Giant Mountains Hut to Hut Trekking - Active holidays in Czechia

Self guided hut to hut trekking tour in the highest mountains of Czechia with 2 overnights in traditional mountain huts

A three-day self guided hike along mountain huts in the Giant Mountains National Park. This 50km long trek goes through both the Polish and the Czech part of the Giant Mountains. The starting point and also the end point is Špindlerův Mlýn. From there you walk to the peaks, much across the Czech-Polish border. In the mountains you spend the night in simple but attractive mountain huts. There are good facilities in the huts (showers, toilets, bar, dining room, restaurant, wi-fi), accommodation 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.

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Detailed map of the tour

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Špindlerův Mlýn to Szrenica refuge (1362m)

Špindlerův Mlýn is located at an altitude of around 700m. From here the trek starts: on to the “Giants”. The first kilometers will be tough, because you have to climb considerably.

Possible alternative: take the lift from Špindlerův Mlýn to Medvědín, so you can cover 500m difference in height in 15 minutes. You then partly walk a different route.

From Špindlerův Mlýn you follow the river Labe, of course you walk against the current. The river slowly becomes a brook. Along the Labe waterfall you climb up a steep gorge and you can take a look at the source of this European river. Once on the ridge, the mountains offer a beautiful view of both the Czech and the Polish state territory. In the distance on the ridge you see a small church. When you approach him you see that he is standing on a rocky cliff, you descend into a small part of Poland and there is already the first inn: Szrenica in the Polish part of the Giant Mountains National Park.

Distance: 13 km
Climbing: 723 m
Descent: 132 m
Overnight: Szrenica mountain hut (1362m)
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Day 2: Over the ridge to the Samotnia refuge (1200m)

On the second 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. Almost at the end of the day trip you can look down at two mountain lakes in one go: Wielki Staw (Big Lake) and Mały Staw (Small Lake). They are both crystal clear lakes where there is almost no life, because the water is too cold. In clear weather, the skies reflect beautifully on the water level. Next to the smaller lake is the accommodation for the coming night: Schronisko Samotnia in the Polish part of the Giant Mountains National Park.

This day is considered the toughest day by many hikers. The distance is about 20 km, with occasional scrambling over rocks and boulders. According to Runkeeper, the height difference is about 430 meters. In the end, it takes most hikers about 6 hours, rest times not included. When the sun is full or when there is a lot of wind, there are almost no shelters on the ridge, which makes the trip feeling more difficult.

The path of the Czech – Polish friendship is mapped out on the crest of the Giant Mountains on the border between Czechia and Poland. The border between these two countries is crossed several times during the trek. Both sides of the Giant Mountains offer a lot of appeal: the Polish side is steeper and rougher, while the Czech hills are more gentle and green.

Distance: 19 km
Climbing: 522 m
Descent: 637 m
Overnight: Schronisko Samotnia mountain hut (1200m)
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Day 3: Via the summit Sněžka (1602m) back to the valley (800m)

Eat well from breakfast, because a steep climb awaits you. From the valley where the Samotnia mountain hut is so beautiful, you climb to the ridge. Now you have the choice to continue to the top of Sněžka or slowly descend from the ridge to Špindlerův Mlýn. If you choose the top, you have to bridge an additional 450 meters in height. At 1602 meters, Sněžka is the highest mountain of Czechia. The view at the top is well worth the climb! Then you descend gradually along the stream White Elbe with its waterfalls to Špindlerův Mlýn. The hike is completed, the Giant Mountains have been explored.

Distance: 16 km
Climbing: 477 m
Descent: 958 m
Overnight: none
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What's included and excluded?

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Accommodations

General travel information

Difficulty Grade: Moderate

The difficulty grade is estimated at “Moderate” ( ). 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 recommend 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.

Recommended 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.