Szczytna: Architectural History and Mountain Trails

Szczytna lies between the Stołowe Mountains and the Bystrzyckie Mountains, on the Bystrzyca Dusznicka River. The DK8 national road between Wrocław and Kudowa-Zdrój, as well as the railway line from Kłodzko to Kudowa-Zdrój, pass through the town. When looking for a hotel in Szczytna, you can first decide which aspect of the destination you want to shape your stay: architectural history, hikes up Szczytnik and to Wolarz, or longer cycling routes.

Churches, a monument and military history

The Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist is one of Szczytna’s characteristic buildings. Construction was completed in 1726. This year marks a specific historical reference point in the town’s history.

A listed statue of St. John of Nepomuk, dating from 1711, stands on Sienkiewicza Street above Kamienny Potok. Its date adds an older monument to the picture of the local cultural heritage. The fort on Szczytnik was built between 1790 and 1795 as part of a line of fortifications. This was intended to warn the Kłodzko Fortress of approaching enemy armies; the fort should therefore be understood primarily in the historical context of this defensive function.

Leśna Skała is a Neo-Gothic palace on rocky Szczytnik above Szczytna. It was built between 1831 and 1838 as a hunting residence. The terrace offers a sweeping view of the surrounding landscape and connects the site with another chapter in its architectural history.

Hikes up Szczytnik and to Wolarz

Szczytnik rises 589 m above Szczytna. A yellow hiking trail leads from Szczytna up the mountain; the ascent is 1.3 km long and takes about 40 minutes. At the summit stands the 19th-century Neo-Gothic castle of the Hochberg family. The distance and approximate duration give you a clear idea of this ascent.

A longer option is the “Ze Szczytnej na Wolarz” hike: this circular route is 11.1 km long and leads to Wolarz, which rises to 852 m in the Bystrzyckie Mountains. It starts at a historic railway station dating from 1890. The route details clearly distinguish this loop from the 1.3 km ascent up Szczytnik.

The 14.1 km “Na Muflon” hike starts at the intersection of International Road 8 and Sienkiewicza Street, by the statue of St. John of Nepomuk. Its destination, Schronisko pod Muflonem, lies outside the municipality; most of the route runs within Szczytna municipality. This lets you choose between hikes based on whether you’re considering a loop to Wolarz or a longer route with a destination outside the municipality.

Cycling routes and sports facilities

There are cycling routes with different itineraries. An approximately 50 km linear route runs from Szczytna to Bystrzyca Kłodzka; trains can be used for the return journey or to complete the route. A blue, 127 km circular cycling route around the Stołowe Mountains also runs north of Szczytna. It follows fully paved roads along the Polish-Czech border. The details about distance, route type and surface help distinguish these two routes.

Szczytna’s sports, active holiday and movement therapy centre includes three artificial-turf playing fields and a high ropes course with a climbing wall. It complements the hiking and cycling routes with a focus on sport. The annual Skatepiknik Integracyjny, held since 2010, includes an Olympiad for preschoolers. If you’d like to include the picnic in your travel plans, check the dates.

Discover more destinations: Radochów, Lewin Kłodzki, Nowy Gierałtów, Sokolec, Bad Langenau, Bielice, Kąty Bystrzyckie, Idzików.

For the main travel overview: Kłodzki.