Karpacz (German: Krummhübel) is a resort town in southwestern Poland in Lower Silesia in the Giant Mountains. In summer the town is a popular destination, mainly for hikers wishing to explore the Karkonosze National Park. Nestled in the foothills of the Giant Mountains directly below the range's highest peak, this Polish town is by far the most established resort in the Polish Karkonosze. Originally, a German resort town (until 1945), Karpacz catered to tourists as far as Berlin, and included visits from the Prussian royalty. Today Karpacz retains some of its German character with its impressive architecture of Silesian wood decorated buildings including its two fine churches. It serves as ski resort in the winter season and is a launching point for hiking and biking excursions in the summer months.

Vang stave church

Get in

By plane

• 1 Copernicus Airport Wrocław (WRO ^IATA), ☏ +48 71 35-81-100. The most convenient way to get to Legnica by plane is using the Wrocław Airport.  

By train

There is no train service to Karpacz.

By bus

Hourly bus service runs from Jelenia Gora (5zł to 6.40zł, one hour). In July and August there are daily buses to Szklarska Poręba (6.40zł, 50 minutes) at 9:15 and 18:15. Flixbus also has regular service from Wrocław.

By car

You have to get before Jelenia Góra first through , then change to road . Then simply follow signs to Karpacz. Make sure that your place of accommodation has parking spots as these are not very common in town.

Get around

By bus

There is bus that goes from lower to upper Karpacz with end stop at Wang church passing through multiple hotels and town centre. Return bus only stops at select most popular places. More details can be found here.

By foot

Town is manageable by foot, however it is located on considerable slope which makes small distances on map much longer in reality. Whole town can be passed in about 2 hours of easy stroll.

By car

Konstytucji 3 Maja and Karkonoska streets are main streets that pass through entire town. Parking spaces are usually paid and scarce, free spots are scarce.

See

• 1 Vang Church, Na Śnieżkę 8, ☏ +48 75 752 82 90. Stave church moved from Vang, Norway in the mid-19th century.  
• 2 Łomnica Dam, Rybacka 8 (red path going from Rybacka in the east, or Konstytucji 3 Maja in the south). Scenic dam with lake built for flood control in 1910s close to city centre. It has path on the top which is part of a longer path Main Sudetes Trail. (updated Sep 2024)
• 3 Wild Waterfall (across the street from Biały Jar upper station). Actually not a waterfall, but another dam, however it definitely has wild vibe with multiple cascade below the dam. Nice to see if you are on way to national park. (updated Sep 2024)
• 4 Gravity Hill (Miejsce Anomalii Grawitacyjnej), Strażacka (top part, going from Olimpijska). Best tested in car, or with round bottle as they seem to move upwards. In reality there is no gravity anomaly, rather an optical illusion created by specific slope of the road and trees obstructing view of horizon similar to Ames room. (updated Sep 2024)

Do

• Climb Śnieżka, located in the Karkonosze National Park. It's also named Sněžka in Czech, is the highest summit in the Czech Republic, and the border crosses the mountain (it's accessible from both countries). See the Giant Mountains National Park article for information about the Czech side of the region.

• 1 Centre of Leisure and Sport "Kolorowa" (Centrum Rekreacji i Sportu Kolorowa), Konstytucji 3 Maja 51a, ☏ +48 535 999 043. Place living up to its name with toboggan run (open in summer), alpine coaster and small ski field good for beginners. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 Sleigh and Snowtubbing Hill, Myśliwska 13, ☏ +48 604 626 313. Place to ride on sleigh or bum slider with small snowtubbing track. Good for children. Small skiing school is nearby. (updated Sep 2024)

Ski

• 3 Biały Jar Ski Station, Turystyczna 5, ☏ +48 74 8660 431, winterpol@winterpol.eu. 08:30-18:00 Su-Th, 08:30-17:00 F-Sa. Most popular ski slope in Karpacz of relatively easy difficulty. Huge crowds at bottom station. 2 hours 95 zł. (updated Sep 2024)
• 4 Karpacz Ski Arena, Turystyczna 4, ☏ +48 506 189 350. Largest ski slope in Karpacz with several tracks and cableways. Being placed highest it is the most likely to have snow cover in winter. Hard entrance in winter through steep, icy road from Olimpijska street, some experience with skiing is advised. In summer you can reach Kopa and go from here to Śnieżka. (updated Sep 2024)

Eat

• 1 Bar Wrzos, Kościelna 5c, barwrzos@gmail.com. 12:00-18:00 daily. Long standing restaurant with strong 90s vibe (complete with wood panelling) serving typical Polish fare. (updated Sep 2024)

Drink

• 1 Cafe-Patisserie Spokojna (Kawiarnia-Cukiernia Spokojna), Konstytucji 3 Maja 55A, ☏ +48 75 761 93 20. 10:00-18:00 M-Tu, 10:00-19:00 W-Su. Cafe serving cakes, milk drinks with fruits and shakes. Small garden in front of building with seats. Operates since 1970s. (updated Sep 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Karkonosze, Wolna 4, ☏ +48 75 761 8277, hkarkonosze@hotel-karkonosze.com.pl. Check-in: 16:00-20:00, check-out: 09:00-10:30. Mid-range hotel with many different types of rooms, though splurge apartament options are also available. There is also restaurant inside (paid separately), and small ski slope for beginners. Located in calm place, a bit of distance to ski lifts, but not too far from city centre and close to hiking trails. (updated Sep 2024)

Go next

Day-trips:

• Karkonoski National Park - neighbouring town to the south
• Szklarska Poręba - twin of Karpacz, in same mountain range
• Kowary - in the foothills, more relaxed with Soviet uranium mines
• Jelenia Góra - largest town in the region, with Cieplice resort

Further afield:

• Wrocław - capital of Lower Silesia region
• Prague - capital of Czech Republic