HISTORY: THE HUT BY THE WHITE LABE
A path along the water that tells the story of the mountains.
You can reach the cabin by taking the trail from Špindlerův Mlýn toward Dívčí lávky, where the impressive confluence of the Elbe and White Elbe rivers comes into view. From there, follow the blue-marked trail, which has been adapted by the KRNAP Administration to be accessible to wheelchair users. In less than an hour, you’ll arrive at the picturesque Bouda u Bílého Labe.
The journey itself is an experience. You’ll be accompanied by the murmur of the mountain river and a series of impressive waterfalls—Velký vodopád, Velký skok, Balvanový, Dlouhý, and Plotnový vodopád. Each has its own charm, and together they create a unique backdrop of the wild Krkonoše wilderness.
The lodge stands where the Bílý Labe meets one of its main tributaries—the Čertova strouha. Its origins are closely tied to the dramatic history of the mountains. In 1897, a devastating flood struck the Krkonoše Mountains, fundamentally transforming the local landscape. The riverbeds were clogged with boulders and tree trunks, the banks were eroded, and the valley was ravaged.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire subsequently launched extensive modifications to the mountain waterways. Hundreds of workers labored in the White Elbe Valley—locals and experts from Tyrol and Italy, as well as soldiers and prisoners. The river was cleared, deepened, and reinforced with stone structures such as weirs and barriers. Two blacksmith shops were used to maintain the heavy equipment, one of which was located near the mouth of the Čertova strouha.
Around 1900, a materials warehouse and temporary lodging were built here. At the same time, the access road leading to Luční bouda was improved and named after Václav Weber, the dean of Vrchlabí. However, torrential rains complicated the work, and some of the completed improvements had to be rebuilt.
As soon as the work was completed, tourists began to quickly discover the valley, drawn by its untamed nature and waterfalls. Entrepreneur Václav Hollmann recognized its potential and built the first simple structure here in 1913. Tourists could relax at outdoor tables and listen to the roar of the rivers before setting out to climb the ridges.
Over time, Hollmann expanded the lodge, introduced better services, and even built a small hydroelectric power plant. In 1928, the lodge was named Weisswassergrundbaude. He operated it until the expulsion following World War II.
In the postwar years, the building came under the administration of the State Forests and later the Czech Tourist Club. It served tourists, vacationers, and seasonal workers alike. In the 1970s, it offered up to 45 beds.
A new chapter began in 1996, when the KRNAP Administration built an educational trail along Čertova strouha. This trail introduces visitors to the unique water management structures that were built in the wake of the devastating flood at the end of the 19th century.
Today, Bouda u Bílého Labe is not only a pleasant place to relax, but also a living reminder of how people and nature managed to cope with one of the greatest disasters the Krkonoše Mountains have ever experienced.
Source: History of the Krkonoše Mountain Huts
