Welcome to the next episode of photo-series dedicated to hiking adventures. This time we walked The Krkonoše Mountains (The Giant Mountains, Karkonosze). These mountains are shared between Czechia and Poland. We mostly went around the Czech side. It must be said that the Krkonoše National Park (abbreviated as KRNAP in Czech) lies in these mountains. This underscores what kind of nature beauty can be found out there. Enjoy😉
Since we do not live in the area of the mountains, we have to travel a lot to get there. Translated into English, we change bus/train several times, total travel time is around 6 hours. That is also the reason we begin our journey a bit later than usual. Simply we start out late😐
We set out from a town Pec pod Sněžkou. My buddy on the road takes the cabin car (as he feels a flu coming on). Obviously I go on foot. At 15 o'clock, I meet this company at Růžohorky (1260m).
Marching on... The bad or good thing around here is that pathways are very often flagged. The reason could be pretty simple - Krkonoše are one of the most busiest places in Czechia -> so many footprints -> they better made pavements there🤔
There it is! Sněžka, the highest mountain (1603m) of these mountains and at the same time, the highest peak of Czechia.
Quick turning around. That obvious ridge in the distance, there is a pin - that could be the tower of the Black mountain (1299m).
By the way, do you pay attention to the staircase/pavement made out of the stones? On my way up, I am passing a guy renovating it. What a hard work!
Just reached the top! Now enjoying the views, although the weather is pretty changeable (drizzling, windy, ...). Anyhow, we see something. Very happy, my first time on Sněžka. This is a view of Obří Důl (loosely translated as The Giant Valley).
The mountain from the left, that could be Studniční hora (1554m), followed by Luční hora (1555m). These are outside marked trails, so you cannot officially reach these as you are in the national park where you are required to follow only marked trails.
A panoramic shot. We will take that visible path shortly.
Česká poštovna na Sněžce (~Post Office) - this is the building which is located at the highest altitude in Czechia. Sadly, closed for today😡
Basic trigonometrical point - the one which is located at the highest altitude of Czechia.
What a cute cat is sitting right behind this chimney.
What else you could find on this mountain - The St. Lawrence's Chapel. Technically, it is located at the Polish part of Śnieżka. The post office is on the left.
Quick look inside the chapel. Same story though - closed for today.
Another building on this mountain - the Polish weather station (Obserwatorium Wysokogórskie na Śnieżce).
It is now time to leave this mother of all mountains in Czechia.
Do you take note of the incredible pavement/chains?
A view of our way down. You simple cannot get lost😆
Polish side, notice the lake (Sosnówka reservoir I guess).
The mountain from rear-view mirror.
Now my favorite part begins - tundra.
Can't get enough of it!
What's that there?... That is the legendary Luční bouda (loosely translated as Meadow hut), at some ~1400m. Let's check it out!
Okay, they say 1410m.
What on Earth! There is a brewery!!! As a matter of fact, it is the highest situated brewery in Czechia (and perhaps in central Europe too)!
Enjoying beer of the microbrewery Luční Bouda - Paroháč which could be translated as... stag or cuckold.
A little hint?🤣
Passing by Gentlemen's Club on our way out. Next time then!😆
Just left the building. Who's guarding it? Typical dog of the mountains...
Adieu, brewery!😢
Going through the valley of the river White Elbe.
It is 7 PM, sun goes down. Our shelter (the White Elbe chalet) is within reach. See you next day?!
~Itinerary.
I am not local, so please forgive me any discrepancies. If there are any, let me know, I will be happy to fix it.
Photos were taken by elderly smartphone Honor-something😶
This was Wednesday of September 18, 2019 (yep, that's correct year, browsing my older treks😆). Thank you for reading this post. If you like it, stay tuned as more cool stuff will definitely come, like adventures of next day of this hike. In the meantime, don't forget to check out my Pinmapple profile to see all places I have visited on the map! See you on mountain path😉