Orle Tourist Station in the Izera Mountains
Orle Tourist Station (Stacja Turystyczna Orle) is a year-round mountain hostel in the Izera Mountains, in the Orle settlement within Szklarska Poręba, at 840 m at the foot of Granicznik by the Izera river. The yellow trail leads here from Polana Jakuszycka along an old asphalt road, and from Orle it is not far to Hala Izerska or across the border bridge to Jizerka in the Czech Republic.
What is Orle?
In 1754 the Preussler family founded the Carlsthal glassworks here, which operated until 1890. The buildings later served foresters, and after the Second World War housed a border guard post. The hostel is owned by Szklarska Poręba Forest District, which leases it to private hosts.
What does the hostel offer?
- Accommodation — 73 beds in two buildings, in dormitory-style and guesthouse-style rooms, plus a campsite.
- A buffet with home-cooked food, including soups, bigos, pierogi, pancakes, blueberry cake and apple cake.
- A Finnish sauna by a mountain stream.
- Hire of bikes, cross-country skis and snowshoes.
- A sundial, plus maps and souvenirs of the Izera Mountains.
Where can you walk from Orle?
- To Hala Izerska — Chatka Górzystów is about 6 km away, past a Solar System model in the Izera Dark Sky Park.
- To Jizerka (Czech Republic) — about 4 km over the border bridge on the Izera and along the “Trzy Izeriny” educational path. Take your ID.
- To Polana Jakuszycka — on the yellow trail; see Polana Jakuszycka.
How do you get there in winter?
When there is snow, the road from Jakuszyce cannot be driven. The hostel offers paid transport from Jakuszyce, and in special cases the hosts can help bring luggage by snowmobile. There is no entry fee — Orle is outside Karkonosze National Park. Call ahead to confirm current arrangements before an overnight stay.