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Karkonosze National Park
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Location
Karkonosze National Park is located in Dolnośląski region in south-western Poland at the border with the Czech Republic.
Geological Facts
Karkonosze, the highest mountain group of the Sudety range, are formed as a compact massif with relatively level ridge and a number of peaks of relative height up to 100 m, such as Wielki Szyszak (1509 m). Only Mt Śnieżka (1602 m) stands out due to its height and dome-like shape. Karkonosze have a number of granite rock groups of peculiar shape, such as Słonecznik (Sunflower), Końskie Łby (Horse Heads), Pielgrzymy (Pilgrims). Monotonous, gentle slopes of Karkonosze mountains are dramatically contrasted with deep post-glacial cirques and neighbouring moraine walls and lakes.
Waters
Karkonosze mark the European watershed which separates catchment areas of the North Sea (the Elbe Basin) and of the Baltic (the Odra Basin). Many mountain streams cascade down from steep cliffs of post-glacial cirques and rock steps. The longest sequence of cascades in the Polish part of the Karkonosze is made by the Łomniczka stream falling down into Łomniczka Cirque.
Plant Life
Karkonosze National park has distinct mountain plant zones: foothill zone (up to 500 m), lower mountain forest zone (up to 1000 m.), upper mountain forest zone (up to 1250 m.), subalpine zone (up to 1450 m.) and alpine zone (over 1450 m.) Lower forest zone is dominated by beech trees, while upper zone consists mostly of hardly diversified spruce forests. The subalpine zone is the richest in plant communities, dominated by dwarf pine shrubs.
Animal Life
All-embracing mountain glaciation was the main factor to shape natural environment of the Karkonosze, and to influence the character of contemporary animal life. The most numerous representatives of vertebrate are birds, of which approximately 100 species were observed there, including Tengmalm's owl, pygmy owl, black grouse, capercaille, ring ouzel and alpine accentor. The Karkonosze are home to approximately 40 species of mammals including 156 species of bats. Mouflons or wild mountain sheep introduced there at the beginning of the 20th century remain a considerable tourist attraction.
Tourism
Karkonosze National Park is visited every year by more than 1.5 million tourists who can avail of various facilities including 112 km network of tourist routes, 10 ski lifts and 12 mountain houses. Hiking in Karkonosze is most attractive from mid-May through mid-October.
ul. Chałubińskiego 23
58-570 Jelenia Góra
tel/fax: (0 prefiks 75) 755 33 48, 755 37 26
sekretariat@kpnmab.pl
58-570 Jelenia Góra
tel/fax: (0 prefiks 75) 755 33 48, 755 37 26
sekretariat@kpnmab.pl