From Medvědín to the source of the Elbe and back through Kotelní jámy
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Route description
The starting point is the upper station of the Medvědín cable car, which can be easily reached by taking the cable car, and from where you can then follow the red hiking trail towards Vrbatova bouda on Zlaté návrší.
From Vrbatova bouda you continue along the red hiking trail, which scenically circumnavigates the Labský důl (Elbe Mine) and allows you to admire the Pančavský waterfall before you reach Labská bouda. This section of the route is easy and without any significant climb.
The Labská bouda offers the opportunity for refreshments before continuing to the source of the Elbe, about half an hour's walk away. Although the actual Elbe spring is located in the KRNAP protected zone, the symbolic spring site is widely visited and offers a nice experience.
From the Elbe spring, the trail follows the yellow trail to the U čtyř pánů signpost, where it connects to the red trail leading to the Kotelní jamy.
The Kotelní jámy are impressive glacial craters, which are beautifully overlooked from the Harrach Stones. The Harrach Stones are located near Vrbatova bouda, where you can enjoy traditional Krkonoše specialties such as blueberry dumplings or blueberry cake on the way back.
The route ends where it began, at the top station of the Medvědín cable car, from where you can take the cable car down to Špindlerův Mlýn.
Important information
Alternatively, you can choose Horní Mísečky as a starting point, where there is a parking lot and again the possibility of connecting to the red sign leading to Vrbatova bouda, or in the summer months you can use bus transport.
Waypoints
Medvědín
Labská hut
Source of the Elbe
Harrachovy stones
Vrbatova hut
Medvědín
Length:
12.9 KM
Duration:
4:12 HOURS
Superelevation:
393M
393M
Difficulty:
Easy
Type:
Circuit
Suitable period:
Summer
The symbolic spring of the Elbe is modified for the sake of attractiveness for visitors to the Krkonoše Mountains, it lies in the peat bogs on the Elbe…
The symbolic spring of the Elbe is modified for the sake of attractiveness for visitors to the Krkonoše Mountains, it lies in the peat bogs on the Elbe meadow at an altitude of 1387 meters. The rising water is enclosed in a stone ring, the surrounding space is paved and supplemented with benches for sitting. The stone wall near the ring depicts 26 large European cities through which the Elbe flows on its way to the Baltic Sea. There are also two memorial plaques installed here, the first of which was placed here by the Czech Tourist Club to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the birth of Jan Buchar, the second plaque mentions the 80th anniversary of organized tourism in the Krkonoše Mountains and at the same time the centenary of the birth of Jan Buchar. The red tourist route from Jilemnice was named after this educational promoter of tourism in the Krkonoše Mountains.
Vrbatova bouda belongs to a chain of summit huts, which represent solid points of reference for all inhabitants and visitors of the Krkonoše Mountains. It…
Vrbatova bouda belongs to a chain of summit huts, which represent solid points of reference for all inhabitants and visitors of the Krkonoše Mountains. It is located on the ridges of the Giant Mountains on the Golden Hill at an altitude of 1,400 m above sea level. In its immediate vicinity is the source of the Elbe and the Pančavský waterfall with a beautiful view of the Elbe mine. It is named after Václav Vrbata from Mříčná, who tragically died on April 24, 1913 during an international 50-kilometer ski race together with his friend Bohumil Hanč from Hrabačov.
Tips for other trips
Across the Pančavský waterfall to the source of the Elbe
16.6 km / 5:21 hours
From Špindlerova Bouda to the source of the Elbe
19.8 km / 6:33 hours
Trip to Labská and Pančava waterfall
25.3 km / 9:13 hours
