In the summer Spindleruv Mlyn becomes a hiking paradise for both Czechs and internationals! With amazing hikes like Harrachova Skála and the Pancava Falls trail, this little mountain town in the Krkonose Mountains has some of the best hiking trails in the country.
Even though Harrachova Skala isn’t one of the most iconic hikes in the area, it is a nice warmup hike that takes you to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Spindleruv Mlyn!
The Harrachova Skala starts by one of the chairlifts and is on the way to Pancava Falls if you decide to take that way up the mountain.
Out of all the viewpoints around Spindleruv Mlyn, this one is one of the more challenging ones to get to but the view at the top is absolutely worth it!
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Expectations along the Harrachova Skala trail
The Harrachova Skala trail is perfect if you’re looking for a shorter hike in the Krkonose Mountains near Spindleruv Mlyn.
If you get to Spindler later in the afternoon and are looking for an afternoon hike that takes you to a viewpoint then Harrachova Skala is perfect. This is exactly what we did when we visited back in May.
The majority of the hike actually takes place on what are ski slopes during the winter months before turning off on a smaller trail that leads up to this awesome viewpoint overlooking the area.
There are a lot more beautiful hikes in the area such as Pancava Falls but Harrachova offers a great viewpoint and only takes a few hours to get to.
One of the things we really enjoyed about this hike from Spindler was that we had the majority of the trail to ourselves. Plus once we looked at the trail map for Harrachova Skala we realized we could also make a loop trail out of it which is always fun.
Practical information about the Harrachova Skala trail
Official name: Harrachova Skala
Distance: 8.3 km return / 5.15 miles return
Elevation: Roughly 311 m / 1020 ft. elevation gain
Type: Loop trail / can also be done as an in-and-out trail
Length: 2.5-3.5 hours total (includes time for pictures and chilling at the viewpoint)
Difficulty: Moderate-Hard
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Click here to see a map of the beginning of the Harrachova Skala trail.
Here’s a picture of the beginning of the Harrachova Skala trail:
Starting the Harrachova Skala hike in Spindleruv Mlyn
Spindleruv Mlyn is a small mountain town and all the hotels are right around the center. So no matter which hotel in Spindleruv Mlyn you end up staying at, once you’re out your front door you’re basically on the trail for Harrachova Skala.
Before you even start the hike we recommend grabbing a coffee or snack from Srub pod Medvedin. It’s a small pub with good food and coffee right at the edge of Spindler right before you start the trail up to Harrachova Skala.
We actually stopped here before we did this hike and also before the Pancava Falls but hey, who’s judging?! Maybe we’re just a little coffee addicted! 😉
There are quite a few ways you can hike up to Harrachova Skala so we decided to just go the way that looked the most convenient from our coffee stop!
There aren’t a whole lot of signs that guide you to Harrachova Skala so you might have to use the trail map a few times to make sure you’re on the right track.
Up the mountain from the ski area Medvedin
I’ll be honest and say the hike up isn’t the most beautiful. The first section along the “Medvedin trail” is basically just up the ski slope which is nothing to rave about.
But it will eventually get you to the viewpoint that’s worth the hike up!
The “Medvedin trail” translated into English would be something like “bear trail” and along the hike, you will see a bunch of signs that have some fairytale bear story for kids!
If you see those signs and some wooden bear sculptures every once in a while you’ll know you’re on the right track!
You actually hike along the Medvedin trail for most of the hike so once you are on the trail it is pretty easy to follow.
You’ll get a taste of what the ski slopes are like here in Spindler since you’ll be hiking on one for the majority of the hike.
Unfortunately, there aren’t tons of views along the way but at least you’re out in the fresh air enjoying the beautiful Krkonose National Park!
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Continuing along the Medvedin trail to Harrachova Skala
At some point, the trail will sort of flatten out and you’ll be at a point where a bunch of different trails intersect. That’s where this hike plateaus and it also means you’re not far from the Harrachova Skala viewpoint.
Since it is a ski resort there’s lots of infrastructure around and it doesn’t really feel like you’re deep in the mountains but then again this is a nice warmup hike before Pancava Falls later in the trip! 😉
You’ll continue following the Medvedin trail almost all the way to the viewpoint. The trail will get a bit more narrow and feel like you’re actually on a proper hiking trail. This is when you’re really close to Harrachova Skala!
It’s pretty straightforward forward but we still double-checked the trail map a few times since we weren’t familiar with this part of the Krkonose National Park.
Take in the view from Harrachova Skala
Finally, about 100 meters from the viewpoint, you’ll see a little turnoff towards Harrachova Skala.
You really won’t know what to expect from the viewpoint until you’re finally there since the trees are quite dense.
As you get to the viewpoint you’ll see that the area starts to open up and quite a few large rocks forming a “mini peak”. This is where the viewpoint is.
It’s definitely not the same sort of amazing view you’ll get from Snezka Mountain (the tallest mountain in the Czech Republic) or Pravcicka Brana (an iconic spot in Bohemian Switzerland) but it still is an excellent view overlooking Spindleruv Mlyn!
There’s a nice platform at the viewpoint too where you can actually enjoy a panoramic view of Spindleruv Mlyn and the mountain range! Especially during the summer and fall months when the beech trees really come to life, it’s super beautiful.
