Crown of Polish Mountains

Twenty-eight summits, from Łysica in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (614 m) to Rysy in the Tatras (2,499 m), adding up to more than 30,000 metres of ascent on your own legs. The Crown of Polish Mountains (Korona Gór Polski) is not a single trail but a list of the highest peaks of Poland's mountain ranges – and one of the country's most popular hiking challenges, taking walkers far beyond the Tatras and the Karkonosze.

History: a list from a magazine

The list was published by Marek Więckowski and Wojciech Lewandowski in the June 1997 issue of the travel magazine "Poznaj swój kraj" ("Get to know your country") – the first version had 27 entries. On 13 December 1997 it was approved at a meeting called by the magazine, and the Club of Crown of Polish Mountains Conquerors was founded. The aim was to ease pressure on the most popular mountains and encourage people to discover lesser-known ranges with their history, nature and culture. Today the club is based in Lublin and, according to its website, has over 250,000 members, almost 12,000 of whom have earned the title of Conqueror.

What the list includes

The list includes Rysy (2,499 m), Babia Góra (1,725 m), Śnieżka (1,603 m), Śnieżnik, Tarnica, Turbacz, Radziejowa, Skrzyczne, Mogielica, Szczeliniec Wielki, Wielka Sowa, Ślęża and Łysica (614 m), the lowest peak of the Crown. Ten of the summits lie on the border with the Czech Republic or Slovakia, including Rysy, Babia Góra, Śnieżka, Orlica and Lackowa. Ascents count in any season and by any means – on foot, by bike or on skis – and in any order.

Did you know? Disputed heights

The list was based on the maps of the time, and newer surveys have added some controversy. Chełmiec in the Wałbrzych Mountains owed its title of highest peak to a measurement taken from an 18-metre tower – in fact Borowa is higher. In the Kaczawskie Mountains, Okole turned out to be higher than Skopiec; in the Bardzkie Mountains, Szeroka Góra beats Kłodzka Góra; and in 2019 the eastern summit of Łysica, known as Agata, was measured at 613.96 m – a few dozen centimetres higher than the main summit. The club has not changed the list, so the "historic" peaks still count.

Tripto tip

If you want the official title, join the club before you start: the Conquerors' Lodge does not recognise ascents made before you became a member. Ascents are recorded in a booklet – with stamps from places listed by the club – and checked by the Conquerors' Lodge. Start with short, well-marked targets such as Ślęża, Łysica or Szczeliniec Wielki, and save Rysy, Babia Góra and Tarnica for when you have more experience and a reliable weather forecast. Before every hike, check notices from the mountain rescue services (TOPR, GOPR) and the national parks – the club also publishes regular briefings on trail conditions for all 28 peaks on its website.