneath the floor of the chapel....

Somewhere around Klodzko, maybe Duszniki-Zdrój we will stop for tonight.

Waking up as every day, breakfast, 8:30 departure. We have more than 300 km of mountain roads ahead of us. The main point of the day will be Klodzko with its charming old town and the oldest gothic bridge of St. John and Klodzko Fortress - one of the most important and impressive monuments of Lower Silesia. Here we will spend some time.

From here, around noon, through Bystrzyca Klodzka to the Wilczka Waterfall - the second-highest waterfall in the Sudetes (the water falls here from 22 meters, providing an amazing view), over which there is a bridge, and around it designated paths and steps leading to viewing terraces.

We will have an obligatory photo session and continue through the Puchaczówka Pass - if the weather is perfect - along the infernally winding and scenic Lower Moravian road (446 and 44) we will make an exciting loop heading to Zloty Stok. There we plan to have a final communal meal/lunch at the Old Forge Restaurant next to the Zloty Stok Mine in Zloty Stok and bid farewell to all participants.