Karkonosze National Park reports rising temperatures and tourist safety concerns

Karkonosze National Park is facing dual challenges of climate change and improper tourist behavior. Long-term temperature measurements from Śnieżka indicate a warming trend, with the average annual temperature rising at a rate of 1.08 degrees Celsius per century between 1881 and 2012. Recent data shows temperatures in 2024 and 2025 remained above the 1991–2020 norms, leading to shorter winters and earlier spring thaws.

These environmental shifts are altering the mountain ecosystem, affecting water conditions, and threatening rare plant species adapted to cold climates. To address these changes, the Polish park is collaborating with the Czech KRNAP to develop a joint strategy for managing tourist traffic and protecting the Karkonosze tundra by 2028.

Additionally, park officials have issued warnings regarding visitor safety. During recent sunny weekends, crowds including families were observed using sleds on hiking trails. The park reminded visitors that sledding is prohibited on trails within the national park and is only permitted in designated areas outside park boundaries.