Ski through the snowy countryside - there are some really well-maintained cross-country skiing tracks in the Krkonoše, the Jeseníky, the Jizera Mountains and the Ore Mountains, not to mention Šumava and lots of other places across Czechia. You’ll find a long ridge route spanning hundreds of kilometres with plenty of gorgeous views and shorter sections that you can easily do with the kids. Along with our selection of routes, we’ve also included a few tips for cosy mountain chalets where you can warm up a bit and top up your energy before continuing your journey.
Jizera Mountains
The flat and well-groomed routes in the Jizera Mountains are ideal for beginners. Some of the most popular include the Jizera Magistrála. This cross-country skiing “trunk route” is around 180 km long and is the most popular place for cross-country skiing in Czechia. Every year it hosts the prestigious Jizerská 50 race, which is open to professional racers as well as amateur skiers. The Magistrála takes you to places such as the village of Jizerka, Czechia’s highest village, reminiscent of the northern taiga.
Krkonoše Mountains
The Krkonoše are a challenge, even for more experienced skiers. It’s the country’s highest mountain range, and so has plenty of steeper slopes. The weather in winter can be fairly changeable. The Krkonoše ridge routes are ideal for long trips with beautiful views of the snow-covered countryside. The Krkonoše Magistrála route, which is 71 km long, runs through the whole of the Krkonoše from Harrachov to Žacléř. There are then various local cross-country skiing routes and circuits that join up with it. Depending on how they are maintained, there is a total of some 800 km of routes in the Krkonoše. One of the most famous is from Pec pod Sněžkou past the Luční bouda chalet to the Labská bouda chalet, where the Elbe River rises. You can roam through this natural wilderness and enjoy some amazing panoramic views as a bonus! And if you get peckish, call in at Luční bouda.
Šumava Mountains
Šumava in South Bohemia offers a wide range of cross-country routes for pretty much all experience levels. Although it looks like a gently rolling mountain range, it has some surprisingly harsh countryside and weather. One particularly famous route is the Šumava Magistrála, which leads through some beautiful forests and meadows, looking straight out of a fairy tale in winter. On the western side you’ll find one of the prettiest routes, from Modrava to Březník, which also passes the most strictly protected parts of the National Park. It’s worth noting that the route also takes you to the Lyer Brewery in Modrava, where you can enjoy a beer from one Czechia’s highest breweries, not to mention meat specialties from the local organic farms.
Beskid Mountains
The Beskid Mountains in East Bohemia are stunningly beautiful. They mark the start of the Carpathians, a range that winds through several countries in Europe. The Beskid Magistrála is a unique network of well-groomed cross-country skiing trails. The well-maintained routes link up to cover a distance of 300 km in 9 places across the region. Choose a section that best suits your style and abilities and enjoy the picturesque traditional wooden cottages and admire the endless views of the whole of the Carpathians. We recommend following the route past Pustevny, where you can treat yourself to something good to eat, or taking the ridge route, which is part of the Beskid Magistrála, to the Czech-Slovak border around Bumbálka and the newly refurbished Masaryk Lodge.
Vysočina
This region, situated around halfway between Czechia’s biggest cities, Prague and Brno, is a paradise for cross-country skiers. It is centred around Nové Město na Moravě, which regularly hosts World Cup races. The Biathlon World Cup will be held there in March 2025. The excellent trails at the Vysočina Arena, designed for star skiers from around the world such as Johannes Thingnes Bø from Norway or France's Julia Simon, will also be available. You can combine some cross-country skiing in Vysočina with a visit to some heritage sites. It’s definitely worth visiting Santini’s Pilgrimage Church at Zelená hora near Žďár nad Sázavou, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Luční bouda in the Krkonoše Mountains
Luční bouda is one of the oldest and highest mountain chalets in Czechia. It offers traditional Czech cuisine, including (of course) pork and dumplings or the homemade sweet blueberry dumplings, which are renowned far and wide. The spot offers some breathtaking views of much of the Krkonoše Mountains.
Šámalova chalet in the Jizera Mountains
This chalet in the Jizera Mountains is famous amongst hikers for its cost atmosphere and excellent cuisine. Its specialties include homemade goulash, blueberry dumplings and buttered trout. This chalet has a rich history. It was formerly a hunting lodge, and then a government chalet during the 20th century. It’s now open to everyone!
Švýcárna in the Jeseníky Mountains
The Švýcárna hiker’s chalet, on one of the most frequented parts of the Jeseníky ridge route, between the saddle of Červená hora and Praděd, is one of the oldest buildings in these mountains. This mountain chalet is a fine example of how a former shepherd's hut was converted into a classic chalet, which has been welcoming hikers and walkers for more than 130 years.
Pustevny in the Beskid Mountains
On the top of the Beskid Mountains, near the top station of the cable car from Trojanovice to Pustevny, there stands the picturesque mountain cottages of Maměnka and Libušín. They were designed in 1898 by architect Dušan Jurkovič in the style of the folk architecture typical of Wallachia and the nearby region. Some unique features of the Libušín cottage include three Art Nouveau chandeliers in the dining room, a sideboard, greenhouse, a clock, and around a hundred carved chairs. If you fancy enjoying some folk-style romance in the mountains, this is the perfect place.
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