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Giant Mountains – west
The Western Giant Mountains (Západní Krkonoše in Czech) have managed to maintain their original character. The region starts in the west with a hilly terrain and continues via the rocky riverbed of the Jizera to high mountains at the east with an altitude of more than 1000 meters. The main centers of the Western Giant Mountains include Harrachov and Rokytnici nad Jizerou, famous skiing resorts and popular destinations for family trips throughout the year.
The Giant Mountains are the ideal place for everyone who enjoys the traditional lifestyle, and natural and honest ambiance of mountain resorts. In summer, when the snow-covered mountain slopes turn into flowing meadows, the mountains become a popular destination for all water sports lovers, who come to the Giant Mountains to enjoy the wild mountain streams. Hiking and cycling enthusiasts may travel through many kilometers of local virgin forests. You can visit the spring of the River Elbe or one of the marvelous Giant Mountains waterfalls. The many other types of available entertainment facilities and activities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, massage, tennis, golf, horse riding and wellness lessons.
- National Park Giant Mountains – the second national park in the Czech Republic (1963), one of the largest in Europe, visited by up to 8 million people every year. The park covers the area from Novosvětské Sedlo in the west to Žacléřské Sedlo in the east. In the north it is connected to the Polish Karkonoski park narodowy.
- Tanvald – Kořenov – Harrachov Railway Track – the steepest railway track in the Czech Republic, which started to operate in 1902. A national cultural monument since 1992. The train ride offers a remarkable overview of the beautiful natural scenery of the Giant Mountains and allows us to admire the technical skills of our ancestors.
- Harrachov – a major tourist resort of the Western Giant Mountains, a perfect place for an active holiday. Hiking, cycling, golf, bungee jumping. Funiculars and ski lifts, excellent conditions for downhill and cross-country skiing.
- Ski-jumps in Harrachov – five ski jumps and the site of the Ski Jumping World Cup and Ski Jumping World Championships (1983 and 1992). The giant K185 ski-jump ranks among the six largest in the world.
- Harrachov Glassworks – the second oldest glassworks in the Czech Republic, established in 1712. Manufacture of hand-made blown, ground, cut and painted glass, historical cutting shop, production of chandeliers. Guided tours through the manufacturing workshop and the cutting shop, Museum of Glass.
- Harrachov Mining Museum – a museum with a display of Harrachov mining and with a collection of minerals. A guided tour through a 450-meter-long underground gallery fully equipped with characteristic ore mining tools and implements.
- Harrachov Bobsleigh Track – a 700-meter-long bobsleigh track from Hřebínek Hill to the edge of the Annenské Valley. Great fun for families with children, seniors and youth alike.
- Mumlava Waterfall – a trip destination nearby Harrachov on the Mumlava River. The river flows over granite stairs and creates several-meter-deep pools, called devil’s eyes. Marked hiking and cycling trail, a restaurant.
- Rokytnice nad Jizerou – a mountain resort in the Western Giant Mountains surrounded by hills, set in the valleys of the Jizera River and Huťský, Černý and Rokytnice streams.
- Dvoračky Mountain Lodge – situated at 1,125 meters in between Lysá Mountain and Kotel Mountain, at the crossroads of several hiking trails. A former mountain farm bought by the Schier family and destroyed by fire in 1893. The site was bought by Count Harrach, who built a lodge here instead.
- Kotel – or the “Cauldron”, a 1435-meter-high mountain, one of the most beautiful mountains in the entire Giant Mountains. The south-eastern slopes of the mountain fall down to the Large and Small Cauldron Hollows, which are both of glacial origin. The Hollows are listed as a protected landscape area featuring many species of mountain plants. The “High Castle” used to be the highest-set mine in the area. The ore was carried down to Rokytnice manually.
- Vysoké nad Jizerou – town and a mountain resort in the Western Giant Mountains, a major crossroads of hiking trails and routes. Named after its location (elevated 250 meters above the Jizera River).
- Museum of Local Arts and Crafts in Poniklá – a private museum in the barn of Mr. and Mrs. Pičman, in the upper village near the church. The first open-air museum of agricultural machinery in Podkrkonoší, which opened on December 12, 1999.
- Monument of Remote Patriots in Paseky nad Jizerou – a museum established in 1958 from the collections of local teacher Věnceslav Metelka (whose memoirs inspired K.V. Rais to write his famous novel The Remote Patriots). In 1979 the museum expanded to include the exhibition of the Giant Mountain School of Violin Making, also established by Věnceslav Metelka. A wide collection of instruments ranging from those of the school founder to the living master violin-makers from the famous Pilař and Špidlen families.
- Jilemnice – the historical center with a characteristic ambiance of a mountain town. The birthplace of skiing in Bohemia. The local Czech SKI Association of the Giant Mountains, the oldest ski association in the Czech Republic, has organized skiing races since 1894.
- Giant Mountain Museum in Jilemnice – a display of the genesis of Czech skiing, collection of models of Nativity Scenes, including a mechanical Nativity Scene from the end of the 19th century, where 142 miniature sculptures make 350 different movements. A collection of funeral guild shields, Kaván’s Gallery.
- Curious Lane in Jilemnice – an excellent collection of vernacular architecture, built mostly after the Great Conflagration of 1788. The houses in the lane appear as if they are turning and twisting their heads to see what is going on the main street. An excellent example of old suburban architecture.

Krkonoše (Giant Mountains)
Contact address
Regionální turistické informační centrum KRKONOŠE
Krkonošská 8
543 01 Vrchlabí
+420 499 405 744
info@krkonose.eu
http://www.krkonose.eu
Krkonoše-svazek měst a obcí
Zámek č.1
543 01 Vrchlabí
+420 499 405 732
kroupovaklara@muvrchlabi.cz
http://www.krkonose-smo.cz
http://www.krkonose.eu
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