Suche/Javoří Mountains

The four highest hills seen from the south. From left to right: Włostowa (903m), Kostrzyna (906m), Suchawa (928m, centre) and Waligóra (934m)

The tablelands of the Central Sudetes (please see this map and study its description) are bounded on the northwest and the northeast by the Kamienne (Stone) Mountains - several ranges of hills made of hard volcanic rocks, namely porphyries, late-Paleozoic of age and reddish in colour. The eastern part of these mountains, which straddles the Czech-Polish border east from the upper course of the Ścinawka River (and the national road 35), is called the Suche (Dry) Mountains by Poles, whereas Czechs call them the Javoří (Sycamore Maple) Mountains. They are all covered with woods in which sycamore maple trees are not uncommon, so there is no mystery behind the Czech name. But one may wonder why such green hills have been labelled "dry." The answer lies in many dry valleys and few springs, which results from, as you may guess, the geologic features of the area.

Czerwone Skałki (Red Rocks) on the northwest side of Suchawa

The most interesting part of these green dry mountains is their northern chunk between Sokołowsko (once a famed health resort of Görbersdorf) and the town of Głuszyca. This area contains several hills rising around 900m. This is the highest part of the Suche/Javoří Mountains, the Kamienne Mountains, and also of what German geographers call Waldenburger Bergland (the Kamienne and Wałbrzyskie mountains). Thanks to what they are composed of these porphyry hills have surprisingly bold, often conical silhouettes, contrasting with the flat tops of the other mountain ranges of the Sudetes that surround them. Even on the waymarked trails hiking can be surprisingly challenging, owing to the steepness of the slopes. On a couple of trails, there can be plenty of man-made scree under your feet, since the local rock, despite being very hard, tends to be very crumbly. Also, off the beaten track there can be more and more bushwhacking involved as the hiking tradition fades. Nevertheless, part of any hiking route will have to contain stretches of dirt roads, whose network is pretty dense there, just as the network of waymarked - hiking and biking - trails.

The four highest hills seen from the northeast

Waligóra Old German name: Heidelberg Elevation: 934m Prominence: 366m

Despite being the highest summit in the Kamienne/Suche/Javoří Mountains as well as one of the highest mountains of all in the Central Sudetes, Waligóra does not seem to be a most attractive hiking goal since its top is covered with wood an does not provide any views. The mountain stands in the backyard of Andrzejówka Hut, from where it can be climbed in about twenty minutes. (I must confess to not having climbed it yet although I have visited the Suche Mountains several times.) There is an SP page by visentin focusing on Waligóra as well as the area at its foot, around the Andrzejówka Hut, which makes for a little ski resort in winter. 

Suchawa Old German name: Dürreberg Elevation: 928m Prominence: approx. 65m

Ruprechtický Špičák Old German name: Spitzberg Elevation: 880m Prominence: approx. 190m

 

At 880m this hill is the highpoint of the Czech part of the mountains. Compared to Waligóra, it has a couple of advantages. It stands farther away from the villages and resorts and it has an observation tower on the top, which lets you climb an extra twenty two metres up and offers an excellent view of the highest summits of the Suche Mountains. The 360-degree vista consists of many other mountain ranges and massifs of the Sudetes: the Sowie Mountains not far to the north-east; the Ślęża Massif beyond the rim of the Sudetes, just left of the Sowie Mts; in the opposite direction, across the Broumov Basin, the outlines of each of the tablelands of the Central Sudetes can be recognized; on the eastern horizon looms the silhouette of the Śnieżnik Massif, whereas in the west a much nearer and clearer outline of the Giant Mountains is visible.

Špičák from NW

On top

East from Špičák

 

 

 

Rogowiec Old German name: Hornsberg Elevation: 870m Prominence: 19m

 

Rogowiec sits on the northeast ridge of the mountains , which can be called – after its highest summit – the Jeleniec Ridge. Rogowiec is located just east of Jeleniec, which is 32m higher, but less attractive for a few reasons. Rogowiec has ruins of a medieval castle on the summit (please see next chapter) as well as interesting rock formations such as Skalna Brama (Rock Gate) near it, is bold, conical in shape, and gives good views. The top overlooks Borowa, the highest massif in the adjacent Wałbrzyskie Mountains, and from very near Skalna Brama you have an excellent view towards the town of Głuszyca, with the Sowie Mountains in the background. 

 

NE of Rogowiec

Just below summit

View of Borowa

Looking east

Skalna Brama

 

Stożek Wielki    Old German name: Groß Storch Elevation: 841m     Prominence: 125m This isolated hill is situated in the northwestern corner of the Suche Mountains, north of the resort of Sokołowsko, just by the village of Unisław Śląski. The hill takes its name, which translates as Great Cone, from its shape.