Sołtysia Hill (Strzelecka) – the lookout tower above Cieplice

Sołtysia Hill – also called Strzelecka (German Scholzenberg) – is a low but exceptionally scenic hill above Cieplice in Jelenia Góra. On its summit (434 m) stands a historic brick lookout tower offering one of the finest panoramas of the Jelenia Góra Valley – the Karkonosze with Mount Śnieżka, and at its foot all of Cieplice and Jelenia Góra. Yet it remains a little-known spot, perfect for a short family trip.

Where Sołtysia Hill is

The hill rises above the spa district of Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój, on the land of the former village of Malinnik, in the western part of the Łomnickie Hills on the edge of the Jelenia Góra Valley. The summit lies at 434 m above sea level (about 50°51′N, 15°42′E). It is a multi-peaked granite hill with a gentle approach, so the walk to the top is short and pleasant.

The names: Sołtysia, Strzelecka, Scholzenberg

The German name Scholzenberg (on the on-site board also Schultheißberg) means literally „the mayor\'s hill" – Scholze and Schultheiß are old words for a village mayor. Hence the Polish Góra Sołtysia. The second, locally used name Strzelecka (the Shooters\' Hill) comes from a former shooting range on the hill. On the Czech side it is sometimes called Starostova hora.

The Kaiser Friedrich Tower

Spa guests from nearby Cieplice were already climbing to the summit in the 18th century to admire the views. For their convenience, a small inn and the first wooden lookout tower were built here in 1808, and another wooden one in 1850. In 1895 they were replaced by a solid, five-storey brick tower 16 metres high, named the Kaiser-Friedrich-Turm in honour of Emperor Frederick. After decades of glory the tower fell into ruin, but in 2022 – as part of a civic budget – it was thoroughly restored and reopened to visitors.

Old social life: restaurant, bowling alley, shooting range

Sołtysia Hill was once a popular place for excursions and entertainment. Besides the lookout tower there were a restaurant with a dance hall, a bowling alley and the aforementioned shooting range. The people of Cieplice and spa guests gladly spent their free time here, and the hill was lively for much of the year.

Ski jump and winter sports

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the slopes of Sołtysia Hill turned into a winter-sports area each winter. A ski slope and a small ski jump operated here – today virtually no traces of them remain. Some sources also mention an illuminated slope and a ski lift, though this could not be confirmed beyond doubt.

The panorama: the Karkonosze, Cieplice and Jelenia Góra

It is above all for the view that it is worth climbing Sołtysia Hill. From the tower platform opens a wide panorama of the Karkonosze – on a clear day you can see the ridge with Mount Śnieżka (1603 m) perfectly. At the foot of the hill lie all of Cieplice and Jelenia Góra, and beyond them the surrounding Sudeten ranges. Right next to the tower there is also a natural viewpoint on a rock formation, called „Panorama".

How to get to Sołtysia Hill

The easiest way is to set off from Cieplice – a short walk uphill leads through the forest straight to the summit. It is a great idea for a family trip that can be combined with a visit to the spa and the Cieplice little deer of the Little Deer Trail and the legend of the hot springs.