Szklarska Poręba in winter: what to do and what is open

In winter Szklarska Poręba revolves around cross-country skiing at Polana Jakuszycka and the Szrenica Ski Arena slopes, but you do not need skis to have a good day here. We run the Toy Exhibition in the town centre, and in winter we hear the same questions again and again: what is open, which trails are closed and where to go for a short walk. Here are the answers with sources — bearing in mind that winter trail closures in the mountains are decided day by day.

What is open in Szklarska Poręba in winter?

Place	In winter	Good to know
Kamieńczyk Waterfall	open all year; Nov–Mar 9:00–15:00 on weekdays, 9:00–16:00 at weekends, on public holidays and during winter school holidays	the park removes ice in the gorge; hours may be shortened in bad weather
Szklarka Waterfall	“Szklarka” park ticket office Nov–Mar 9:00–16:00	the waterfall partly freezes in frost
Hala Szrenicka mountain hut	open 24 hours all year, buffet until 20:00	a base for skiers and ski tourers, with equipment hire
Polana Jakuszycka	cross-country skiing centre, home of the Bieg Piastów race	ski hire and a 200-space underground car park — no need to clear snow off your car
Esplanada park	Alpine Coaster runs all year; ice rink listed in the autumn/winter 2026 price list	the track is lit and the carts have roofs that allow rides even in a snow flurry; check whether the rink is open before you go
Szrenica cable car	the summer price list runs until 25 October 2026	in winter Szrenica Ski Arena operates as a ski resort — we have no winter hours or prices for walkers, so check with the operator

Good indoor options in winter are Leśna Huta glassworks (Tue–Sat 10:00–18:00), the JUNA Earth Museum (Tue–Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun until 15:00) and the Hauptmann House (October to April Tue–Sun 9:00–16:00), and outside town Termy Cieplickie (daily 8:00–22:00) and Querion (daily 10:00–20:00). Hours are as of September 2026 — check them again before the winter holidays and public holidays.

Which trails close in winter?

Karkonosze National Park closes trails in winter depending on conditions and snow cover. The current closure map is in the tourist notice on kpn.gov.pl — check it on the day you go. Around Szklarska Poręba the following sections are often closed (according to a 2023 overview):

• the yellow trail from the Pod Łabskim Szczytem hut to Śnieżne Kotły,
• the green trail along the floor of Śnieżne Kotły to Rozdroże pod Wielkim Szyszakiem (avalanche risk),
• the red trail from Śnieżne Kotły to Przełęcz pod Śmielcem,
• the green trail from the upper Szrenica lift station above Kocioł Szrenicki to the red trail at Mokra Przełęcz.

In spring black grouse and falcon protection is added: in 2026, from 15 March until at least the end of May, the green trail Mokre Rozdroże – Śnieżne Kotły – Rozdroże pod Wielkim Szyszakiem and the yellow trail Mokre Rozdroże – Śnieżne Kotły were closed.

Kamieńczyk: since 16 June 2026 the red and black trail section from the car park to Rozdroże pod Kamieńczykiem has been closed until further notice (town notice of 11 June 2026; detours shown only on a map). Check whether the closure still applies — the detour adds distance, and in winter the waterfall ticket office closes at 15:00 on weekdays. You may walk in the park from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, and winter days are short.

Where to go for a short winter walk?

• Szklarka Waterfall — about 0.5 km on a wide path from the park ticket office on road no. 3. Sources do not say whether the path is cleared of snow in winter.
• Krucze Skały (Raven Rocks) — about 10 minutes on a forest path from the free car park by the church, with a fenced viewpoint at the top. No entry fee.
• Złoty Widok — about 250 m along a wide forest track from ul. Matejki to a viewing terrace above a cliff; according to visitor reports from December 2025, it was even manageable with a pushchair. Chybotek is a few minutes further on.
• Zakręt Śmierci (Death’s Bend) — a viewing platform about 5 minutes from the free car park on the road to Świeradów-Zdrój. The bend turns almost 180 degrees, so slow down well in advance in winter.
• Mumlava Waterfall in Harrachov — on very cold days it can turn into an icefall. About 1.2 km on asphalt from the central car park, but sources do not mention winter clearing of the road, so wear shoes with a good grip.

