Most people know Nová Paka simply as a gateway to the Krkonoše mountains, but it is worth stopping for a while in this historic town. There are some nice gentle trails in the surrounding hills.
Category: Krkonoše
*Climbing Sněžka from Pec pod Sněžkou, a few different options: 3 km to 14 km*
The highest Czech peak, Sněžka, is climbed most frequently from Pec pod Sněžkou, mainly due to the gondola saving 800m of ascent! But there are nice trails too, lined with some fine mountain restaurants…
An easy walk, through Pec pod Sněžkou and along the lovely Obří důl valley: up to 7 km
Pec is popular resort in both summer and winter. One of the nicest short walks follows the spectacular Obří důl valley past a couple of nice restaurants, to finish at a memorial chapel.
A walk to the ‘highest’ Czech mountain, Sněžka (1603m) starting in Horní Malá Úpa: 14 km
Sněžka can be climbed on trails from all four quadrants of compass. The eastern route from Malá Úpa may be the least dramatic but it is one of easier routes.
*A fine circular walk to the Krkonoše peak Přední Žalý (1019m) starting in Vrchlabí: 12 km to 20 km*
Vrchlabí is often called the ‘gateway’ to the Krkonoše mountains. Stop to enjoy the town and take an excellent circular walk to the top of its closest 1000m peak.
*Easy walks around the historical town of Vrchlabí, gateway to the Krkonoše mountains: 2 km to 9 km*
Many visitors to the Krkonoše mountains pass through Vrchlabí without stopping to explore its attractions. Take a moment to walk around town and maybe visit one of its nice refreshment spots.
A visit to the Krkonoše town of Jilemnice, with its chateau and historical nature trail: 2 km to 6 km
Jilemnice, located in the Krkonoše foothills, is worth a visit for a short walk around the chateau and its historic streets, with their fine examples of Krkonoše folk architecture.
A tour around the Krkonoše spa town of Janské Lázně, with a visit to the Tree Top Walk: 5 km
Take a walk through the spruce forests at the foot of Černá hora to visit the well-done Tree Top Walk near the attractive spa town (and ski resort), Janské Lázně.
A circular tour around the Krkonoše peak Černá hora (1299m) from Janské Lázně: 20 km
Take a tour of one of Krkonoše’s most prominent peaks, topped with a famous peat bog. The extensive network of trails up and down the mountain offer super views.
*A circular walk from Žacléř in east Krkonoše to Rýchory via Stachelberg fortress: 17 km*
This fine circular route in the east Krkonoše mountains leads up to the Rýchory ridge (1036m) passing the remarkable First Republic Stachelberg bunker and artillery complex.
A walk around the First Republic Stachelberg bunker complex at the edge of Krkonoše: 3 km
In 1936, Stachelberg was promised to be the country’s largest modern fortress. It was never finished. Take an educational tour around this amazing set of pre WWII fortifications.
*Circuits around the Pláň massif starting in Špindlerův Mlýn: 12 km to 22 km*
The Pláň massif is host in winter to Špindlerův Mlýn’s largest ski area but in summer there are many fine hiking trails to explore. This route visits some of the best trails and mountain huts.
*An 8 km circuit in the Krkonoše foothills above the historic town of Pecka*
Combine a visit to Pecka, with its fine Baroque monuments and intriguing Gothic/Renaissance castle, with an easy circular walk in the surrounding foothills for some super views.
The Sýkornice nature trail, just outside Nová Paka in the Krkonoše foothills: 5 km
The new Sýkornice educational trail has some interesting information boards in the mostly forested nature park. It is a good option for a short walk when the weather in the mountains is poor.
