Kamieńczyk Waterfall

Kamieńczyk Waterfall (ka-MYEN-chik) in Szklarska Poręba is the highest waterfall in the Polish Sudetes. The Kamieńczyk stream drops 27 m in three cascades into a narrow granite gorge. Visitors walk down on steel platforms, wearing a helmet, to the bottom of the canyon — one of the most memorable things to do in Poland's Karkonosze, or Giant Mountains. It sits on the red trail to Szrenica peak, so it fits easily into a longer hike.

Where it is

The waterfall lies above the town of Szklarska Poręba in southwestern Poland, close to the Czech border. Wrocław, the nearest big city and airport, is roughly two hours away by car. Direct trains from Wrocław to Szklarska Poręba Górna take about 2.5–3 hours. The falls are inside Karkonosze National Park, part of a cross-border UNESCO biosphere reserve, in a strictly protected zone.

What makes it special

• The gorge: about 100 m long, with vertical granite walls up to 30–35 m high. It is about 15 m wide at the falls and narrows to about 3 m.
• Złota Jama ("Golden Pit"): a small cave behind the middle cascade, cut by Walloon prospectors searching for amethyst.
• A plunge pool about 5 m deep at the base.
• A film location: the gorge walls appear in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

A bit of history

John Quincy Adams, later the sixth US president, visited in 1800 while serving as US envoy to Prussia and described the falls in his Letters on Silesia. A road from Piechowice built in 1848–49 brought more visitors. In 1890 the German Riesengebirgsverein (Giant Mountains Association) opened a path into the gorge. After accidents in the 20th century the descent was closed for some periods. Today helmets are mandatory.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

Entry to the gorge has its own ticket. Regular national park entry does not cover it.

• 16 PLN (Polish złoty), reduced 8 PLN; children under 7 free.
• The fee also applies on the park's free-entry days.
• Ticket booth at the falls: 9:00 am–4:00 pm in October. From November to March, weekdays 9:00 am–3:00 pm, and weekends, holidays and school breaks 9:00 am–4:00 pm. From April to June and in September 9:00 am–5:00 pm; in July and August 8:30 am–6:00 pm.

How to get there

Start at the lower station of the Szrenica chairlift on ul. Turystyczna. Follow the black trail to the Rozdroże pod Kamieńczykiem junction, then the red trail uphill past a park ticket point to the falls and the Kamieńczyk mountain hut. A hiking website reports that a short trail section from the Szklarska Poręba Huta district has been closed for construction since June 16, 2026. Check the park's trail bulletin before you go.

Tips and is it worth visiting

Yes — it is short, spectacular and unlike most waterfalls in Central Europe because you stand inside the canyon. Dogs are not allowed at the falls. The platforms can be wet and slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. The flow is strongest in spring and after rain. Combine the visit with the hike or chairlift to Szrenica (1,362 m) or with Szklarka Waterfall nearby. Trail signs are mostly in Polish, so an offline map helps.