The most beautiful places in the Giant Mountains
The best of Podkrkonoší
Podkrkonoší is a somewhat unjustly neglected area between the Bohemian Paradise and the Giant Mountains. You will find a lot of scenic hills, a few nice cities and many other attractions. Come see the places that are worth visiting
Hospital Kuks
Baroque pearl
The Baroque complex of the Kuks Hospital is built in a picturesque location above the river Elbe. Perhaps the most famous part of the complex are sculptures by the famous sculptor MB Braun. Here you will find not only secular and church buildings, but also a nice large garden and a pharmaceutical museum continue reading
Dvůr Králové ZOO
Zoo focused on Africa
Dvůr Králové ZOO is the second largest ZOO in the Czech Republic. It is famous for its focus on African species and a unique safari that remotely evokes Africa continue reading
Trutnov
The most beautiful town in the Giant Mountains
Practically at the very eastern end of the Giant Mountains you will find the town of Trutnov. It boasts mainly the beautiful Krakonoš Square. There is also a famous brewery and a nature trail dedicated to the Battle of Trutnov continue reading
Vrchlabí
A beautiful town below the Giant Mountains
Due to its location on the river Elbe, right at the foot of the Giant Mountains, Vrchlabí is called the gateway to this mountain range. You will find a surprising number of historical monuments here, including a beautiful castle with a park. continue reading
Dam Les království
Beautiful dam in the Czech Republic
Thanks to the pseudo-Gothic turrets on the top of the dam looks this building more like an old castle rather than a technical monument built to protect the area against floods on the Elbe. Dam Les Království is thus one of the most interesting buildings around Podkrkonoší (the area around the Giant Mountains). continue reading
Ruins of Kumburk Castle
Great view of the Giant Mountains
The ruins of Kumburk Castle situated on the hill of the same name Kumburk (642 meters above sea level) is a popular excursion place on the very eastern edge of the Bohemian Paradise. The ruin is famous for beautiful views of the Giant Mountains, Jičín Basin and in good visibility to the Lusatian Mountains. continue reading
Jilemnice
One of the gates to the Giant Mountains
Jilemnice is a small town located south of the Giant Mountains. There is a picturesque square, a nice castle, a former brewery and a curious alley full of timbered buildings. An ideal starting point for cycling in the Krkonoše foothills or hikes in the Giant Mountains continue reading
Hořice
City of sculptors and tubes
Hořice, located halfway between Jičín and Hradec Králové, below the Hořický Chlum ridge, is famous for its tubes and the famous sculpture school. In the city, you will be particularly interested in many sandstone statues, especially around the hill Gothard continue reading
Dvůr Králové
The city is famous not only thanks to the ZOO
The town of Dvůr Králové, located in the valley of the river Elbe, is associated by most visitors only with the famous ZOO. In addition, you will also find a beautiful square and Schulzovy sady. It is also a good starting point for a trip to Kuks continue reading
Pecka Castle
Guardian of the Giant Mountains
Above the town of Pecka you will find a castle of the same name on the hill. Only the walls of the original castle remain, so the dominant feature is Harant's palace. There are nice views from the castle, especially to the famous Zvičina continue reading
Byšičky
Pilgrimage site near Lázně Bělohrad
Byšičky is a very romantic place just a short walk from Lázně Bělohrad. On a small hill rises the church of St. Peter and Paul, to which the Stations of the Cross lead. Just a short distance away is the Byšička pond with a memorable Erben oak on the dike continue reading
Hostinné
The town with the most famous town hall tower in the Giant Mountains
Hostinné is a small town in the Krkonoše foothills located by the river Elbe. It is worth a visit mainly thanks to its interesting Renaissance town hall tower with statues of giants. You will also find a nice plague column on the square. Other interesting sights include the Church of the Holy Trinity at the western end of the city center and the Franciscan Monastery at the eastern end continue reading
Zvičina
Beautiful outlook place of Sněžka
Zvičina (671 m asl) belongs among the highest peaks in Podkrkonoší („the foothills of the Giant Mountains“). On the flat top you will find beautiful Kostel svatého Jana Nepomuckého („Church of St. John of Nepomuk“) and Raisova chata („Rais tourist chalet“). There are beautiful views of the foothills of the Giant Mountains and Bohemian Paradise, but mainly of the Giant Mountains from here. But you must go down approx.100 meters below the summit. continue reading
Nová Paka
The heart of the Bohemian Paradise Cheetah
Nová Paka is a town in the Krkonoše Mountains, known for its brewery. Probably the biggest local sights is the former monastery of the Paulanians, Gernat's and Suchard's house or Masaryk Square with the Central Hotel and the Church of St. Nicholas. continue reading
Lomnice nad Popelkou
The town below Tábor
Under the mighty Tábor hill you will find the town of Lomnice nad Popelkou. In addition to the exhibition hall, you will find the castle, the former brewery and also Charles Square with folk architecture continue reading
Belohrad Spa
Spa town on the outskirts of the Giant Mountains
On the southern edge of the Giant Mountains, on the river Javorce, you will find the small picturesque town of Lázně Bělohrad. The most important building in the city is the magnificent town hall. There is also a derelict castle, a monument to KV Raise and a number of nice burgher houses. The local spa is connected to the large forest park Bažantnice. For children, there is an interesting trail around the Pardoubek pond with wooden fairy-tale statues continue reading
