Giant Mountains

 Giant Mountains are the most visited and most favourite mountains in the Czech republic and are situated in the north-east Bohemia along the polish border. Two thirds of them are in Czech republic, the other third in Poland. On the border is the highest mountain Sněžka, 1602 metres high. The oldest reference about its first inhabitants,which were the Slav tribes, comes from the 6th - 3rd century B.C. The discovery of ores and gemstones lured in 16. century many foreigners. It is also believed that the legend about the famous fairy-tale character Krakonoš - the lord and quardian of the mountains came at the same time. Than the mining expert Krystof from Gendorf came and took over the whole area of mountains. He rebuilt the old fortress in Vrchlabí into a castle with 4 corner pinnacles in 1548. Many shepherd chalets were built - for example "Luční bouda, Martinovka, Bradlerovy boudy". Giant Mountain started to be popular in the 18. century when the herbalists were looking for plants which were used for a production of medicaments.

 Considerable part of Giant Mountains belongs to the Giant Mountain National Park (KRNAP), established in 1963. Its fare is 38 500 ha and two thirds of it are woods. The protection of the nature is quite entitled because you can find there over 300 vertebrates and more than 1 200 types of plants which you cannot find anywhere else in the world - called "endemits". Rare and remarkeble is the Gian Mountain flora. On such a small area of lowlands, hilly country and mountains you can find a big sort of platns. From fauna you can also find here famous types of insect, slugs, butterflies, beetles and birds - for example finch, bullbinch, blackbird or woodpecker. You can also meet up with completely different types of animals - lizards, vipers, harts, owls, bats, squirrels and fishes. There is a few nature reserves in Giant Mountains - for example "Černohorské peat-bog, springs of river Labe and Úpa, Rýchory". Tha National Park has got 3 parts and in the first two are only special tourist and skiing routes.

 Hopefully everyone who likes the nature, has been to Giant Mountains. It wouldn't be a surprise because such a beautiful part of Czech republic should satisfy everyone and be a nice place where to spend holidays. And not just in winter but also in summer. So we would like to invite you in this wonderful mountains and hope you will be gladly coming back.

We wishing you a very nice stay in Giant Mountains.