Choose one of the many hiking or Nordic walking routes that offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, unique experiences, or the opportunity to merge with untouched nature. How to get to the top of our highest mountain from the Grand Hotel Hradec, where did the mountain porters walk, and what are the other hiking options?
Summer hikes to Sněžka
Discover the highest peak of Sněžka even in summer. If you decide to climb Sněžka, you can go in different directions. From Pec pod Sněžkou via Růžohorky, from Velká Úpa or Horní Malá Úpa.
It is up to you whether you will walk the entire hike or use the cable car for part of the journey. The routes can be as follows:
1. Through Obří důl 7,5 km
2. Through Růžohorky 6.5 km
3. From Velká Úpa via the mountain porter route 6.7 km
You can get to Velká Úpa by regular bus (timetables available at the reception) or you can use the taxi service (603 493 222). What was it like to be a mountain porter? Could you do it too? Come and try it! On the Mountain Porters' Trail, you can climb the restored original route, along which porters carried loads to Sněžka for a hundred years.
The path is equipped with information panels, rest areas including raised supports for placing backpacks on the backs of porters. There are three routes to choose from, each starting at the Horské nosičů pub, which is located at the lower station of the Portášky cable car in Velká Úpa. Here you can rent wooden backpacks, attach your backpacks or cargo to them and climb the almost seven-kilometer route to the top of Sněžka. You will receive a route map and all the information for the climb itself. The entire route is marked, there are period rest areas with a description of the history of this craft.
Choose one of three routes
- Route A: Ascent to Portášky (1,060 m), then towards Bouda Jana and Chata Borůvka. On the way down to the valley, you can look around from the old period lookout point at the entire Velká Úpa valley, where route A ends.
- Route B: On a marked path through Portášky to Růžová hora (1,354 m), there is a collection of witches at Boudů Růžohorky, a nearby mountain farm offers home-made specialties.
- Route C: From route B, continue on foot from Růžová hora to the peak of Sněžka (1,603 m), to the destination of the mountain porter route.
4. From Pomezné boudy via Svorová hora 6.6 km
You can get to Pomezní boudy by bus (timetables available at the reception) or you can use a taxi service (603 493 222).
What should you pack in your backpack besides a change of clothes? Don't forget something to keep you energized, drinks, hiking poles, sunscreen, a phone with the mountain rescue service's contact number saved (+420 1210) and your documents. For information about warnings issued by the Mountain Rescue Service in the Krkonoše Mountains, please contact our reception.
5. Through Obří důl to Obří sedlo 7,5 km
Of all the paths that you can take to reach Sněžka on foot, this is perhaps the most passable and pleasant. From the center of Pec, you head to the cable car and from there along the blue Obří dol. After about 30 minutes of walking through a picturesque valley on an asphalt road with a moderate slope (except for the initial hill), you will reach a chapel. Here you can learn about the disaster that took place here in 1897. And then the climb begins.
The average tourist will reach Obří sedlo in an hour, maybe a little longer, while enjoying the view of the Obří důl from which they come, remembering the Kovárna mine and, on warmer days, refreshing themselves by the stream. From the wooden footbridge that leads over it, you can calm down and say that the hardest part is behind you. If you want to enjoy the view in all directions from Sněžka, you will have another 20-30 minutes of climbing on our side, or a slightly longer climb on the Polish side.
We did not choose this route by chance. In 2013, the Giant Mine was ranked among the 7 Wonders of the Krkonoše Mountains.
6. From Obří sedlo to Výrovka 5.0 km
A wonderful path that almost every Czech must take at least once in their life. From Obří sedlo, take the blue path towards Luční bouda. You will walk along the paths through Úpská rašelina and breathe in the true Krkonoše atmosphere. At the renowned Luční bouda, you can then have something good to eat and continue on - up to the Memorial to the Victims of the Mountains, where you will swing over the ridge and descend to Výrovec, while admiring the view to the left of Pec.
7. From Výrovka back to Pec via Richtrovy boudy 5.6 km
8. From Pec pod Sněžkou via Modrý důl and Richtrovy bouda back to Pec pod Sněžkou 9.5 km
There are two ways to reach Modrý důl. From our hotel, you set off towards Obří důl and immediately after the U kapličky parking lot and the dam in Bukové údolí, turn left along the red tourist trail to Milíře and continue to Modrý důl. The asphalt road rises sharply here, but at the end you will find a beautiful mountain valley with several original cottages, which are registered as a protected ensemble of original mountain architecture. The second option is to continue along the blue tourist trail to Obří důl. After Bouda v Obří důl, at the crossroads, take the yellow trail across the bridge towards Modrý důl (about 1.5 km). It is a magical, quiet place under the Luční and Studniční hora massifs. Continue to the signpost (which you could also reach from the turnoff at the dam) and continue up along the red "Železná stezka". As you climb, you will be treated to a beautiful view of Modrý důl, Studniční hora and Sněžka. From Richtrové bude you will follow the green tourist trail down to Pec pod Sněžkou. If you want to avoid descending on the asphalt road, turn onto the red trail. It will be a very steep descent, but then you will be rewarded with a walk through the beautiful valley of the Zelený potok.
