The Orlické Mountains (Góry Orlickie) are one of Central Sudetes' best-kept secrets — a quiet, forested ridge stretching along the Polish-Czech border, where wide rounded summits and gentle slopes make every hike feel effortless and rewarding. If you are after fresh mountain air, solitude and unspoiled scenery without the crowds, this is your place.

The landscape here is soft and lush: dense spruce forests dotted with beech groves, open highland meadows bursting with wildflowers, peat bogs and sweeping views across rippling ridgelines. Walking the border trails, you cross between Poland and the Czech Republic almost without noticing — a quietly magical experience unique to this part of the Sudetes. In winter, the village of Zieleniec becomes a lively ski resort, with snow cover lasting up to 110 days a year.

• Velká Deštná (1115 m) — the highest peak in the range, located on the Czech side, offering panoramic views across the Sudetes.
• Orlica / Vrchmezí (1084 m) — the highest point on the Polish side, sitting right on the border ridge.
• Czechoslovak Fortifications (1936–1938) — a remarkable chain of bunkers and fortress groups along the ridge, including the open-to-visitors Hanička fortress and the 'Concrete Border' trail.
• Zieleniec — a charming mountain village with ski slopes and year-round tourist facilities.

• Best time to visit: June–October for hiking, December–March for skiing — summer brings blooming meadows and excellent visibility.
• Base towns: Duszniki-Zdrój (a spa town with great accommodation) and Zieleniec village.
• Trail difficulty: Easy to moderate — the ridges are broad and smooth, with gentle elevation changes, perfect for families and beginners.
• Getting there: By car from Wrocław approx. 90 minutes via Kłodzko; bus connections from Kłodzko and Wrocław to Duszniki-Zdrój.

Fascinating fact: the Orlické Mountains ridge is home to one of the best-preserved pre-war Czechoslovak fortification systems in all of Central Europe — a paradise for military history enthusiasts.