Krkonose Mountains
3
Day Itinerary •
Czech Republic
Three days in the Krkonose Mountains covers the essential experience of the highest mountain range in the Czech Republic. The extraordinary Snezka summit at 1,603 metres, the remarkable Labsky Dul waterfall and the fine ridge walks of the Giant Mountains make three days of outstanding mountain scenery and the finest hiking in Bohemia.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for hiking, December to March for skiing
Getting There
Drive or bus from Prague, 2.5 hours
Getting Around
Rental car and cable cars
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,200 to 2,500 CZK per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, mountain hiking
DAY 1
SNEZKA, HIGHEST POINT IN CZECH REPUBLIC
MORNING
SNEZKA SUMMIT, HIGHEST POINT IN CZECH REPUBLIC
Snezka, 1,603 metres, is the highest mountain in the Czech Republic and the finest summit in the Krkonose. The cable car from Pec pod Snezkou rises in two stages to the remarkable summit, where the extraordinary Czech-Polish border runs across the top and the outstanding views extend to Poland, Germany and on clear days to the Tatra Mountains. The remarkable UFO-shaped Czech meteorological station on the summit is the most extraordinary building at altitude in Bohemia. Cable car approx 350 CZK return. Travel: 2.5 hours from Prague
MIDDAY
SNEZKA RIDGE WALK TO OBRI SEDLO
The ridge walk west from Snezka along the Czech-Polish border to Obri Sedlo gives the finest ridge walking in the Krkonose. The remarkable subarctic tundra vegetation on the exposed ridge, the extraordinary views south into Bohemia and north into Poland and the outstanding isolation of the border ridge at 1,500 metres are all remarkable. The fine descent via the Jeleni Hrbety trail returns to Pec pod Snezkou through the extraordinary mountain landscape. Free with park entry. Travel: 30 min from summit
AFTERNOON
PEC POD SNEZKOU AND EVENING
Pec pod Snezkou, the finest ski resort in the Czech Republic, has a remarkable mountain village atmosphere even in summer. The fine Upská Raseliniste peat bog nature trail, the outstanding collection of traditional mountain architecture and the remarkable evening atmosphere of the resort village after a day of ridge walking are all outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pec pod Snezkou spa complex has thermal pools with outstanding views of the Krkonose peaks. After a day of ridge walking the remarkable hot spring pools are the finest recovery activity in the mountains. Entry approx 300 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: En route or Pec hotel Good breakfast before the cable car. | Lunch: Snezka summit restaurant Remarkable lunch at the highest restaurant in the Czech Republic. | Dinner: Pec pod Snezkou mountain restaurant Traditional Czech mountain food after the finest ridge walk in Bohemia.
DAY 2
LABSKY DUL VALLEY AND WATERFALL
MORNING
LABSKY DUL WATERFALL AND VALLEY
The Labsky Dul valley above Spindleruv Mlyn contains the most extraordinary waterfall in the Krkonose. The remarkable Labsky Vodopad, the highest waterfall in Bohemia at 45 metres, falls in stages through the extraordinary glacial valley. The fine walk from Spindleruv Mlyn up the valley through the outstanding beech and spruce forest, past the remarkable peat bogs and to the waterfall is the finest valley walk in the mountains. Entry park approx 80 CZK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SPINDLERUV MLYN AND THE ELBE SOURCE
Spindleruv Mlyn, the most popular resort in the Krkonose, has the finest mountain town atmosphere in the Czech Republic. The remarkable Elbe River rises just above the town on the extraordinary Elbe Meadow and the fine walk to the source of the most important river in Central Europe is outstanding. The remarkable waterfall circuit above the town and the outstanding spa facilities make Spindleruv Mlyn an excellent base. Free. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
RUZOVA HORA RIDGE WALK
The Ruzova Hora cable car from Spindleruv Mlyn reaches the ridge at 1,310 metres, giving the finest accessible views of the Krkonose ridge and the remarkable Spindleruv Mlyn valley below. The extraordinary walk along the ridge east to the fine Mechové Jezirka peat bog pools and the outstanding panorama of the Bohemian countryside below are all remarkable. Cable car approx 250 CZK return.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mumlavsky Waterfall near Harrachov, the most dramatic waterfall accessible without significant hiking in the Krkonose, falls 7 metres through a remarkable narrow gorge. Entry approx 30 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pec or Spindleruv hotel Good breakfast before the Labsky Dul drive. | Lunch: Labský Dul mountain hut Traditional Czech goulash at the extraordinary waterfall hut. | Dinner: Spindleruv Mlyn restaurant Outstanding Czech mountain cuisine in the finest resort town.
DAY 3
HARRACHOV AND WESTERN KRKONOSE
MORNING
MUMLAVSKY WATERFALL AND HARRACHOV
Harrachov, the westernmost resort in the Krkonose and home of the remarkable Harrachov ski jump, has the most extraordinary glass museum in the Czech Republic in the former Riedel glassworks. The outstanding Mumlavsky Waterfall 2km from town, the remarkable gorge below and the fine forest walk are all outstanding. The extraordinary Harrachov ski jump tower gives the finest viewpoint of the western Krkonose. Waterfall entry approx 30 CZK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
VOSECKA BUDA RIDGE HUT
The Vosecka Buda mountain hut on the Krkonose ridge at 1,358 metres is the finest viewpoint on the western ridge. The extraordinary walk from Harrachov up through the remarkable forest to the ridge gives the finest introduction to the open subarctic meadows that cover the Krkonose plateau. The outstanding views of both the Czech and Polish slopes from the ridge and the remarkable traditional mountain hut food are both excellent. Free. Travel: 1.5 hours walk
AFTERNOON
ROKYTNICE NAD JIZEROU
Rokytnice nad Jizerou, a fine traditional mountain village in the southern Krkonose foothills, has the most extraordinary collection of traditional wooden Krkonose architecture of any village in the mountains. The remarkable historical museum, the fine views of the surrounding peaks and the outstanding traditional pub culture of this genuine Czech mountain village make it the finest contrast with the busy resorts. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Riesengebirge Museum in Vrchlabi at the southern entrance to the national park has the finest collection of Krkonose cultural history, traditional glass and mountain craft in the region. Entry approx 80 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Harrachov hotel Good breakfast before the waterfall walk. | Lunch: Vosecka Buda ridge hut Traditional Czech lunch at 1,358 metres with the finest ridge view. | Dinner: Rokytnice village pub The finest traditional Czech mountain pub evening in the Krkonose.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Pec pod Snezkou, Nights 1 to 2 Finest ski and hiking resort base. Approx 1,500 to 3,000 CZK per night. Spindleruv Mlyn, Nights 3 to 4 Most complete resort facilities. Approx 1,500 to 3,000 CZK. Booking ahead Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead in ski season and summer. Fills completely.
Top Tips
1. The Snezka cable car fills up quickly. Arrive before 9am for the best experience.
2. The Krkonose ridge can have severe weather even in summer. Always carry a rain layer.
3. The Labsky Vodopad waterfall is best visited after rain when the flow is greatest.
4. Czech mountain huts serve excellent traditional food. Always stop at a bouda for goulash.
5. The Bohemian Paradise sandstone rock cities are the finest in northeast Bohemia.
6. Ski season December to March is the busiest. Book accommodation months ahead.
Total Budget
2,000 to 4,200 CZK/day