11 Exciting Tips for Your Snezka Adventure – Escape Boredom and Explore!

While there are no Velehory mountains in the Czech Republic, we do have Sněžka, the only peak with a similar profile. It stands at 1,603 metres, is stunning, and has been shaped by glaciers. It is often considered the most magnificent peak north of the Alps and east of the Carpathians..

Those who hike or ride the cable car to the summit will enjoy an unobstructed circular view and can benefit from ten helpful travel tips. It’s important to dress warmly for your adventure, as Sněžka has a name that hints at its icy conditions, and harsh weather is quite common here. For instance, winds can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (55 m/s) in gusts.

1. Cableway to Sněžka

The chairlift leading up to Sněžka was first opened in 1949. It operated for over 63 years almost entirely in its original form before closing in 2012 for nearly two years of renovation to introduce the new cable car. The cable car operates daily from 8am to 6pm, taking visitors from Pec to the summit of Sněžka. However, particularly on the second segment, which runs close to the edge of the Giant Mine, the service often struggles with strong winds, causing it to be out of operation for about half the days each year.

2. Post office on Sněžka

The oldest post office in the Czech Republic located on Sněžka has been in service since 1899. A few decades earlier, a post office existed on the originally German (Prussian) side until World War II. In 1994, Jaroslava Skrbková, a former postmistress from Velká Úpa, reinstated postal services here. Originally, the post office, which has its own postcode 542 91, was situated in a kiosk, but since 2007 it has been housed in a new building.

This new structure was designed by architects Martin Rajniš and Patrik Hoffman and is made from about 20,000 wooden parts, allowing it to withstand extreme weather by adjusting its slats. Interestingly, the old post office building was not demolished; it was relocated to the cable car’s upper station in Monínc, Central Bohemia.

3. A few steps to Poland to the Chapel of St. Lawrence

You might find it surprising, but the post office and the upper cable car station are the only structures on the summit of Sněžka that are on our side; the Polish Lodge and St. Lawrence Chapel belong to our neighbors. However, the distance involved in walking back and forth at the top is minimal, so you can enjoy these sights without any hassle.

The chapel, which resembles a rotunda, was built by the Silesian nobleman Christopher Leopold Schaffgotsch during the latter half of the 17th century. Although it once served as a hostel, today it is noted as the highest Baroque monument in Poland and the highest functioning place of worship. Each year, on August 10, Czech and Polish clergy, along with hikers and pilgrims, gather here to partake in a St. Lawrence pilgrimage and mass.

4. Úpa peat bog

If you head west from Sněžka towards Luční bouda using the shortest route known as the Schustler Route, you will pass through the Úpa peat bog, which is a unique remnant of the old Krkonoše landscape characterized by islands of knees and peat bogs, reminiscent of the subarctic tundra from the Ice Age. These peat bogs stretch on both sides of the national border, spanning from the former Giant’s Hut and Luční bouda to Studniční hora and the Border Ridge at elevations between 1,400 and 1,425 m. Since this area is one of the most delicate parts of the national park, it’s essential to stay on marked trails while exploring. The cross-border nature path known as Ice Age Heritage will help you learn more about the peat bog and its fascinating history.

5. Giant Mine and Krakonoš’s Garden

The most scenic and demanding route to reach Sněžka starts from Pec and goes through the Giant’s Hole. From a distance, you can catch a glimpse into the Úpa pit, recognized for one of the finest karsts in the Czech section of the Giant Mountains, where the Úpa peat bog flows from the Úpa waterfall. This area is home to the botanically important Čertova or Krakonoš’s Garden, which is noted for being one of the last enigmatic and less explored regions amidst the heavily traversed nature of Krkonoše.

6. Gold, gems and water

The first recorded climb to Sněžka occurred in 1456 when someone known as The Venetian was searching for precious stones in the mountains. During the Middle Ages, the Giant’s Mine featured iron, arsenic, and copper mines, and you can even explore the historic Forge Mine that has recently reopened after being closed since 2024. You’ll also pass by the waterworks that used to supply water to Sněžka.

