Velká Úpa offers several clearly distinct reasons to stay: hiking trails with named routes, a trail with play stations, a smaller ski area and architecture. Hiking takes centre stage, with several specific routes; winter sports and historic buildings offer other points of interest. When planning, it is worth first deciding which of these themes you want to shape your stay.
Hiking with different focuses
The Cesta horských nosičů starts at the valley station of the Portášky cable car in Velká Úpa. Information boards along the route explain the history of the mountain porters. The trail thus combines a clearly named starting point with a cultural theme to discover along the way. Údolím Šramlu also starts in Velká Úpa and follows a yellow-marked hiking trail to Portášky. The route descriptions therefore differ in their focus: the Cesta horských nosičů centres on the history of the mountain porters, while the yellow markings and Portášky as the destination help with navigation on Údolím Šramlu.
Krakonošova zpovědnice has a playful focus. It includes seven play stations, including stops along the Old Road and in the centre of Velká Úpa, and follows an easy route from Pec pod Sněžkou to Velká Úpa. The seven stations give the playful theme a concrete form, while the easy route also describes the connection between the two places. The recommended walk from Velká Úpa to Sněžka has a specific condition if you are travelling with children: it is manageable if you use a cable car at least once. Since a cable-car ride is part of this requirement, check that it is operating on your travel dates in advance.
Winter sports and destinations at the Portášky cable car
Skiareál Velká Úpa is a smaller ski area with a ski run featuring a large vertical drop. The valley station of the Portášky cable car houses a ski school office, a rental shop, a test centre and the SkiResort Live service. As seasonal operations and individual services may change, check the latest operating and service information before your visit. Herní krajina Pecka, a unique collection of interactive wooden sculptures and objects inspired by the fauna of the Krkonoše Mountains, is located at the upper station of the same cable car. The two stations thus offer different points of interest: the listed ski services below and wooden art with animal motifs above.
Buildings and history
The Church of the Holy Trinity in Velká Úpa is a spacious Neoclassical brick building. Construction began in 1788; the first mass was celebrated in 1789. The start of construction and the first mass are only a year apart, but mark two distinct stages in the building’s history. Velké Tippeltovy Boudy offer another perspective on folk architecture in the Krkonoše Mountains: they are among the best-preserved ensembles and were designated a village conservation area in 2005. Here, the focus is an ensemble with its own protected status, while the church is distinguished by its architectural form and history.
A hiking route to Velká Úpa also passes a historic building: a Catholic chapel dating from 1877. This means that architectural history and cultural heritage can be encountered not only in descriptions of named buildings, but also along a route. Together with the information boards about the history of the mountain porters and the seven play stations of Krakonošova zpovědnice, these offer different themes to explore during your time in Velká Úpa.
Discover more destinations: Vitezna, Petrikovice, Javorník, Žacléř, Choustnikovo Hradiste, Chvaleč, Malá Úpa, Upice
For the broader travel overview: Okres Trutnov.
