Dolní Malá Úpa

Dolní Malá Úpa combines impressive examples of Krkonoše culture with walking trails, traditional events, and distinctive routes through the landscape. The character of the village is particularly evident at Šímovy Chalupy, where several preserved original Krkonoše log houses form a protected village heritage zone. This provides an interesting choice for planning your trip between cultural discoveries, themed trails, and active experiences.

Culture and Stories for Curious Explorers

An engaging introduction to the region’s storytelling tradition is the Fairy-Tale Trail. The walking trail leads through Malá Úpa, has ten stops, and features a permanent exhibition of Krkonoše fairy tales by writer Marie Kubátová. In addition, the route connects wooden fairy-tale panels with a climbing and play facility for children. This gives an outing a clear thematic framework in which stories and movement stand side by side.

One of the defining cultural sites is the Baroque Church of Saints Peter and Paul. It is a landmark of Malá Úpa and was built in 1788–1789. From Pomezní Boudy, it can be reached via yellow- or red-marked hiking trails and is a destination for many pilgrims. The Maloúpský jarmark, a traditional event celebrating old Krkonoše traditions, takes place near the church. The Závod rohaček – Memoriál Josefa Tylše, another traditional event, is also held in the U Kostela area.

Routes Between Spálený Mlýn, Šímovy Chalupy, and Sněžka

The Lví důl route offers a clearly described cross-country skiing trail: it is 10.7 km long and begins in Spálený Mlýn or Smrčí. From Spálený Mlýn, it follows the Jelení potok stream to the foot of Sněžka and continues to Šímovy Chalupy, the protected village heritage zone. This makes it possible to combine landscape and historic architecture on one route without merging the two experiences into a single destination.

The surrounding waterways also offer a special perspective. In the Krkonoše National Park area, the Malá Úpa can be navigated by non-motorized watercraft from the section between Spálený Mlýn and the confluence of the Jelení potok stream with the Úpa. For another form of travel, there is Emmina stezka: it leads from Spálený Mlýn in the lower part of Malá Úpa and is now also used as a cycling trail.

Memorial Trails and Regional Traditions

The Disidentská stezka is dedicated to a more recent chapter in the history of the Krkonoše Mountains. It commemorates four decades of meetings between Czech and Polish dissidents in the Krkonoše Mountains, associated with the period 1978–2018. The trail has six named stops; U kostela is one of them. In this way, it complements the older architectural and church heritage with a route that makes political and cross-border remembrance visible.

Dolní Malá Úpa is therefore especially suitable for travelers who do not want to limit their stay to a single attraction. They can choose between fairy-tale traditions, protected log houses, church history, memorial sites, and routes for cross-country skiing, cycling, and non-motorized watercraft, setting different priorities.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

For further travel planning, you can also find Bílé Poličany, Velké Svatoňovice, Mladé Buky, Petrikovice, Kuks, Dolníky, Rudník and Beckov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Trutnov District.