Here’s Where the Krkonose Begin
“The Town on the River Labe” and “the Gateway to the Krkonose Mts.” – all this is Vrchlabi. Its advantageous location in the middle of the mountains offers many opportunities for hiking and biking in its close environs or directly on the mountain peaks. Here’s where the Krkonose begin!
Vrchlabi is the Seat of the Krkonossky National Park Administration
The Krkonose Mts. are an oasis of Arctic-Alpine tundra in the centre of Europe, a unique mosaic of mountain ecosystems. The mountain sides are covered with mountain forests and meadows while on the upper parts of the flat ridges are growths of dwarf mountain pine, Alpine grasslands and peat bog communities. Other locations rich in species also include corrie valleys which were formed by glaciers in the past. Due to its uniqueness and valuable landscape, the mountain range was declared a national park in 1963. Its headquarters are located in Vrchlabi, a town situated in the middle of the mountains and thus easily accessible from any place in the Krkonose.
The Krkonossky National Park Visitor Centre in Vrchlabi
The largest museum in the Krkonose, the new visitor centre of the Krkonossky National Park, is located in the former monastery of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine (the Austin Friars) in the centre of Vrchlabi, and presents the national park and its wealth and beauty. Do you want to learn about the Krkonose without having to wear down your hiking boots? You can find out almost everything you need in one spot, and then plan your trips accordingly.
The Meeting Point of the Krkonose Cyclobuses
You don’t need to ride your bike uphill: use the network of buses for hikers and bikers. There are nine lines, and the main ones meet in Vrchlabi. The choice is extensive, you can travel in various directions and make your ascent easier.
The Starting Point for Hiking Trails to the Krkonose Ridges
Take a hike, cycle trip, cross-country track, snow shoes or Alpine skis. You can also see the Krkonose on horseback. The Information Centre will recommend you a destination and how you can get there.
The most interesting tourist destinations, well-proven hiking trails, entertaining educational trails – all this and much more can be found at the region’s official website.
The Rive Labe
The River Labe (the Elbe), one of the greatest European rivers and waterways, springs from Labska louka meadow in the Krkonose Mountains at an altitude of 1,387 m a.s.l. The upper river course gave the name to the whole area in Mediaeval times, and later also to the village of Vrchlabi, not only in Czech (Hohenelbe in German, Albipolis in Latin). In Vrchlabi, the River Labe leaves the constrained mountain valleys, but its rocky bed provides an extraordinary setting for the historical settlement of the first inhabitants, today the centre of social life for the highest and most frequently visited Czech mountains.
Fairytale Krkonose
The regional information centre in Vrchlabi is one of many places that issue stamps for the Fairytale Krkonose, an entertaining stamp game and hike. The centre offers not only the necessary information but also worksheets for the local quests with Gendorf, and then also the deserved stamp and reward.