Two-day crossing of the Krkonoše Mountains: a demanding trek across Sněžka as a test before the Alpine season

Route parameters:

Length: 62.1 km

Elevation gain: 2 770 m

Terrain difficulty: easy

The Krkonoše crossing is one of the most interesting mountain treks in Czechia. This two-day crossing of the Krkonoše Mountains will test your fitness, equipment, and ability to respond to rapid weather changes, for which the Krkonoše Mountains are known. 

GPX mapa

Route of the two-day crossing of the Krkonoše:

Day 1: 33.6 km / 1,614 m elevation gain

Right from the start, it was clear to us that we had underestimated the conditions in the Krkonoše Mountains. Before the trek, we hadn’t realized how quickly the weather changes here and that temperatures on the ridges can be around zero even in May. 

After climbing the highest mountain in Czechia, we had a long Czech-Polish ridge hike along the red trail, which is one of the most beautiful sections of the entire Krkonoše Mountains. On the way, we passed Malý Staw and Wielki Staw, two glacial lakes on the Polish side of the mountains. 

The route continued around Špindlerova bouda, past the dramatic Sněžná jáma to Vysoká pláň, where the landscape opens up again to the wide horizons typical of the Krkonoše tundra. 

We descended from the ridge at Vosecká bouda and continued below Lysá hora, where we spent the first night. 

Day 2: 28.5 km / 1,155 m elevation gain

The next day, we had a long journey back ahead of us. We didn’t want to complicate the logistics with several hours of bus travel, so we left the car in Malá Úpa and chose to hike there and back. 

In the morning, we set off back to the ridge via Labská rokle, which is one of the most impressive parts of the entire hike. In the morning light, it looks almost magical. 

From Mužské kameny, the route was the same as the previous day. This time, however, it was much more demanding. Tired legs, sore backs, and shoulders bore the consequences of more than forty kilometers with a full backpack. 

The final descent from Sněžka was perhaps even more painful than the ascent itself. We counted every step during the last few kilometers. 

under the summit Lysa Hora
a path around the lake Wielki Staw

Crossing the Krkonoše Mountains with a dog

Most of the route follows well-maintained paths and ridges that are not technically demanding at all. 

The difficulty lies mainly in:

  • The length of the entire route
  • Elevation gain
  • Changeable weather on the ridges

If your dog is used to long mountain hikes and is in basic shape, it will be able to handle the Krkonoše crossing without any problems. 

What I recommend packing for a two-day crossing of the Krkonoše Mountains

Based on our experience from our crossing, I would definitely not underestimate certain things. Even if it is warm down in the valley, there can be strong winds and low temperatures at the top. It is the wind on the open ridges that makes the hike more challenging than it appears on the map. 

Therefore, I recommend bringing:

If you are still deciding on equipment for multi-day treks, basic equipment for similar mountain crossings can be easily put together in the outdoor section of Decathlon, for example.

 I often buy light layers there that pack well into a backpack. (This is an affiliate link – if you buy something through it, you will support my work without any change in price). 

Summary

In retrospect, we consider this a very effective reminder of two basic mountain rules: 

  • Your backpack is always heavier than you think
  • Early May in the mountains can still be freezing 

The Krkonoše crossing taught us a clear lesson. Next time, we would go with lighter backpacks, warmer sleeping bags, and ideally a few weeks later.

However, if you are looking for a two-day crossing of the Krkonoše Mountains that will test your fitness, equipment, and mental resilience, this route across Sněžka is a great choice. 

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