8. From Pec pod Sněžkou via Šraml and Velká Úpa back to Pec pod Sněžkou 9.5 km
The route starts in Pec pod Sněžkou at the crossroads. After the Máj hotel, you will head up the southern slope past the Irena guesthouse and continue along the path (be careful, it has no tourist sign!) up through the forest to the signpost known as "Šraml". There is a rest area here and on the information board you will find information about the history of the place. From Šraml, you will follow the yellow path down and after less than a kilometer, turn left onto the road to the Pomněnka cottage in Zadní Výsluní. Here, the entire beautiful Velká Úpa valley will open up before you, with the cable car to Portášky in the middle. You will continue down to Velká Úpa along the road, which has no tourist signposts.
The blue trail will take you back to Pec pod Sněžkou – the so-called upper path between Úpa and Pec. The famous Úpa trout hatchery is worth a visit. The blue trail leads along the iron bridge over the Úpa River and then continues right uphill past the Marienka guesthouse. From Úpa to Pec it is only 3 km.
9. From Pec pod Sněžkou via Richtrovy boudy, Výrovka, Kaplička, Luční boudy and Silesian house back to Pec pod Sněžkou 17.4 km
The route starts at our Grand Hotel Hradec and leads past the Horizont Hotel, from there through Velká Pláň to the Děvín Hotel. From there, continue through the forest through Richtrovy Boudy to Výrovka. At Výrovka, turn right and walk through Kaplička to Luční Bouda. At Luční Bouda, turn right again and continue towards Sněžka along the Schustlerova path. When you reach the Silesian House, you have a choice. Either climb Sněžka and take the cable car down from there (more fit individuals can walk through Růžohorky all the way down to the hotel) or turn off at the Silesian House into Obří důl and walk along it to the hotel.
10. From Pec pod Sněžkou – Old road to Velká Úpa – Velká Úpa Children's Playground 3.1 km – for children
Since July 2014, there has been a new, unique walking trail for children and adults in Pec pod Sněžkou – the Walk to Krakonoš’ Confessional. Krakonoš’ Confessional is located in a former chapel on the Old Road connecting the center of Velká Úpa and the center of Pec pod Sněžkou. The confessional contains all of children’s secret wishes and petty sins.
To keep the children entertained on their journey, 8 play stops were made and placed along the Old Road and in the center of Velká Úpa.
- Stop at the ALENA Guesthouse – Trivial Pursuit
- Stopping at the U Pašáka guesthouse – for small hikes
- Stopping at the stream – frog maze
- Stopping at the forest – puzzle – key insertion
- Stopping Krakonoš's confessional in the chapel
- Stop at the bridge in Velká Úpa – sports competition
- Stop under the Portášky cable car – naval battle
- Stop at the children's playground in Velká Úpa – Puzzle
The individual stops are separated by an average of 200 meters. If you are looking for an ideal walk with a stroller, balance bike or bicycle for children, head to the Krakonoš Confessional!
11. Around Pec – Veselý výlet Infocenter – Hotel Horizont – Velká pláň – Chaloupky – Malá pláň – Zelený potok – Kamor Cottage – Vlčí potok – Lower station of the cable car to Javor 5.0 km
The route starts in the center of Pec pod Sněžkou in front of the Veselý Výlet information center. From there, go uphill along the asphalt road leading to Veselý Výlet and at the crossroads go towards Hotel Horizont. In front of the hotel you will see wooden signs “Around Pec”, which will guide you along the path above the 1st Krkonoše bobsleigh track. Continue along the signs above Velká Plání and then further along the asphalt road towards Výrovka until you come across another sign. Follow the forest path towards Chaloupky and then downhill to Sloupová kaplička. The path continues to Malá plání and from there to Zelený potok. Cross Zelený potok over the wooden bridge and climb uphill to the Kamor chalet and then continue towards the Hnědý vrch ski slope until you come to a crossroads, from which you take the asphalt road back to the city center. The route ends at the turntable at the bottom station of the Javor lift.
