THE MASARAK ROAD TO ZLATÉ NÁVRŠÍ: IT WAS COMPLETED 90 YEARS AGO

The mountain road named after President T. G. Masaryk, the Liberator, was officially opened on 6 September 1936.

Today, the route to Zlaté návrší is primarily associated with hikers, cyclists and views of the Krkonoše landscape. Just a few decades ago, however, the situation was completely different. Cars used to drive along Masaryk’s Mountain Road as a matter of course, and its highest section at Zlaté návrší used to be teeming with visitors.

The mountain road named after President and Liberator T. G. Masaryk was officially opened on 6 September 1936. Its construction took five years and was one of the most challenging building projects of its time. Dozens of hairpin bends, extensive landscaping and work at high altitudes significantly transformed the original appearance of the Krkonoše landscape.

In the 1930s, the original road was in a very poor state. The construction of the new road also provided work for hundreds of people at a time of economic crisis and high unemployment.

Work on the first section began in August 1931, when the firm Fuka and Moravec were commissioned to carry out the work. The next section was built in 1932 and 1933, and the final section was completed on 10 August 1936.

Building at an altitude of around 1,050 metres was no easy task. Due to the climatic conditions, work could only be carried out for approximately five months of the year. Hundreds of labourers and casual workers were involved in the construction, some of whom walked many kilometres to get to work.

Contemporary records indicate that conditions were far from easy. Workers had to cope with challenging terrain, the weather and meagre facilities. Nevertheless, work was in high demand during the crisis – there were many applicants for every vacant post.

The construction of the road also had a significant military-strategic purpose. At a time of growing tension in Europe and the rise of Nazi Germany, it was intended to enable the faster movement of military equipment whilst also facilitating the construction of Czechoslovak fortifications in the Krkonoše mountain range.

The road gained strategic importance particularly in connection with the construction of the German ‘Sudeten Road’, which was to run along the northern foothills of the Krkonoše Mountains. The Czechoslovak military command therefore paid considerable attention to transport links in this area.

However, the road’s fate took a somewhat ironic turn. Upon its completion in 1936, it was intended primarily to protect the republic and enable the rapid deployment of Czechoslovak troops. Two years later, however, the very same road facilitated the advance of German troops into the heart of the Krkonoše Mountains following the occupation of the border regions.

After it opened, the Masaryk Mountain Road quickly became a favourite destination for motorists visiting the mountains. Photographs and postcards have survived showing the summit area at Zlaté návrší packed with cars.

Today, such a sight would seem almost unbelievable. Ordinary visitors can no longer reach Vrbatova bouda by car via this road. The road was closed to public motor traffic in 1996 and has gradually been reclaimed, primarily by walkers.

In a historical photograph of Zlaté návrší from 1945, we do not yet see one of the landmarks we associate with this place today – the Vrbatova bouda. It was not built until later, in 1964.

In the foreground, however, stands the Hanč and Vrbata Memorial, commemorating the tragic event of March 1913, when Bohumil Hanč and Václav Vrbata lost their lives during a snowstorm.

The Masaryk Mountain Road is thus not just an ordinary road. It bears witness to a time when the Krkonoše Mountains were changing rapidly, the importance of motor transport was growing, and at the same time the clouds of war were gathering over Europe.

Its construction had a significant impact on the Krkonoše landscape, but at the same time it became an important part of the region’s history. Today, cars no longer regularly travel along it, and Zlaté návrší has a completely different atmosphere.

However, the Masaryk Mountain Road is not just telling a historical story this year. Since 31 August 2026, extensive reconstruction work has been underway on the section between Horní Mísečky and Vrbatova bouda. The work is scheduled to continue until 31 October 2026.

The complete closure applies to all traffic, including cyclists, and will last for approximately two months. The reconstruction is being carried out by the Liberec Region, which is investing nearly 21 million crowns in the repairs.

The entire 5.46-kilometre stretch will be repaired. The works include a new asphalt surface, cold recycling of the base layers, cleaning of culverts, and modifications to the bus bay and passing places. The original stone mosaic paving will also be restored over an area of approximately 750 m².

Photo source: ‘A Calendar of the Liberec Region’ featuring period postcards showing the region by land, water and air, 2013