Łabski Szczyt (Violik) is the third highest peak of the Polish Karkonosze Mountains, after Śnieżka and Wielki Szyszak. The top of the Łabski Szczyt reaches 1,471 m above sea level. It is located between Szrenica and Wielki Szyszak, in the western part of the Silesian Ridge in the area of the Karkonosze National Park. It owes its name to the sources of the Elbe River, one of the longest rivers in Europe.
Łabski Szczyt is located above Szklarska Poręba. It is characterized by extremely picturesque surroundings and an amazing view of the valleys, ravines and peaks of the Karkonosze Mountains. The very top of the Elbe Peak is crowned with strongly cracked granite rocks, which is why it is inaccessible to tourists.
How to get to Elbe Peak?
There are several options to reach the Elbe Peak:
- follow the blue trail from the Kochanówka shelter to Mały Śnieżny Kotło, and from there follow the red trail directly to Łabski Szczyt
- along the yellow trail from Szklarska Poręba (the road to the Shelter under Łabski Szczyt takes about 2 hours, and along the way you can see attractions such as the Pendulum or Kukułcze Skały, which resemble three towers in their shape),
- along the red trail on Szrenica through the Kamieńczyk Waterfall along the Polish-Czech Friendship Road, the total length of which is over 27 km (this is the longest, but also the most interesting option with a significant increase in altitude and takes approximately 3.5 hours),
- along the black trail from Jagniątkowo,
- along the green trail from Rozdroże pod Kamieńczyk through the Ski Arena Szrenica intermediate station.
Please remember that the route to the shelter under the Elbe Peak may be shorter if you use the chairlift to Szrenica.
Shelter under the Elbe Peak
This is one of the oldest shelters in the Karkonosze Mountains, located at an altitude of 1,168 m above sea level, at the intersection of tourist trails leading to Szrenica and Śnieżne Kotły. The shelter is located in the Karkonosze National Park, so it is necessary to purchase an entrance ticket.
The PTTK shelter at Łabski Szczyt was built at the turn of 1618-1648 and initially served as a shepherd's hut and a forester's lodge where animals were grazed. In 1915, the shelter was completely destroyed by a great fire, and a new facility was built during World War I. Over time, the building was modernized to increase the quality of the accommodation offer.
The PTTK shelter under Łabski Szczyt has its own unique atmosphere, which will certainly be appreciated by mountain hiking enthusiasts. However, you must bear in mind that the shelter is powered by a generator. Therefore, when planning your visit, please remember that there may be power outages. The facility provides 38 beds and access to a kitchen and a common room. The shelter has a buffet offering hot and cold meals and drinks. Rallies and schools for beginner skiers are organized at the shelter.
The PTTK shelter under Łabski Szczyt provides a breathtaking view of Szrenica, Łabski Szczyt and Wielki Szyszak. In the distance you can see the buildings of Szklarska Poręba, the Jizera Mountains and the Jelenia Góra Valley.
Łabska Polana – a hall under the Łabski Szczyt
Łabska Polana is located on the southwestern slope of Łabski Szczyt at an altitude of approximately 1,400 m above sea level. The glade is covered with impressive mountain pine trees. Right next to it there is a 45-meter-high waterfall.
This is where the sources of one of the longest European rivers - the Elbe - flow from. Next to the bricked well symbolizing this source there are 24 emblems of the cities through which the Elbe flows to the North Sea.
Łabski Kocioł – a niche on the slope of Łebski Szczyt
The Elbe Kocioł is located on the southern slope of the Elbe Peak. You can reach it by following the yellow trail from Szklarska Poręba and the green trail from Śnieżka nad Reglami. This road is one of the most beautiful scenic routes in the Karkonosze Mountains.
Bystry Potok has its source in Łabski Koło. Łabski Kocioł is a niche with a bottom deeply cut into the slope of a valley with a semicircular outline, undercutting the north-western slope of Łabski Szczyt. The walls of the niche slope gently and the bottom is narrow and shallow. The Elbe Kocioł is a particularly dangerous place in winter due to avalanches from the steep slopes of the Elbe Peak. Snow stays in the basin sometimes until the end of July.