A dozen or so years ago, travelling by local railway was associated with compromise. Today, thanks to consistent investment in modern rolling stock, KD offers a standard that not only makes everyday travel easier, but also attracts tourists and railway enthusiasts. From the perspective of a comfortable seat and through the large windows of modern trains, we can admire routes that are not only engineering marvels, but also offer unforgettable experiences.
For years, Lower Silesia has been proving that railways can be not only a means of transport, but also a way to discover the region’s history and unconventional places. Here are three exceptional destinations that take your breath away when viewed from a train.
The Sudeten Orient Express: Wałbrzych – Kłodzko
Railway line no. 286 is a true jewel in the crown of Poland’s railway routes. It was opened in 1880, and its construction was a genuine engineering challenge. The route runs between the Góry Sowie and the Wałbrzyskie Mountains, while the train crosses spectacular viaducts—including the majestic viaduct over Zatorze in Drogosław—and passes through the longest railway tunnels in Poland, including the legendary tunnel beneath Mały Wołowiec, which is more than 1,600 metres long.
In the past, this route was of enormous strategic and industrial importance. Today, it is one of the most picturesque routes in Europe, and travelling on a modern KD train through tunnels carved into the rock can provide a thrill straight out of crime novels set in Lower Silesia.
Three Countries in One Day: Zgorzelec – Zittau
Thanks to cross-border agreements, including the Euro-Nysa-Ticket, KD trains open the door to journeys in neighbouring countries. The route through the Lusatian Neisse Valley is a journey at the meeting point of Poland, Germany and Czechia.
Leaving Zgorzelec, the train passes a massive arched railway bridge, in places standing 35 metres above the river, linking the banks of the Neisse. It is one of the longest—more than 400 metres—widest—nearly 8.5 metres, allowing two tracks to be laid—and oldest—opened in 1847—stone railway viaducts in Poland and Germany. It consists of 35 spans forming six sections. Its 27 piers were made from local granite.
The route then leads through charming Saxon towns to Zittau, or Żytawa. From the station itself, you can also change to the historic narrow-gauge railway, the Zittauer Schmalspurbahn, hauled by an authentic steam locomotive, which takes tourists directly to the spa resorts in the Zittau Mountains. It is an ideal idea for a “slow weekend”.
Across Poland’s Roof to Czechia: Szklarska Poręba – Liberec
Reactivated in 2010, the Izerska Railway is proof that it is worth bringing railway lines back to life. The line connects towns, small towns and resorts in the Karkonosze and Jizera Mountains, making it one of the region’s greatest tourist attractions. During its construction at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, innovative solutions for the time had to be used because the terrain along the route was highly varied—from waterlogged peat bogs to mountainous areas. As a result, several dozen viaducts and bridges were built along its entire length.
The route, with its picturesque mountain views, runs through forests, among other places. After crossing the border at Harrachov, we travel through Czech stations to Liberec, a city situated at the foot of Ještěd, whose summit is home to the famous television tower awarded the Perret Prize. Importantly, trains on this route stop at Szklarska Poręba Jakuszyce station. At 886 metres above sea level, it is the highest railway station in Poland, located near the Lower Silesian Sports Centre and an excellent starting point for trips towards Owczych Skał and Hala Szrenicka.
A Journey That Is an End in Itself
“For several years, we have been noticing a huge change in people’s approach to travelling. Today, passengers board our trains not only to get from point A to point B. They also want to admire the views. Our modern vehicles combined with more than a century-old infrastructure full of mountain tunnels and bridges create a contrast found nowhere else in Poland,” says Bartłomiej Rodak, KD press spokesperson.
The best way to explore Lower Silesia is from the perspective of its railway tracks. An extensive network of connections, the return of trains to forgotten lines and weekend fares make this the perfect time to plan your journey.