Giant Mountains

Snow Boilers

Śnieżne Kotły – one of the highest-rated viewpoints and a popular hiking destination in the Karkonosze Mountains

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Price list

Karkonosze National Park entrance ticket
one-day regular
11 2.6person
one-day reduced
5.5 1.3person
children up to 7 years
free of charge / included

reduced ticket is available to: people with disabilities, students, and retirees
you can buy tickets online here
remember to keep your receipt from the ticket office or online purchase confirmation with you in case of inspection

Information

Śnieżne Kotły (German: Schneegruben, Czech: Sněžné jámy) – two glacial cirques whose ridges are located at an elevation of about 1,490 m above sea level between Łabski Szczyt and Wielki Szyszak in the western part of the Karkonosze Mountains
from the summit there’s an excellent view of the Izera Mountains, Kaczawskie Mountains, Rudawy Janowickie, and the Jelenia Góra Valley
in 1837, the first tourist shelter in the Karkonosze, “Nad Śnieżnymi Kotłami” (German: Schneegrubenbaude), was built above Śnieżne Kotły. The place operated until 1961, then a TV relay station was established there, which operates to this day
Śnieżne Kotły is a popular hiking destination, though definitely less crowded than Śnieżka. Nevertheless, on sunny days you’ll meet many tourists at the summit. When planning your hike, we recommend avoiding holidays and weekends
it’s best to plan your trip between spring and early autumn. In winter, there’s a significant layer of snow and ice, and fog often occurs, making hiking difficult and limiting views from the summit
snow on the trail can occur even in mid-summer, so always bring warm clothing and a good jacket. In spring and autumn, a hat and gloves will also come in handy
we don’t recommend trips when strong winds are forecast. At the summit, wind is particularly bothersome even on sunny days
the route we suggest starts at the parking lot in Jagniątków, then follow the blue trail to the junction at Czarna Przełęcz, then turn onto the red trail that leads to Śnieżne Kotły
once you’re at the summit, we recommend extending your hike and turning onto the yellow trail to the Source of the Elbe, 500 meters away – the longest river in the Czech Republic and one of the major rivers in Germany (where the Elbe is called Elbe)
for the descent, follow the yellow trail running past Łabski Szczyt and the iconic Pod Łabskim Szczytem shelter. Then take the red trail to the junction at Pod Borówczanymi Skałami. From there, turning onto the black trail will bring you to Jagniątków
an alternative, much easier route starts in Szklarska Poręba (PARKING), from where you can take the cable car up to Szrenica. From the station, turn onto the black trail, then onto the red trail. This route will get you to Śnieżne Kotły in about 1.5 hours. We especially recommend it for trips with little ones :-)
see more Karkonosze attractions