Mariánská Hora: Chapel, Trails and Ski Lift

Mariánská Hora brings together a chapel’s history, the Mariánské schody, the ski lift and nearby destinations. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Mariánská Hora, you can first consider whether you’d like to include the pilgrimage tradition, trails or the lift in your stay. To find your way, the starting point and destination are especially important when it comes to the trails: described routes to Protržená přehrada have different starting points.

Chapel and Pilgrimage Tradition

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary was built in the 16th century to house a statue of the Virgin Mary found by a former local resident named Bittner. The pilgrimage tradition to the chapel was revived in 1990. After local parishioners restored a new statue of the Virgin Mary, the chapel was reconsecrated in 1995. The sanctuary’s origins and the later revival of the pilgrimage therefore belong to different historical periods: the first is part of the history of the 16th century, while the two later dates relate to the tradition and reconsecration.

Mariánské schody and Connections

The Mariánské schody connect Mariánská Hora with Desná. They are in the eastern part of the settlement, about 300 metres from the chapel. A simple Stations of the Cross route once ran along the steps. The steps therefore bring together two aspects: a connection between the places and a historic religious route. The Stations of the Cross route is historic; the connection to Desná, by contrast, describes the steps’ geographic function.

Trails to Protržená přehrada

Protržená přehrada can be reached from Mariánská Hora: after parking in Mariánská Hora, a marked route continues for another 3.7 kilometres on foot. Conditions on the trail may vary; check before setting out. Near Mariánská Hora, Protržená přehrada has a monument to the victims of the disaster, an educational trail, detailed information boards and twelve wooden sculptures. A footbridge connects the two riverbanks there.

A route description prepared in 2024 for the Josefův Důl Information Centre also mentions a route marked with snowshoe symbols. It starts at the trail junction by the Mariánské schody in Albrechtice v Jizerských horách and leads to Protržená přehrada. For orientation, the starting points differ: the marked route begins after parking in Mariánská Hora, while the other starts at the trail junction.

Ski Lift on the South Slope

Another option is the Mariánská Hora ski lift, located below the mountain on the south slope at an elevation of over 700 metres. It is 260 metres long and serves a slope with a vertical drop of 60 metres. These measurements refer to two different things: the lift’s length and the vertical drop of the slope it serves. Operation may vary by season. If the lift is important to your trip, check the current operating conditions in advance.

Mariánskohorské boudy on the Ridge

Mariánskohorské boudy are located on the Mariánskohorský ridge. They form a shepherds’ settlement of the mountain hut type found in the Krkonoše Mountains and are a popular destination for tourists. The settlement was founded in 1705. This adds another perspective alongside the chapel and the ski lift: at the boudy, the focus is on the history of a type of settlement and its location on the ridge. The settlement’s founding year is a different historical reference from the chapel’s history, which dates back to the 16th century.

For the broader travel overview: Albrechtice.