Biskupia Kopa. Opawskie Mountains and the Crown of the Polish Mountains, trails and an observation tower

Biskupia Kopa with a height of 890 m above sea level is the highest peak of the Opawskie Mountains lying on the Polish side. The peak itself rises on the Polish-Czech border. Although he is not a demon of height, rather he belongs to the low ones, he was on the list of the Crown of the Polish Mountains, which is why he is eagerly visited by tourists. And it offers beautiful views of the Czech Jeseníky Mountains, and from the observation tower there is an even more spectacular panorama!

Trails to Biskupia Kopa

Already at the end of the 19th century, the first trails to the top were marked out here and an observation tower still active today was built. See which is the fastest and which is the most beautiful:

• red Main Sudeten Route from Pokrzywna, through the Wet Pass and the Silver Mound, almost 3 h. A beautiful scenic trail, but including several other peaks along the way, also quite tiring and steep in places.
• yellow trail from Jarnołtówka to the hostel, 2.5 h. Easy and convenient trail
• red trail from Jarnołtówka, 1h 50 minutes. The fastest and steepest trail
• green trail from the Czech town of Zlate Hory
• comfortable route from the Ziemowit Center, where a large car park awaits. Initially without a trail, then it connects to the yellow trail, leads to the shelter, you can enter here with a trolley on inflated wheels
• red cycling trail Nowa Wieś – Pokrzywna – Zamkowa Góra – Pass under Zamkowa Góra – Srebrna Kopa Mountain – Pass under Kopa (Wet Pass) – Piekiełko Mountain – Jarnołtówek

Educational paths:

• marked nature path of the Bystry Stream Valley, Pokrzywna, 2.5 h (through the Silent Valley Reserve and the hostel)
• green educational path of Petrovy bouda – Biskupia Kopa mountain – source of St. Rocha – Petrovy boudy

Our route to Biskupia Kopa along the yellow and red trail

We planned Biskupia Kopa as the main goal of our birthday and Valentine's Day trip to the Opawskie Mountains. We did not follow one specific trail to the top, but we did some planning during the approach in order to see as many interesting facts as possible. It was a great plan, because the weather was fantastic, and there were a lot of beautiful attractions around.

As we wanted to return from above along the fastest and, by the way, the steepest red trail to Jarnołtówek, we left the car next to it, at Bolkówka. However, we directed the steps to the Ziemowit Center, where most tourists start their adventure with this peak in a large parking lot. Initially, we walked without a trail along a comfortable path that can be approached to the shelter even with a stroller, but on inflated wheels.

However, we quickly returned to the blue trail, because Gwarkowa Perć awaits there, i.e. the artificial unveiling of the rocks. And on them there is a famous ladder. It is 11 meters high, 35 rungs and has become a symbol of the Opava Mountains. I couldn't miss it! The descent did not cause any problems, there was no fear, and you will also see cool ice creations downstairs outside the rocks, of course in winter.

After returning from the blue trail, we entered the yellow trails and you could follow it all the way to the shelter, in the last fragment of the Lange Path. But we did not climb it, only without a trail, along a comfortable route, we went to the Wet Pass under the Silver Kick. Here, the area opens nicely, there is a picnic shed on the Czech side and you can relax under the hardships of hiking. We just let go of Ziemek's drone, took photos and set off on the red trail. It's a pretty steep approach, but a fantastic view. Every step is more beautiful. I think I found the first soil in the mountains here. I looked at the boy, because it seemed as if he had a problem, but after a while I had a problem, because looking back, and going forward, I hooked the crayfish on the crayfish and lay down, additionally on the camera. Fortunately, in soft snow. Nothing happened, especially since I had a tulip over my lens. 

After a while, we were upstairs, with a wonderful panorama of the Czech Jeseníky Mountains and Pradziada. We were already standing in the Czech Republic and we saw the tower in the distance. There are only a few steps left and our goal has been achieved. The tower is open only on weekends in winter, but apparently it is different. It happens to be open. This time, however, it was closed. It is a pity, because the visibility of beauty, maybe even the Karkonosze Mountains, we would see, and certainly the recently visited Śnieżnik Massif.

Amelia walked most of the route uphill in a stretcher, because, as she said, she has small legs and little energy. On the other hand, for the promised reward, the red trail down has already beaten the whole thing on its feet. We had crayfish, she walked between us. Only in places where it was very narrow, she went with one of us. In fact, she went down a lot on her legs and bottom, and there was a lot of fun, although fatigue was already giving us signs. The short winter day was coming to an end.

Route in numbers:

Distance: 10 km
Steps: 16,000
Time: 4 hours counting without stops, we were in no hurry

Our route on the map

To make your plans easier, we are sending you our route marked on the map. We recommend a similar entrance as ours, because it allows you to see really nice views and get to know the charming corners of the area.

