A day that tastes of mountains and hops
The morning is fresh and cold. The air smells of the forest. The path rises, your legs grow heavy – and that makes the first stop taste even better. Soup at a mountain hut, beer brewed just a few meters away, and silence interrupted only by laughter. The Krkonoš Beer Trail is brewed from simple ingredients: honest steps, mountain water, a pinch of sweat, and a glass of joy. It matures in the sun and tastes best in the company of friends.
8 microbreweries – 80 kilometers of routes
The trail has no fixed beginning or end. You can walk it all or divide it according to your own pace. Assemble your route according to your taste, time, and strength.
The project connects eight microbreweries over nearly 80 kilometers of trails. It takes you from Malá Úpa through Pec pod Sněžkou and Harrachov to Paseky nad Jizerou. Challenging climbs await you to the ridges, where you can finally catch your breath. You will discover Obří důl, Sněžné jámy, the source of the Elbe, and the Mumlavský waterfall. And in between, mountain huts where you can rest your head and set off again in the morning. It’s not a short journey – set aside at least three to four days for it. Or come back regularly.
Two branches, two rhythms
The eastern part is the heart of the project. It has a high mountain character, leads within reach of Sněžka, and gives the trail its unique character. This is where the whole idea originated.
- Trautenberk Brewery: They brew beer without pasteurization and filtration – crisp, refreshing, and always a bit different.
- Fries Beer: Made from Czech malt and spring water directly at Friesovy boudy. Offers classics in the form of pale lager and semi-dark ales.
- Sněžka Beer: From the Pecka Brewery, it refers to the local landscape both in name and taste. In every glass, you will find an emphasis on the purity of the ingredients and the time the beer needs to mature.
- Hendrych Beer: It is full, bitter, and distinctive. Ideal for meeting friends after a day of hiking.
- Krkonošský Bear: A classic lager brewed in the traditional way with three mashes. The taste is based on honest craftsmanship and Žatec hops.
The western branch will slow your pace. It may lack the monumentality of the peaks, but it replaces it with tranquility and picturesque views. The landscape opens up here in wide meadows, among timbered houses, and along the Jizera River. You will discover three breweries that have newly complemented the route:
- Brewery U Čápa: Beer matures in a stone cellar here. The entire area breathes respect for the landscape, with the flagship being the 12% unfiltered lager Světoběžník JC.
- Brewery Prdek: In a pub where you will feel like at grandma's, they brew bottom-fermented unfiltered lager from Pilsner malt and spring water.
- Brewery Novosad (Harrachov Glassworks): Beer has always been part of glassmaking. The local yeast "František" provided strength to the glassmakers at the furnace and today will refresh you too.
By bike? Yes, but with caution
If you prefer to ride a bike, the western route is open for you as well. However, enjoy the beer only at the end of the stage. Be focused on the mountain paths and take in the nature around you.
The main reward is the experience
The Krkonoš Beer Trail opens on May 30 and lasts until the end of September. Set off for a clear head and moments worth sharing. Along the way, collect stamps in the leaflet – small rewards will remind you at home that you took a reason to return from the mountains.
Krkonoš Beer Trail in a nutshell
- Season: From May 30 to September 30, 2026.
- Difficulty: Medium to high (crossing ridges), but it can be divided into easier stages.
- Collector's game: Get a stamp in the leaflet at each brewery. After five stamps, a well-deserved reward awaits you at the destination.
- Accommodation: It is ideal to book places at mountain huts directly at the breweries (e.g., Friesovy boudy or Trautenberk).
How to plan your route
• The entire route measures 80 kilometers – plan for at least four days and three nights at mountain huts.
• You can easily divide the route into two branches (eastern and western) and use the background in Vrchlabí, which lies in the middle of the mountain range and is easily accessible.
• Or give yourself a reason to return. Walk part of the trail and add more stamps on your next visits to the Krkonoš.
More at: https://www.krkonose.eu/krkonosska-pivni-stezka
Text: Alena Cejnarová, DMO Krkonoše
Photo: archive of the Krkonoše destination company
