Sowie Skały (Owl Rocks) in Szklarska Poręba
Sowie Skały (Owl Rocks) are a group of granite towers (the tallest about 10 metres), overhangs and rock niches by Sowiniec hill (675 m above sea level) in Szklarska Poręba. You can walk there from the town centre on the blue trail, and entry is free.
What are Sowie Skały?
Separate granite towers — the tallest about 10 metres — with overhangs and rock niches, hidden in the forest by the barely noticeable summit of Sowiniec (675 m). They are especially popular with rock climbers, who have a number of routes here.
What is their history?
According to local accounts, the rocks were searched by the Walloons — historic prospectors for stones and ores — who are said to have found smoky quartz in a cave on the western slope. Sowie Skały are a stop on the Walloon Trail (Szlak Waloński).
Good with children?
It is a short forest destination close to the centre. The rocks are a climbing area, so take care with children and do not climb the towers without equipment. The longer town route that passes them is marked as unsuitable for pushchairs but fine with a baby carrier.
What can I combine it with?
Sowie Skały are on the town route “#nawycieczkę z Duchem Gór” (about 9.5 km, about 4 hours of walking, easy), which goes from the centre via Leśna Huta, the Szklarka Waterfall (park ticket), Chybotek and Złoty Widok, then along the blue trail to Sowie Skały and back to the centre near Esplanada park.