Surroundings

Vítkovice v Krkonoších is mainly recreation area situated in the valley of river Jizerka and the nearby hills. The nearby landscape is dominated by mountain Kotel (1435 m above sea level). Parts of the area are Horní and Dolní Mísečky, Skelné Hutě and Janova Hora.

As for trips we recommend:

Museum of motorcycles

You are kindly invited to Dolní Štepanice in Krkonoše where you can see a cross-section through the manufacture of world known motorcycle Jawa and ČZ on 30 exhibits. New exhibition spaces where you will be able to see competition and motocross motorcycles are being prepared.
Ruins of Štěpanice castle

In the forest near Horní Štěpanice (up the road from Jilemnice to Benecko) you can find remains of a gothic castle. Although according to archaeological research the castle was built already in second half of 13th century its first known owner was Jan from Valdštejn (the castle was first mentioned in 1304). The castle remained in the property of Valdštejn family during the whole period of its active life, it was residential and administrative building until the beginning of 16th century and it is stated that from 1543 it was abandoned. The period of the highest prosperity of the castle was from half of 14th until the end of 15th century when there was a development of exploitation of minerals and gold and the castle was the main processing centre. During recent archaeological research a part of the fencing walls were undiscovered, it was destroyed by shoot in 18th century and subsequently it has fallen down.
Benecko

Historical centre of the area used to be Štěpanice castle. Benecko itself is mentioned for the first time in 1628. The founder of Benecko was probably someone called Beneš that is the origin of the area name Benešsko - Benecko. There is a legend, which tells story of a pilgrim of the St. Benedict order who owned a deer. From this legend comes actual sign of the town - deer head with a holy cross between its horns.

At the area there are available cross-country paths, both touristic and professional in a total length of 15km. Cross-country paths at Benecko are connected to those from Špindlerův mlýn and Horní Mísečky. Also you can find here the starting point of Krkonoše Cross-country Path. Benecko will surprise you with its unforgettable views, including Kotel mountain and the mountain edges of Krkonoše.

For those who prefer downhill skiing there are slopes prepared. You can enjoy night skiing at HSK and Kejnos who also maintain their slopes with artificial snow. A chair ski lift will take you on the top of Kejnos.

The most successful Czech downhill skier Šárka Záhrobská comes from Benecko.
Jilemnice

The town of Jilemnice is situated in hilly landscape in the west part of Krkonoše foothills (the town square is in the altitude of 464 m above sea level) and it has a population of 6,000 inhabitants. Jilemnice is a convenient start point to the western part of Krkonoše Mountains, centre of which it became during the natural evolution.
Chateau Jilemnice

The chateau is a three-wings building with two hexagonal towers; buttresses divide its front-side. Visitors can see historical exposition, collection of funeral coat-of-arms and a collection of Christmas cribs. You can also find here Kaván gallery and a separate exhibition dedicated to the history of Czech skiing. Chateau has a large park. The original fortress was rebuilt in the 16th century into a renaissance chateau, which was burnt down by the Swedish army in 1646, and Harrach family renewed the chateau in 1716. In 1788 the building burnt down again and in 1890 it was restored in neo-renaissance style.

Nowadays there is Museum of Krkonoše at the chateau. It catches the history and pop-culture of western part of Krkonoše Mountains and the beginnings of skiing in Czech country. The part of this exhibition is also a gallery of a important landscape painter František Kaván. The museum offers also a wide range of supplementary exhibitions and educational programme.
Vrchlabí - a town on the river Labe

On the hill edges of Krkonoše, on Labská louka, you can find a string of a river Labe, a river with European dimension. Vrchlabí is the first important town that lies on it. Labe is still there a mountain stream and it creates a unique character of historical seat of first inhabitants of Krkonoše where nowadays you will find a centre of social life of the most-visited and highest Czech mountains.

Vrchlabí is situated in the altitude of 400-1036 m above sea level and it has a population of 13,000 permanent inhabitants. They all work mostly in service and industry. The town has the intention to educate its population that's why you can find four elementary schools and two high schools there. Also you can find there training college and elementary school of arts. Physical education is maintained by several physical training organisations. The town is a seat of various important enterprises and companies which is a mark of economical stability.

In Vrchlabí you can visit Museum of Krkonoše Mountains.
Harrachov

The original village called Dörfl was founded in 17th century not far from Seifenbach (now called Ryzí potok) and in the beginning of 18th century it was renamed as Harrachov -after its owners (originally Harrachsdorf).

After the Second World War Harrachov was connected with Nový Svět and Rýžoviště and in 1959 also with Mýtiny - abandoned spaces on polish territory, exchanged for a space of the same area at Kacířská Skála. Then, Harrachov got a railway and was connected through Kořenov with Tanvald. There is one of few rack railways, which offers beautiful ride through romantic landscape of Jizerské Hory and Krkonoše with a lot of tunnels and viaducts.

Before Harrachov became the most known turistic and sport centre of western Krkonoše it became very well known for its glass industry. Firstly at Rýžoviště and then at the "New World" a tradition of first class quality blown, cut but also painted or in other ways decorated glass started. In newly opened museum you can find real treasures of Czech glass art.
Mumlavské vodopády (waterfalls at Mumlava)

Near Harrachov on the river Mumlava you can find a waterfall. The waterfall is falling in the whole broadness of the river into the depth of 10 metres. It makes beautiful pots in granite rock, so called Čertova oka. Those are holes deepened by water mixed with small stones. Not far from the waterfall you can find so called Mumlavská bouda - originally forester's lodge, nowadays a nice restaurant. You can reach the waterfall easily by walking or on a bike - entrance of cars is prohibited- and then you can continue to Vosecká Bouda.
Rokytnice nad Jizerou

The history of this picturesque town reaches back to 1574. It comprises 4 main parts - Horní and Dolní Rokytnice (Upper and Lower Rokytnice), Františkov and Hleďsebe. Its evolution was determined by textile and glass industry and nowadays it is the beautiful nature, which invites you to spend both active and passive holidays.
"Janova farma" - Farm of Hucul horses

The mountain farm is situated at Janova Hora. On 300 hectares, which reaches the altitude of 1100 m above sea level, you can find a herd of beautiful Hucul horses, which is by its amount and quality among the best in Czech Republic.

Among the services offered by the farm you can find horse riding lessons, scamps to the nature, children summer camps, accommodation and a lovely stay in traditional curbed pub.

The farm surrounded by its horses with a beautiful view on the mountain edges or the river Jizerka valley invites to visit not only lovers of horse riding.