On the edge of the Wielki Staw cirque, at 1415 m above sea level, lie the modest ruins of what was once one of the most luxurious mountain shelters in the entire Sudetes. Today it's a fascinating stop for hikers who want more than just views in the Karkonosze Mountains — they want a story.

The surroundings are striking in every season — the raw edge of the glacial cirque, views down onto the Wielki Staw lake, and a sweeping panorama over the Jelenia Góra Valley. In summer it's a natural resting point on a mountain trek; in autumn and winter, wind and mist are a reminder that this is high-mountain terrain where conditions can shift quickly. In its heyday, the area around the shelter was popular with skiers and sledders, with runs stretching all the way down to Karpacz and Miłków.

• Karpacz — trail towards the Wielki Staw cirque, several hours of walking, demanding route requiring good fitness
• Miłków — alternative approach along the former sledding route, a longer climb

• Elevation: 1415 m above sea level
• The shelter was built 1888–1889 and burned down on the night of 9–10 October 1946
• A meteorological station operated here until 1937
• Today only small fragments of ruins remain

The place inspired Paul Keller's novel 'Waldwinter' and its 1936 film adaptation, as well as a modern crime novel by Sławek Gortych, 'Schronisko, które przestało istnieć'.