In Malá Úpa, there is plenty to explore during a stay, from protected Giant Mountains houses to fairy-tale and history trails, cross-country skiing, and the possibility of a trip on the water. When planning your time in Dolní Malá Úpa, it is worth distinguishing between the different highlights: some destinations tell the story of the area, while others are for getting active and depend on seasonal conditions.
Cultural history and protected buildings
The Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul was built in 1788–1789 and is a landmark of Malá Úpa. From Pomezní Boudy, it can be reached by yellow- or red-marked hiking trails; it is also a destination for many pilgrims. As trail conditions can vary with the season, bear this in mind when planning your visit.
Šímovy Chalupy offer a different glimpse of the Giant Mountains’ heritage. Several preserved original log houses form a protected village heritage zone there. The Lví důl route goes as far as Šímovy Chalupy, linking a named route with this protected village setting.
The Disidentská stezka has its own historical focus: its six named stops commemorate four decades of meetings between Czech and Polish dissidents in the Giant Mountains, from 1978 to 2018. U kostela is one of the six stops. If you are interested in this history, the trail’s clearly defined theme can help you put it into context.
Walks with fairy-tale and cycling themes
The Pohádková stezka is a walking trail through Malá Úpa with ten stops. These include wooden panels featuring fairy tales and a permanent exhibition of Giant Mountains fairy tales by writer Marie Kubátová. A climbing and play structure for children is also part of the trail. The fairy-tale stops, exhibition, and play elements give the route several specific themes without requiring you to plan a longer hike.
Emmina stezka has a different focus: it starts at Spálený Mlýn in the lower part of Malá Úpa and is also used as a cycling route today. The surface and seasonal conditions may vary. The two routes therefore differ both in their themes and in how they are intended to be used: Pohádková stezka is a walking trail with fairy-tale stops, while Emmina stezka is also a cycling route.
Winter route and trip on the water
The Lví důl cross-country skiing route is 10.7 kilometres long; Spálený Mlýn and Smrčí are listed as starting points. From Spálený Mlýn, it follows Jelení potok to the foot of Sněžka. The route also goes as far as Šímovy Chalupy. For a winter outing, changing snow and grooming conditions are important: check the latest conditions before choosing your route.
A trip on the Malá Úpa is also possible along a specifically designated stretch: in the Krkonoše National Park area, non-motorised watercraft may travel between Spálený Mlýn and the point where Jelení potok flows into the Úpa. Before setting out, check the current water conditions and any restrictions on launching. This requires different planning from the trails on land, as the river stretch and prevailing conditions are especially important here.
The activities mentioned differ in theme, mode of transport, and conditions; plan the rest of your trip around the option that interests you most.
Discover more destinations: Krenov, Debrne, Dolni Lanov, Marsov U Upice, Dolníky, Bernartice U Trutnova, Strazne, Bílá Třemešná.
For the broader travel overview: Okres Trutnov.
