.jpg/220px-Śnieżka_-_fotopolska.eu_(214268).jpg)
The Giant Mountains (Polish Karkonosze, ch. Krkonoše) is a mountain range of Sudeten, which is to the east of the Jizera Mountains connects. Part of the ridge line forms the boundary between the southwest Poland (Lower Silesia) and Czech Republic. The region is part of the Polish Lower Silesian Voivodeship and the Czech districts Liberec (Reichenberg) and Hradec Kralové (Königgrätz).
On both sides of the border, the Giant Mountains are called Krkonose National Park protected. The article covers the Giant Mountains in both countries.
Regions
The Giant Mountains are divided into a Polish and a Czech part.
places
Polish side
- 1 Jagniątków
(Agnetendorf) - 2 Jelenia Góra
(Hirschberg) - 3 Karpacz(Krummhübel)
- 4 Kowary(Schmiedeberg)
- 5 Lubawka(Liebau)
- 6 Piechowice(Petersdorf)
- 7 Szklarska Poreba(Schreiberhau)
.jpg/350px-Jelenia_Góra_(ośrodek_historyczny).jpg)
.jpg/350px-Lubawka,_widok_z_Kruczej_Skały_-_panoramio_(1).jpg)
.jpg/320px-Pakoszów,_pałac_patrycjuszowski_(Schloss-Wernersdorf).jpg)
Czech side
- 8 Harrachov (Harrachsdorf) (665 m) - ski and recreation area on the western edge of the Jizera Mountains.
- 9 Pec pod Sněžkou (Petzer) (769 m) - cable car to Schneekoppe.
- 10 Rokytnice nad Jizerou (Rochlitz on the Iser) (520 m)
- 11 Špindlerův Mlýn (Spindleruv Mlyn) (718 m) - the best ski resort in the Czech Republic, but also an ideal starting point for hikes and bike tours in summer, source of the Elbe.
- 12 Vrchlabí
(Hohenelbe) (477 m)
Other goals
background
The Giant Mountains are very popular hiking and winter sports areas. On the Polish side is Jelenia Góra the gateway to the Giant Mountains. The main Polish winter sports resorts are Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba, as Kowary. The northern edge of the mountains drains over the Pink, the Great Lomnitz and the Bober in the Or and with it the Baltic Sea. The south edge over the Elbe in the North Sea.
landscape
The landscape is characterized by gently rising mountains, numerous large rocks, cirque lakes, snow basins, mountain streams with waterfalls and rapids.
Flora and fauna
Mixed and coniferous forests predominate up to the tree line. There are raised bogs and mountain pines above the tree line. Numerous wild mammals and birds occur.
climate
The area has a typical mountain climate, the winters can be as rough as in the high mountains, the Schneekoppe is a very windy place.
language
The respective national languages are Polish and Czech. For historical reasons, the German language is present in well-known German place names, for example. In the tourist centers it is usually possible to communicate in German. However, this is often limited to places with a tourist reference, i.e. hotels or restaurants. Younger Czechs and Poles learn English more often than German, so it may be easier to communicate in English.
getting there
By train
In some places in the Giant Mountains like Szklarska Poreba and Harrachov there are train connections. But the routes in the mountains are winding and steep and the travel times are correspondingly long. The stops are also often outside of the towns. Due to the time factor, the train journey is only recommended to a limited extent. The fastest connection from Dresden to Szklarska Poręba (180 km), for example, takes almost four hours.
The best way to reach Jelenia Góra is at the foot of the Giant Mountains: Regional trains run every two hours from Görlitz by Koleje Dolnośląskie (KD), the journey takes around 1:40 hours. KD also serves Szklarska Poręba with seven trains a day. It takes around 3 hours from Wroclaw, 1½ hours from Wałbrzych and 45 minutes from Jelenia Góra.
On the Czech side, regional trains run four times a day by Czech Railways from Liberec to Harrachov (journey time 1:20 hours). In Liberec there is a connection from Dresden and Zittau. The journey from Prague to Harrachov requires (at least) one change in Tanvald and takes around 3½ hours.
The best way to get to Karpacz is by train Zgorzelec and then by bus to Karpacz.
By bus
Flixbus offers daily connections from Prague to Wroclaw to Warsaw via Harrachov and Szklarska Poręba. The drive from Prague takes about 2 hours, from Wroclaw 2:45 hours, from Warsaw 7½ hours.
In the street
The cities are ideal for a trip to the Giant Mountains Gorlitz or Zittau suitable starting points. It is advisable to use these border crossings when traveling directly from Germany. For destinations on the Polish side, but also to Harrachov The northern route makes sense: From the Görlitz border crossing you can reach state road No. 30 and over Luban this street up Jelenia Góra consequences. From there (roundabout before the city center) on road no. 3 (Europastraße 65) south. A few kilometers behind Szklarska Poreba you cross the ridge line and one of the few border crossings in the Giant Mountains.
