Wielki Szyszak belongs to the group of the highest mountain peaks of the Karkonosze Mountains and the entire Sudetes. Its height reaches 1,509 m above sea level, which makes it the second highest peak on the Polish side of the Karkonosze Mountains. The peak is located on the western side of the Silesian Ridge, near Śnieżne Kotły, Śmielec, Czarny Kotło Jagniątkowski and Łebski Szczyt.
Wielki Szyszak is undoubtedly an interesting tourist attraction of the region. The mountain peak in the Czech Republic known as Vysoke Kolo and in Germany as Hohe Rand is located in the Karkonosze National Park. The Polish-Czech border runs through its top, which is also the administrative border of the town of Piechowice.
What are the characteristics of Wielki Szyszak - the highest granite peak of the Karkonosze Mountains?
The ridge of the mountain is relatively flat, and the top of the mountain itself looks more like a rubble of rocks. From there you can admire Śnieżne Kotły, picturesque rock cliffs and ponds. The top is almost completely devoid of large vegetation. At the top of Wielki Szyszak there is a characteristic television transmitter.
What attractions does Wielki Szyszak offer? Wielki Szyszak - the largest granite peak in the Polish Karkonosze Mountains, provides great climbing opportunities for every lover of mountain challenges. The trails lead through breathtaking cliffs and rock walls.
In the lower parts of the mountain there is typical Karkonosze vegetation, including rare endemic species - basalt saxifrage and Karkonosze bluebell. The area of Wielki Szyszka, as well as the entire Karkonosze National Park, is inhabited by numerous species of insects, birds and mammals, including deer, roe deer, wild boars, beavers and bats.
What tourist trail leads to Wielki Szyszak?
There is no direct marked tourist trail leading to Wielki Szyszak - however, this changes in winter, when the Main Sudetes Trail changes its course and instead of going through areas at risk of avalanches, it passes through Wielki Szyszak.
You can enter Wielki Szyszak from the eastern side along a road made of stone tiles. This road was built in 1888 as a gift from the Schaffgotsch family to commemorate the unification of German countries.
You can also climb Wielki Szyszak from the direction of Jagniątkowo, following the blue trail to Czarna Przełęcz, and from there, following the red trail towards the peak to the west. The approx. 3-hour walk through the grass is relatively demanding and, for some, even skillful.
The expedition to Wielki Szyszak requires relatively good physical condition, especially if you plan to choose a longer and more demanding route. Are you wondering which tourist town is closest to Wielki Szyszak? The closest tourist center is Szklarska Poręba, which offers a number of attractions for the whole family. These include: Trollandia Rope Park, Esplanada Family Amusement Park and the "JUNA" Earth Museum.
Wielki Szyszak – a mountain you must get to know
The name Wielki Szyszak became popular only after the end of World War II. Previously, it was called Wielki Koło, while Wielki Szyszak was called the neighboring peak - Śmielec with a height of 1,424 m above sea level
Even though it is less than 100 meters lower than the highest one in the Karkonosze Mountains Snowballs (1603 m above sea level), is not particularly popular with tourists.
Wielki Szyszak is located in the Karkonosze National Park, and on its slopes there are, among others: protected lichens and shrubs, particularly delicate and vulnerable to destruction by tourists. Therefore, the park authorities decided to exclude it from the network of places available for tourists in the Karkonosze Mountains during the summer season.
The monument at the top of the Great Szyszak was the first monument to William I in all of 19th-century Germany. Unfortunately, as is usually the case with this type of souvenirs, the monument has not survived in good condition to this day. At the top of the Great Shiszak, only ruins remain.