Self guided 7 days trekking in the highest mountains of Czechia with overnights in traditional mountain chalets
During this individual trekking tour you will be crossing the highest mountain range of Czechia. The Giant Mountains are protected as a National Park and lie on the border to Poland.
During the crossing you will be able to enjoy amazing views over the mountains and valleys. One of the highlights is climbing up the highest peak of Czechia Sněžka (Snow mountain) with 1602 m. You can also visit the historical wooden church Wang on the Polish side of the Nationalpark in Karpacz.
Accommodation in mountain chalets is provided in private family or private more bedded rooms with their own facilities or shared bathrooms in the hallway. The starting point is easily accessible by car or by bus, there is also direct connection from Prague several times a day.
Collapse all details
Detailed map of the tour
Tour itinerary
Day 1: Špindlerův Mlýn – arrival
Špindlerův Mlýn is located at an altitude of around 700 m. It is one of the most beautiful towns in the Giant Mountains. After your arrival you can take a short walk through the town, past the beautiful houses and the many hotels.
You can breathe in the atmosphere of the mountain village and relax a bit.
- Overnight: Špindlerův Mlýn
Day 2: Špindlerův Mlýn to Dvoračky (1140 m)
Today the trek starts: on to the “Giants”. The first kilometers will be tough, because you have to climb considerably: you have to overcome a height difference of 700 meters. (Possible alternative: take the lift from Špindlerův Mlýn to Medvedin, so you can cover 500m difference in height in 15 minutes. You then partly walk a different route).
Once on the ridge you will soon be rewarded for climbing: the mountains offer you a beautiful view over the valley of the Elbe. When you reach the Vrbatova Bouda refuge, a legendary skier’s cabin from the early 20th century, you will see Kotel Mountain and large stones Harrachovy Kameny on your right. You descend a little further along the Kotel mountain until you arrive at your first overnight stay.
- Distance: 11 km
- Climbing: 705 m
- Descent: 286 m
- Overnight: Dvoračky mountain hotel (1140 m)
- interactive map
Day 3: from Dvoračky (1140 m) to Polish side of the Giant mountains – Szrenica mountain chalet (1362 m)
In the morning you can still enjoy the view of the town of Rokytnice, but soon the perspective changes and you look down on the winter sports resort of Harrachov. Ski jumping championships often take place here. You will also find a historic glass factory, a mini beer brewery and the waterfalls of the mountain river Mumlava, which you should not miss! After seeing the waterfalls you walk on to the ridge. Before you reach tonight’s overnight stop, you will pass the unusual looking rock formations Tvaroznik and Trzi Swinki (Three piglets).
- Distance: 7,6 km
- Climbing: 409 m
- Descent: 197 m
- Overnight: Szrenica mountain hut (1362 m) in the Polish part of the Giant Mountains National Park
- interactive map
Day 4: Szrenica mountain chalet (1362 m) to Moravská bouda (1220 m)
On the fourth day you walk the path of Czech – Polish friendship on the Czech – Polish border for almost all day. In the morning you have to climb out of the valley to the ridge and there you keep walking all day at about the same height. Poland shows its deep troughs and on the Czech side you can see many horizons.
You keep following the ridge at approximately the same height. In addition to beautiful views, you can also see the source of the river Labe (Elbe) today. This European river originates here on the mountain plain in the Giant Mountains, and flows into the North Sea more than 1,000 km away at Hamburg. When you arrive at today’s refuge, your luggage will already be here. So you can repack your backpack.
- Distance: 11,5 km
- Climbing: 424 m
- Descent: 547 m
- Overnight: Moravská bouda (1220m)
- interactive map
Day 5: To the Samotnia refuge (1200m) over the highest peak Sněžka (1602m)
From Moravská Bouda take the green route for 0.8 km to the crossing Pod Petrovkou II. From here you follow the red route over the ridge until you come across a junction with the blue route. You can take this blue route here towards Samotnia and descend to the mountain hut (10 km), or you can opt for an even more challenge: up and down Sněžka mountain.
