Giant Mountains

the Czech Republic, the Sněžka. The large-scale tourist infrastructure, the tenths of miles of marked routes and bicycle paths, an abundance of accommodations of all categories, and the mountainous climate have made the Krkonoše Mountains one of the most-visited tourist regions in the Czech Republic.

The Krkonoše Mountains are located in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic between the Czech Republic and Poland. The borderline between both countries goes exactly along themain mountain ridge. Considering their spread, two thirds of Krkonoše Mountains are actually located on the Czech side. The biggest Czech river, the Labe (Elbe) River, heads here as well. An exceptional scientific value of Krkonoše Mountains caused this most valuable location to be declared the Krkonoše Mountains National Park (KRNAP) in 1963, which is now the highest form of nature protection in the Czech Republic.

Aside from the breathtakingly beautiful parts of KrkonošeMountains, there are a number of well-known cities and villages located here, which are in a notable way oriented towards the tourist industry. To represent all of them, we can for instance name the settlements of Rokytnice nad Jizerou, Pec pod Sněžkou, Špindlerův Mlýn, Benecko, Trutnov, Harrachov, Vítkovice, Paseky nad Jizerou, Jilemnice, Vysoké nad Jizerou, Vrchlabí, Jablonec nad Jizerou, Janské Lázně, Malá Úpa, Černý Důl, Žacléř, Svoboda nad Úpou, Mladé Buky and manyothers. As a complex, they provide the great background for a number of various recreational activities. In Krkonoše Mountains you can enjoy the paragliding and mountain-bike riding, there is a small-boat livery on the Labská Dam, you can do some fishing here, ride some cowboy-movie horses, play tennis or squash, or alternatively go to indoor swimming pool, sauna or tanning bed. The funicular railway will get you to Sněžka or Portášky. It is possible to arrange rafting, you can visit theBalneotherapy Treatment Center in Janské Lázně, you can even find the bicycle and ski rentals here, or you can try the sightseeing flights that are being offered at the nearby airport in Vrchlabí. You can utilize the CycloBuses in summer that have a minimum transportation capacity of 15 bicycles, and you can utilize the SkiBuses to get to the Ski Resorts. The individuals who would not be satisfied with just the Czech side of Krkonoše Mountains can use the border crossings and go intoPoland. As you can see for yourselves, the boredom has definitely no place in here.

Should we mention the important tourist spots, then these are for example the Labská Dam, Mobile Nativity Scene in Vysoké nad Jizerou, Labe springs, folk architecture historical sights in Paseky nad Jizerou, Mumlava Waterfall, the lookout towers Štěpánka – also called “Hvězda” (the Star), Žalý and Černá Hora, the Horní Štěpanice rural architectural reserve, manor house in Vrchlabí,manor house in Horní Branná and Harrachov Manor House in Jilemnice, Jan Šverma Mine Mining Museum, Stachelberg Artillery Fortress, and many others.

The visitors sightseeing the Krkonoše Mountains should not forget about the protection of nature and move around using the marked routes only. On the premises of the National Park, the dogs are allowed when on the leash only. The visitors should also remember the fact they are moving around the mountainous regions where the weather cantotally change within matter of an hour. It is therefore recommended to carry the tourist map with you, to wear the rainproof clothing, and to put some warm clothing into the backpack. Definitely, obey the instructions of the Mountain Rescue Service, or alternatively the instructions of the hotels, in which you are lodging. There are about 50 high frequency avalanche corridors in Krkonoše Mountains. If you travel to Krkonoše Mountains by car during the winter, you have to take the snow chainswith you. Krkonoše Mountains are largely covered by a cellular phone signal.

Country Code into the Czech Republic: +420
Country Code into Poland: +48

Important Telephone Numbers:
Mountain Rescue Service – Czech Republic: 602 448 338
Mountain Rescue Service – Poland: 985 or 601 100 300
Police – Czech Republic: 158 or 112
Fire Department – Czech Republic: 150 or 112
Ambulance Rescue Service – Czech Republic: 155 or112
Life Rescue System – Czech Republic: 112