Krkonose Mountains
5
Day Itinerary •
Czech Republic
Five days in the Krkonose Mountains takes you through the highest mountain range in the Czech Republic, a remarkable landscape of open subarctic meadows, extraordinary peat bogs and the finest ridge walking in Bohemia. Snezka at 1,603 metres is the highest point in the Czech Republic, a remarkable granite dome on the Polish border with outstanding views in every direction. This route covers the complete Krkonose experience. The extraordinary Snezka summit, the remarkable Labsky Dul waterfall and valley, the fine spa town of Janské Lázn n , the outstanding Pec pod Snezkou ski resort, the remarkable Mumlavsky Waterfall, the extraordinary Czech-Polish border ridge walk and the fine historic spa town of Jicin in the Bohemian Paradise.
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, cable cars and walking
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,200 to 2,500 CZK per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, mountain hiking on marked trails
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
JANSKE LAZNE SPA AND EASTERN RIDGE
MORNING
JANSKÉ LÁZN n SPA TOWN
Janské Lázn n , the extraordinary spa town at the southeastern base of Snezka, is the finest historical health resort in the Krkonose. The remarkable Baroque and Art Nouveau spa buildings, the fine thermal swimming pool complex and the outstanding chairlift to Cerna Hora at 1,299 metres are all excellent. The remarkable history of the spa town, which treated patients with remarkable radioactive spring water, and the fine walking paths are outstanding. Chairlift approx 260 CZK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CERNA HORA AND EASTERN RIDGE
Cerna Hora, reached by chairlift from Janské Lázn n , gives the finest accessible viewpoint on the eastern Krkonose ridge. The remarkable walk west along the ridge to the extraordinary Obri Dul glacial valley viewpoint, the outstanding panorama of Snezka and the Polish Karkonosze and the fine tundra vegetation of the ridge plateau are all outstanding. The extraordinary views on clear days extend remarkably far. Free with chairlift. Travel: Chairlift
AFTERNOON
TRUTNOV AND NORTHERN BOHEMIA
Trutnov, the fine historic town on the northern edge of the Krkonose, has the most extraordinary central square in the Krkonose foothills, the remarkable late Gothic church and the fine local brewery. The outstanding Battle of Trutnov Museum tells the remarkable story of the 1866 Battle of Nachod where Prussian forces were briefly defeated by the Austrians in the remarkable Seven Weeks War. Entry museum approx 60 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Upska Raseliniste peat bog nature trail near Pec pod Snezkou preserves the finest subarctic peat bog ecosystem in the Czech Republic with remarkable sundew and cottongrass. Entry approx 30 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Janské Lázn n spa hotel The finest breakfast in a remarkable spa hotel atmosphere. | Lunch: Cerna Hora ridge restaurant Outstanding Czech mountain food with the finest Krkonose view. | Dinner: Trutnov beer restaurant The finest Czech brew pub evening in the Krkonose foothills.
DAY 5
BOHEMIAN PARADISE AND RETURN
MORNING
JICIN AND THE BOHEMIAN PARADISE
Jicin, the extraordinary Renaissance town that serves as the gateway to the Bohemian Paradise, has the most remarkable Baroque colonnade walk, the fine Wallenstein Palace and the outstanding tree-lined avenue to Kost Castle. The remarkable Bohemian Paradise landscape of the Prachovske Skaly rock city is the finest sandstone rock landscape between Prague and the Krkonose. Rock city entry approx 100 CZK. Travel: 1 hour drive south
MIDDAY
PRACHOVSKE SKALY ROCK CITY
Prachovske Skaly, the extraordinary sandstone rock city in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise, is the finest rock labyrinth in northeastern Bohemia. The remarkable towers up to 30 metres, the outstanding views from the highest viewpoints and the extraordinary network of paths through the fine forest between the sandstone pillars make it outstanding. The remarkable castle ruin on the highest rock is the finest viewpoint. Entry approx 100 CZK. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO PRAGUE
Return to Prague through the extraordinary Bohemian countryside, perhaps stopping at the remarkable Mnichovo Hradiste with its fine chateau or the outstanding Brandys nad Labem castle on the Elbe. The fine drive south through the remarkable Bohemian landscape gives the finest farewell to the Krkonose Mountains and the extraordinary countryside of northern Bohemia. Return to Prague for departure.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kost Castle in the Bohemian Paradise, the best-preserved Gothic castle in Bohemia set in a remarkable sandstone valley, is the finest castle day trip from the southern Krkonose. Entry approx 160 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krkonose hotel Good breakfast before the Bohemian Paradise drive. | Lunch: Jicin old town restaurant Traditional Czech lunch in the finest Renaissance town in the region. | Dinner: Prague return or hotel Farewell to the Krkonose. Final Czech dinner.
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