Internationaler Bergwanderweg Eisenach–Budapest (Polen West)

The Internationaler Bergwanderweg Eisenach–Budapest (Polen West) is a long-distance point-to-point mountain trail running through the Sudetes along the Czech–Polish border, part of the International Walking Network (IWN). Crossing ridges from roughly 700 to over 1,400 m, it is a moderate to demanding multi-day route, prized for its quiet border forests, panoramic ridgelines and historic mountain refuges.

About the Internationaler Bergwanderweg Eisenach–Budapest (Polen West)

The Internationaler Bergwanderweg der Freundschaft Eisenach–Budapest (abbreviated EB) is one of Central Europe's great long-distance hiking achievements. The full route stretches roughly 2,690 km from Eisenach in the German state of Thuringia to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, threading together the mountain ranges of four countries. It officially opened to international tourism in 1983, created jointly by hiking organisations from East Germany (the Kulturbund), Czechoslovakia, Poland (the PTTK tourism society) and Hungary as a symbol of cross-border friendship during the Cold War.

The "Polen West" designation refers specifically to the western Polish–Czech segment that runs through the Sudetes (Sudety in Polish, Krkonoše and surrounding ranges in Czech). This section traditionally ran from Jakuszyce in the Izera Mountains to Boboszów near the Czech border, hugging the international frontier across some of the highest and most scenic terrain on the entire EB. After 1990 the named EB trail ceased to operate as a single managed route and was absorbed into the European long-distance path E3, but many regional tourist maps in Czechia and Poland still mark the original red-flash EB waymarking.

For hikers today, the Sudetes section is the most rewarding way to experience the spirit of the old Friendship Trail. It crosses the Jizera Mountains (Jizerské hory / Góry Izerskie), the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše / Karkonosze) with the peak of Sněžka–Śnieżka, the Orlické hory (Góry Orlickie) and the foothills toward the Králický Sněžník massif. Expect well-marked forest paths, exposed ridge walking, traditional mountain chalets, and the constant pleasure of stepping back and forth across an open European border.

Route Overview & Stages

The figures below describe the Sudetes (Polen West) segment broken into practical day stages. Because the historic EB has been folded into the E3 and local trail networks, distances vary slightly depending on which connecting paths you follow; treat these as planning estimates rather than official measurements.

Taken together this Sudetes segment covers roughly 130–140 km with about 4,000 m of cumulative ascent, comfortably walked in six days by a fit hiker. Strong walkers combine stages to finish in four to five days; those who want to savour the ridges and refuges spread it across a full week.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Sněžka / Śnieżka (1,603 m) — the highest peak of both the Krkonoše and the entire Sudetes, crowned by the Polish meteorological observatory and the historic Czech chapel of St. Lawrence; on a clear day the panorama reaches deep into Bohemia and Silesia.
• Szrenica (1,362 m) — a westerly Krkonoše summit reached early on the route, with a long-standing mountain chalet that makes a natural first-night stop.
• Śnieżne Kotły — two dramatic glacial cirques on the Polish flank of the main ridge, among the most geologically striking landforms in the range.
• Source of the Elbe (Pramen Labe) — the symbolic spring of the Elbe river high on the Czech side of the Krkonoše plateau, marked by a stone wall of regional coats of arms.
• Velká Deštná (1,115 m) — the highest point of the Orlické hory (Eagle Mountains), offering open ridge views from its summit lookout tower.
• Czechoslovak border fortifications — the line of 1930s concrete bunkers along the Orlické hory ridge, a tangible reminder of the region's interwar defences.
• Králický Sněžník (1,424 m) — the massif marking the eastern end of this segment, the watershed of three seas and home to the legendary source of the Morava river.
• Boboszów border crossing — the historic Polish endpoint of the Sudetes EB section, a quiet frontier hamlet where the trail traditionally handed over to the Carpathian segment.

Best Time to Hike the Internationaler Bergwanderweg Eisenach–Budapest (Polen West)

The Sudetes high ridges are exposed and snow can linger in shaded hollows well into May, while the upper Krkonoše plateau is a protected zone with strict winter access rules. The practical hiking window runs from mid-June to early October. September is the single best month: as of 2026 the late-summer weather brings stable high-pressure days, daytime temperatures of roughly 12–18 °C on the ridges, dramatically lower crowds than the July–August peak, and the first golden tones in the beech and larch forests of the lower stages.

July and August offer the warmest, longest days and the most reliable refuge opening hours, but they also draw the heaviest traffic around Sněžka and Špindlerův Mlýn. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in midsummer, so plan to clear the exposed main ridge before early afternoon. June rewards early hikers with long daylight and wildflower meadows, though lingering snowfields and muddy moorland sections are possible. October can be glorious but the first hard frosts arrive on the summits and many high chalets begin reducing services, so carry full cold-weather layers and check opening dates before relying on a hut for the night.

