After more than 65 years on the tracks of the 311 railway line linking Szklarska Poręba with Jakuszyce, the train returned.
The Izera railway, as the 311 railway route is called by the Szklarska Pass, is a picturesque route re-opened for traffic in 2010, after more than 65 years of non-use. This unusual railway line, built at the beginning of the last century, is one of the most interesting in Poland. Bends, mountain slopes, fauna and flora of the Jizera Mountains almost at your fingertips make the travel by the Izera railway becomes an attraction. The connection enjoys great popularity on both sides of the border. Especially on weekends, many tourists, but also residents of border towns, go on a bus trip.
In winter, the snow-covered landscapes and peaks of mountains surrounding Szklarska Poręba can be admired from the train’s windows.
From autumn to spring, many international skiers who use the Izera rail line can get to the Cross-country Ski Center in Jakuszyce from this international connection. There, there are over 100 km of perfectly prepared cross-country ski runs.
In the summer months, the cyclists are eager to use the Izera. The whole family can go on a bicycle trip to the Czech Republic and then, full of impressions, return by train to Szklarska Poręba.
To travel by train from Szklarska to Czech Korzeniowo, one way is needed 35 minutes. At the railway station, formerly meaningful and large, because of the border crossing, you can visit a small museum of the cog railway, which from here in the direction of Liberec began. There are m.in. photos from a hundred years ago documenting the construction of this pioneer railway line. You can go hiking in the Czech Jizera Mountains.
In July 2012, the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Izera Railway as a part of the Lower Silesian Railroad was celebrated in Szklarska Poręba .
The railway connection, its history, construction and reconstruction can be read more from the recently published publication Railway in Szklarska Poręba by Dominik Kara and on the website of the Izerska Railway Club .
Tickets are sold on general terms at the ticket office of railway stations and by the conductor on board the train. On the entire route from Jelenia Góra to the Czech Republic, as well as on the adjacent sections of the railway network in Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany, EURO NYSA tickets can be used.