In that case, keep following the red route to the top of Sněžka. Please note: the last part from Bývalá Obří Bouda is a very tough 1.5 km single climb. You return the same path on the red route for about 1,5 km to the signpost Karpacz and join narrow asphalt road leading to Karpacz. As soon as you reach Bialy Jar (1234 m), leave the asphalt road and follow the yellow marked path for about 1,2 km to mountain hut Samotnia.
- Distance: 16,3 km
- Climbing: 596 m
- Descent: 635 m
- Overnight: Samotnia mountain hut (1200m) on Polish side of the Giant mountains
- interactive map
Day 6: from Samotnia refuge (1200m) to Lucní bouda chalet (1410 m) or Výrovka (1356 m)
In the Polish Giant Mountains lies the unique wooden church Wang, which you can visit today. Services are held regularly in this Evangelical Lutheran church. From your overnight stay you descend past the church Wang through the woods to the Polish tourist mountain resort Karpacz. Later it will climb up again, but there is an alternative to take the lift (Wyciąg krzesełkowy Na Kopę). Overall distance incl. visit of Karpacz is 17,4 km.
Today you spend a lot of time in the green coniferous forests, only at the end of the route you get back on the bare ridge and the mountains open up before you. Tonight’s refuge is also on a large plain, which means that you can enjoy a beautiful view.
The route described above has overnight location in mountain hotel Luční Bouda. If you choose this, you choose the comfort upgrade. The hotel Luční Bouda is a *** / **** hotel with many facilities (including its own beer brewery, beer spa and sauna). If you choose the standard version of the route, you will spend the night at the Chata Výrovka refuge.
- Distance: 17,4 km
- Climbing: 832 m
- Descent: 658 m
- Overnight: Luční bouda hotel (comfort upgrade) or Výrovka chalet (standard)
- interactive map
Day 7: Return to Špindlerův Mlýn
Today you say goodbye to the panoramic views. If you stay in the hotel Luční bouda, you walk most of the route along the mountain stream Bílé Labe (White Elbe) and its waterfalls.
The tourist route of this former glacial valley is one of the most romantic and oldest tourist routes in the Giant Mountains, opened in 1891. The silence you were used to from the mountain tops changes today into a pleasant murmur of the water. A few kilometers before Špindlerův Mlýn, the mountain river flows into the Elbe (Labe) and along the Elbe you descend all the way to Špindlerův Mlýn.
The way from Výrovka mountain chalet is somewhat shorter (you follow the green marked path till you reach Svaty Petr – the most steep ski slope in Špindlerův Mlýn – and from here you descend to the centre joining the red marking.
The hike has come to an end, the Giant Mountains have been crossed!
- Distance: 9,7 km
- Climbing: 5 m
- Descent: 710 m
- Overnight: none
What's included and excluded?
- 1 x overnight in Špindlerův Mlýn (3 star hotel) in private 2-4 bedded or family room with own bathroom incl. breakfast and lunchpacket
- 5 x overnights in mountain huts - private multi bedded rooms with own or shared bathroom including full board (5 x breakfast, 5 x lunch packet, 5 x dinner)
- Bedlinen
- Luggage storage during the trekking
- 1 x Luggage transfer from the hotel in Špindlerův Mlýn on day 4
- Map with detailed routes (topographical 1:40.000) and separate detailed route description
- Emergency hotline
- ATOL comparable security by SGR (Dutch)
- Parking fee in the public parking area in Špindlerův Mlýn
- Tour extension: extra night in Špindlerův Mlýn after the tour
- Chair lift tickets (if you wish to shorten the daily route)
Video
Accommodations
Martinovka chalet
Mountain cottage Martinovka is located on the border ridge of the Giant Mountains at an altitude of 1288 meters.there are 12 rooms with a total capacity of 42 beds, from double to five-bed. Each of all modest but cozy rooms has its own bathroom with sink, shower and toilet. The restaurant premises are fully covered by a high-speed WiFi signal.
