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Elevation: 1,575 ft
GPS: 50.87107, 15.87337
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Shared By: Mark Roth on Jul 13, 2010
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Description Suggest change

The foothills of the Karkonosze mountains are littered with granite outcrops and small towers. There are enough different areas I thought they could use their own "region" page. The small city of Jelenia Gora is centrally located to many of the areas, and is the best place to find groceries and supplies. Close, only by proximity, to the sandstone towers of the Czech Republic, this area is worlds apart. Here you won't have to run it out above knots for gear without chalk. Here you can cover yourself in chalk as you plug cams or clip bolts on bullet hard granite. And unlike many European climbing destinations I would highly recommend bringing a rack (more than half of all the routes are trad). If trad gear is just too heavy to travel with, no worries, there are more than enough well bolted routes to keep you busy.

The area of Gory Sokole (Sokoliki) has the highest concentration of routes and is therefore the perfect place to base your stay. There are 3 major climber camps/huts to choose from, all with their own unique variables.

Camping, in order of walking distance to the climbing:

  • Szwajcarka (means; girl from Switzerland) is the closest camping in distance and elevation gain to the areas in Sokoliki. It is also possible to hike to the climbing in Rudawy Janowickie from here. From the tiny town of Karpniki, follow the road NNE toward Trzcinsko. Take a left fork onto an unmarked dirt road. If you start going downhill, you've gone to far. Pro's include level tent platforms, or indoor bunks, and a small cafeteria with good food for those who don't like to cook. Cons: the Pay shower only gives a burning hot trickle for 3 minutes. And after dark the peaceful mountain scerenity gives way to barking guard dogs and snoring.
  • Tabor Pod Krzywa: The most highly recommended of all the camping, but the one I didn't see... Located on the North West side of Sokoliki, it is very close to climbing, but the hike is brutally steep. On a good note though, they are rumored to have the best showers in the region. From Karpniki, take the small unmarked lane across from the church and follow it for a few kilometers...
  • 9 UP Climbing School: Located to the North of Sokoliki in the town of Trzcinsko. You may actually find this one with the signs. I'm not sure, but you may be able to reach this camp by bus. This place has all the bells and whistles required by the traveling climbing bum. Plenty of indoor areas for rainy/rest days, including kitchen, showers, and a sweet covered bouldering wall. The hike is a little farther than the last, but not as steep. Probably the best location if you are looking for partners, since it is quite a scene. The biggest drawback are that the tent sites are on a very steep hill. Maybe bring a porta-ledge?

Getting There Suggest change

It's nice to have a car, but not essential. Fly into Wroclaw or even Prague. Krakow is about 3 hours away on the best highway in the country.

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