Karkonosze National Park

Karkonosze National Park, established on January 16, 1959, covers an area of 5,951.42 hectares and is located in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship near the border with the Czech Republic. It protects the most valuable natural areas, such as peat bogs, dwarf mountain pine thickets, and glacial cirques. The park's history dates back to 1910 when a nature conservation commissioner was appointed, and in 1927, a mountain guard service was established. The first nature reserves were created in 1933, encompassing glacial cirques. After numerous boundary changes, in 1992, the park became part of the UNESCO Krkonoše/Karkonosze Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, and in 2010, it was designated as a National Geopark. The park features 112 km of hiking trails and ski routes, with an entrance fee required. The flora and fauna of Karkonosze National Park are exceptional, with over a thousand plant species, including endemics like the Karkonosze bellflower, and numerous animal species such as the Alpine shrew and roe deer. The area is also home to mouflon, while spruce and beech trees dominate the forests across various altitude zones. The park's greatest attractions are its diverse glacial landforms and rich biodiversity, which draw tourists and nature enthusiasts. To further protect the environment, a buffer zone of 13,093 hectares has been established, highlighting the area's importance in environmental conservation efforts.