From Zittau follow 35 bis Liberec and from there the 14th. This road leads along the Giant Mountains on the Czech side. In order to avoid the federal highways in front of Zittau and to use the A4, it is possible to reach Liberec and road no.14 after the German-Polish border crossing via roads 365 (Polish) and 13 (Czech).
mobility
Bicycle buses
- Tourist bus routes in the Giant Mountains - bicycle buses run in June on Saturday and Sunday, in July and August daily and in September on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays.
Cableways
- To Schneekoppe (Snieżka) on the Polish side: cable car up the mountain Kopa out Karpacz Then on foot to the Silesian Baude (Dom śląski) and from there two different paths (one steeper and shorter, the other easier and longer) to the Schneekoppe.
- To Snow dome on the Czech side: Sněžka cable car - new cable car (2014) from Pec pod Sněžkou via the intermediate station on Růžová hora, then to the top of the highest mountain in the Czech Republic.
- To the Frost bearer (Srenica) on the Polish side: cable car from Szklarska Poreba to the summit of the frost carrier.
Cable cars with bicycles
- Cable car Špindlerův Mlýn - Medvědín - A four-chair lift. The valley station is located in Špindlerův Mlýn(Spindleruv Mlyn) at an altitude of 743 m and the mountain station is under the top of the Medvědín mountain. From there hikes to the source of the Elbe. With the bike you have to descend 1 km before the source. Elevation difference 490 m, travel times: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., 1 trip: 160 CZK, on departure: 220 CZK.
- Svatý Petr cable car at Špindlerův Mlýn (Spindleruv Mlyn) to the Přední Planina mountain - four-chair lift. From the upper station Pláně (1196m above sea level) you can go on mountain ridge excursions or go by bike. From June to September there is a 2800 m long MTB downhill route with an altitude difference of 450 m.
- Cable car Harrachov, Length 1300 m, altitude difference: 357 m - The from Harrachov In addition to the beautiful view, the cable car to the mountain Čertova hora enables comfortable ascent for bike trips, walks in the vicinity and mountain tours. Travel times in summer 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. from mid-April to the end of October, July August until 6 p.m. Ascent: 140 CZK, On departure: 180 CZK, July and August 10 CZK more each. Bicycles and strollers are transported free of charge.
Tourist Attractions
- Wang Church. At Karpacz on the Polish side.
- Kynast Castle. (Chojnik) on the Polish side.
- Schneekoppe. At 1603 m, the Schneekoppe is the highest mountain in the Giant Mountains and the entire Sudetes. It is also the highest mountain in the Czech Republic. The Polish-Czech border runs over the summit. On the Czech side there has been a new one since 2014 Cabin cable car of Pec pod Sněžkou on the Schneekoppe.
activities
hike
Outside the winter sports season, hikes (half or day tours) through the Giant Mountains are worthwhile. Assuming suitable shoes and clothing, no excessive demands are made on the condition. Due to the strict nature conservation conditions, the paths must not be left.
- The Schneekoppe (Polish Snieżka, ch. Snezka) is the highest mountain in the Giant Mountains at 1603 m. A cable car runs from Pec pod Sněžkou on the Schneekoppe, from Karpacz also a lift to the Kopa directly below the Schneekoppe. From both places, ascents are also possible on foot: through the Riesengrund or from the Kopa, the final ascent via the "zigzag path" (approx. 30 - 45 ', steep, stony) to the summit is necessary.
- Hike to Elbe source and Elbfall near the Elbfallbaude
- Meadow chalet near the ridge line
Cycling and mountain biking
There are 100 km of marked cycle routes. The Elbe source can only be reached on foot. You have to leave your bike 1 km beforehand. Driving outside of the marked cycle paths is strictly forbidden in the Krkonoše National Park!
Winter sports
There are the following larger ski areas in the Giant Mountains:
water sports
- White water kayaking on the mountain rivers Pink and Bober.
- Water sports on the Seidorf reservoir
accommodation
There are numerous shelters in the Giant Mountains, which are called Bauden here. As a rule, you can not only spend the night there cheaply, but also strengthen yourself with warm and cold snacks for the journey.
kitchen
A specialty is the "Kyselo", the giant mountain soup. This is a soup with sourdough as a base, with spices, egg custard or scrambled eggs and dried mushrooms. Dumplings with goulash or roast pork often form the main course on the Czech side, but the "bramboraky", potato pancakes seasoned with garlic, are often served as a side dish To find meat dishes. "Rübezahls Feuer" is the name of a very spicy beef dish. And for dessert there are always pancakes with ice cream, with wild blueberries or other fillings, but definitely with a lot of whipped cream.
nightlife
More is going on in Jelenia Góra and especially in Wroclaw.
security
Always check the current weather report before going into the mountains. Weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes should always be taken with you. The marked hiking trails, especially on the Kammwanderweg, should not be left, as there is a risk of falling, for example at the snow ponds and cirque lakes.
literature
- Karl Waldmann: Giant Mountains - hiking, skiing, cycling, staying overnight, ..., ISBN 978-1495961564
