Preparation and Starting the Trail
Our adventure to Mount Ślęża began at Tąpadła Pass, where there’s a large parking lot. The parking fee is 20 PLN, and there are also restrooms available on-site. We were lucky to snag the last available spot, but it’s worth noting that there’s also an “unofficial” parking area nearby. We saw some people parking along the road, which isn’t very safe and also restricts the passage of other vehicles.
Before starting the hike, it’s worth stopping by “Bar Ślężą,” located at the foot of the mountain. You can buy drinks and snacks there, which might come in handy before heading out on the trail.
Choosing the Blue Trail
We chose to hike the blue trail, which is longer but more varied. The entire route is about 4.5 km and takes you through beautiful, diverse terrain. This is an excellent choice for families with children—we had our four-year-olds with us and were curious to see how they’d manage. The beginning of the trail was fairly easy, but as we went further, it became more challenging, especially near the junction with the green trail, where larger rocks started to appear.
The path isn’t suitable for strollers, not even trekking ones, but our kids found the rock climbing quite fun. They scrambled over the rocks as if climbing a ladder, though descending proved to be more challenging for them. The entire hike took us about 3 hours, which is a good time considering we had young children with us and took several breaks to rest.
At the Summit: Attractions Await
After completing the hike and reaching the summit of Ślęża, which stands at 718 meters above sea level, we were greeted by several attractions. The first was the observation tower, which you can climb via steep ladders. The ascent and descent are done alternately, but the climb is worth it as the views are breathtaking. After coming down from the tower, we continued on and passed by the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There’s an option to climb the church tower for a symbolic fee of 5 PLN.
The weather that day was beautiful, which attracted many tourists. Many people were grilling and roasting sausages—you can buy firewood for a campfire at the shelter. The shelter also offers food and drinks, and despite the long queue, the service was very efficient. We laid out a blanket, ate our pre-packed sandwiches, and the kids got some rest.
At the summit of Ślęża, there’s also a stamp for the Polish Crown of Mountains, which you can collect in your booklet. It’s available at the entrance to the shelter as well as at the bar. Unfortunately, there was no water available during our visit, so the restrooms were closed.
Descending via the Yellow Trail
For the descent, we chose the yellow trail, which is the shortest and theoretically the easiest. The trail is about 2.5 km long and follows a fairly rocky path that also serves as a road for vehicles. However, the trail turned out to be very rocky, so we often used the worn side paths, which were easier to navigate. Looking back, we’re glad we chose the blue trail for the ascent, as it was much more interesting. Had we chosen the yellow trail to ascend, we might have been disappointed.
Ślęża
Mount Ślęża, also known as the Silesian Olympus, is the highest peak of the Ślęża Massif, standing at 718 meters above sea level. It has been a place of worship for centuries, dating back to pre-Christian times. Numerous archaeological findings, such as stone crosses, sculptures, and other artifacts, confirm that religious ceremonies were held on its slopes during the Bronze and Iron Ages. The mountain’s summit was considered sacred by the ancient tribes that inhabited the area, particularly the Ślężanie tribe, from which the mountain, the Ślęza River, and the entire Silesian region derive their names.
In Christian times, a church was built on the mountain’s summit, making it an important pilgrimage site. Today, the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands there, accessible via several tourist trails, including the popular blue and yellow trails.
Ślęża is not only a place of religious significance but also a symbol of local culture and identity. Its silhouette dominates the surrounding landscape and has served as a natural landmark and a place of spiritual power for centuries.
Today, the mountain attracts not only history and spirituality enthusiasts but also tourists and families looking to spend time outdoors, enjoying the natural beauty and numerous hiking trails. Ślęża remains a symbol of the region and one of the most important cultural landmarks in Lower Silesia.