High Stone

Wysoki Kamień (1058 m above sea level) is a peak in the Western Sudetes, in the Izera Mountains, distinguished by its rich history and unique geological structure. In the early 19th century, in 1837, the Schaffgotsch family, then owners of the area, built the Hochsteinbaude shelter at its summit, one of the first in the Sudetes, which, along with another shelter near Śnieżne Kotły, was a tourist attraction. In 1875, a viewing tower was constructed, but in 1882, the shelter building burned down. Despite rapid reconstruction, according to some sources, it ceased to offer overnight accommodations. After World War II, the shelter was vandalized and looted. In 1947, it was reopened to tourists, though with only a few overnight spots. In 1962, the shelter was closed, and a year later, it was demolished. In 1996, the municipality announced a tender for the land, which was won by the Gołb family, who began work on a new shelter. Currently (as of 2022), construction is ongoing, and tourists can use the buffet and enjoy the views from the new observation tower. Geologically, the massif of Wysoki Kamień belongs to the Karkonosze-Izera block, consisting of hornfels, porphyritic granites, as well as metamorphic gneisses and schists. Wysoki Kamień offers numerous hiking trails, including the yellow trail from Zakręt Śmierci via Czarna Góra and the red trail, which is part of the Main Sudetes Trail, leading from Szklarska Poręba and Rozdroże pod Zwaliskiem, making it a popular destination for tourists eager to explore the beauty of mountain nature and the history of the region.