Hřídelecká hůrka quarry
A quarry drilled volcano
One of the most interesting quarries in the entire Bohemian Paradise can be found in the Tertiary volcano Hřídelecká hůrka. Caves, manholes and steep walls, all this will surely entertain you more than the view from the top of this hill continue reading
Wanderer's farm
A beautiful example of Baroque folk architecture
One of the most beautiful examples of Baroque folk architecture in the Giant Mountains is the majestic Tuláček's farm. You can find it in the village of Kruh near Jilemnice. continue reading
Swimming pool Dachova
Sun Spa near Hořice
Dachova Swimming Pool is a natural swimming pool with historic wooden changing rooms just a short distance from Hořice. Thanks to the very large area, you almost never feel like there is a head to head. The swimming pool is built in a romantic place on the edge of the forest. The pool has a huge size of 100×80 meters continue reading
Masaryk Lookout Tower Independence Tower
A lookout tower, which is also an architectural gem
It is a lookout tower near the town of Hořice on the ridge of Hořický vrch at a height of 408 m above sea level. The foundation stone was laid in 1926 in the presence of TG Masaryk. It was originally supposed to reach a height of up to 40 meters, however, the construction was interrupted by the Nazi occupation. It is now 25 meters high. From the gallery of the tower there is a beautiful view of the Giant Mountains and the Elbe. continue reading
The ruins of the Návarov castle
Famous ruins over the river Kamenice
The ruins of Návarov Castle can be found on a rock high above the river Kamenice. Unfortunately, not much has been preserved to this day. Only parts of the walls and half of the castle's own core. You can reach the ruins along a green hiking trail connecting the river Kamenice with the Návarov chateau. The castle was not definitively demolished during a siege, but by order of Emperor Ferdinand III. continue reading
Ski jumps Lomnice nad Popelkou
Original lookout tower
The Lomnice nad Popelkou ski jumps are open to the public. The highest of them serves as a great view of the Giant Mountains, the Giant Mountains and of course Lomnice. When climbing, count on about 350 steps. Not suitable for people who are afraid of heights! continue reading
Windmill in Borovnice
The most beautiful windmill in the Giant Mountains
On the edge of the small village Borovnice lying between Pecka and Horka near Stará Paka you will find a beautiful replica of a windmill. There is a small parking lot and a small museum. It is a memory of several windmills that once stood in Borovnice. continue reading
Kamenice River (Jizera tributary)
A river popular with paddlers
One of the largest tributaries of the Jizera is Kamenice. It originates in the Jizerské hory and roughly from Tanvald is the border between the Jizerské hory and Podkrkonoší. Thanks to its relative wildness, especially in the spring, it is very popular among boaters. Its length is 37 kilometers. Below Spálov, it flows into the Jizera continue reading
Kramář's villa in Vysoké nad Jizerou
Hotel Větrov
At the northern end of Vysoké nad Jizerou you will find the picturesque mansion Kramářova vila (in which the Větrov hotel is currently located. An ideal tip for those who want to stay in a beautiful and interesting place). Not to be confused with Kramář's villa in Prague, which is the seat of the government. This is Kramář's summer residence. It is possible to stay or have refreshments at the hotel. continue reading
Lookout tower / Monument to General Gablenz
Occasional lookout tower
The memorial of General Gablenz is a reminder of the victory of the Austrian army in the battle of Trutnov in 1866. Two cast iron memorial was unveiled in honor of the military leader two years after the battle. The memorial contains the names of all the fallen, and the memorial itself has been the crypt of General Gablenz since 1905. The top of the monument can be opened – occasionally the view is accessible. continue reading
Novopacké waterfalls
Little known waterfalls near Nová Paka
Just a short distance from Nová Paka or Štikov, you will find two waterfalls. The most interesting is their visit in winter, when you will find proper ice decorations. Apart from spring, when the snow melts, there is not much water continue reading
Church of St. Jan Nepomucký in Zálesní Lhota
The largest church in the Giant Mountains
In the small village of Zálesní Lhota you will find the surprisingly monumental church of St. Jan Nepomucký with a very high tower. Thanks to the deforested surroundings of the village, there are also many beautiful views of the Giant Mountains continue reading
Lookout tower on Kozinec
Kozinec lookout tower near Nové Paky with a view of the Giant Mountains
The lookout tower on the lower peak of Kozince can also be seen from the viewpoint. It is only about 500 meters away. The lookout tower is open only on Saturday afternoons, so if you don't come here purposefully at this time, you're out of luck. In addition to the beautiful views on this tour, there is also a varied meadow flora. You will see butterflies, goldfinches, bumblebees, etc .. continue reading
Chapel of Zlatnice
Mining chapel
In the middle of the forests between Borovnice and Vidochov you will find an interesting chapel Zlatnice and the Stations of the Cross. From the main road, a pleasant walk of several hundred meters to this chapel with a special atmosphere awaits you. continue reading
