Łabski Waterfall — known in Czech as Labský vodopád and in German as Elbfall — is a stunning 35-metre cascade tucked inside the rocky Elbe Gorge in the Giant Mountains. It is one of the most rewarding natural sights in the region, and the short hike to reach it feels like stepping into a completely different world.
What makes this spot truly special is its location: the waterfall sits just one kilometre southeast of the source of the Elbe, one of Central Europe's great rivers. The gorge feels wild and intimate at the same time — sheer rock walls, dense spruce forest and the constant roar of water crashing over boulders. Below the main drop, the river continues as a 200-metre stretch of rocky rapids that extend the spectacle nicely. Spring snowmelt transforms the falls into a thundering torrent, while winter coats everything in ice and frost, making it equally magical — though more demanding underfoot.
How to get thereA little piece of history: back in 1859, a former owner of the Labská bouda hut built a small reservoir above the waterfall to artificially boost the water flow and impress visitors. The practice was later abandoned for nature conservation reasons, but the remains of that old reservoir are said to still be visible near the hut.