Must-see: Magnificent geological marvel

It is an early fresh morning in Kudowa, a spa town in southwest Poland. The Table Mountains sat upon
the area in their eternal chairs. Sunbeams like golden threads are piercing clouds and the air is filled
with sweet birdsongs. No city noise, no horns blaring. I head for Karlow at the crack of dawn to avoid
crowds to unravel the secrets of one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders – Great Szczeliniec.

To get to Great Szczeliniec, it is highly recommended to take the route from Karlow leading over 665
stars which is less wild and ideal for those less fit, hiking in bad weather and walking with children. The
trail is fitted with handrails, leads to the pass between the Little and Great Szczeliniec first, and then
goes to the summit and the gorgeous viewing terraces. This walk should take circa 40 minutes.

Great Szczeliniec is the highest peak in the Table Mountains, which are considered to be one of the most
beautiful places in the Sudetes, thanks to the cracks and fissures that formed in the Szczeliniec massifs
during centuries of erosion of sedimentary rocks. You will gaze wide-eyed over amazing rock formations,
gorges, not to mention labyrinths here. From the highest point of Szczeliniec called the Grandfather
Armchair, there is a breathtaking view of the Karkonosze and the Bystrzyckie Mountains. While
descending from the top, the most amazing is the path through a narrow gap to Hell - the deepest
chasm in the massif.

Great Szczeliniec is home for very unique plant species which adopted to unfavorable conditions on
rocky ridges, small rock ledges, damp chasms and dark crevices. The area abounds in ferns as well as
rare mosses including luminous moss containing cells that glow green. Surprisingly, you can even spot
pine forests on the rocks, however, of significantly smaller heights than in lowlands.

And so, my journey comes to an end. No words can truly express how extremely beautiful and unique
Great Szczeliniec is with all its geological formations and vegetation. Definitely, when visiting Poland,
you must see this marvelous place.