Practical Information

Accommodation

This is a hut-and-village route rather than a wilderness traverse, which keeps logistics manageable. The Krkonoše and Orlické hory are dotted with traditional mountain chalets (Czech bouda, Polish schronisko) offering dormitory beds and hot meals. Expect to pay roughly €18–€30 for a dormitory bunk and €45–€80 for a private double room in a mountain chalet or guesthouse; valley resorts such as Špindlerův Mlýn have hotels at €60 and up. Booking ahead is essential in July and August and on any weekend. Wild camping is prohibited inside the Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP) and the surrounding protected landscape areas, so plan each night around an established refuge or village; managed campsites in the foothill towns charge around €8–€14 per pitch.

Getting There & Back

The most convenient start is Jakuszyce on the Polish side of the Izera Mountains, reached by bus from Szklarska Poręba, whose railway station connects to Wrocław (about 3 hours). The nearest major airports are Wrocław (WRO) and Prague (PRG), each roughly 2.5–3.5 hours from the trailheads by train and bus. At the eastern end, the Boboszów / Králický Sněžník area is served from the Czech town of Králíky, which has rail links toward Ústí nad Orlicí and onward to Prague (around 3.5 hours total). Cross-border bus and train timetables shift seasonally, so confirm connections through the operators before travelling.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the trail, and crossing the Czech–Polish border is free for travellers within the Schengen area — carry a valid passport or national ID card regardless. The route passes through Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP in Czechia, KPN on the Polish side), where you must keep to marked paths, observe seasonal ridge closures, and respect the camping ban. There is no general entry fee for the national park itself, though some summit facilities, cable cars and museums charge small admission. Check current conservation rules with the Krkonoše National Park Administration before your trip, and consult the Czech Tourist Club, which maintains the waymarking you will follow across the Sudetes.

Gear & Packing List

Ridge weather in the Sudetes turns quickly, so build your kit around layering and weatherproofing rather than bulk. A waterproof shell, warm mid-layer, sturdy boots with ankle support and trekking poles for the long descents are the non-negotiables, alongside a map or GPS track since the historic EB waymarking is no longer uniformly maintained. Because much of this segment links comfortable chalets, you can travel light: a 35–55 litre pack is ample for a hut-to-hut itinerary. The Abisko Hike 35 suits a streamlined hut traverse, while the Aether 65 handles a heavier camping-supported plan in the foothills, and ultralight hikers will appreciate the 2400 Windrider. For help dialling in pack weight, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested options. Fuel your days on the ridge with calorie-dense food — our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you avoid bonking on the long Orlické hory stages.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The Friendship Trail's Sudetes segment now overlaps heavily with the European long-distance path E3 and the related E6, so the most natural follow-ups are other Czech sections of these continental routes. If you enjoy quiet border ridges and forest walking, these connected trails extend the experience across Bohemia and Moravia:

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E6, Deutschland, Oberpfalz — 130 km of German–Czech borderland walking
• European long distance path E6 - part Czech Republic
• European long distance path E3 - part Czech Republic, Morava
• European long distance path E3 - part Czech Republic, North East
• European long distance path E3 - part Czech Republic, North West

For a contrasting alpine adventure beyond Central Europe, our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania showcases a dramatic single-day pass crossing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Sudetes section?
Mid-June to early October is the reliable window, and September is the best single month. As of 2026 it delivers stable weather, ridge temperatures around 12–18 °C, far fewer crowds than the July–August peak, and the first autumn colour. Snow can linger into May on the high Krkonoše plateau, and winter ridge closures apply, so avoid the cold months unless properly equipped.

How difficult is the trail?
The Polen West segment is moderate to demanding. There is no technical scrambling, but you face sustained ascents and descents, exposed ridge walking near Sněžka where weather changes fast, and daily distances of 16–28 km with up to 800 m of climbing. Reasonable fitness, sturdy footwear and the ability to navigate are essential, since the old EB waymarking is no longer uniformly maintained.

How far should I plan to walk each day?
Plan for roughly 18–26 km per day across the six-stage Sudetes itinerary, totalling about 130–140 km. Fit hikers combine stages to finish in four to five days, while those who want time on the ridges and in the chalets take a full week. Shorter days are wise around Sněžka, where weather and crowds can slow progress considerably.

Where can I sleep along the route?
The route links traditional mountain chalets (Czech bouda, Polish schronisko), guesthouses and valley hotels. Dormitory bunks cost roughly €18–€30 and private rooms €45–€80. Booking ahead is essential in summer and on weekends. Wild camping is banned in the Krkonoše National Park, so each night should centre on an established refuge, village guesthouse or managed foothill campsite.

Do I need a permit or visa?
No hiking permit is required, and the Czech–Polish border crossing is free within the Schengen area, though you should carry a passport or national ID. The trail passes through Krkonoše National Park, where you must stay on marked paths, respect seasonal ridge closures and observe the camping ban. Some summit facilities and cable cars charge small fees, but there is no general park entry charge.