Dolní Malá Úpa: Discover culture and trails

Šímovy Chalupy give Malá Úpa’s architectural heritage a tangible presence: several preserved original Krkonoše timber houses form a protected village heritage zone there. If you are considering Dolní Malá Úpa as a destination for a hotel stay, places of cultural interest can be just as important as trails and seasonal activities.

Architectural heritage and tradition

The Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul is a landmark of Malá Úpa; it was built in 1788–1789. Yellow- or red-marked hiking trails lead to the church from Pomezní Boudy, and it is also a destination for many pilgrims. As trail conditions can change seasonally, factor them in when choosing your route.

Walking trails with different themes

The Pohádková stezka is a walking trail through Malá Úpa. Ten stops and a permanent exhibition of Krkonoše fairy tales by writer Marie Kubátová give it a literary focus. The trail also includes wooden panels with fairy tales and a climbing and play facility for children.

The Disidentská stezka has a different thematic focus; six stops are listed by name. Its six stops commemorate four decades of meetings between Czech and Polish dissidents in the Krkonoše Mountains, from 1978 to 2018. U kostela is one of the six stops listed by name. While the Pohádková stezka focuses on fairy tales, the Disidentská stezka offers a reminder of these meetings and the period in which they took place.

Routes by season and mode of travel

The Lví důl cross-country skiing route is 10.7 kilometres long; Spálený Mlýn or Smrčí are listed as starting points. From Spálený Mlýn, it follows Jelení potok to the foot of Sněžka. The route also continues to Šímovy Chalupy. As a seasonal winter route, its grooming, like snow conditions, depends on the conditions at the time.

Emmina stezka starts at Spálený Mlýn in the lower part of Malá Úpa and also serves as a cycling route. The surface and seasonal conditions can vary. In the Krkonoše National Park area, non-motorised watercraft are permitted on the Malá Úpa between Spálený Mlýn and the confluence of Jelení potok with the Úpa.

For your choice, these options differ mainly in their mode of travel: cross-country skiing on a seasonal winter route, cycling on Emmina stezka, or a non-motorised trip along the specified stretch of river. For Lví důl, snow conditions and grooming are important. Before travelling on the Malá Úpa, check the current water conditions and any restrictions on launching.

Events celebrating traditions

The Maloúpský jarmark is a traditional event celebrating old Krkonoše traditions and takes place near the Church of St. Peter and Paul. The Závod rohaček – Memoriál Josefa Tylše is a traditional event held in the U Kostela area. If one of these events is a deciding factor for your trip, check the specific dates before booking.

Discover more destinations: Strazne, Kocléřov, Upice, Čistá V Krkonoších, Zirec, Třebihošť, Lampertice, Velehrádek

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Trutnov.