Technical monuments

Voivodeship road 389

Autostrada Sudecka is the local name for Voivodeship Road 389 (DW389) in the Sudetes. It is not a motorway, but a mountain road crossing the Orlické and Bystrzyckie Mountains. The section from Polskie Wrota Pass near Duszniki-Zdrój to Międzylesie is about 42 km long and combines a scenic drive with access to hiking trails.

Route overview

DW389 runs through Zieleniec, Lasówka, Mostowice, the Spalona Pass area, Przełęcz nad Porębą, Gniewoszów and Różanka before reaching Międzylesie. The landscape changes between forests, open views over the valleys and mountain passes where a drive can be combined with a walk. It is a regional road, so plan it as a mountain journey rather than a fast through-route.

Stops and walks

Zieleniec is a useful base for trails and the viewpoint tower on Orlica. Near Spalona Pass, the PTTK Jagodna mountain hut is a practical stop, and a trail from the road leads towards the viewing tower on Jagodna. Further south, Przełęcz nad Porębą and the valleys around Gniewoszów and Różanka offer quieter landscape stops. Check parking and walking access on a map, as scenic places are not always directly beside the road.

Practical driving advice

Autostrada Sudecka has no tickets or opening hours. Roadworks, local restrictions, weather and winter maintenance can affect driving, so check current notices from the road authority or local tourism services before setting off. Drive carefully on bends and around the passes, stop only in safe, permitted places, and allow extra time and suitable footwear if you plan a walk.