Beautiful and unique Snow Cauldrons is one of the most interesting places in the Karkonosze Mountains. Or at least that's what many tourists say. Snow Cauldrons are two twin post-glacial rock formations cut into the northern slope of the Karkonosze ridge. We can find them in the commune of Piechowice, exactly between Wielki Szyszak and Łabski Szczyt. The sharp granite walls make the views both stunning and chilling at the same time.
Snow Cauldrons consist of two glacial cirques divided by a rocky Grzęda. At the top of Grzęda there is a characteristic castle-like building - the building of the former shelter. Currently, there is a broadcasting center, inaccessible to tourists.
The western glacial cirque is the Small Snow Cauldron, 300 meters deep and 100 meters high. The eastern one is the Great Snow Cauldron. 250 meters deep and 150 meters high. There are five embankments of terminal and side moraines within Śnieżne Kotły. In Wielki Śnieżny Kocioł you will find Śnieżne Stawki, collecting water flowing from the upper parts. You can admire the lakes, but you cannot swim in them.
Śnieżne Kotły has an alpine climate. We will find here unique specimens of fauna and flora, characteristic of the Alpine and Arctic regions. Snow on the bottom of the boilers often remains even in summer.
Trails leading to Śnieżne Kotły
Hiking to Śnieżne Kotły – due to the fact that the entire area is under strict protection – can only be done along designated paths and trails. A very easy trail will be the one leading from the upper station of the Szrenica lift through Twarożnik and Łabski Szczyt. The length of the route is 5 km, and it takes about 2 hours to complete it.
The yellow trail, through Kukułcze Skały and the Shelter under Łabski Szczyt, is about 7.5 km long and takes over 3.5 hours. The trail is quite difficult and demanding. There are steep ascents on the trail, but after the hardships of the hike, you can take a rest in the nearby Shelter at Łabski Szczyt. It is one of the oldest shelters in the Karkonosze Mountains. In winter, the section to the shelter should be overcome by the so-called Wet Road.
The blue and green trail from Jagniątkowo through Paciorki to Śnieżne Stawki is rated as moderately difficult. It provides wonderful views, but it is not always possible to completely overcome it. Its last section is closed in winter due to the risk of avalanches.
Directions from Dwór Korona Karkonosze:
How tall are the Snow Cauldrons?
The upper edge of Śnieżne Kotły is located at an altitude of 1,490 m above sea level, and the bottom at an altitude of approximately 1,200 m above sea level. From the north, Śnieżne Kotły is closed with a moraine rampart.
Is snow only in winter in Śnieżne Kotły?
Śnieżne Kotły is a perfect example of an alpine landscape in the Karkonosze Mountains. To the delight of tourists, snow at the bottom of the cauldrons can often be seen until mid-summer.