Stoh

Stoh is a peak in the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše), rising about 3.5 km east of the centre of Špindlerův Mlýn. At 1,319 metres above sea level, it ranks as the 50th highest mountain in the Czech Republic and forms the first summit of a ridge running west toward Zadní Planina, roughly 1.5 km away. The mountain lies within the Krkonoše National Park, and for most visitors its name is inseparable from the ski resort built on its slopes.

How do you get to Stoh?

The base of the mountain sits in the Svatý Petr district, at the far end of the valley leading out from central Špindlerův Mlýn. It's here, on Stoh's northwestern slopes, that you'll find Skiareál Stoh, one of the better-known ski resorts on the Czech side of the Krkonoše range. The summit itself is a different story: it's covered in dense dwarf pine (kosodřevina) and has no proper marked trail leading directly to the top. Hikers typically follow ridge routes around the peak instead, which open up onto panoramic views over the surrounding mountains rather than pushing for the summit itself.

What's distinctive about the terrain?

Stoh's slopes are notably asymmetric. The southern side descends gently, while the northern slope drops steeply into the Dlouhý důl valley, making it one of the steeper faces in this part of the range. That same terrain is exactly what makes the northwestern flank so suited to skiing: the resort's upper black run reaches a gradient of nearly 39%, reserved for the most confident skiers, while the middle section is moderately steep and the lower stretch levels out for less experienced visitors.

What else is there to do besides skiing?

Outside the winter season, the area around Stoh and the nearby mountain lodge functions as a broader recreation hub, with tennis courts, a swimming pool, squash courts, climbing walls, cycling routes and off-road vehicle rentals all within reach. It makes a practical base for combining an active stay with hikes through the Krkonoše National Park, since trails toward several of the region's other well-known landmarks branch off from nearby.

Does Stoh have another side to it?

The mountain and its ski resort have also served repeatedly as a filming location for Czech productions, including the films Snowboarďáci, Bodyguard and Balírna, as well as the reality show VyVolení. For many Czechs, Stoh is tied as much to home-grown pop culture as it is to the landscape itself.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Stoh? The peak stands at 1,319 metres above sea level, making it the 50th highest mountain in the Czech Republic.

Can you actually hike to the summit of Stoh? The summit is covered in dense dwarf pine and has no marked trail leading straight to the top, so reaching it directly is difficult in practice. Most visitors stick to the surrounding ridge trails and viewpoints instead.

What is Skiareál Stoh? It's the ski resort on the mountain's northwestern slopes in the Svatý Petr district, known in particular for a steep black run with a gradient of nearly 39%.

What can you do here besides skiing and hiking? In summer the area offers tennis courts, a swimming pool, squash, climbing walls, and rentals for quad bikes and other off-road vehicles.