Opava Mountains - the beginning of the Sudetes. Peaks, hiking trails, observation towers, attractions.

The Opawskie Mountains are the highest part of the Opole region and the beginning (or end) of the Sudetenland in Poland. It is a beautiful corner, quite calm and offering beautiful landscapes. Low, but still delightful in its charm. The Opava Mountains stretch largely on the Czech side, it is a mesoregion forming part of the Jeseníky mountain range (Czech Jeseníky Mountains) in the Eastern Sudetes. The highest peak of the Opava Mountains is Pricny vrch, or Poprzeczna Mountain, located in the Czech Republic. The highest mountain in the Polish part of the Opawskie Mountains is Biskupia Kopa, although its highest peak also lies on the Czech side. It is included in the Crown of the Polish Mountains.

In Poland, the Opawskie Mountains are bounded by a winding line drawn by: Głuchołazy - Prudnik - Dobieszów - Mokre - Michałkowice - Bliszczyce. They border the Głubczycki Plateau, and in the north-west with the Paczkowskie Frontier. The Graniczny Wierch massif is separated from the Polish part of the Opawskie Mountains by the border with the Czech Republic, which is quite intricate here.

Biskupia Kopa - trails to the top and observation tower

Biskupia Kopa, with an altitude of 890 m above sea level, has been a border peak for centuries, today it lies on the Polish-Czech border. It is not a demon of height, rather it belongs to the low ones, but it is on the list of the Crown of the Polish Mountains and is therefore 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! You will get here from Pokrzywna or Jarnołtówka, the fastest and steepest is the red Main Sudeten Route from Jarnołtówka.

Our route to Biskupia Kopa along the yellow and red trail

We did not go to the top on one specific trail, but we were trying to make as many interesting things as possible during the approach. We wanted to go back down the fastest red trail to Jarnołtówek, so we left the car next to it, near 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.

We quickly reflected on the blue signs, where Gwarkowa Perć awaits - an artificial unveiling of the rocks. There is a famous ladder on them. It is 11 meters high, 35 rungs and has become a symbol of the Opava Mountains. Descending with it did not cause any problems, and you will also see cool ice creations below, apart from the rocks.

We returned to the yellow trails and you could follow them all the way to the shelter, in the last fragment of the Lange Path. However, we went without signs along a convenient route to the Mokra Pass near Srebrna Kopa. Hence, the red signs go up quite steeply, but offer fantastic views. Every step is more beautiful. After a while, we were upstairs, with a wonderful panorama of the Czech Jeseníky Mountains and Pradziada. A few steps to the summit are left. The tower resembles a lighthouse, in winter it is open only on weekends, but it is different. In good weather, you can see the Karkonosze Mountains from here, and the Śnieżnik Massif closer.

Biskupia Kopa - map

Border Hill with a unique observation tower

Graniczny Wierch or Hranicni Vrch in Czech is a place that is definitely worth visiting in the Opava Mountains. The peak is low, only 536 m above sea level, but a very interesting, high metal structure, consisting of two platforms and a footbridge between them, stood at the top in 2011. The whole is 25 meters high and offers beautiful views towards Karniów, Tremesna and the Hraniczny Wierch Massif, the town of Albrechtice and the Polish part of the Opawskie Mountains.

The design is free of charge and available all year round. Climbing to the top can be challenging for someone with a fear of heights, because there is a trellis on the steps. I didn't get any anxiety, but a few people stayed downstairs while we enjoyed the beautiful landscapes. The footbridge at the top of the structure is lined with a full floor, which is why it arouses much less fear than the stairs themselves. The views are definitely worth the sacrifice. Especially when the sun is setting. 

Graniczny Wierch is located on the Czech side, but close to the border with Poland. The easiest and fastest way to get here is from the Czech Republic. About 2 km northeast of the town of Albrechtice you will find a car park, from where a trail of only about 700 meters leads gently upwards. After this distance, the tower appears to the eyes, and under it there is a playground for children. At the southern foot of the mountain lies the Polish town of Opawica. This is the least known part of the Opava Mountains. The southeastern part of the mountain lies in the Protected Landscape Area of the Mokre-Lewice Region.

Graniczny Wierch - map

The Golden Miners' Trail in Głuchołazy

The "Golden Miners' Trail" is an interesting hiking trail with a length of about 7 km. It leads in the massif of Parkowa Mountain, above Głuchołazy. Marked in yellow, it leads to the remains of the former gold mining in the Opava Mountains. During the hike, you will see quite well-preserved fragments of mining scrubbers, remnants of old shafts, mining adits and spoil heaps in the former gold-bearing areas.

The highest point on the trail is the peak of Předná Kopa (495 m above sea level), with a shelter and a stone observation tower. It is the oldest tower in the Eastern Sudetes, from the end of the 19th century. Not much later, a shelter was created, which later devastated, today regains its former splendor thanks to a private investor. A little below the top, the chapel of St. Anne stood on the "Hanging Rocks".

In 2009, the "Golden Miners' Trail" was awarded the title of the Best Tourist Product of the Opole region, and in 2016 it was nominated for the title of 7 Wonders of Poland by the National Geographic monthly magazine, as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the country.

Our route along the Golden Miners' Trail

We entered the trail at the brine graduation tower in the spa park in Głuchołazy. After reaching the top of the Front Kick, the trail brought us down quite steeply, to the Białka river. Initially, it fell in cascades, and at the bottom it writhed with a ribbon, over which a walking promenade was created. Here you will find a tunnel and a grotto, as well as the Farewell Source. Then you enter the spa park again, well managed, with health paths, a pond or a playground.

The Golden Miners' Trail - map

Our video from the Opawskie Mountains

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to watch our film about your stay in the winter Opava Mountains. We will visit 3 peaks and see 3 observation towers. 

See also our article about mountains in Poland

Accommodation in the Opava Mountains

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.

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 are looking for more ideas for interesting places to visit, we have it for you some options in the area. There are several attractions within a radius of 100 kilometers, that are worth adding to your travel plan.

• Moszna Castle, distance: 31.6  km
• Bear Cave in Kletno, distance: 41.8  km
• Palace in Kopice, distance: 43.3  km
• The castle in Tworków, distance: 63.7  km
• Pławniowice Palace, distance: 75.8  km
• Szczeliniec Wielki, distance: 81.2  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