The mountain is an erosional remnant of a vast Cretaceous sandstone plate.
Franz Pabel, the first mountain guide in the Sudetes, was officially appointed here in 1813.
The summit includes a geological formation known as 'Hell' (Piekiełko), a deep, narrow gorge where snow can persist until early summer.
King Frederick William II of Prussia visited the summit in 1790, which significantly increased the mountain's popularity.
The rock formations are protected within the Table Mountains National Park (Park Narodowy Gór Stołowych).
John Quincy Adams visited the site in 1800 during his European tour, documenting it in his journals.
The mountain was used as a filming location for the movie 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'.
Szczeliniec Wielki is the highest peak of the Table Mountains in the Sudetes, reaching 919 meters above sea level. The mountain is defined by a unique mesa-like flat top composed of sandstone formations carved into complex shapes by erosion. A one-way tourist trail traverses the summit, guiding visitors through narrow crevices, rock labyrinths, and tunnels. The rock formations feature distinctive natural shapes often referred to as animals or historical figures, such as the Camel, the Hen, and the Mammoth. Access involves a climb of approximately 665 stone steps originally built by Franz Pabel in the 19th century. The summit area provides panoramic views of the Karkonosze range and the Broumovsko region in the Czech Republic. A mountain shelter, PTTK Schronisko na Szczelińcu, has operated near the summit since 1846.
The Fotel Pradziada (Great-grandfather's Armchair) rock at the highest point of the summit.
Wear sturdy, non-slip hiking boots as the sandstone paths can be slippery when wet.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as temperatures inside the narrow rock crevices are significantly lower than on the open trails.
Start the ascent early to avoid heavy foot traffic in the narrow sections of the labyrinth.
Do not attempt the loop in flip-flops or open-toed sandals; do not visit during thunderstorms due to the high exposure of the summit paths.
The tourist route is closed during the winter season, typically from November through March, due to ice and safety concerns.
Stay strictly on the marked trail to protect the fragile sandstone ecosystem; climbing on the rock formations is prohibited.
