PTTK Shelter "Na Śnieżniku"

PTTK Shelter "Na Śnieżniku" named after Zbigniew Fastnacht is located at an altitude of 1,218 meters above sea level in the Eastern Sudetes, on the western slope of Śnieżnik. Its main part is the so-called "Szwajcarka" (Swiss Chalet), a typical Sudeten tourist shelter from 1871, funded by Princess Marianne of the Netherlands. It is one of the oldest mountain shelters in Poland, and from a nearby viewpoint, a panorama of the Upper Nysa Trench and the surrounding peaks unfolds. The shelter is an important hub of hiking trails in the Śnieżnik Massif, with routes leading to many attractive destinations such as Śnieżnik, Międzygórze, and the Bear Cave. The history of the shelter dates back to 1809, when the area on the meadow below Śnieżnik began to be developed. Thanks to Princess Marianne of the Netherlands, who purchased these lands in 1838, the site gained its tourist character. In 1871, on her orders, the shelter was built, initially serving as a tourist inn with 50 sleeping places. In the following years, the facility was modernized, and in 1947, after World War II, it was reopened as the "Na Śnieżniku" shelter. Since 1950, it has belonged to the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK), and thanks to the efforts of Zbigniew Fastnacht in the 1980s, it underwent a thorough renovation. Interestingly, until the beginning of the 21st century, the shelter had no electricity, and the only source of lighting was small generators powered by windmills. Today, it is powered by a hydroelectric plant, highlighting its autonomous and eco-friendly nature. In addition to providing accommodation, the shelter is also a meeting place for tourists and mountain enthusiasts, attracting them with both its historical heritage and picturesque location.