Chojnik Castle is one of the most dramatic mountain ruins in Poland — a medieval fortress perched on the summit of Chojnik Hill at 627 m above sea level, with a breathtaking 150-metre cliff plunging into the so-called 'Hell Valley' (Piekielna Dolina) on its southeastern side. History, legend and wild Karkonosze scenery all come together here in a way that's hard to forget.

The castle commands sweeping views over the Jelenia Góra valley and the Karkonosze peaks in every direction. Autumn wraps the surrounding forests in fiery colours, winter frosts the ruins into a fairy-tale scene, and summer thunderstorms rolling in from the mountains are a sight to behold — fittingly, it was just such a lightning strike in 1675 that set the castle ablaze and left it in the romantic ruin you see today. The site lies within the strict protection zone of the Karkonosze National Park.

• From Sobieszów (Jelenia Góra-Sobieszów) — red or blue trail, approx. 45–60 min, moderate
• From Podgórzyn Górny — blue trail via Żelazny Mostek, moderate
• From Podgórzyn Dolny — blue trail via Żelazny Mostek, moderate

• A mountain shelter operates within the castle walls — a great spot to rest with a view
• Metal stairs lead up the tower (rebuilt 1993–1994) — the panorama from the top is worth every step
• An annual crossbow tournament 'For the Golden Bolt of Chojnik Castle' is held here — one of the largest in Poland
• A granite monument on site marks Karol Wojtyła's visit with a group of students in 1956

The castle inspired a famous legend about Princess Kunegunda, who challenged suitors to ride on horseback around the castle walls along the steep cliffs — a story that caught the imagination of Friedrich Schiller himself, and was later adapted into Polish by Adam Mickiewicz.