Trip Tips

Where to Go for an Autumn Walk from Rokytnice? To Huťský Waterfall and Strážník Viewpoint

Autumn in the Krkonoše Mountains offers beautiful views and relaxed hiking without crowds. A pleasant trail about 2.5 km long leads from Horní Rokytnice to Huťský Waterfall, which you can combine with a visit to the Strážník viewpoint at 778 m above sea level. Both places are accessible via marked trails and are suitable for families with children.

14. 10. 2026 · Apartmány Ilona

🍂 Why Go for a Walk in Autumn

Autumn is a wonderful time in Rokytnice. Summer visitors have left, the winter season hasn't started yet, and the mountains are peaceful. The forests turn golden and rusty, the air is fresh and clear, and the views reach far beyond the Krkonoše borders.

Temperatures are pleasant for walking — around 10–15 °C during the day, though mornings can be cold. The sun sets earlier, so it's good to set out in the morning to enjoy the journey without rushing. Paths are usually dry, though rocks and roots can be slippery after rain.

At Apartmány Ilona, you can pack comfortably in the morning — you have your own space, a kitchen where you can prepare a thermos of tea, and parking at the house. From Horní Rokytnice, you can then set off on foot directly onto the trail.

🥾 Route to Huťský Waterfall

The waterfall is located on the blue hiking trail between Horní Rokytnice and the saddle below Dvoračky.

From Apartmány Ilona, you'll walk about 300 m along the yellow trail leading to Horní náměstí (Upper Square), where you'll join the blue hiking trail that runs along a forest path. It then continues on an asphalt road alongside Huťský Brook, gradually climbing through the forest before turning into a wilder valley. The last section is a bit steeper. At the waterfall, there's a wooden viewing platform offering a nice view of the cascades.

Huťský Waterfall has a total height of 20 m and is a cascade waterfall. In autumn, it has less flow than in spring, but that's exactly what makes it calmer and more intimate. Water glides over quartzite rocks, murmuring, surrounded by moss-covered boulders. The place is photogenic and you can enjoy it in peace.

The entire round trip takes about 2 hours, or a good 2.5 hours with photography and a rest at the waterfall.

From Horní Rokytnice on the blue trail
One-way trail length about 2.5 km
Moderate climb, last section steeper
Time required round trip approx. 2–2.5 hours

👀 Strážník Viewpoint and Hlídka na Stráži Forest Park

The Strážník rock viewpoint is a natural viewing spot in the Krkonoše Mountains in Rokytnice nad Jizerou. From Apartmány Ilona, you can drive to Sachrův hřeben, where you'll park, and from there it's 1.5 km along the red trail to the viewpoints. Or you can take a lovely walk with wonderful views of Rokytnice (about 9 km) directly from the Apartments. At the house, you'll join the Okolo Rokytnice educational trail, which will take you to the Sachrova cesta junction, from there along the red trail to Sachrův hřeben and further on the red trail to the Viewpoints. On the return journey, you can go down from Sachrův hřeben along cycle path 22, after about 600 m turn right onto the blue trail, which will take you to Horní náměstí, and from there it's just a short distance to your apartment.

The viewpoint offers beautiful views of Rokytnice, Lysá hora, and Kotel. In 2021, the impressive Hlídka na Stráži viewing forest park was built on the hilltop, featuring four new viewpoints named Horník, Liška, Ovce, and Medvěd. The viewpoints themselves represent figures from the coat of arms of the town of Rokytnice nad Jizerou — each is slightly different, made of wood and steel, and offers a different view.

You can easily spend an hour at Stráž — walk between the viewpoints, sit on the benches, look at the panorama. In autumn, there are often fewer people than in summer, and the peace is priceless.

🔄 How to Combine Both Places into One Walk

You can visit Huťský Waterfall and Strážník viewpoint each separately, or make it a full-day trip. If you're more fit and have time, you can plan a route that combines both — for example, from Apartmány Ilona first up to the waterfall, then continue along the blue trail to the Sedlo pod Dvoračkami junction, from there along the red trail to the Viewpoints and further along the Okolo Rokytnice educational trail back. In total, it's about 19 km.

If you want a shorter option, we recommend choosing one destination for the morning and the other perhaps for another day — the autumn sun sets early and it's not good to rush into the mountains. At Apartmány Ilona, you have a comfortable base and can plan several shorter trips rather than chasing everything at once.

In the apartments, you can then rest in peace, take a shower, and cook dinner in your own kitchen.

🎒 What to Pack and What to Remember

Autumn weather in the mountains can surprise you. It might be foggy and cold in the morning, clear up and sunny during the day, and drop in temperature in the evening. We recommend layering clothing — T-shirt, sweatshirt or fleece, light windbreaker. Have a hat and gloves in your backpack, especially if you're setting out early in the morning.

Footwear should be comfortable with good tread — rocks and wet roots are easy to slip on. Hiking boots are ideal, sneakers are fine if they're not completely worn out. Poles help on descents but aren't essential.

Pack drinks in your backpack (a thermos with hot tea is welcome), some snacks — fruit, bars, sandwiches. There are no stalls at the waterfall or at Strážník (you'll find a small refreshment stand at Sachrův hřeben).

After your walk, you can rest in peace in the apartments or in the garden, or take a walk around the area — you can perhaps stop at a local restaurant for dinner, or cook at home.

Layered clothing – sweatshirt, windbreaker, hat
Solid footwear with good tread
Thermos with hot drink and snacks
Charged phone and map (paper or offline)

🏡 Apartmány Ilona as a Base for Autumn Trips

Apartmány Ilona in Horní Rokytnice is a great place from which to explore the surroundings. You park right at the house, you have your own kitchen, so you can prepare breakfast in peace in the morning and pack snacks for the road. We're happy to advise you where to go, what's interesting in the area, and which trail goes where.

In the autumn months, it's usually quiet here, the apartments aren't as crowded as in winter or summer during holidays. It's an ideal time for a relaxing stay with walks, without crowds and noise. Families with children will appreciate the space — each apartment has several rooms and its own bathroom.

From the apartments, Huťský Waterfall is close — you can walk there on foot. Strážník viewpoint is also nearby, either walk on foot or drive to Sachrův hřeben and from there it's just a short distance. In the evening, you'll return to warmth, take a shower, cook dinner, and sit on the terrace if it's not too cold yet.

If you'd like e-bikes, the rental is less than a kilometer from the apartments. And when you feel like a longer trip, the cable car to Horní Domky is a few minutes' walk — from there you can get to Ručičky or Dvoračky.

What guests ask most often

Is the route to Huťský Waterfall challenging?

No, it's more of an easy walk. From Apartmány Ilona to the waterfall is about 2.5 km, the path runs mostly along a forest trail with a moderate climb. The last section is steeper, but even families with small children can manage it. The entire round trip takes 2–2.5 hours.

Is Strážník viewpoint accessible year-round?

Yes, the viewpoint is accessible year-round. The Hlídka na Stráži viewing forest park with the Horník, Liška, Ovce, and Medvěd viewpoints was opened in 2021 and is freely accessible. In winter, there may be ice on the rocks.

How much time do I need to visit both places?

If you want to visit the waterfall and Strážník viewpoint separately, count on 2 hours for the waterfall and 1.5–2 hours for Strážník. If you make a loop combining both places, it will be about 19 km and take 5–6 hours.