At 1,603 metres, Sněžka is the highest peak in the Czech Republic and the dominant landmark of the Krkonoše range. It is not climbed from Špindlerův Mlýn — the most popular access is by cable car from nearby Pec pod Sněžkou, about 15 kilometres east — but it is clearly visible from the resort and reachable on foot via the ridge trail for experienced hikers.
The summit straddles the Czech-Polish border and has a weather station, a mountain restaurant, and the distinctive flying-saucer observatory on the Czech side. The Polish side has a chapel and its own shelter. On a clear day the view from the top extends across Bohemia, Silesia, and — in ideal conditions — as far as Prague. The summit is often in cloud and can be bitterly cold even in summer; bring warm layers regardless of the weather below.