Let’s move to the south-western Poland, where Polish, German and Czech hikers eagerly come to enjoy the charming land of the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze). The local, hilly roads are appreciated by cyclists and bikers, those who enjoy steady ride through scenic trails and quite villages. Just like the route from Michałowice to Jagniątków with a little traffic, long switchabacks and impeccable, recently laid asphalt. While all the values easily explain motorcyclists’ fondness for this region, not everyone is aware of the mysterious stories surrounding these places…
The Weathering Pits, Golden View and a mysterious cave
Noteworthy is a view point situated at 610 m a. s. l. It takes about 30 minutes to reach it. There is no parking area in the vicinity, so leaving a motorcycle can be problematic. We just entered the forest a little bit, by riding along the stony Złoty Widok Street. You can also leave your motorcycle downhill, by the bus stop. There is a little path through the forest that leads to the spot called Złoty Widok, the Golden View in English. It provides a golden view indeed, especially when the Giant Mountains and peaks of Szrenica, Łabski Szczyt and Wielki Szyszak are all bathed in the sun.
On the way to the view point you can find Kociołki (English: the Weathering Pits), that is a group of granite rocks with round grooves in the shapes of pots. The largest pot, called Kocioł Czarownic (English: the Witches’ Pot), has a diameter of 1,5 m and is quite impressive. Take a look the photo below.
There is a mysterious, little cave near by. It is not difficult to happen upon it, but at the Złoty Widok you will find a road sign directing straight to it. A cave is 10 m long and has a height of 1,5 m. A stone-built wall at its entrance is quite intriguing. There are many places like this, shrouded in mystery in the Karkonosze Mountains region. Perhaps, to find out something more about this cave, you would have to talk with older inhabitants of Michałowice. There is no sufficient information on it in the Internet. Moreover, it seems that this cave is not marked on the maps, nor mentioned in any guide books of this region.
A land of good humour
Not only peace and beautiful landscape of the region positively influence spirits. For more than 20 years in Michałowice has existed Teatr Nasz (English: the Theatre Our) which specialises in laughter therapy. Laughter not only amuses, but also positively influences our health, even extending our lives. The founders and actors of the theatre, Jadwiga and Tadeusz Kutowie, excellently know about it. Instead of medicines they apply their patients spectators performances and cabarets. There are also a restaurant and an accommodation available.
For further details see an official website of the theatre.
Further across Jagniątków
Just behind a road sign annunciating the end of the locality also a smooth asphalt finishes. We continue the road on a slightly damaged surface and reach Jagniątków, an equally picturesque mountain locality where one can discover a few noteworthy places.
Bismarckhöhe – Grzybowiec
The Grzybowiec Mountain is situated not far from Michałowice. Nowadays, there is a resort centre situated at 720 m above the sea level, from where you can admire a panoramic view of the Karkonosze Mountains with the highest peaks of Śnieżka and Szrenica. A road leading to the pension has asphalt perforated with holes like a Swiss cheese, but shakes are compensated with a view and smell of surrounding forest.
More than 100 years ago, there was a holiday residence of German chancellor Otto von Bismarck on Grzybowiec. During the Second World War the Luftwaffe Air Force Command stationed there.
Hidden treasures of the Third Reich
Z relacji poszukiwaczy wynika, że to właśnie tu, w pobliżu Grzybowca, ukryta jest brama prowadząca do podziemnych tuneli, w których znajdują się skarby zrabowane przez Niemców podczas II Wojny Światowej. Mówi się nawet o Złotym Pociągu, w którym miała być przewożona Bursztynowa Komnata (depozyty Centralnego Banku Rzeczy) i Skarb Wrocławia. O pobliskiej Górze Sobiesz i Piechowicach krążą fascynujące opowieści o zinfiltrowanych strażnikach skarbu, którzy z pokolenia na pokolenie strzegą tajemnicy jego położenia. Ten temat jest ciągle żywy i wciągający. Co jakiś czas na zboczach Góry Sobiesz pojawiają się poszukiwacze, którzy w swoim wyposażeniu mają więcej niż łopatę i wykrywacz metalu. Do akcji wkraczają koparki, nowoczesny sprzęt badawczy i maszyny do robienia odwiertów, teren zostaje ogrodzony i pilnowany przez ochronę.
From searchers reports it is evident that it is just there, close to Grzybowiec, where a gate leading to the underground tunnels is hidden. It is said that inside the tunnels treasures robbed by the German during the Second World War are located. You can even hear stories of the Golden Train transporting the Amber Chamber (Polish: Bursztynowa Komnata), deposits of the Central Bank and Tresure of Wrocław (Polish: Skarb Wrocławia). Some fascinating stories circulate about the neighbouring Sobiesz Mountain (Polish: Góra Sobiesz) and Piechowice, concerning infiltrated treasure guards who, from generation to generation, guard the secret of the treasure location. This subject is still alive and absorbing. From time to time, on the slopes of the Sobisz Mountain new seekers appear, equipped much better than just with shovel and a metal detector. Excavators, modern research equipment and drilling machines move in, the area is fenced and guarded by the security service.
Gerhart Hauptmann’s House
Jagniątków can boast of an exceptional house in which once lived a prominent writer and Noble Award laureate, Gerhart Hauptmann. This building was for him something more than just an accommodation. He made it a kind of a spirit temple which reflects his soul and creative personality. This building, more reminiscent of a little palace than a house, is now the Art Museum of Gerhart Hauptmann and local artists.
The map of the route
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 | The Golden View Piechowice, Poland |
| Weathering Pits Piechowice, Poland |
 | Bismarckhöhe Piechowice, Poland |
 | Sobiesz Mountain Piechowice, Poland |
 | Gerhart Hauptmann’s House Dom Gerharta Hauptmanna. Muzeum Miejskie, Michałowicka, Jelenia Góra, Poland |
 | The route from Piechowic to Michałowice and Jagniątków Piechowice, Poland |
Info about the route:
| Lenght | 12 km |
| Start / finish | Piechowice – Jagniątków |
| Surface | In Michałowice smooth asphalt in very good condition |
| Hazards | Wet surface under granite rock tunnel |
| Attractions on the way | The Golden View, Weathering Pits, a cave, Teatr Nasz, Bismarckhöhe, Gerhart Hauptmann’s House |
| Max altitude | 680 m a.s.l. |
Terion
That’s so cool! have some relatives in Poland, near this region, so after reading this post got even more excited to explore this area. Hopefully by bike will be an option too! :> szerkosci!
Liwia
Great to hear that Terion! Enjoy your stay in Poland, hopefully on bike :) Szerokości!