The starting point for this trip may be the parking lot near the Swiss house in the village of Sněžník. On your way to Sněžník you may stop in the village of Tisá where you may admire the winter beauty (without skis) of the rock town known as the Tiské Walls. Near the parking lot you will find a tourist crossroad sign for Hřebenová bouda (Ridge Hut). From here we will follow the direction towards "Děčínský Sněžník" (3 km). We will not climb to the top of this mountain - which is visible from far away in the distance - by following the red sign because the red-sign road is not suitable for cross country skiing. We will rather use the tower supply road, which is maintained in the winter only with a plow or it is not maintained at all. To reach the top terrace of Děčínský sněžník, we have to ascend 1 km of rather steep slope /2-3/. The edge of the terrace is lined with distinctive rocks offering beautiful views and dramatically enhancing the characteristics of the surrounding countryside. Then we will continue on an almost perfect plain placed inside an eerie landscape formed by harsh natural conditions, which have always ruled the tops of these mountains. Near the Děčínský Sněžník crossroad sign you will find a viewing tower (closed in winter) and a mountain cottage. Even without using the viewing tower, this place offers many far-reaching and beautiful views. Then we follow the red sign, which will take us through wind-shaped larch and pine trees and around the edge of the top terrace until we reach its northern edge. There you should take your skis off and walk down for about 100 metres on a long trail snaking between boulders which form the edge of the mountain. Then you shall ski down /2/ among trees until you reach the crossroad sign for Pod Koňskou hlavou (Under the Horse's Head). From the crossroads the ski track will take us on a slight downhill ride through a beautiful birch grove all the way to the crossroad sign Kristinin Hrádek (Kristina's Castle). Attention! The last 300 metres are very steep /3!/. The crossroad sign is still 2 km from the Kristinin Hrádek (Kristina's Castle). We will reach it by taking a gentle climb /2/ on a plow-maintained road. The Kristinin Hrádekfacility consists of the former hunting chateau and management building converted into a hotel and restaurant (closed in winter). When your tour of the castle is completed you may go back to the U Piketu crossroad and take a right turn to follow the unmarked cross-country ski track that passes under and along an electric power line, making your navigation nice and easy. During this 4 km long section we must overcome two deep valleys attached to our road. Then we take a paved uphill road marked with the blue tourist sign. After about 500 metres, this road will bring us to a state border crossing with Germany - the Soví brána (Owl Gate) . Right behind the border crossing to Germany you will see a crossroad sign. We will take a left turn here and follow the yellow sign all the way to the rocky valley of the Biele River. For the first 1.5 km we will ride down on a forest path along a small river enclosed from both sides by massive sandstone blocks and towers. This short but memorable section is one of the most beautiful sites offered by this remarkable journey. For the second 1.5 km we will go slightly uphill across a wider valley, where we will occasionally see distant tops of rock towers, hiding and peeping at us. A short distance before the Czech state border, the yellow sign will take us across the river and uphill on the opposite slope, taking us towards the rocky formation Grenzplatte. We shall continue on the paved road and immediately after the gate arm we enter the recreational village of Ostrov. We will pass through this picturesque village located on the bottom of the little valley enclosed from all sides with massive rocks (1 km) until we reach the crossroads sign for Ostrov, located near the road, slightly above the village. From this crossroads sign we shall take the red route (3.5 km) all the way to the parking lot in Sněžník. However, before we get there, we have to overcome a 1 km long steep climb /2-3/ among boulders and rocks up to 10 meters high, called the Ostrovské Rocks. When we reach the edge of the uphill terrace, the climb will become more relaxed and we will continue slightly uphill through a mixed-tree forest until we reach the village of Sněžník. Total length 20 km Difficulty 2–3. - moderately difficult trip
During your trip you may also visit the Tiské stěny (Tiské Walls), which offer a more adventurous experience. Your visit shall begin at the crossroad Ostrov (Island), from where you will follow the red sign but in the opposite direction - towards "Tiské Walls" (2.5 km). You will pass by frozen lakes and then take a steep climb /3/ among rocks of the Volské kameny (Bull's Boulders) until you reach the uphill saddle/terrace. From here you will ski on an almost flat plain down to a mountain cottage and to the crossroad sign for the Tiské Walls. Do not ski directly to the Tiské Walls. It would not make any sense. After you have enjoyed and walked through the Tiské Walls, you should follow the yellow sign until you reach the "Na hranici (At the border) crossroad sign" (2 km). You will reach this crossroad by skiing slightly downhill /2/ on a forest road while enjoying views of the nearby rock town. We shall continue to follow the yellow route, which after about 2 kilometres of a smooth downhill ride will take us to Ostrov. Attention! The last 500 metres are very steep. If you are not an experienced cross-country skier take your skis off! Total length 6.5 km
