Janowa Góra (842 m a.s.l.) is a quietly captivating peak in the Śnieżnik Massif of Lower Silesia, where a fading village, centuries-old silver mines and unspoiled mountain scenery come together in one unforgettable place. If you enjoy destinations with a sense of mystery and history, this is a gem well worth seeking out.

The area around Janowa Góra has the feel of a forgotten alpine valley — the slopes above the old settlement are cloaked in forest, with open meadows offering views of the surrounding ridges. Winter conditions here were renowned enough to attract visitors even before 1939, and the nearby village of Sienna now hosts a modern ski resort with a cable car up to Czarna Góra. In summer and autumn, the landscape is lush and peaceful, perfect for unhurried exploration.

• From Sienna or Stronie Śląskie — follow the Czarna Woda valley; a marked nature trail runs from the summit of Czarna Góra to Niedźwiedzia Cave and passes through the area. Moderate difficulty.

• The old mining adits near the summit are a protected bat habitat — including the fringed bat (Myotis emarginatus) recorded here in 2002. Do not enter the tunnels.
• The ruined cemetery chapel of St John of Nepomuk (late 18th century) is a listed monument and can only be viewed from outside.
• Accommodation and dining options have been developing in the area in recent years.

The settlement here dates back to 1582–1585, founded as a silver-mining colony by Wilhelm von Oppersdorf — the St Johann mine it grew around had been working silver, lead and copper ores for decades before that. Nature has quietly reclaimed much of what was left behind, and today old bat-inhabited adits are among the most evocative reminders of that long-gone industry.