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Cable car from Horní Domky below Ručičky, via Dvoračky and Růženčina zahráda to the Elbe spring. A full-day hike that families with children can manage – without unnecessary climbing from the valley thanks to the cable car, which takes you 250 metres up in 8 minutes.
14. 10. 2026 · Apartmány Ilona
The lower cable car station Horní Domky is about 600 metres from Apartmány Ilona – you can walk there in about ten minutes, or if you have small children in a stroller, you can drive and park directly at the Rokytka car park by the station.
The four-seater cable car overcomes an elevation of 252 metres in 8 minutes. The cable car operates during the summer season on weekends and daily during school holidays. Bikes, strollers and dogs ride for free, so you can take even the smallest children in buggies. During the ride, beautiful views of Rokytnice open up from the cable car.
From the upper station at Lovčenka chalet, continue on the blue hiking trail for another 300 metres uphill on an asphalt road – and you're at the Ručičky junction. It's an important crossroads of hiking trails at 980 metres above sea level, where five paths spread out like fingers of a hand. You'll find wooden sculptures and a bell tower, a children's playground, and a refreshment kiosk operating in season.
From Ručičky, continue on the green trail – it's a wide forest road that climbs only gently. In less than two kilometres you'll reach Dvoračky, a mountain chalet at 1140 metres above sea level, located between Lysá hora and Kotel mountain at a crossroads of hiking trails. Dvoračky is one of the most visited places in the western Krkonoše – there's a restaurant with Krkonoše cuisine, accommodation and beautiful views from Ještěd to Trosky.
Rest and refuel at Dvoračky, because now the most difficult part awaits you – climbing on the red trail via Kotelní sedlo to Růženčina zahráda. It's a more demanding section (2 km), but it leads through magnificent landscape. Růženčina zahráda is a mysterious place at 1370 metres above sea level – a circle with a diameter of about 30 metres marked by a low stone wall in the shape of a rose flower. The origin of this formation is still unknown to this day – perhaps it was an enclosure for growing medicinal herbs, perhaps a medieval cult site.
From the junction at Růženčina zahráda, you'll reach the Elbe spring in about two kilometres on the red trail. The Elbe spring is located at 1387 metres above sea level on Labská louka – it's a symbolically arranged place with a stone wall with colourful coats of arms of 26 cities through which the Elbe flows on its 1154-kilometre journey to the North Sea. The actual spring bubbles up a few dozen metres away on Labská louka, but is inaccessible due to nature protection.
It's one of the most visited places in the Krkonoše – and rightly so. The place has a powerful atmosphere. Imagine that you're standing at the place where one of Europe's largest rivers begins. Children love watching the first drops of water here and looking for coats of arms of cities they know – Hradec Králové, Pardubice, Děčín, or perhaps German Hamburg.
There are benches for rest at the spring and a hiking trail signpost. If you have time and energy, you can continue a bit further on the red trail to Labská bouda, where a restaurant and kiosk operate. At Labská bouda, don't forget to also visit one of our most powerful waterfalls – Labský vodopád.
The entire route from Horní Domky (upper cable car station) to the Elbe spring measures 7 kilometres one way, the return journey the same. Count on a full-day trip – the walking itself there and back will take 5 to 6 hours of pure time, with breaks and rest at Dvoračky and at the Elbe spring count on 7 to 8 hours.
The total elevation gain is much less thanks to the cable car than if you walked from Rokytnice on foot – the cable car saves you more than 250 metres of elevation. Even so, it's a proper mountain trip: from Ručičky to Dvoračky you climb about 160 metres, and then another roughly 250 metres to Růženčina zahráda and the spring.
Pack standard mountain equipment: solid footwear (hiking boots, not trainers), raincoat or jacket for the wind, enough drinking water and snacks. You can eat at Dvoračky, but you wouldn't find refreshments on the ridge anymore. In summer, take a hat or cap and sunscreen – there's no shade on the ridge. Phone signal is good along the route.
Yes, but sensibly. Children from six or seven years old who are used to going on longer trips should manage it. For smaller children the route is long and more demanding – count on them wanting to rest and you having to motivate them. With a stroller it's not possible – the path leads along rocky mountain trails.
You can shorten the route: for example, take the cable car up, walk only to Ručičky and Dvoračky and back the same way. That's approximately 4 kilometres there and back, with the cable car you'll manage it in 3 to 4 hours with children. Dvoračky is a beautiful destination in itself – it has a playground for children, good cuisine and magnificent views.
Alternatively, you can take the bus to Horní Mísečky or even to Zlaté návrší (runs in summer season) and walk to the spring from there – it's a shorter and less demanding route. Or combine: one way from Rokytnice via Dvoračky, back via Horní Mísečky and by bus.
Apartmány Ilona in Horní Rokytnice are an ideal base camp for hikes in the western Krkonoše. The Horní Domky cable car is only about 600 metres away – you set off on foot in the morning, no need to deal with parking. In the evening you return tired but satisfied, and you have your own apartment with a kitchen where you can cook in peace, or sit with the children in the garden by the pool.
We have three apartments for 2 to 10 people – each with its own kitchen and bathroom. Children will appreciate the trampoline, children's playhouse and sandpit, you'll enjoy the covered terrace with garden fireplace. You park for free at the house. We're happy to advise you where to go according to the weather and your strength – we know every trail in the area.
From Apartmány Ilona you have within reach not only the Elbe spring but also Huťský vodopád, Strážník viewpoint or the bobsleigh track. And in the evening, when the children fall asleep, sit on the terrace under the stars and plan your next trip.
Does the Horní Domky cable car run in summer?
Yes, the cable car runs during the summer season on weekends and daily during school holidays. You can find the current operating hours on the ski resort website.
Can you walk to the Elbe spring without the cable car?
Yes, you can walk from Rokytnice on foot – but you'll add roughly 5 kilometres and 250 metres of elevation. Or you can take the bus to Horní Mísečky or Zlaté návrší and from there it's a shorter route.
Where can you eat along the way?
At Ručičky a refreshment kiosk operates in season, at Dvoračky there's a restaurant with hot cuisine. There's no refreshment at the Elbe spring, the nearest is Labská bouda (about 1 km from the spring).
Is the route demanding?
The route is moderately demanding – in total you'll overcome about 400 metres of elevation (with the cable car), the path leads along marked hiking trails. The most difficult is the section from Dvoračky to Růženčina zahráda. For families with smaller children we recommend the shortened version only to Dvoračky.
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