Krkonoše Mountains

Processions of giant mountains and huge stretches of forest, rocky slopes and glacial valleys, high plateaus, thermal springs, peat bogs and alpine meadows carpeted with rare mountain flora, old timber cottages, spas, chateaux, castles and places steeped in legend – all this can be found in the Krkonoše and their foothills.

The biggest draw in the area is, of course, an ascent of Sněžka (1,602m), the highest peak in the Czech Republic. The cable car means that even those who aren’t into uphill hiking can get to the top easily enough. As with other mountain ranges, there is a network of hiking and cycling trails, cable cars and mountain chalets; in winter chair lifts, downhill pistes and hundreds of kilometres of cross-country skiing trails take over. In Vrchlabí, Hostinné, Hořice, Trutnov, Kuks and Harrachov those with a soft spot for museums and fascinating historical sights can get their fill, while families with children should definitely head for the zoo in Dvůr Králové nad Labem and its famous safari. And if you suffer from a sweet tooth, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the local specialities such as ‘hořické trubičky’ and ‘miletínské modlitbičky’, fragrant with the aroma of honey.

Harrachov glassworks – The second oldest glassworks in Bohemia was founded around 1712. Blowing, cutting, engraving and painting of handmade glass can be watched at the period workshop. Enjoy a tour of the workshops before heading to the glass museum, restaurant, brewery and beer spa.

Nativity Scene – Sculptural works by the Baroque artist Braun cannot only be found at the Kuks Almshouse, which houses the Czech Pharmaceutical Museum, but also in Nový Forest around 2km to the west of Kuks. Here you will see several sculptures and reliefs chiselled into rocks and boulders.

Lázně Bělohrad – This small spa town in the foothills of the Krkonoše is well known for the Anenské peat spa, surrounded by the Bažantnice landscape park, and mineral-rich springs. To the southeast of the town lies Byšičky with its old Church of SS Peter and Paul; this is where poet K. J. Erben set his ‘Wedding Shirt’ ballad from the ‘Kytice’ collection.

Peck Castle – This Gothic castle, later transformed into a Renaissance chateau, was once the residence of Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice. The exhibition here is dedicated to this illustrious Renaissance traveller and includes a so-called ‘black kitchen’, a cellar torture chamber and a 56m-deep illuminated well.

Bob sleigh and rope parks – The Krkonoše’s bobsleigh runs and rope parks are great fun for young and old. Why not give MonkeyPark Špindlerův Mlýn, the longest rope park in the Krkonoše, a go, or how about the bobsleigh and other attractions at Relax park in Pec pod Sněžkou, the bobsleigh run at HappyWorld Špindlerův Mlýn, the MonkeyPark Harrachov rope park, or the bobsleigh run at HappyWorld Harrachov?

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