Lower Silesia is a completely new area for us. This year we went there for the first time and now we know that it wasn't the last time. We were there for a week with our children who need changes and attractions all the time. We decided to do something new every day. However, if we had been there without the children, we would probably have done different things. For starters, we went on hikes to the Szklarka and Kamieńczyk Waterfalls, Jurassic Park in Szklarska Poręba, a crystal glass factory called Julia, and Chojnik Castle. For me, the best thing was an attraction which, to my astonishment, cannot be found in every Tourist Guide: The Colourful Lakes, lately recognized by National Geographic Traveller as one of the new seven wonders of Poland.

Any careful visitor to the Szczecin and Wolin Island area has had a chance to see the Emerald and Turquoise Lakes. In my opinion however, their actual colours have been at odds with their names for some time, and the leaves which lie on the bed have caused the azure to be less and less visible. There is no such doubt when it comes to The Colourful Lakes. Their colours really significantly differ from typical, clear tarns, although I think that everybody can see different colours from those indicated by the names.

The Lakes are situated in Rudawski Landscape Park near Wieściszowice village. Four of them lie on the slope of Wielka Kopa. Back in the XVIII century a pyrite mine was situated here. In the XX century the extraction of this mineral ended and once again mother nature came into power in this place. The mine excavations were filled with water, creating picturesque lakes where the colour comes from the chemical structure of their walls and beds.

You may leave your car in one of the five supervised car parks and then you have to go on foot. I don't know whether the water content of the Kopa slope was connected with the weather during the long May weekend, but the trail we hiked was muddy. I would like to warn you that regardless of the weather you should wear proper shoes. The trail in the Rudawski Landscape Park isn't as tough as a trek on the Rysy, but it is a bit more than a walk in the park, so I don't recommend elegant shoes. We followed a map which we received in the car park.

The first, the smallest and the youngest lake is Yellow Lake. The Red Lake, which has the darkest water, is a hangover from the biggest mine and the water is a solution of sulphuric acid. In my opinion it is the most picturesque, mysterious and beautiful lake. The intense third lake owes its turquoise colour to copper compounds. Getting to them involves a tough scramble up a slope, but the views are worth the effort. The last lake is the highest and farthest away and is called the Green Lake. It is beautiful only in the spring. Then, when the water evaporates, it is only a basin in the ground. For the life of us we couldn't see any green. I think the other name of this lake – Black Lake – is more apt.

The entrance to the Park is free. Nearby you can find a campsite with a place for barbeques, a volleyball court, toilets, washrooms and power points. Close to the Red Lake you can find a catering area with sausages, black pudding, dumplings, beverages and ice-cream, and just next to it there is a souvenir stand.

It is good to consider this interesting place during your visit to Karkonosze.

I recommend it.

Read also:
Whale Park in Rewal
Gdańsk also for children – exhibition People-Ships-Ports
Time machine.