vodopád Kamenice

Kamenice Waterfall (also known as Kamenický vodopád or the "Flat" waterfall) is a small but striking cascade in Harrachov, deep in the Czech Krkonoše (Giant) Mountains. Water glides down a smooth granite slab here rather than dropping straight over an edge, making it a quiet, easy destination for a forest walk.

Where exactly is it?

The waterfall sits on the Kamenice stream, roughly 2 km north of Harrachov's town centre, just above a sharp bend in the watercourse. Kamenice flows into Harrachov, joins the Mílnice stream shortly before it merges with the Mumlava, and along the way carves out this cascade. It lies close to the much better-known Mumlava Waterfalls, so the two are easy to combine into one outing.

How do you get there?

A comfortable valley path leads to the waterfall from central Harrachov. The route forms part of a blue-marked trail that loops from the town toward the Polish border. The walk is not demanding and suits most visitors, including families with children, though sturdy footwear is worth packing since the path runs over stony, sometimes damp ground in places.

What will you see there?

The cascade itself is about 13.7 metres high and 1–3.5 metres wide, carved into fine-grained biotite granite. Rather than falling vertically, the water spreads across a tilted, smooth rock slab — the feature that gave the waterfall its German name, Plattenfall, literally "slab waterfall." For a long time the site had no distinct Czech name of its own. The local tectonic setting created a natural step in the valley floor here, leaving the upper section of the stream ending in a kind of suspended drop above the main valley bed.

When is the best time to visit?

Kamenice carries the most water in spring, during snowmelt in the Krkonoše, and after heavy rainfall — that's when the cascade is at its most dramatic. In summer and early autumn water levels tend to drop, but the surrounding forest remains a pleasant, uncrowded spot for a walk, away from the busier attractions elsewhere in Harrachov.

What else can you combine it with?

Thanks to its proximity to central Harrachov, the Kamenice waterfall works well as a short add-on to a longer hike — for instance on the way to the Mumlava Waterfalls, or as part of the blue-marked loop trail heading toward the Polish border. It's a solid choice for visitors looking for a quieter alternative to the region's main viewpoints.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Kamenice waterfall? It is about 13.7 metres high and 1–3.5 metres wide, with water flowing down a tilted granite slab rather than falling vertically.

How far is it from central Harrachov? About 2 km to the north, following the valley of the Kamenice stream.

Is the trail suitable for families with children? Yes, the valley path is relatively easy, though stony and damp in places, so sturdy shoes are recommended.

Can the walk be combined with other attractions? Yes — the waterfall lies near the blue-marked trail toward the Polish border and close to the far more famous Mumlava Waterfalls.