What Are Tourist Shelters?
A shelter is a simple wooden structure located in nature, usually in forests, mountains, or along hiking trails. It serves for emergency overnight stays or rest, and although it does not offer comforts such as electricity or running water, it provides what is most essential: a dry roof over your head, a place to sleep, and a moment of peace when you need it.
Most shelters accommodate 3 to 4 persons, have a simple interior, and are intended for a one-night stay. Some constructions are minimalist and functional, while others are architecturally striking and photogenic.
A Welcome Shelter On Long-Distance Routes
One of the projects is Via Czechia⬈, which spans across Czechia with a network of long-distance trails running from west to east. The shelters are placed so that it is possible to walk from one to the next within a day, usually covering 20 to 30 km.
Selected Via Czechia Shelters:
Špičák (Krušné Mountains): a stylish wooden structure
Branka (Český les Mountains): a shelter made for romantics and solitude seekers
Střela by the lake: a shelter by a calm water surface
Vrbice (Jeseníky Mountains): by a mountain path with views of the forested horizon
Architectural Gems In The Mountains
In the highest Czech mountains, the Krkonoše Mountains, unique architecture has emerged, set amidst the wilderness. For example, the minimalist KØMEN (near the White Elbe) resembles a stone; the wooden STAN in Harrachov, located at the confluence of the Mumlava and Lubošská streams, is inspired by the shape of a real tent; and SILO – the Slunečná stráň shelter in Svoboda nad Úpou – was created by converting an industrial silo.
You’ll Find Shelters In Other Locations Too. Each Has Its Own Charm. To plan your route, the interactive map on viaczechia.cz ⬈ comes in handy, where you’ll find all available shelters along with information about nearby trails, available in multiple languages. More about shelters in the Krkonoše Mountains can be found here ⬈.
