Many people associate Świeradów-Zdrój primarily with its spa town, the Spa House, and leisurely walks. However, just a few minutes from the center reveals a completely different side of the city. This is a place for those who enjoy being active.
In winter, you can ski and snowboard here, in summer, hit the singletrack, go mountain biking, or run, and for most of the year, enjoy the hiking trails leading through the Jizera Mountains. Another major advantage of Świeradów-Zdrój is that many active recreation options are located close to each other, allowing you to try several completely different forms of exercise during a single stay.
So, if you're wondering what to do actively in Świeradów-Zdrój, discover the places and trails worth adding to your itinerary.
Ski & Sun Świeradów-Zdrój - active right next to Forest Park
One of the most important spots on the city's sports map is Ski & Sun Świeradów-Zdrój. For guests of Forest Park Resort & SPA, its location is particularly convenient: the lower gondola lift station is approximately 50 meters from the resort.
In winter, Ski & Sun is primarily a ski resort. The main ski slope is approximately 2,500 meters long, illuminated, and snow-covered, making night skiing possible. The resort itself has a gondola lift and additional lifts at the lower station. The gondola lift is 2,172 meters long, covers a 443-meter vertical drop, and takes visitors from the lower station to approximately 1,060 meters above sea level in about 8 minutes. There are 71 eight-person gondolas available, and the gondola also operates outside the ski season.
This is why Ski & Sun is worth considering for more than just a winter slope. In summer, the gondola becomes a quick way to start a hiking or biking trip in the higher reaches of the Jizera Mountains. You can take your bike to the gondola lift, ride to the Stóg Izerski area, and continue on towards Polana Izerska, Hala Izerska, or Chatka Górzystów, among others.
For those who want to combine activity with a bit of adrenaline, additional Ski & Sun attractions, such as Mountain Carts, are also available during the summer season. The slope is approximately 3.5 km long and runs from the upper to the lower gondola station. This means that you can leave Forest Park at any time of year and within minutes embark on a completely different mountain adventure.
Skiing for Beginners - Anna-Ski
Not everyone arrives in the mountains as an experienced skier. For those taking their first steps on skis or snowboards, Anna-Ski at Źródlana 12, located opposite the gondola lift, is an interesting option. The resort was designed primarily with learning in mind. It features a gentle slope approximately 100 meters long, lit, and covered with artificial snow. A ski and snowboard school operates at the lift, offering lessons for children and adults, and a partner equipment rental service is also available on-site.
This is a good solution for families, some of whom are just starting out in winter sports. Instead of tackling a long slope right away, you can first learn the basics, such as edging, braking, and safely using the lift. Thanks to the proximity of the main Ski & Sun resort, it's also easy to take the next step and try your hand at a longer slope.
Bambino Ski & Bike - Not Just in Winter
Another place aimed at beginners and families is Bambino Ski & Bike. In winter, there are three T-bar lifts, approximately 60, 90, and 140 meters long, and a ski school and kindergarten operate on the slopes. The trails are primarily designed for learning and perfecting the basics of riding.
The name "Ski & Bike" is not a coincidence, however. In summer, there is an on-site rental shop offering e-bikes, MTBs, and full-suspension bikes, as well as hiking equipment. Cycling lessons for children and adults are also available, so those who come to Świeradów without their own equipment can still plan a day of cycling in the Jizera Mountains.
Single Track Świeradów-Zdrój – the region's cycling hallmark
If active Świeradów-Zdrój had a single symbol of summer, for many, it would be the Single Tracks. The Świeradów network currently encompasses approximately 80 kilometers of trails, spanning over a dozen groomed sections. Forest Park describes it as a network of 14 routes, and the official Single Track website lists over 80 km of paths on the northern slopes of the Jizera Mountains.
The routes were designed by Dafydd Davis, a Welsh specialist in cycling route design. The paths have a natural character, are relatively narrow and single-directional, and their maximum gradient is around 5%. This is precisely why Single Tracks are not only for very advanced cyclists.
The network offers both gentler sections suitable for those just starting their mountain bike adventure, and more dynamic sections for those looking for a faster, technical ride. The routes lead through forests, clearings, and the border areas of Poland and the Czech Republic, making the ride itself a way to discover the Jizera Mountains.
RunTrack - Świeradów-Zdrój for Runners
Świeradów-Zdrój also offers something that many mountain towns still lack: a specially designed network of forest trails for runners. RunTrack is a system of trails running through forests and clearings. Individual sections connect with existing forest roads and form loops, allowing you to return to the starting point after your workout.
There are three options to choose from:
• Easy route: approximately 5 km,
• More difficult route: approximately 7 km,
• Most difficult route: approximately 10 km.