*The finest walk in the Krkonoše – Mumlava and Pančavský waterfalls in one circular trip: 24 km*
This superb circuit has all the best features of a walk in the Krkonoše mountains: great views, cascading waterfalls, cool spruce forests, granite rock formations and good mountain restaurants…
A circuit around Kotel (1435m) a majestic Krkonoše peak, starting in Horní Misečky: 12 km
Kotel is the 10th highest and considered one of the most beautiful peaks in the country. View all sides of this fine mountain by taking the circular mountain trail starting at the ski village of Horní Misečky.
*Mumlava – an easy walk to Bohemia’s most beautiful series of waterfalls: 3 km to 12 km*
Mumlava waterfall, near Harrachov, is a deservedly popular tourist destination. It is possible to avoid the crowds by continuing up the asphalt road to view the cascades higher up the mountain.
A circular walk in the forests above Harrachov near the Kamenice stream: 10 km
For a quiet walk, mostly in the spruce forests high above Harrachov, try this circular route which starts at the glass museum and brewery, initially following the attractive Kamenice stream footpath.
An easy circular walk from the top of the Čertova hora cableway, above Harrachov: 5 km
If considering a trip on the Harrachov chair lift to the top of Čertova hora, consider extending the excursion with a pleasant walk through the spruce and blueberry forest, with a visit to Janova rock.
Stráž peak (782m) from Jablonec nad Jizerou: 6 km to 17 km
Stráž is a popular viewpoint located near the Krkonoše resort of Rokytnice nad Jizerou. The summit is accessible for walkers even in winter and has four new viewing platforms to discover.
An easy 8 km circular tour around the Labská reservoir from Špindlerův Mlýn
This easy circular route from the centre of Špindlerův Mlýn, mostly on asphalt mountain roads, follows the terraces on both sides of the valley above the picturesque Labská reservoir.
From Špindlerovka to Moravská bouda (with an optional descent to Spindl): 5 km – 9 km
Take a bus/car from Špindlerův Mlýn to the saddle at Špindlerovka for easy access to the border ridge with its stunning views and walk to the lovely meadows near the Moravská bouda restaurant.
An easy 11 km walk from Špindlerův Mlýn; the Harrachova cesta along the Labe
An easy ‘all-season’ walk along the paved Harrachov trail beside the beautiful cascades of the young Labe river, with a return to Špindlerův Mlýn along the same path.
*The unique granite cliffs and tors of the Krkonoše – a 21 km tour*
This is one of the best walks in the Krkonoše mountains – a circular tour from Špindlerův Mlýn following the Labe river to reach the spectacular granite rocks on the Czech-Polish border ridge.
The four highest Czech peaks in a single day challenge: 40 km
Is it possible to hike the four highest Czech mountains in a single day? Technically, the answer is no…but it is possible to get pretty close! Take on the 40 km four peaks challenge.
*An easy 11km walk beside the beautiful Bílé Labe (White Elbe)*
An easy ‘there and back’ walk – very nice in winter – along the lovely Bílé Labe stream as it flows to join the main river Labe close to Špindlerův Mlýn, with a stop at the Bílé Labe mountain restaurant.
*Sněžka from Špindlerův Mlýn, returning via Špindlerovka – a 21 km to 26 km hike*
This classic route up Sněžka, the highest Czech mountain, starting in the ski resort of Špindlerův Mlýn, is probably the most varied and interesting of all routes up this iconic mountain.
On the trail of Václav Havel in the Krkonoše foothills – 6 to 14 km walks near Mladé Buky
A couple of suggestions for short walks in the forests and sandstone rocks of the Krkonoše foothills near Václav Havel’s former country home and the romantic ruins of Břečstejn castle.
Seeking the sources of the river Labe: a 13 km hike from Medvědín
This easy walk in the Krkonoše mountains takes advantage of the Medvědín chair-lift from Špindlerův Mlýn, and tours the beautiful high plateau and the sources of the river Labe.
Alpine bell towers (Zvoničky) above the Labe – a 12km tour
A moderate tour around the Labe river valley with fine views and examples of classic Krkonoše folk architecture, with an optional stop at the popular Rovinka restaurant.