Biskupia Kopa - observation tower

On the top, on the Czech side, there is a stone observation tower. It somewhat resembles a lighthouse, because in the upper parts it hides red-painted, small, round windows. The tower has a height of 18 meters and definitely conquers the views from the top. The upper platform will allow you to admire the spectacular panorama of the Jeseníky Mountains, the Śnieżnik Massif and the Golden Mountains. In good weather, you will even see the Giant Mountains and the Table Mountains.

The tower was built in 1898 by the Moravian-Silesian Sudeten Mountain Society, for the 50th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I (Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Warte). The tower is available for a fee, in the winter season it is usually open only on weekends, but sometimes it is a surprise whether the tower will be available on a given day or not.

Summit of the Crown of the Polish Mountains

Although the peak itself is located on the Czech side, Biskupia Kopa is considered the highest point of the Opava Mountains and the entire Opole region. A stamp confirming the conquest of the mountain can be found in the tower, in the buffet at the top and in the hostel.

Tourist hostel

The PTTK Pod Biskupią Kopą hostel named after Bohdan Małachowski is the only tourist hostel in the Opawskie Mountains. It stands at an altitude of 850 m above sea level, slightly below the summit, in the Opawskie Mountains Landscape Park. Since 1992, the facility has been owned by the Wrocław branch of PTTK.

The Mountain Tourist House, as this is also the name of the place, can be reached by a green-marked nature trail, the yellow trail from Jarnołtówka and Pokrzywna. The last fragment of the yellow trail from Jarnołtówek is the Lange Path. If you walk from the parking lot at the Ziemowit Center, you can even walk here with a trolley on inflated wheels.

Why the name Biskupia Kopa?

Formerly, the mountain was called Oser, after the legendary Oz tribe. They lived near Prudnik at the beginning of our era. The current name comes from the shape of the mountain, which resembles a bishop's mitre. But it was certainly also due to the fact that in 1474 the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus gave the surrounding areas to the episcopal principality.

The Polish name of the mountain appeared in the book "A Brief Outline of the Jeography of Silesia for Early Learning" from 1847 by the Silesian writer Józef Lompa. It was also given by Józef Mycielski in the book "Primitive Slavic names of the village in Prussian Silesia" in 1900, as the Polish equivalent of the German name Bischofskoppe.

The legend of Ludosz's leprechaun

Long ago, on Mount Oser, later called Biskupia Kopa, there lived a leprechaun named Ludosza. The Ghost of the Great-Grandfather Mountains ordered him to guard the treasures hidden on the top. This was also what he did, occasionally doing minor malice to the surrounding residents. He backfilled mines, changed roads in the forest. He also had better days. Once upon a time, a poor young man, Jaśko, went on a hike to this area to look for gold among the ancient forests. Suddenly, the forest froze, and Jaśek saw Ludos' elf.

At the place where the shelter stands today, he tapped the ground with his cane and a cave full of valuables appeared to the boy's eyes. He allowed some of the gold to be taken, provided that Jasko kept everything secret and did not look back. With his pockets stuffed with gold, he was coming down when he heard the thunder. Frightened, he turned behind him and at that moment Ludosz's malicious turned him into a big boulder. It stands so to this day and waits for a virtuous woman. Only her tender embrace can lift the curse. 

See our text Mountains in Poland. The most beautiful peaks

Film from the Opava Mountains

We encourage you to see our report on your stay in the Opava Mountains. At the beginning we will conquer Biskupia Kopa, and later we will walk along the Golden Miners' Trail and climb a very scenic tower on Border Hill.

Accommodations nearby

Near Biskupia Kopa, we slept in a pleasant and quiet place - Hotel Wieszczynówka in Wieszczyn. This place is famous for its good cuisine and homely products - cold cuts, cheeses or fried cheese.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Practical information

All year round 24/7
paid tower, open all year round, in winter only on weekends

Biskupia Kopa
red Main Sudeten Route

Rent a car

Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.

What's worth seeing in the area?

If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.

• Moszna Castle, distance: 31.6  km
• Bear Cave in Kletno, distance: 41.7  km
• Palace in Kopice, distance: 43.3  km
• The castle in Tworków, distance: 63.7  km
• Brzeg Castle, distance: 67.6  km
• Pławniowice Palace, distance: 75.8  km
• Grodno Castle in Zagórze Śląskie, distance: 90.5  km
• Wrocław Zoo with Afrkarium, distance: 97.6  km
• Ostrów Tumski in Wrocław, distance: 99.1  km
• Black Trout Adit in Tarnowskie Góry, distance: 99.6  km