Spindleruv Mlyn

Spindleruv Mlyn sits at about seven hundred metres where the Labe and the Dolsky brook meet, in a narrow valley under the Krkonose ridge, and it is the largest mountain resort in the country: two linked ski areas on Medvedin and Svaty Petr with lifts to around thirteen hundred metres, the longest season in the Czech mountains, and a full resort infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and bars along the valley. In summer the same lifts serve walkers and mountain bikers, and the ridge routes start from the top - the Elbe spring, the Pancava waterfall, Snezka and the Labe valley are all reached from here. Everything above the resort is national park with strict zoning, so trails are marked and leaving them is prohibited. The valley gets extremely busy in both seasons and the traffic in and out on winter weekends is the resort's standing complaint.

What you actually see

• The largest ski area in the country - Medvedin and Svaty Petr linked, to 1,300 metres.
• A valley resort - hotels and restaurants strung along the Labe below the ridge.
• Ridge access in summer - the Elbe spring, Pancava and Snezka reached from the lifts.
• Strict national park zoning - marked trails only above the resort.

When to go

December to March, or June to September. Two days.

Honest expectations

Very crowded in both seasons, with heavy traffic in and out on winter weekends and paid parking throughout. Prices are the highest in the Czech mountains. Leaving marked trails in the park is prohibited and fined.

Nearby

The Elbe spring and Pancava waterfall are above; Vrchlabi is down the valley.