*The finest walk in the Krkonoše – Mumlava and Pančavský waterfalls in one circular trip: 24 km*

• This circuit is the author’s personal favourite walk anywhere in Krkonoše mountains, mainly due to the variety of incredible scenery on offer over its 24 km circuit. The route starts in Harrachov and heads past the country’s most beautiful waterfall – Mumlava (which is not just the single 10m chute that appears on most photographs, but a whole series of lovely mini cascades all the way down the mountain). Beside the main fall is a fine mountain restaurant, the Mumlava bouda.
• From the Mumlava falls, the trail heads up the mountain to reach the source of both the Mumlava river and, more famously, the Labe (which ultimately becomes one of Europe’s great rivers – it is called the Elbe after leaving the Czech Republic). The source of the Labe/Elbe, found on the high plateau amongst the peat bogs, is marked with a stone well and monument to the 26 towns the river flows though on its journey to the North Sea. The route then traces the cliff edge path to reach the beginning of the Pančavský waterfall, which cascades nearly 150m (the highest fall in the country) into the Labe valley.
• The return journey circles past the Vrbatova bouda (a possible refreshment stop in this popular refurbished mountain hut) and then over the high point on the route (1421m) past the Harrachovy kameny (classic Krkonoše granite rock formations) located on the northern flank of Kotel peak – one of the most striking mountains in the range.
• The descent follows the path on the western flank of Kotel to reach the mountain hotel of Štumpovka, which has a huge summer terrace for those needing a break. The final segment of of the walk descends gently through the Krkonoše spruce forests to return back to Harrachov.
• The overall route has just over 800m of height to ascend/descend none of which is particularly steep and the paths are all good mountain or forest tracks. The journey can be done in either direction and depends whether preferring to enjoy the beautiful section beside the Mumlava river (with its sunny rocks and deep pools) at the beginning or end of the walk. The directions below show the Mumlava section at the beginning, but some may prefer a cool dip at the end of this fine walk…

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

• The route starts and finishes in the popular ski resort of Harrachov, which has expanded rapidly in recent years. There are direct bus connections to Harrachov from Prague and extensive paid parking areas. The most convenient parking spot for this walk is the Central parking area, close to the bus station.
• If taking the walk in a clockwise direction (with Mumlava first) start on the BLUE trail which leads to the main Mumlava fall after 1.3 km
• Continue on the BLUE trail up the mountain to reach the plateau and the trail junction of U Čtyř pánů after 7.4 km
• Here turn left and follow the RED trail for 1.3 km to reach the source of the Labe at the Pramen Labe trail junction
• Turn sharpluy right, staying on the RED trail to pass the Labská bouda (the uniquely styled mountain hotel) to reach the Pančavský waterfall after 2 km
• Continue a further 1.2 km on the RED trail to reach Vrbatova bouda and there turn right onto GREEN trail in the direction of U Růženčiny zahrádky
• Pass by the Harrachovy kameny to reach the U Růženčiny zahrádky junction after 1.3km and here turn left onto the RED trail in the direction of Dvoračky
• The Dvoračky  junction is reached after 2km and here turn right onto the GREEN trail, which passes the Štumpovka restaurant and then leads down to Harrachov
• the bus station at Harrachov is reached after 6.8 km