We spent a bit of time enjoying the view and had a snack before heading back down.
We went mid-afternoon but we can imagine it’s really nice to come up here for either sunrise or sunset (if you have a head torch). The trail isn’t that technical so it’s quite easy to get up and down!
Making your way back down to Spindleruv Mlyn
One thing we really like about this hike is that there are plenty of different trails that lead up to the viewpoint and back down again.
You can choose go back the same way as you came up but we found it fun to switch it up and find a different way back down to the town.
The trail map we provide shows the loop that we did. Even though it’s the only way we went we do recommend it since it takes you on quite a nice trail in the trees which was a lot prettier than just hiking along one of the ski runs.
The trail is quite easy to follow and as long as you see some “blue markers” on the trees every once in a while you’ll know you’re on the right track!
You’ll feel like you’re continuously going downhill which is a good sign as that means you’re getting closer and closer to Spindleruv Mlyn!
Soon the views will become familiar again, you’ll see the main road and also the water reservoir that’s right in front of Spindler.
Next thing you know you’ll be back in the center of Spindler and complete the full loop from town up to Harrachova Skala and back down again!
What to bring on the Harrachova Skala hike
One of the most important things to keep in mind when hiking in the Krkonose Mountains is that the weather can be quite unpredictable.
From Spindleruv Mlyn to Harrachova Skala and back isn’t as long as some of the other hikes but you can easily be gone for 3 hours. The worst thing would be being up somewhere in the mountains without having the right gear.
Bring some snacks, extra layers of clothes, and of course a whole lot of water to not get dehydrated – especially during the warm summer days.
Packing list for Harrachova Skala:
- Water! We always fill up our LifeStraw bottles before hikes and even during them when we can.
- Sunscreen is good to have especially during the summer months in the Czech Republic. For this hike you’re actually quite exposed for most of the hike so it is nice to have some sunscreen!
- A power bank because you don’t want to risk running out of battery, especially in a foreign country. It’s always good knowing your phone isn’t going to die midway through a hike.
- Bring some food to enjoy during the hike. There are a few good spots to stop and relax on the way to the viewpoint. At the top you can sit on the little bench and enjoy the view with a snack!
- Hiking poles are always nice to have! There’s a good chunk of elevation on this hike so it’s nice to have your hiking poles with you + they’re great for all the other hikes in these mountains.
- A rain jacket in case it starts raining during the hike (you never know in the Krkonose Mountains).
You can check out this great list of hiking gear to get some more inspiration!
The best affordable camera for beginners
If you’re looking for the best and most affordable camera for beginners, check out the Sony Alpha a6000 Camera.
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It’s perfect for travelling and super easy to use – even if you’re a beginner.
Before you hike Harrachova Skala
Check the weather
When going on a hike, it’s always good to know what you’re getting into weather-wise.
You can see the weather for Spindleruv Mlyn here.
The weather might be slightly different in the mountains but by checking the weatherforecast for Spindler, you will have a good idea of what to expect on this hike.
Always plan for a bit of wind near the top by the viewpoint since it’s so exposed to all the elements! Worst case, if it’s super windy, you can quickly check out the view and then go back between all the trees for cover.
Wear hiking shoes
We always recommend hiking shoes or trail shoes on almost every outdoor adventure we do. But especially when you’re hiking up in the mountains like you are on this trail we absolutely recommend them.
The first bit of the trail is just pavement, but once you actually get on the proper trail up the mountains you’ll be happy you wore your hiking shoes.
Leave no trace
When you go hiking (and do other outdoor adventure activities), always remember to follow the 7 principles of leaving no trace.
This means:
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of others.
When is the best time to hike Harrachova Skala?
We’re all about travelling during the shoulder season(s) which, in this case, is right before and right after summer.
During the shoulder season, the trails are less crowded and the hotels in Spindleruv Mlyn are cheaper. The weather is usually fine, and the nature looks stunning both during May-June and September-October.
If you get a chance, try to come during one of the last weeks of May or early June. You can also visit from mid-September to October and get the awesome fall colours.
With how busy Spindleruv Mlyn can get it’s best to come during shoulder season to avoid all the crowds.
You may also like…
- 5 Stunning Hotels to Stay at in Spindleruv Mlyn
- Hiking to Pancava Falls in Spindleruv Mlyn
- Coziest Glamping Experience in the Czech Republic
- How to Hike Snezka – The Tallest Mountain in the Czech Republic
- 11 Must Do Weekend Trips From Prague
Recap of hiking Harrachova Skala
That’s it for this post about the Harrachova Skala hike in Spindleruv Mlyn! Our favourite hike in the area still has to be Pancava Falls but this is also a nice 2-3 hour hike with beautiful views!
We love that you can do this either as an in-and-out trail or a loop trail and find your way back to Spindler on one of the many trails.
If you have any questions about this hike or any other activities to do in Spindleruv Mlyn then feel free to DM us on Instagram or leave a comment below!
We love sharing awesome things to do in the Czech Republic, especially outdoor activities in different parts of the country.
There’s so much more to see in the Czech Republic than just Prague and there are so many great day trips and weekend trips to do.
Enjoy this awesome viewpoint overlooking Spindleryv Mlyn in the Czech Republic!
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