Jakuszyce — Poland’s Cross-Country Skiing Paradise
Only 26 km from Olympia Guest House, Jakuszyce is a peaceful mountain village on the Polish-Czech border known for perfectly groomed ski trails, scenic forest walks, and year-round outdoor adventures.
Tucked high in the mountains on the border between Poland and the Czech Republic lies a place many visitors only discover after arriving in the Karkonosze — and then wish they had known about earlier.
Jakuszyce is a tiny mountain settlement surrounded by forests, wide meadows, and endless trails. Located just 26 km from Olympia Guest House in Przesieka, it feels like stepping into a completely different world. The air is colder, the snow stays longer, and the landscape opens into gentle rolling plateaus instead of steep peaks.
In winter, it becomes the capital of cross-country skiing in Poland. In summer, it transforms into a paradise for runners, cyclists, hikers, and nature lovers.
If you enjoy quiet nature, open spaces, and outdoor activity — Jakuszyce may end up being your favorite day trip of your entire stay.
Where Exactly is Jakuszyce?
Jakuszyce sits above Szklarska Poręba at an altitude of about 900–1000 meters, right next to the Czech border crossing at Harrachov. Because of its elevation and location in a mountain pass, the area has a unique micro-climate. Snow arrives early here and often stays when other towns have already turned green.
The drive from Olympia takes about 35–40 minutes and is one of the most scenic routes in the region. As you climb, dense spruce forests slowly open into wide mountain plains. Suddenly the mountains feel bigger, quieter, and far less crowded than the main tourist resorts.
Many locals call it “Poland’s Lapland.”
Winter: The Cross-Country Skiing Capital of Poland
Jakuszyce offers some of the best cross-country skiing trails in Central Europe. Unlike downhill skiing, you don’t need lifts, queues, or experience — just skis and a willingness to glide through silent forests.
The area contains over 100 km of professionally prepared ski tracks, maintained daily. Trails are divided into:
- Beginner routes
- Family-friendly loops
- Long endurance tracks
- Challenging athletic courses.
You can rent equipment directly on site, and beginners can take short lessons. Many visitors try cross-country skiing here for the first time and are surprised how quickly they learn.
Because the terrain is mostly gently rolling, it’s perfect even if you’ve never skied before. Instead of adrenaline, the experience feels peaceful — you hear only the sound of snow beneath your skis and the wind in the trees.
This year the snow conditions are excellent, with deep snow cover and beautifully prepared tracks across the entire network.
The Famous Bieg Piastów (The Piast Run)
Jakuszyce is home to the oldest and largest cross-country skiing event in Poland — Bieg Piastów.
The first race took place in 1976, and this year marks the 50th anniversary edition of the event. What started as a small gathering of enthusiasts has grown into an international winter festival attracting thousands of participants.
The event lasts several days and includes races of many distances, designed for:
professional athletes
recreational skiers
children and teenagers
families
You don’t have to compete to enjoy it. During the festival, the atmosphere is incredible — cheering crowds, bonfires, music, food stands, and skiers from many different countries. Even watching the races becomes a memorable experience.
If you happen to visit the Karkonosze during the event period, it is absolutely worth a day trip.
Spring, Summer and Autumn Activities
Jakuszyce isn’t only a winter destination.
When the snow melts, the same trails become some of the most beautiful running and cycling routes in the entire Karkonosze Mountains. Because the terrain is relatively flat compared to the surrounding peaks, it is ideal for long distance running, gravel biking, and relaxed walks.
In warmer months you can enjoy:
mountain jogging
Nordic walking
cycling routes
hiking to the Czech side
forest walks through open meadows
The wide spaces, flowering mountain fields, and cooler temperatures make it a perfect escape on hot summer days.
And in autumn, the area becomes especially magical — golden grasses, morning mist, and almost no crowds.
A Perfect Year-Round Walk
Even without skis or bikes, Jakuszyce is simply a wonderful place to walk. The terrain is gentle, open, and peaceful. You can stroll for hours without steep climbs.
It’s a rare type of mountain landscape — instead of dramatic cliffs, you get space, silence, and big skies. Many guests say it feels more like Scandinavia than Central Europe.
Bring a thermos, wear warm clothes, and just wander. Sometimes the simplest days become the ones people remember most.
Practical Tips for Visiting
• Distance from Olympia Guest House: 26 km
• Driving time: about 40 minutes
• Parking available near the main trail center
• Ski rentals and cafes available on site
• Accessible year-round
Winter weekends can be busy, so mornings are the best time to arrive.
Jakuszyce is not a place you visit for monuments or attractions. You go there for atmosphere — fresh mountain air, silence, and movement.
Whether you glide through snowy forests, run across summer meadows, or simply walk under endless skies, it offers something rare: real mountain calm without crowds.
During your stay at Olympia Guest House, setting aside one day for Jakuszyce is highly recommended. Many visitors come back saying it became the highlight of their trip to the Karkonosze.
