Voivodeship road 387

The Road of a Hundred Bends (Droga Stu Zakrętów, roughly "DRO-gah stoo zah-KREN-toof") is the most scenic stretch of regional road 387 in the Table Mountains of southwestern Poland. Running about 23 km from Radków through Karłów and the Lisia Pass to the spa town of Kudowa-Zdrój, it climbs more than 400 m through spruce forest, past sandstone rock formations and right by the main sights of Table Mountains National Park. It is one of Lower Silesia's classic scenic drives and a favorite with motorcyclists and road cyclists.

Where it is and how to get there

The road lies in the Kłodzko region, close to the Czech border. From Wrocław, the nearest big city and airport, it is roughly two hours by car to Radków or Kudowa-Zdrój. Kudowa sits right on the border with the Czech Republic near Náchod, so the drive also works as a scenic link between Poland and Bohemia.

A 19th-century mountain road

The road was built in 1867–1870, right after the Austro-Prussian War, when the area belonged to Prussia. Under German administration it was called the Heuscheuerstraße, after the German name for Szczeliniec, the highest peak of the range. Once it opened, older tracks across the mountains lost their importance. The whole of road 387 is about 35 km long, but only the mountain section from Radków earned the "hundred bends" name.

What you will see along the way

• Radków to Karłów: the road climbs past the Radków Rocks and a quarry and swings around the sharp Stroczy Bend.
• Karłów: the only open, unforested section and the starting point for the climb up Szczeliniec Wielki, the range's highest summit.
• Lisia Pass (789 m): the high point of the route, reached after passing near Fort Karola.
• The descent to Kudowa-Zdrój: a chain of hairpins and curves that gave the road its name.

Two of Poland's most unusual rock labyrinths, Szczeliniec Wielki and Błędne Skały (the "Errant Rocks"), are close to the road. Both are inside the national park and require a ticket; check the park's current rules before you go.

Planning your day

A good plan is to park in Karłów in the morning and climb Szczeliniec Wielki (919 m), whose summit plateau is a maze of sandstone crevices and viewpoints. In the afternoon, continue toward the Lisia Pass and Błędne Skały, then roll down the hairpins to Kudowa-Zdrój for an evening stroll in the spa park.

Driving tips

The road is narrow, sometimes runs beside steep drops, and the bends can be tight. Do not stop on the carriageway; use designated parking areas such as those in Karłów. It is plowed in winter, but heavy snowfall can still close it. In February 2023 it was shut after a landslide and only reopened in February 2024, so check notices from the Lower Silesian road authority (DSDiK) before you travel. Driving the road is free and possible around the clock.

Is it worth it?

Yes, especially in fall when the forests change color. The drive itself takes about half an hour without stops; with a hike to Szczeliniec or Błędne Skały, plan a full day. Summer weekends can be busy around Karłów.