The best hiking routes in Park Narodowy Gór Stołowych

Park Narodowy Gór Stołowych offers a landscape defined by flat-topped sandstone tables and deep, labyrinthine crevices rather than the high peaks or sweeping ridges found in other mountain ranges. Walking here means navigating a distinct verticality of rock formations, where the path often squeezes through narrow fissures, passes under massive overhanging blocks, and winds around eroded stone pillars. The terrain is heavily forested, primarily with spruce and beech, which creates a shaded, enclosed atmosphere that suddenly opens up at the edges of sheer sandstone cliffs.

Underfoot, the trails vary significantly depending on your choice of route. The lower, forested paths are generally soft with pine needles and exposed tree roots, while the ascents to the main summits like Szczeliniec Wielki involve steep stone steps and narrow wooden boardwalks wedged between rock walls. In the peat bog sections, such as near Batorow, elevated wooden planks keep you clear of the wet ground. Sandstone surfaces can be slick, and the deep crevices retain cool temperatures and dampness long after the surrounding forest has dried.

The park is highly accessible, which means the famous rock labyrinths can become crowded, especially during the school holidays in July and August. If you prefer a quieter walk, the southern and eastern sectors of the park offer gentler, less frequented trails through quiet woodland and past isolated rock towers. Choosing a route here is a matter of deciding between the dramatic, tight squeezes of the popular rock cities and the steady, forested walks along the lower sandstone terraces.