THE LAST BEAR IN THE KRKONOŠE MOUNTAINS

This year marks 300 years since he was shot.

For centuries, the Krkonoše Mountains have been home to many species of wild animals. However, very few people realise that bears were still roaming the area as late as the early 18th century.

Their story came to an end on 16 November 1726, when the last wild bear in the Krkonoše Mountains was shot in what is now Sedmidolí.

In November 2026, we will mark the 300th anniversary of this significant historical event.

A painting of the last bear to be shot serves as a memorial to this event; visitors can view it in the entrance hall of Vrchlabí Castle. The painting specifies both the location and the year of the kill – Sedmidolí, 1726.

It is one of the few surviving reminders of a time when bears were a common feature of the Krkonoše landscape.

Set off in the footsteps of the Krkonoše bears...

If you’re interested in the history of the last bears of the Krkonoše Mountains, you can also learn about their story right here in Špindlerův Mlýn.

The Bear Trail offers a pleasant walk combined with fun for both children and adults.

The route begins at the upper station of the cable car at Medvědín and runs for approximately 8.9 kilometres along Vodovodní cesta towards the centre of Špindlerův Mlýn.

Along the entire route, you’ll find information boards about the life of bears, as well as several wooden bears for children to spot.

At the ticket office at the lower cable car station, you can pick up a map on which children can mark so-called ‘bear paws’ as they go. Each spot they find represents a bear friend and turns an ordinary walk into a little adventure.

The first bear is located near the cable car’s upper station by the snack bar; you’ll find others at Šmíd’s Lookout, in Horní Mísečky, by the Stopa snack bar, on Harrachova Rock, at Bobovka and at the lower cable car station in Medvědín.

In total, you’ll find seven bears along the route – simply spot them and mark them on your map.

The Bear Trail is an ideal choice for a family outing, combining the beautiful Krkonoše countryside, outdoor activity and fascinating facts about the life of one of the largest carnivores that once lived in the Krkonoše Mountains.

The anniversary is also marked by the newly opened Bear Trail, which has been created in the Forest Park below the Treetop Walk in Janské Lázně.

It guides visitors through the world of bears in an entertaining way. Both children and adults will find information boards, themed tasks and wooden bears placed along the route. The trail includes maps, stamps and other features to make the family outing even more enjoyable.

If you’d like to get up close to bears, you can visit Dvůr Králové Safari Park, where a new enclosure for brown bears has been created. Orphaned siblings from Romania, who were rescued thanks to international cooperation between conservation organisations, have moved into their new home.

The new enclosure gives visitors an insight into the natural way of life of these large carnivores, whilst also highlighting the importance of their conservation.

An interesting fact to finish with:

Do you know why Medvědín is called Medvědín?

For most visitors, the name Medvědín is simply a given. However, few people realise that its origin is not entirely clear.

Jiří Louda, a historian at the Krkonoše Museum of the KRNAP Administration, points out that there are several possible explanations.

According to one theory, the name is indeed linked to the presence of bears, which roamed the Krkonoše Mountains as late as the 18th century.

Another interpretation, however, refers to the German word ‘Beere’, meaning blueberry. Medvědín was, in fact, known for its abundant blueberry thickets, and according to experts, the mountain may well have been named after them. Ivana Šmejdová, the author of *A Short Dictionary of Krkonoše Place Names*, herself leans more towards this explanation.

Conversely, the name *Medvědí důl* (Bear’s Pit) near the nearby village of Sedmidolí is likely genuinely connected to bears. According to historical sources, there used to be a spot here where bears would come to bathe, which may have given the valley its name.

Whatever the origin of the name Medvědín may be, one thing is certain – bears have been a natural part of the Krkonoše landscape for centuries and have left a distinctive mark on both the landscape and local place names.