Ascent to Chojnik Castle
A beautiful ascent through a beech forest
Chojnik Castle is one of the biggest tourist attractions far and wide. This is not only because it is a truly monumental ruin with an amazing view, but also because the ascent routes themselves are very nice here. A beech forest and a number of rock formations await you, including the well-known Zbójeckie Skały and the cave that hides Dziurawy Kamień in them. Most climbing routes start in the town of Sobieszów and the castle is about 2 kilometers and 270 meters in height.
Meadows on the outskirts of the city
A red and black hiking trail leads from the city center. Just before you head into the forest, you can see the hill you will be climbing across the picturesque meadows. Along the way, you will come across several refreshment options and souvenir stands.
Forest highway
A lot of people go to the castle, so the path through the forest is also sized for that.
Under Robber's Rocks
When you reach the Płaski Kamień crossroads, continue along the black-marked route. This has two advantages: on the one hand, fewer people climb this way, and the other is that this route is more interesting. After a while you will reach the Loupežnické skały (Zbójeckie Skały). Here, slow down and look up to spot the cave entrance sign here. Caution is definitely not for people who are afraid of cramped and dark spaces.
Dziurawy Kamień Cave
The cave itself is a very narrow rock cleft that rises steeply upwards. At the end, you still have to climb a smaller rock wall to get out of the cave. You definitely need a flashlight or a mobile phone.
Upper exit from the cave
From the top, the entrance to the cave looks like a hole in the ground.
The fairytale surroundings of the cave
Even the surroundings look magical, a fairy tale or a fantasy film could easily be shot here.
Before the fork in the road
From the cave it goes up again and at this point you are just a few meters before the fork, where the red and black routes join again.
View of Sněžka
The ascent slows down for a while and after a while you arrive at the official viewpoint. It is quite covered with trees, but you can still enjoy the view of Sněžka. Don't worry, the views from the castle will be much better.
Descent through a rock gap
The final ascent to the castle awaits you from the viewpoint. Head back elsewhere. From the castle, follow the yellow route and after about 200 meters turn onto the unmarked tourist stairs. You will descend through a beautiful rock gap.
Beautiful stone staircase
You will descend through a rock gap on beautiful stone steps as if from some Peruvian or Nepalese mountains.
Monumental rock wall
Another point of interest is the monumental rock wall several tens of meters high on which the castle is built. Thanks to this view, you will find out why the castle was built on this hill and not on the neighboring slightly higher one. After descending the stairs, you will join the green hiking trail and after that the red trail that will take you back to the city.
