Karpacz — the Karkonosze at the foot of Śnieżka.
Poland's highest-lying town, at the foot of Śnieżka (1603 m) and the centre of tourism in the Karkonosze National Park. A skiers' paradise in winter, the capital of mountain walking in summer, and all year round one of the most visited places in the Sudetes.
What to know before you go
Karpacz is the largest mountain town in the Polish Karkonosze — it lies at 480–885 m a.s.l. on the slopes of Śnieżka, the highest peak of the Sudetes. It has only about 5,000 inhabitants, but in the winter and summer seasons that number triples with visitors. It is one of the three "capitals" of Polish mountain tourism (with Zakopane and Szczyrk).
The heart of the region is the Karkonosze National Park — it protects unique alpine and subarctic ecosystems found nowhere else in Poland at this latitude. The highest parts of the range are tundra, dwarf pine and glacial cirques (the Mały Staw and Wielki Staw cirques) with lakes in them. The park is on the UNESCO list of world biosphere reserves.
The emblem of Karpacz is the Wang Church — a wooden Norwegian church of the 12th century, moved to Karpacz in 1842. Built without a single nail, of pine preserved with tar, it survived 800 years in the Scandinavian climate and more than 180 in the Karkonosze. It is one of the oldest wooden churches in Europe.
Karpacz is also the capital of Polish winter sport in the Sudetes — the Kopa complex with 14 runs, a cable car up Śnieżka and a chairlift up Kopa, snow parks and ski schools. The season runs from December to March, sometimes to mid-April. In summer the same slopes turn into scooter descents, enduro biking and scenic paths.
From Wrocław you can reach Karpacz in 2 hours by car (about 110 km, S3 + DK3 + DW367). From Warsaw it is about 5–6 hours (by the A4 with a change). By train the easiest way is to Jelenia Góra (about 1.5 hours from Wrocław) and from there by minibus to Karpacz (about 30 minutes). The nearest airports are Wrocław (about 120 km) and Prague Ruzyně (about 180 km).
Places you should not miss
The most important sights of the region, each with its own guide — how to get there, when to go, practical info.
Śnieżka (1603 m)
The highest peak of the Sudetes and of the Czech Republic. On foot (about 3 hours from Karpacz) or by chairlift to Kopa and then along the ridge.
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The Wang Church
A wooden Norwegian church of the 12th century, moved to Karpacz in 1842. Built without a single nail, of tarred pine.
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The Kopa chairlift
A chairlift from Karpacz to Kopa (1377 m). 10 minutes' ride instead of a 2-hour climb. The starting point for Śnieżka.
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The Szklarka Waterfall
The highest waterfall of the Polish Karkonosze (13.5 m). A 15-minute walk from the car park. Easily reached from Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba.
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The Karkonosze National Park
Glacial cirques with the Mały and Wielki Staw lakes, dwarf pine and high mountain tundra — the protected ridge of the Karkonosze above Karpacz.
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The Toy Museum at Karpacz
A well-known collection of toys from many periods and countries — a family attraction in the centre of Karpacz, good for a rainy day.
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The Coloured Lakes in the Rudawy Janowickie
Vivid pools in an old mine in the Rudawy Janowickie — water in unusual shades; an attraction close to Karpacz.
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Western City at Karpacz
A western town near Karpacz with Wild West shows — a family attraction and a good idea for a lighter day.
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Krzeszów Abbey
Former Cistercian abbey with a Baroque basilica, a church painted by Michael Willmann, the Piast mausoleum and a hillside Calvary — a Polish Monument of History.
Read the guide →Do you run a property in Karpacz?
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List or submit a property →Karpacz in every season
March and April are still the ski season on Kopa. May and June — the tundra greens in the cirques, the best time for walking trails without the crowds. The Wang Church is already open to visitors.
The walking season in full — most of the routes to Śnieżka set off from Karpacz (about 3 hours up). There are queues for the Kopa lift, and at weekends on Śnieżka too. It often rains in summer — check the forecast.
The golden colours of the lower woods, with fewer visitors after the peak of the holidays. September is the best — warm and dry. October can already be wet and misty, but is spectacular for photography.
The ski season runs December to March, with snow on the higher slopes often to mid-April. Karpacz is crowded in the school holidays. A festive atmosphere around the Wang Church.
How to get there and what to know
- From Wrocław by car
- About 2 hours (110 km, S3 + DK3 + DW367)
- From Warsaw
- About 5–6 hours by car via the A4
- By train
- PKP to Jelenia Góra, then by minibus about 30 min
- Nearest airport
- Wrocław-Strachowice (about 120 km), Prague Ruzyně (about 180 km)
- Ski season
- December to March (sometimes into April)
- Walking season
- May to October
How far to the sights
Approximate straight-line distances from the centre of Karpacz — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
- The Toy Museum at Karpacz
- ~101 m from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- The Wang Church
- ~1,1 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- Western City at Karpacz
- ~1,2 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- The Kopa chairlift
- ~3,1 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- The Karkonosze National Park
- ~3,3 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- Śnieżka (1603 m)
- ~4,6 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- The Coloured Lakes in the Rudawy Janowickie
- ~14 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- The Szklarka Waterfall
- ~16 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
- Krzeszów Abbey
- ~24 km from the centre Karpacz (as the crow flies)
Where Karpacz is
Frequently asked questions — Karpacz
What is worth seeing in Karpacz?
Where can you find a place to stay in Karpacz?
How much does a place to stay in Karpacz cost?
Do you run a property in Karpacz?
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