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Harrachov [Czech Republic]

29 October 2024

Harrachov - What is worth seeing?

Below you will find practical information and answers to questions like: Where to park your car? Ticket prices for public transportation. What attractions are worth visiting in Harrachov? What attractions for children to see in Harrachov? Which historical sites in Harrachov to visit?

Harrachov is a small town in northern Czech Republic, located in the Krkonoše Mountains, just 4 km from the Polish border. It’s about ten times smaller than Kraków. We traveled to Harrachov by car from Szklarska Poręba, taking the national road no. 3. Along the way, on the right side, we passed a currency exchange office where you could exchange money, but we used the Alior Bank Currency Exchange. The distance between the towns is about 14 km, and the trip took us around 18 minutes.
 

Near the parking area, there are attractions for children, such as a playground, a trampoline, and a balance beam, which are free for visitors with a lift ticket. The complex also has free restrooms and a restaurant. Although the food was fresh and reasonably priced, the restaurant didn’t particularly impress us.

 

I. Practical Information in Harrachov
 

Currency – The first essential piece of information is that the Czech Republic uses the Czech Koruna (CZK). To quickly, though not precisely, convert Czech Koruna to Polish Zloty, divide by 5. When traveling to the Czech Republic, it’s a good idea to buy some Czech currency in advance, as not all places accept card payments. Since 2018, we have used the Alior Bank Currency Exchange, where we can exchange currency quickly and on favorable terms. It’s convenient for us to have one card for multiple currencies and not have to pay for account maintenance, the card, or transfers.

Vignette – When traveling from Szklarska Poręba, a vignette is not required. However, if you plan to visit other cities like Brno, Hradec Králové, or Prague, it’s more convenient, faster, and safer to use the highways in the country. Czech highways are toll roads, and it’s essential to remember to purchase a vignette, which can be bought through the official website. We recommend using the official site because many other sites add their own fees – we don’t see any reason to overpay. Especially since the website is available in Polish. Another clear advantage is that the vignette is sent to your email address within minutes, which is not always the case; for instance, in Austria, it takes a few days. Vignettes start at 100 CZK, and their price depends on several factors, such as fuel type and the duration of the vignette. The current price list is available here.

Parking – There are several different parking lots in Harrachov that you can use during your visit. On our attractions map, we marked the ones we used. Parking prices start at 100 CZK for the entire day, and at this parking lot, you could also pay in Polish currency – though it ended up slightly more expensive at 20 PLN.

II. Attractions and Places Worth Visiting in Harrachov

1. Čerťák – Ski Jumping Complex

 

Čerťák, a complex of five ski jumps, is located at an altitude of 862 meters above sea level on the northern slopes of Čertova hora (1,021 m). The complex includes five jumps, ranging from small to "mammoth" size. The spectator stands, built in 1980, could accommodate 50,000 fans. Until 2009, jumps could only be held during the day due to the lack of artificial lighting. From 1985 to 2013, the complex hosted numerous World Cup events, especially on the large and mammoth jumps. Due to its high location, the jump is exposed to strong wind gusts, which posed risks to the athletes, leading to its closure and renovation from 2001 to 2008. The last jumps on the mammoth hill took place in 2014. In 2017, a youth-led initiative in the Czech Republic sought to prevent the facility’s degradation and raised funds for its restoration. The Czech Ski Association announced a tender, and it seems likely that major competitions and athletes will return here.

 

2. Čertova Hora 

 

Čertova Hora is located south of the town in the western part of the Krkonoš Mountains. As mentioned, it reaches an elevation of 1,021 meters above sea level. In winter, it is particularly popular among skiers due to the wide range of ski slopes available. In the northeastern part, there is the Rýžoviště ski resort. You can reach the summit by cable car or via a hiking trail. The round trip is about 5 km, which should take approximately 2 hours of hiking. At the top, there is also an inflatable maze for children, which brought a lot of joy and smiles.

 

3. Waterfall Mumlavski ( Mumlavský vodopád)

 

While in Harrachov, you cannot miss the Mumlavský Waterfall. This picturesque waterfall is located about 1.5 km east of the town, in the heart of the Czech Krkonoš Mountains. The Mumlava stream creates a series of cascades that flow over granite thresholds, the highest of which is about 10 meters tall.
 

One of the most fascinating features of this place is the erosion pools known as the "Devil's Eyes" (Czech: Čertova oka), which were sculpted by water and stones in the riverbed. In winter, the waterfall often freezes, transforming into an impressive icefall that attracts lovers of winter landscapes.
 

For this attraction, we also created a separate article 😊

 

Wodospad Mumlavski

4. Cable Car in Harrachov

 

It's also worth taking the cable car to Čertova Hora. It’s not only a convenient way to reach the summit, but also an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the Krkonoš Mountains. The cable car is about 1,300 meters long, and during this ride, it ascends 357 meters. The journey takes just under 9 minutes, but the views we saw along the way will stay with us for a long time. Another interesting fact is the cable car's capacity, which can transport up to 1,800 people per hour. We had to wait a little for our turn. Current prices are available here.

 

5. Sledding Track in Harrachov

 

If you're looking for an adrenaline rush during your visit to Harrachov, make sure to visit the sledding track. It’s an attraction that provides excitement for both children and adults. With a length of about 1,000 meters, the track is one of the longest in the region. Along the route, you’ll encounter 17 turns and two overground crossings, which are sure to add even more thrills. This attraction is available year-round, just like the cable car, and thanks to the lighting, it can also be enjoyed after dark.
 

The sledding track in Harrachov is a great way to spend an active day in the Krkonoš Mountains. Whether you’re an adrenaline enthusiast or looking for family-friendly fun, this attraction is sure to provide unforgettable experiences.

 

6. Monkey Park in Harrachov

 

Unfortunately, we were unable to visit Monkey Park due to the rainy weather ☹. It’s an adventure in the treetops at a height of 3 to 7 meters, with a length of 403 meters and consisting of 32 obstacles. One of the most exciting attractions is the 117-meter zip line over the lake, which is sure to provide unforgettable experiences. The attractions are also available for children, but the minimum height requirement is 140 cm. More information can be found here.

7. Mining Museum in Harrachov

 

The Mining Museum, which opened in March 2003, offers a journey into the history of fluorspar mining in the region. The museum provides a rich array of exhibits for visitors, including minerals, mining tools, maps, and photographs documenting the work of miners. You can also see what a typical mine looks like, including hoisting machines, mining carts, and other equipment. The route is well-lit and covered with gravel, and the average annual temperature there is 7°C, so it's advisable to bring warmer clothing. Payment at the museum is cash only, and it's also worth renting an audio guide for an additional fee.
 

8. Novosad & Syn Glassworks in Harrachov

 

The glassworks was established in the early 18th century and is one of the oldest operating glassworks in the Czech Republic. It is known for its traditional glass production, where glass is hand-blown and polished in a historic grinding workshop powered by a water turbine. Visits to the glassworks are possible every day from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

9. The Brewery Harrachov

 

The Harrachov Brewery is located on the grounds of the aforementioned oldest private glassworks, Novosad & Syn. Founded in 2002, the brewery offers beers brewed directly from brewing kettles, giving them a unique flavor. Only natural ingredients are used: malt, hops, and water from its own 150-year-old well. The beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized, making them beneficial for health. Beer enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the opportunity to tour the brewery, learn more about the entire brewing process, and taste the beers brewed on-site. For beer lovers, it is also worth visiting the Brewery in Żywiec.

Also, check out other ideas for spending time and traveling in the Czech Republic. It’s also close to several peaks from the Crown of Polish Mountains and attractions in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship.