Giant Mountains

The Krkonose Mountains is located northeast of Bohemia and forms a natural border between Bohemia and Poland. The border runs along the main mountain range. Krkonose Mts. are quite small, creating continual range 40 km long and 20 km wide. Czech part of the mountains counts for about two thirds of the total area.

The best way to Krkonose Mts. is to drive by car or by bus. From Prague it will take you about 1.5 hour by car and 2.5 hours by bus. You can also take advantage of three road boarder crossings with Poland. Train connection to Krkonose Mts. is lenghthy and irregular. Train terminus is in Harrachov, Vrchlabi and Svoboda nad Upou (Trutnov).

The highest mountain of the Czech Republic – Snezka (1602m) and the spring of the european mighty stream of Labe are situated in this region. The most precious treasure of this area include the unique northern tundra on the mountain range (e. g. Upa Peat), precious flora and fauna, but also a wide range of folk architecture as for example in Paseky nad Jizerou and several historical and urban towns of the foot-hills, e.g. Vrchlabi, Trutnov, Jilemnice, Hostinne, Kowary ...

Krkonose Mountains are sought-after goal of recreation, especially thanks to the many resorts that offer numerous possibilities for summer and winter holidays. During the summer months visitors can explore well marked hiking and biking trails, as well as the local flora and fauna. A tourist trail runs along the whole lenght of the mountain ridge; you can choose from many of the marked trails in a 500km network. Outdoor swimming pools, mountain chalets and Caffees offer great refreshments and relaxation during the hot summer months. Visitors can find many alternative possibilities for sport and cultural self-realization in the mountain and foot-hills centers.

The cycling season starts in May and has its peak in July and August. Fall, our secret tip for hikers and bikers, offers nice weather and beautiful color compositions of leaves in the woods. Snow would be no surprise on the higher parts of the mountain range at this time.

In winter Krkonose Mountains offer the best conditions for skiing in the Czech Republic. Especially famous are skiing centers in Spindleruv Mlyn, Harrachov, Pec pod Snezkou, Karpacz and Sklarska Poreba in Poland.

The winter season starts at the end of November and beginning of December. The main tourist season falls on the Christmas time, New Years Eve and spring school holidays in February. Most of the accommodation is booked far ahead for this period so we recommend to make your bookings early. The best time for winter sports is between January and March.

Many visitors don’t perceive that the nature in the Giant Mountains is in a state of serious endangerment. Paradoxically, while prestigious international institutions (Dutch foundation FACE, European Union, UNECSO, The World Bank) help to rescue the valuable nature of the Giant Mountains, we ourselves continually destroy it. The worst menaces of today are not only pollutants but also unregulated invasion of tourism.

You can also contribute to this effort to preserve the nature of the Giant Mountains for future generations by following the visitor regulations of the parks, signs and information boards.

Czech crown (Kc, international code CZK), 1 Kc = 100 hellers. 28 crowns equals around 1 Euro.

Money exchange: In most informational centres, in tourist exchange offices, in banks. Automatic teller machines for credit cards are available in most cities.