- Star rating:
- Website: website
- Address : Martinova bouda, 543 51 Špindlerův Mlýn, Czechia – Špindlerův Mlýn
- Elevation : 1288 m
Dvorská bouda
- Star rating:
- Website: website
- Address : Zadní Rennerovky 111, 543 52 Strážné, Czechia – Strážné
- Elevation : 1317 m
General travel information
Difficulty Grade: Easy to Moderate
The difficulty grade is estimated at “Easy to Moderate” ( ). That means appropriate for regular walkers. Requires reasonable level of fitness. The trip covers an average of 18 km (5-7 hours) of hiking per day, with a possibility of extended walks (read more about explanation of our difficulty grades). Minimum ages depends ofcourse per kid but we recommand from 12 years.
Route Navigation in the field
You will walk mostly on rocky roads and even some paved roads. All trails are well-marked in the field. We advise to follow only the marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. Off trail walking is strongly forbidden. We will provide you with detailed navigation instructions and maps (1:40.000 or 1:25.000). You can call us 24/7 for assistance (however preferably during working hours only).
More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your booking documents.
Best time to go
This trip as available from April until October. April you still will find some remnants of snow on the ridges. The weather for walking is optimal in June – September. However July and August can sometimes be quite warm and weekends can be busy at some hot spots.
The busiest months are july and august. If you want to travel in that specific term, it is preferable that you book as early as possible. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your holiday on any date in the season, therefore please indicate desired starting date when booking.
Weather
The climate is typical for Central Europe. Humid summers with occasional hot spells, and cold, cloudy and humid winters. If you are planning a trip to the Czech Republic, weather will probably be one of your concerns. Czech Republic’s climate is comparable to that of southern inland Canada. Summer in the Czech Republic typically covers the period from June through mid-September. Czech summers are usually mild (20-27°C/70-80°F) and somewhat humid, with the highest temperatures up to 30-35°C/85-95°F (occasionally higher) for short periods. Such heat waves can be expected in July and August. Sudden showers and thunderstorms are common, so bring an umbrella or be prepared to dash for cover.
Recommanded weather information: yr.no
What to bring
We recommend that you travel as light as possible because airlines nowadays charge larges fees for luggage above 15kg. Ideally, you should bring one piece of luggage weighing not more than 25 kg (to be checked in) and a daily pack (15 – 20 l backpack) for your daily essentials (snacks, drinking water, camera, etc). Below is a indicative list of what you should bring with you on this trip. More detailed information will be included in your booking information documents. If you need further advice, please contact us or ask at you local outdoor retailer.
- Good hiking boots (we have seen hikers on sneakers though)
- Hiking socks (at least 2 pairs or 3 pairs on the longer trips)
- Several t-shirts (cotton or preferably breathable/fast drying)
- Waterproof and windproof jacket with hood
- Synthetic mid layer or warm fleece
- Shoes/slippers – to relax and wear inside accommodation (shower / toilet)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen skin protector and lip salve
- Hat/Baseball cap
- First Aid kit (aspirine, diaria profilact)
- A good book 🙂
Photo gallery
FAQ's
Yes. The admission ticket is valid throughout the National Park, regardless of where it was purchased. The fee also includes visiting Szklarka Waterfall, but pay attention – not Kamieńczyk Waterfall!
No, it is not. It covers Kamieńczyk Waterfall only.
You can buy tickets online, at www.eparki.pl – this is the best alternative way to buy a ticket, regardless of the time of day. If you do not have such opportunity, you can buy a ticket elsewhere, not just at the entrance to the trails. It is still possible to purchase the tickets asking the Park Guards for it. Our guards are authorized to sell tickets in the area – while meeting them on the trail, you are entitled to ask for a ticket.
Reduced fee: students, pensioners, people with disabilities and soldiers in active service – in such cases – an appropriate ID will do.