A circular tour around the Krkonoše peak Černá hora (1299m) from Janské Lázně: 20 km
- Janské Lázně is probably known best today as a base for skiing in the Krkonoše mountains. The country’s only 8-seater gondola rises from the town center to near the summit of Černá hora (1299m), from where a surprisingly extensive ski area can be explored in winter. The town can be reached by direct bus from Prague.
- However, the town is also worth visiting outside the ski season. It has an unusually long history; its warm spring waters used from the 11th century to power a mill and then in the 13th century the first medical uses of the spa waters were reported. The town today has a number of attractive spa buildings, from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the Kolonáda building which houses a pleasant café.
- There is a wide range of mountain walking options with starts in Janské Lázně. For a short, easy walk consider the 5 km loop up to the interesting Tree Top Walk, 2 km to the west of town. For a longer trip circling the impressive peak of Černá hora, follow the route described below.
- One of the highlights of a hike on Černá hora is the extensive peat bog that covers much of the relatively flat summit area, which can be toured on a specially created path, some of which is a wooden walkway. The bog was formed after the end of the last ice age and is home to numerous rare plants and animals. There is a small viewing tower at the edge of the bog, overlooking a couple of the ponds.
- There are good views of the Krkonoše mountain chain at various points on the suggested circular route, but if visiting at a weekend it is worth paying the entrance fee to climb the telecoms tower which is just behind the gondola top station, for a spectacular panoramic view.
- There are several alternative routes up and down Černá hora, some more direct than others. The suggested route up, although not the most direct, passes some picturesque examples of Krkonoše folk architecture in the mountainside meadows.
- The proposed route is 20 km long, with 850m of height to ascend-descend. None of the paths are particularly difficult although the descent route shown has some steeper sections in the forest. For an easier (but 2.5 km longer) descent, follow the cycle path, which utilizes a mountain road (the route is marked with green cycle track markers).
- There are various refreshment options on the route, including snack bars at the gondola top station, but the nicest option on the mountain is probably the restaurant in the old cable car station – map point 8. Back in Janské Lázně centre, try the café in the Kolonáda building.
Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’ to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.
Directions
- Start the walk at the main town square, next to the spa area. Take the BLUE trail heading toward Temný Důl
- Continue on the BLUE trail for 4.2 km until reaching the Pražačka junction. Here, turn left to follow the GREEN trail in the direction of Vlašské Boudy, which is reached after 5.3 km
- At Vlašské Boudy, join the YELLLOW trail heading towards Černá hora
- After 2.8 km reach the viewing tower over the peat bog. From there, either stay on the YELLOW trail to reach Černá bouda junction or divert slightly to the left to follow a bit more of the peat bog nature trail, before taking the BLUE trail to reach Černá bouda
- At Černá bouda if wanting to visit the old cable car restaurant or the summit viewing tower, take the YELLOW trail for 800m to reach the Černa hora gondola station
- Return back to the Černá bouda and take the RED trail which leads directly back to the main town square in 5 km
