The Czechs have their own “Little Iceland”. We can get here from Poland in an hour
Magical landscapes like in Iceland can be found right next to Poland. Just an hour’s drive away.
Out-of-this-world landscapes await you even just beyond the Polish border. In the Czech Republic, in the Liberec Region, there is Panska Skała – an extraordinary hill built of basalt columns, which may remind many tourists of the cliffs in Iceland. We advise you how to get to the geological reserve from Poland. For those who are not planning a trip abroad, we recommend a Polish, although slightly less impressive alternative – the Wielisławskie Organ in the Kaczawskie Foothills.
“Czech Iceland” 50 km from Poland
Iceland is famous for its basalt cliffs formed by the cooling of volcanic lava. The most impressive formations include the black beach of Reynisfjara with a cave, the Gerðuberg cliffs on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the basalt columns in the Stuðlagil canyon and the monumental rock formations at Arnarstapi and Lóndrangar. What if we can also find places at least somewhat similar in climate and texture in continental Europe, and so close to our country? An example is the Czech Pańska Skała, a characteristic hill in the shape of an organ, rising 595 meters above the sea. It is the oldest geological reserve in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest in Europe. It was formed about 30 million years ago.
The basalt pillars, as well as the lake along the wall, are easiest to see when driving from Poland. The journey from the Polish border will take us an hour, and from Wrocław – about 3.5 hours. You can also get there by public transport – the last stops will be Kamenický Šenov or Prácheň, from where you have to walk to the reserve.
We also have a miracle of nature in Poland
Basalt formations can also be found in the Kaczawskie Foothills, near the village of Sędziszowa. We are, of course, talking about the Wielisławski Organ. These volcanic rocks of Permian age are located on the slope of Mount Wielisławka (375 m above sea level), so they do not constitute an independent hill. At the foot of the hill there is also an old mill, which currently houses a restaurant and accommodation facility.
