The Table Mountains of southwestern Poland are unlike anything else in Central Europe — flat-topped sandstone plateaus, rocky mazes carved by millions of years of erosion, and sweeping views that hit you completely out of nowhere. One of the few genuine table mountain ranges on the continent, this place feels like a small-scale version of canyon country, hidden among the Sudeten forests.

Horizontally layered Upper Cretaceous sandstone creates dramatic cliff edges, narrow gorges and towering rock pillars. The star of the show is Szczeliniec Wielki, where a network of tight crevices, arched gateways and dark corridors leads you to an open viewing terrace with a breathtaking panorama of the Kłodzko Valley. In spring the rock faces drip with ferns and moss; in autumn the surrounding beech forests ignite in deep amber and red — making this a genuinely four-season destination.

Highlights:

• Szczeliniec Wielki (919 m) — the highest peak, famous for its rock labyrinth and top-of-the-world viewing terrace; the region's must-visit.
• Skalniak (915 m) — the second highest summit, with a broad plateau, peat bogs and far fewer crowds than its neighbour.
• Błędne Skały (Errant Rocks) — a mesmerising maze of sandstone corridors and towers, perfect for exploration at any time of day.
• Góry Stołowe National Park — established in 1993, well-marked trails suit all fitness levels.

Practical info:

• Best time: May–June and September–October — pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, spectacular autumn colours.
• Base towns: Kudowa-Zdrój, Radków, Polanica-Zdrój — good range of accommodation and dining.
• Trail difficulty: mostly easy to moderate; Szczeliniec involves steep stone steps but is manageable for most visitors.
• Getting there: by car via Kłodzko (national road 8); regional buses from Kłodzko to Kudowa-Zdrój or Radków; no direct train to the heart of the mountains.

Fun fact: the region's sandstone was quarried for centuries as a prized building and sculpting material used across the entire Sudeten region — today the only thing you need to bring is a decent pair of hiking boots.