Want more waterfalls? See our guide Szklarska Poręba waterfalls in one day.

Is it worth hiking up Szrenica in winter?

You can, but only well prepared: the ridge is very cold and windy and some trails may be closed. A closer goal is the Hala Szrenicka mountain hut, open 24 hours — from Kamieńczyk Waterfall about 1 h 10 min of climbing on the red trail according to trail descriptions. You need a national park ticket on the trail (11 PLN, reduced 5.50 PLN); when the “Brama Kamieńczyk” office is closed, buy it online. Before you go, check the felt temperatures and the Szrenica webcam in the park’s notice. Route details: Szrenica on foot via Hala Szrenicka.

A winter day plan for Szklarska Poręba (without skis)

Time	What to do	Tip
9:30	Szklarka Waterfall	Park ticket office opens at 9:00, 10–15 minutes’ walk each way. Ticket 11 PLN / 5.50 PLN, children under 7 free.
10:30	Złoty Widok and Chybotek	A few minutes from the car park on ul. Matejki to the terrace, no tickets.
12:00	Glassmaking show at Leśna Huta or the JUNA Earth Museum	Leśna Huta: Tue–Sat, show 30–40 minutes, break 14:00–14:30. The JUNA Earth Museum is closed on Mondays.
13:30	Lunch in the centre	Municipal parking machines take coins only; you can also pay in the MOBILET and City Park App apps.
15:00	Alpine Coaster at Esplanada	The track is lit, so you can ride after dark too — during the park’s opening hours (current hours are on the park’s Google profile).
16:30	Toy Exhibition — Pop Culture Icons	Warm and indoors at ul. Jedności Narodowej 16, usually 30–40 minutes; open until 20:00 during the winter school holidays.
18:00	Termy Cieplickie (optional)	In Jelenia Góra-Cieplice, open until 22:00.

Cross-country option: line 311 trains stop at Polana Jakuszycka right by the Lower Silesian Sports Centre, which has ski hire. Snowstorm option: stay indoors with our plan Szklarska Poręba on a rainy day — it works just as well when it snows.

Szklarska Poręba in winter with kids

• Sledging — the town lists three sledging hills: on ul. Stroma, ul. Wolności and ul. Urocza.
• Alpine Coaster and ice rink at Esplanada — up to 2 people ride in one cart, so a child can go with an adult; skate hire is available at the rink.
• Indoors — workshops at Leśna Huta, quests at the JUNA Earth Museum, and at our toy exhibition children up to 90 cm tall enter free.
• Hala Izerska — for older, warmly dressed children. It is Poland’s “cold pole” (−36.6 °C was recorded here on 29 December 1996), and snow can lie until May. When there is snow, you cannot drive from Jakuszyce to the Orle Tourist Station — the hostel offers paid transport.

More family ideas: Szklarska Poręba with kids.

Getting there and parking in winter

• Train: line 311 runs from Jelenia Góra through Szklarska Poręba to Jakuszyce and Harrachov, and Polana Jakuszycka stop is next to the sports centre. In autumn 2026 replacement buses run between Jelenia Góra and Szklarska Poręba Górna — according to the town’s newer notice of 31 August 2026 until 24 October (an older notice said 30 September). Check the timetable with Koleje Dolnośląskie.
• Municipal car parks: 8 PLN for the first hour, 7 PLN for the second and third, 6 PLN for each further hour, day ticket 50 PLN. On ul. Turystyczna (lower station of the Szrenica cable car) 5 PLN per started hour, card payment possible.
• Polana Jakuszycka: underground car park of the sports centre — 3 PLN per hour according to a 2024 announcement; check the current price list on the centre’s website.

See also: Waterfalls in one day, Szklarska Poręba with kids and Szklarska Poręba on a rainy day.