Podgórna Falls

In 2007 this waterfall came close to losing most of its water to a small hydroelectric plant. Today Podgórna Falls in Przesieka still roars into its granite pool and is the third-highest waterfall in the Polish part of the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze). The stream drops from a 10-metre ledge in two cascades, and the walk from the village centre is a short forest stroll with no ticket required.

What you will see

The Podgórna stream rises between Mały Szyszak and Tępy Szczyt and, at about 547 m above sea level on the edge of Przesieka, spills over a granite ledge. The water falls in two cascades into a pothole basin – a hollow scoured into the rock by swirling water and the stones it carries. On both sides rise granite cliffs up to 15 m high, forming a small rocky amphitheatre.

The area around the falls is a Natura 2000 site and lies in the buffer zone of Karkonosze National Park, but outside the park itself, so no park ticket is needed. The German name of the falls is Hainfall – until 1945 Przesieka was called Hain.

History: an inn and a power plant that never was

Before 1945 there was a mountain inn by the falls; nothing of it survives. In mid-2007 a private investor planned to build a rubble dam and a small hydroelectric plant above the ledge, which would have taken about 70% of the falls' water. In June the district authority in Jelenia Góra issued a building permit, even though the Podgórzyn municipality had different plans for the area. The decision was later overturned and the project abandoned, which is why the falls still look as they always did.

Getting there

• From Przesieka it is a short forest walk to the falls, usually about 20 minutes. The black trail from Przesieka to Sosnówka passes right by the falls.
• Karkonosze National Park suggests a longer loop from Podgórzyn: the blue trail to Zachełmie, the yellow trail up to Chojnik Castle, then the green trail over Zachełmska Pass to Podgórna Falls and back via Kamień Waloński to Podgórzyn. Plan a full day for it.

Tripto tip

The falls carry the most water in spring during the snowmelt and after a few days of rain; in a dry summer they can be rather modest. The path runs through the forest and is rocky and slippery near the falls, so wear proper footwear – a pushchair will struggle. Keep away from the cliff edges and do not climb on wet rocks. Allow about an hour for the walk and the visit. In winter the falls can partly freeze, and the pool is known to attract winter swimmers.

Nearby you can combine the visit with the ruins of Chojnik Castle above Sobieszów. The two higher Karkonosze waterfalls – Szklarka and Kamieńczyk – are near Szklarska Poręba.