RunTrack, however, is not just for those preparing for a race. The routes can also be used by those who prefer brisk walking, Nordic walking, or simply a more sporty stroll. The forest floor, elevation changes, and natural surroundings make even a short trail a completely different experience than training on a city sidewalk. For those who enjoy starting their day with a run, this can be one of the most interesting ways to explore Świeradów-Zdrój outside of its tourist center.
Jizera Black Grouse Trail - from near Stóg Izerski to Jakuszyce
One of the most distinctive trails in the Jizera Mountains is the Jizera Black Grouse Trail. Its designation refers to the black grouse – one of the most valuable bird species found in the Jizera Mountains. The trail begins at the upper station of the gondola lift on Stóg Izerski, then leads through Polana Izerska, Chatka Górzystów, and the Orle mountain hut towards Jakuszyce.
According to the city's detailed description, the individual sections total approximately 19.5 km:
• Gondola - Polana Izerska: 6.1 km,
• Polana Izerska - Chatka Górzystów: 3.1 km,
• Chatka Górzystów - Orle: 5.2 km,
• Orle - Jakuszyce: 5.1 km.
The city website classifies the route as easy, although with such a distance, it's worth considering your fitness level, the weather, and the return journey time. The Izerski Cietrzewia Trail is particularly associated with cross-country skiing and connects Świeradów-Zdrój with the extensive network of trails in the Jakuszyce area. Starting near the upper gondola station, it is also a natural part of the sports infrastructure associated with Stóg Izerski.
Świeradów-Zdrój in Winter - Where to Go Skiing?
If you're planning a ski trip in Świeradów-Zdrój, it's best to choose a location based on your skill level. For those looking for a longer trail and gondola lift, Ski & Sun is a natural choice. The main trail is approximately 2.5 km long, and the resort also offers a ski school and equipment rentals.
Beginners and children can start their learning on the gentler slopes of Anna-Ski or Bambino Ski & Bike, where ski schools and short lifts are available for training.
Those who prefer cross-country skiing should explore the trails of the Jizera Mountains and the Izerski Cietrzewia Trail.
As a result, Świeradów-Zdrój offers opportunities to plan a winter getaway for both families just starting out and those looking for longer trails or cross-country skiing.
Świeradów-Zdrój in the summer - cycling, running, or hiking?
In the summer, there are even more options. If you're looking for:
• MTB - choose Single Tracks;
• a more leisurely or longer bike trip - use the gondola lift with bike transport and head towards Hala Izerska or Chatka Górzystów (Górzystów Chalet);
• running - check out one of the three RunTrack loops;
• hiking - take the gondola to the Stóg Izerski area and begin your route high in the mountains;
• adrenaline - combine the gondola ride with Mountain Carts or a dynamic ride on Single Tracks.
Importantly, you don't have to choose just one activity for your entire stay. You can cycle one day, run the next, and take a more leisurely hike the next.
Forest Park Resort & SPA as a base for active people
For active holidays, the location of your accommodation is especially important. Forest Park Resort & SPA is located approximately 50 meters from the lower Ski & Sun station, allowing you to reduce the need for a car and quickly start your day in the mountains, both in winter and summer. In winter, this means easy access to the slopes and gondola.
In summer, you can start a walk, gondola ride, bike ride, or hike towards Stóg Izerski almost immediately after leaving the resort. After an active day, you can return to the hotel and enjoy the Aquapark, Wellness area, or Forest SPA. This allows your stay to naturally combine exercise with regeneration.
Active Świeradów-Zdrój all year round
The greatest advantage of Świeradów-Zdrój is that the activities don't end with the change of season. In winter, skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing take center stage. In spring and summer, cycling, running, and hiking return, while autumn is a great time for more leisurely workouts and excursions through the colorful Jizera forests.
Ski & Sun, Single Tracks, RunTrack, Anna-Ski, Bambino Ski & Bike, and the Izerski Cietrzewia Trail combine to create a sporty side to the city, perfectly complementing its spa character. So, when asking "what to do actively in Świeradów-Zdrój?" the answer is very simple: it all depends on whether you feel like putting on your hiking boots, running shoes, skis, or bike helmet on a given day. Then, all you have to do is head off to the Jizera Mountains.
Author of the post
Julia Pągowska
Marketing and Social Media Specialist
Responsible for the communication and content marketing of Forest Park Resort & SPA. She creates social media content, records video materials, takes photos, and designs graphics and promotional materials for the hotel. She also prepares blog content related to relaxation, travel, and regional attractions.
In her materials, she focuses above all on the guest experience, showing places not only aesthetically but also practically, authentically, and from the perspective of people planning their stay. Privately, she is a lover of mountains, travel, dog walks, and places she wants to return to more than once.