7. To Sněžka along the path of mountain porters

Before the establishment of the cable car and paved routes, all goods had to be carried up Sněžka by hand. You can experience the mountain porters’ trail firsthand: at the Mountain Porters’ Tavern, located at the lower station of the Portášky cable car in Velké Úpa, you can rent wooden looms to strap your backpacks or cargo on, and then undertake the almost seven-kilometre journey to Sněžka’s summit. The path is well-marked and features historical resting spots, including platforms to support your sled. Interestingly, porters were compensated based on the weight they carried, and the best among them could transport up to a hundred kilos at once!

8. Luční bouda

Luční bouda is not only the highest mountain hut in the Czech Republic, but also the oldest in the Krkonoše Mountains. A stone marking the year 1623 indicates that it has been around for 400 years. Over time, Luční bouda has suffered from numerous fires, was occupied by the Wehrmacht, and faced threats of destruction; the Germans even planned to extend it to give it a swastika shape. However, it has endured all challenges and remains operational today. The lodge is famous for its half-meter rolls that have been baked here for over a century and the Paroháč brewery. Positioned at over 1,400 metres above sea level, Luční bouda is known as the highest brewery in Central Europe, with only one brewery in Italy surpassing its height.

9. Memorial to the Mountain Victims

To the south of Luční bouda, in Luční sedlo, there’s a small chapel located at an elevation of 1,509 metres, known for its harsh weather, frequent fogs, and snowstorms. This chapel serves as a memorial to mountain victims and, alongside the nearby Renner Cross, honors Václav Renner, who tragically lost his life in 1798 while transporting wood near Luční bouda, along with other family members. Some perished in the mountains, while others were saved just in time. It’s important to note that this area has been dangerous for others as well, which is why the chapel has functioned as a memorial for all those who met their fate in the Krkonoše Mountains since 1957. It also serves as a reminder for people passing by. Inside, you will find plaques recounting tragic incidents and listing the victims’ names. It is also noteworthy as the second highest point in the Czech Republic, after Sněžka, that can be reached via a marked hiking trail.

10. Snow map of the country

If you take the path from the Memorial of the Mountain Victims along the red road towards Výrovka, you’ll gradually get a view of the snowfield located on the southern slope of Studniční Mountain. Its outline resembles the map of the first republic of Czechoslovakia, including Podkarpatska Ruthenia, and usually melts away by summer. Since this is in the core zone of the national park, its viewing is strictly from a distance. However, Sněžka holds the record for snow coverage, with snow present for up to 186 days each year.

Tip from Poland.

• • Charming, unique, and not widely known: this describes the north side of the Giant Mountains. Unlike the Czech slopes, the Polish ones are quite steep, making Sněžka and the entire border mountains look even more breathtaking when viewed from Poland.

• • The heart of the Polish Giant Mountains is the spa town and ski resort of Karpacz, which draws parallels to our Spindleruv Mlyn: in short, anyone who hasn’t visited Karpacz hasn’t truly experienced the Giant Mountains.

• • A noteworthy attraction is the wooden columned Wang Church, originally constructed at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries in Norway. When the residents of Vang sought to build a new church but lacked the funds, they sold the original structure. The King of Prussia purchased it for the Berlin Museum, and after numerous stops, it eventually found its way to Karpacz. It is said that many happy marriages have taken place here.

• • Around the church, there’s one of the most scenic hiking paths in the Giant Mountains, which leads up towards the mountains to a charming glacial lake. This lake, known as Little Staw, sits at 1,183 m elevation and covers about 2.80 hectares, reaching depths of over seven metres in some areas. The picturesque Samotnia Cottage is noteworthy as well; similar to Luční bouda, the first mention of this building dates back to 1670. You can also stroll past another enchanting old hut called Strzecha Akademicka all the way up to Sněžka.

• • Nearby, you will find another glacial lake known as Wielki Staw, which spans 8.2 hectares and has a maximum depth of 25 m at an elevation of 1,125 m, though it lacks a hiking trail and can only be seen from a distance.

• • During any winter trip, remember that weather can change rapidly on the ridges, catching even seasoned mountaineers off guard. Always check the current weather conditions, wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and ensure that your mobile phone is charged, ideally with the Rescue app installed. Always let your loved ones know where you are and don’t push your limits.