*Circuits around the Pláň massif starting in Špindlerův Mlýn: 12 km to 22 km*

• The Pláň massif is located to the southeast of the Krkonoše mountain village of Špindlerův Mlýn, the Czech Republic’s most famous ski resort. The massif is home to the resort’s largest ski area and is accessed (in winter) by the fast chair lifts from Hromovka and Svatý Petr.
• There are number of good walking trails into and around Pláň starting in Špindlerův Mlýn but the massif can also be accessed on foot from the neighboring resort of Pec pod Sněžkou. The advantage of starting in Špindl is that the Svatý Petr lift can also be used in the summer months to save time on the ascent and/or descent routes if desired.
• One popular route from Pláň is the ‘Animal ride’ trail which follows a mountain road for nearly 8 km down from the top of the Svatý Petr lift back to the bottom station. The trail, which features information boards describing Krkonoše animals, is designed for cyclists but can be done with a stroller.
• More rugged options are available for both ascent and descent of the massif. Once there it is worth heading towards Pec for some super views of the high mountain pastures and spruce forests. There are a couple of good mountain huts for refreshments away from the skiing area and for an excellent view of the highest peak, Sněžka, it is worth carrying on to reach the summit of Liščí hora (1363m)
• The suggested route shown in the map below ascends from Špindl on the most direct path – the Mechová pěšinka (the moss footpath) which is a nature trail describing plants found in the area. Those wishing to avoid the 450m climb can take the lift.
• Once at the top the suggested route traverses the massif, through pastures and spruce forests to reach the bouda Klínovka – apparently the highest working farm in the Czech Republic at 1227m. The bouda has a good restaurant with a lovely terrace. It also has dormitory accommodation.
• A little further along the trail towards Pec, the popular mountain hut na Rozcestí can be found at an important trail junction. Na Rozcestí also serves good mountain food. Liščí hora (1363m) with its well known viewpoint is an easy stroll from the hut.
• The suggested return journey follows one of the most scenic trails in the region – the cesta Stohem – which starts at Klínovka and winds back down to Špindl following the eastern flank of the massif. The trail offers spectacular views of the steep slopes below Luční hora (at 1555m the second highest Czech peak) and the dramatic Kozí hřbety ridge.
• The full route described above is 22 km long with over 800m of ascent and descent, half of which can be saved by taking the chairlift. None of the trails once on the massif are difficult. The suggested ascent route – the Mechová pěšinka – is also easily graded. The descent along the cesta Stohem is steeper, but not difficult. For refreshments, in addition to the two mountain huts described above there is a modern ski restaurant at the top of the lift.

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 Špindlerův Mlýn main square and follow the GREEN hiking trail in the direction of Pláň. This trail passes the bottom of the chairlift and then heads up the mountain to reach the Pláň junction, just below the chairlift top station, after 4 km
• Continue on the GREEN trail in the direction of U Klínovky, reaching bouda Klínovka after 3.9 km
• Continue on the GREEN trail for a further 1.6 km to reach the Na Rozcestí hut
• From Na Rozcestí, Liščí hora summit and viewpoint are 2 km along the RED trail in the direction of Liščí louka. Return back to Na Rozcestí after visiting the viewpoint
• For the return journey from Na Rozcestí return back along the GREEN trail in the direction of Špindl for 950m to reach the Klínovka junction
• At the Klínovka junction join the BLUE trail, which runs for 7.5 km all the way back to Špindl main square