Králický Sněžník

Králický Sněžník, also known in Czech as Kladský Sněžník, is a peak reaching a height of 1,423 meters and lies on the Czech-Polish border. It belongs to the Krkonoše-Jeseník subprovince mountain range and dominates the Ústí nad Orlicí district and the Pardubice Region. This mountain is the highest point in the Kłodzko district in Poland, where it is located in the Stronie Śląskie municipality within the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.

Geologically, Králický Sněžník is shaped by frost weathering, which creates characteristic ridges on its summit dome. The name "Sněžník" refers to the long-lasting snow cover, which persists here for up to 8 months of the year.

The mountain is part of the geomorphological unit of the Upper Moravian Highlands within the Králický Sněžník range, stretching approximately 16 km from Králíky to the Kłodzko Pass. The main European watershed runs through its territory, influencing the region’s hydrology: to the south, waters drain via the Morava River into the Black Sea, while the northern Polish side of the mountain belongs to the Baltic Sea catchment area.

The vegetation at the summit of Králický Sněžník is characterized by typical subalpine meadows and treeless zones dominated by spruce forests. Lower elevations of the mountain are covered by mountain reed-spruce forests, creating a diverse habitat for local fauna.

Beyond its natural beauty, Králický Sněžník is also of historical interest. A new lookout tower, completed in 2022, stands at the summit, replacing the original structure from 1899 and the Lichtenstein Chalet from 1912, both of which were demolished in the 1970s. About 200 meters below the summit stands the Tripoint Stone, a historical tripoint marking the boundaries of the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Margraviate of Moravia, and the County of Kladsko.

Nature conservation on the Czech side includes the Králický Sněžník National Nature Reserve (NPR), a protected area since 1990 and part of the Natura 2000 network, a European ecological initiative. On the Polish side, the mountain is part of the Śnieżnik Kłodzki Nature Reserve and the Śnieżnicki Landscape Park.

Králický Sněžník is also a popular destination for hiking trails that lead from both sides of the border, offering visitors views of the unique natural and historical attractions of this picturesque part of the Czech-Polish borderlands.