The most popular place is to sit by the column chapel with a statue of a pilgrim near the Chaloupky meadow enclave, while the most peaceful is the viewpoint at Kamor before the Hnědý vrch meadow enclave with the restored chapel of St. Barbara.
The circuit or parts of it are also suitable for shorter walks for seniors, there is an opportunity to rest on benches along the way. However, if you still don't feel like going home at the end of the walk, you can extend the circuit by connecting to the Vlčí jáma and Zelený důl routes.
12. Parking lot Zelený potok - Zelený důl - Jelení Louky - Chaloupky - Velká pláň - center of Pec pod Sněžkou 5.6 km, you can extend the circuit by connecting to the Vlčí jáma and Zelený důl routes.
At the Zelený potok parking lot, a signposted walking trail begins through the valley around Zelený potok with several small waterfalls and cascades. The path leads along a forest path. After two and a half kilometers, the valley widens because a high-altitude glacier carved out a wide glacial trough tens of thousands of years ago. In the 16th century, the meadow enclave of Jelení louky was founded here, and you can still enjoy refreshments in the inn of the same name, with a tradition dating back to 1731.
To return to Pec pod Sněžkou, it is a good idea to use the asphalt road. It is also marked from Velká pláně and through Chaloupky along the red tourist trail, and because it has a pleasant gentle slope, it has become especially popular with parents with children and strollers.
13. From Černá Hora to Pec 5.6 km
This is such a beautiful place to relax that everyone will enjoy it. The route is also popular with families with children. All you have to do is get from Pec to Janské Lázně (for example by bus), take the cable car there, get taken to Černá hora and from the top follow the red trail around Černá hora peat bog (which you can visit, just a short distance). You will then reach Lučiny via Kolínská and Pražská bouda.
Here we recommend walking past Husova bouda, from where you will have a divine view of the entire Pec ski area and Sněžka in the distance. You won't be able to get these panoramas out of your head easily. From Husovka, follow the blue trail down the asphalt road and a short distance through the forest to Pec, below the Javor ski slope. Then it's just a short walk to the center.
14. From Václavák via Valšovky to Velká Úpa 5.9 km
No, we haven't gone crazy. You can actually find Wenceslas Square in the Krkonoše Mountains – that's the name of the crossroads near the Černohorská rašeliny on the road from Černá hora to Pec, which we've already mentioned. By the way, you can get here from Pec, for example, by following the yellow trail via Javorka and Vebrovy Boudy.
A beautiful wooden walkway leads from Wenceslas Square to the peat bog itself, but you can turn off and follow the yellow path towards Vlašské boudy, also known as Valšovky. On the way, don't miss the view from Hubert's Lookout, it's a blast!
You will reach Valšovky after about 3 kilometers and you will recognize the place immediately - the valley will open up before you and the atmosphere will be perfected by a few cottages on the slopes and a small, only a few years old chapel, where you can light a candle and ring the bell. Nearby there is also a place to sit in the shade of trees, which will be especially welcome on hot summer days. When you have enjoyed yourself, continue on the yellow towards Velká Úpa.
If you don't want to climb the challenging forest path straight to Velká Úpa, keep going on the asphalt road and at the fork keep left, following the contour line, so as not to go down to Vavřincov důl, which would be a real pain. If everything goes according to plan, you will reach Javoří mlýn. From there it is about a half-hour walk to Pec.
15. From Růžová hora via Velká Úpa to Pec 6.5 km
For the less fit, there is also a route from Růžová hora to Pec. It can be shortened several times, it is still downhill or on the flat. Just take the cable car from Pec to the intermediate station on Růžová hora and from there take the asphalt road down the yellow sign towards Růžohorky. You would leave at this cottage if you wanted to do the entire hike on foot. From Pec it is 3 solid kilometers of nice climb.
From Růžohorky, from where there is a nice view of the Pec ski area and Černá hora and the nearby surroundings of Sněžka, continue along the yellow path towards Portášky. Along the way, you will come to a crossroads where you can shorten the entire route. Another option for shortening is to take the cable car from Portášky down to Velká Úpa or follow the slope under the cable car until you reach the asphalt road (then turn right after it).
But if you want to take a proper walk, go from Portášky to Janovy Boudy and from there either follow the contour line directly to Pec (at an inconspicuous crossroads at the entrance to the forest on the right), or go down the steep hill to Velká Úpa (on the left). Here you will enjoy the view of the valley in which Velká Úpa is located, and it is really worth it. From Úpa, follow the blue path to Javoří mlýn and to Pec along the so-called old road, which is also nice in itself and most importantly you do not have to walk on the sidewalk right next to the road.