"How not to get lost on the trail (even though you'll get lost anyway)" - a guide to the Karkonosze Mountains

The Karkonosze Mountains are one of those places where a cyclist can feel absolute delight… and absolute disorientation.
Postcard-perfect views, dream-like routes – and at the same time, a mountain labyrinth in which even the most experienced competitor can suddenly see the map as if it were hieroglyphs.

That's why today: A guide to the Karkonosze Mountains – how not to get lost (even though it will happen to you anyway) .

1. Have a map. And a plan B.

The Karkonosze Mountains change faster than the weather in March.
Trail closed, detour, repairs, GPS loses signal - a classic.

The mountaineers say: "A paper map has never run out of charge on a climb."

2. Don't blindly trust the labels

The red trail is sometimes red, and sometimes it is… a faded orange.
It also happens that it drives differently than yesterday.

In the Karkonosze Mountains the following rule applies:
Markings are an aid, not absolute truth.

**3. If the view is too beautiful, check if it's really your route

It sounds absurd, but anyone who has driven in the Karkonosze Mountains knows:
when it suddenly becomes too nice , there is an 80% chance that you are already 3 km beyond the plan.

4. Weather – the biggest troublemaker

The fog turns on like a teleport: in a second.
The wind can pull you out of a curve.
And horizontal rain is standard above 1200 m.

"In the Karkonosze Mountains, always be ready for a change – preferably in every direction at once."

5. The locals will help… but in their own way

You ask, which is the best way?
And you hear:
"Behind the forest, turn left, then straight, and then you'll see."

Well, you'll see.
But most often it's something different than you intended.

6. Ride with someone who knows the area

And preferably with someone who knows the area… and can admit that they just got lost again .

Because in the Karkonosze Mountains even the best take the map out of their pockets "just to be sure".

7. Getting lost is part of the adventure

An extra kilometer?
Additional driveway?
An extra hour in the mountains?

This isn't a mistake - it's a bonus.

As a famous highlander says: "The Karkonosze Mountains reward those who have time and patience."

Golden thought...

“In the Karkonosze Mountains it's not about sticking to the route perfectly.
The point is to come back with a better story than you planned.”