Boruvkova (‘Blueberry’) Trail

Growths of low blueberry shrubs which abound in fruit at the end of summer are typical for the Krkonose’s spruce forests, which this demanding track will take you to before you ascend to the top of Zaly Mountain, whose old German name, Heidelberg, means the blueberry mountain.

The first colonisers of the mountain forests were prospectors and miners. The royal Mining Marshall Krystof of Gendorf began mining iron ore in the mid-16th century and established foundries. The mines and foundries needed a great supply of wood. Gendorf called upon experienced woodcutters and rafters from his homeland, Carinthia, and also from Styria and Tyrol. They settled here with their families and established new settlements, such as Krausovy chalets, around which this track runs. The settlers cut wood, built charcoal kilns and rafted timber. Good examples of their skills in torrent control can be seen near ‘Bouda u Bileho Labe’ chalet on the Certova strouha brook, where a masterpiece of torrent control, more than 100 years old, has been preserved, consisting of dozens of stone steps which slow down the water flow and prevent flooding.

From Miru Square in Vrchlabi, go down Husova Street past the Krkonose Museum and join the K10 cycle track running along the yellow-marked hiking trail to ascend to Knezicka chalet and Krizovky junction, and turn right for Benecko. Turn right onto the K10 track near the Zlata vyhlidka hotel and continue to ascend to the Zaly Mountain viewing tower. After that, follow the K10 cycle track for Rovinka junction and then the K13 cycle track via Tridomi to Horni Misecky. Turn right for the K1A cycle track to descend to Spindleruv Mlyn – Bily bridge. After the bridge, join the K16 cycle track to ride via Svaty Petr to Stoh hill chair lift and then follow the same cycle track  to ‘U Bileho Labe’ chalet. Go down the Weberova trail along the River Bile Labe to the ‘U Divci lavky’ junction and the log cabin. Take the K14 cycle track back to, and across, Bily bridge and continue uphill on the K1A cycle track along the yellow-marked hiking trail to the ‘U Krasne plane’ junction. Continue on the K1A cycle track to Strazne and then take the main road to Vrchlabi.

• Length: 50 km
• Surface: The track runs along asphalt, reinforced and dirt roads.
• Attractions: Vrchlabí, Augustinian Monastery and Church, Knezice Tourist Riding Hall, Zaly Viewing Tower, Rovinka, Harrachova rock, Horní Mísečky, Špindlerův Mlýn, white bridge, Bile Labe River, Čertova strouha, Strážné