Karkonoskie Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej

Karkonoskie Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej (the Karkonosze Ecological Education Centre) is a visitor centre run by Karkonosze National Park, located in Szklarska Poręba. It's a natural first stop before heading into the mountains, giving visitors context for the landscapes and ecosystems they're about to walk through.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The centre sits on Okrzei Street in Szklarska Poręba, in a quiet part of town not far from the main tourist hubs. The easiest way to reach Szklarska Poręba is by car along national road 3, or by train — the town has its own railway station, with the education centre a short walk, taxi ride, or local bus trip from there. Both the building and the short educational path leading up to it are wheelchair-accessible, making the site a good option for families with young children and visitors with limited mobility.

What's inside?

The heart of the centre is a multimedia exhibition called "Wirtualne Karkonosze" (Virtual Karkonosze), which introduces the nature and history of the mountains on both the Polish and Czech sides of the range. A series of themed rooms walks visitors through the key phenomena and ecosystems of the Karkonosze — glacial cirques, high-mountain peat bogs, plant and animal life, mountain forests, natural processes unique to the range, and the marks left by human activity on this environment. The exhibition is built around large-format mountain panoramas and a tactile relief model of the Karkonosze terrain, letting visitors trace the shape of the massif by touch — a feature especially valued by visually impaired guests and children. Exhibition materials are available in Polish, Czech, German, and English, making the centre easy to navigate for international visitors on both sides of the border.

A library for nature lovers

The centre also runs a library and reading room stocked with specialist nature literature about the Karkonosze — from scientific studies to guidebooks and photo albums. It's a resource used by teachers preparing field lessons, mountain guides, and nature enthusiasts looking to dig deeper after seeing the exhibition.

When to visit and what to check first

Before planning a trip, it's worth checking the centre's current status. The building is going through preparations for a major renovation, and as a result, sessions for organized groups are sometimes temporarily relocated to another Karkonosze National Park facility — the Monitoring and Research Station in Jelenia Góra, open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. If you're planning a visit, especially with a larger group, it's a good idea to call ahead or check the national park's website first. Szklarska Poręba itself makes an excellent base for exploring the Karkonosze year-round — hiking trails draw visitors in summer, while skiing takes over in winter — so a stop at the education centre pairs easily with a longer stay in town.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Karkonoskie Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej? It's an education centre run by Karkonosze National Park, based in Szklarska Poręba, introducing visitors of all ages to the nature and history of the Karkonosze mountains.

What can you see at the exhibition? The multimedia exhibition "Wirtualne Karkonosze" features rooms dedicated to glacial cirques, peat bogs, wildlife, mountain forests, and natural phenomena, plus large-format panoramas and a tactile terrain model.

Is the centre accessible for visitors with disabilities? Yes — the building and the short educational path leading to it are wheelchair-accessible.

Is the centre currently open to visitors? The facility is preparing for renovation work, so it's worth checking its current status before visiting, especially with an organized group, as sessions are sometimes temporarily moved to the Karkonosze National Park's Monitoring and Research Station in Jelenia Góra.