The Krkonoše/Karkonosze Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Czech: [ˈkr̩konoʃɛ] , Polish: [karkɔˈnɔʂɛ]) is a MAB transboundary biosphere reserve, mixed mountain and highland system designated by UNESCO as Krkonoše/Karkonosze Mountains in 1992. It is shared by the Czech Republic and Poland. Notably, it is one of only two successful transboundary management structures in existence, aside from the East Carpathians Biosphere Reserve, due to contrasting goals in other shared areas covered by MAB.
The Giant Mountains, Krkonoše, or Karkonosze (Czech: [ˈkr̩konoʃɛ] , Polish pronunciation: [karkɔˈnɔʂɛ] , German: Riesengebirge pronounced [ˈʁiːzn̩ɡəˌbɪʁɡə] , Silesian: Karkōnōsze), are a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system (part of the Bohemian Massif). The Czech–Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge. The highest peak, Sněžka (Polish: Śnieżka), is the Czech Republic's highest natural point with an elevation of 1,603 metres (5,259 ft).
On both sides of the border, large areas of the mountains are designated national parks (Krkonoše National Park in the Czech Republic and Karkonosze National Park in Poland), and these together comprise the Krkonoše/Karkonosze Transboundary Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. The source of the River Elbe is within the Giant Mountains. The range has a number of major ski resorts, and is a popular destination for tourists engaging in downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, cycling and other activities.
Giant Mountains National Park (Polish: Karkonoski Park Narodowy) is a National Park in the Giant Mountains in the Sudetes in southwestern Poland, along the border with the Czech Republic.
The national park is located in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in the highest part of the Sudetes. It was created in 1959, covering an area of 55.10 km. Today it is slightly larger at 55.76 km (21.53 sq mi), of which 17.18 km is strictly protected. The majority of the park area, around 33.80 km, consists of forests. In 1992 Karkonosze National Park, together with the neighbouring Czech Krkonoše National Park, became part of the Krkonoše/Karkonosze Transboundary Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. Also, 40 hectares of peat bogs were designated a Ramsar international wetland site.
Krkonoše National Park (Czech: Krkonošský národní park, abbreviated as KRNAP) is a national park in the Liberec and Hradec Králové regions of the Czech Republic. It covers most of the Giant Mountains (Czech: Krkonoše), which is the highest range of the country. The park has also been listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site. It borders Karkonosze National Park in Poland.
Krkonoše's highest mountain is Sněžka at 1,603 m (5,259 ft), which is also the highest mountain of the entire Czech Republic. The area of the national park is 363.52 km (140.36 sq mi). The protection zone of the park covers 186.18 km (71.88 sq mi). The National Park management headquarters are located in the town of Vrchlabí.