Úpa
River in the Czech Republic
title: "Úpa" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["rivers-of-the-hradec-králové-region", "rivers-of-the-czech-republic"] description: "River in the Czech Republic" topic_path: "general/rivers-of-the-hradec-kralove-region" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Úpa" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary River in the Czech Republic ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox river"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Úpa |
| image | Jaroměř winter 2010 3.jpg |
| image_caption | The Úpa near Jaroměř |
| source1_location | Pec pod Sněžkou, Giant Mountains |
| source1_coordinates | |
| mouth_location | Elbe |
| mouth_coordinates | |
| progression | |
| subdivision_type1 | Country |
| subdivision_name1 | Czech Republic |
| subdivision_type2 | Region |
| subdivision_name2 | Hradec Králové |
| length_km | 78.1 |
| source1_elevation | 1424 m |
| mouth_elevation | 250 m |
| discharge1_avg | 6.99 m3/s near estuary |
| basin_size_km2 | 513.1 |
| :: |
| name = Úpa | image = Jaroměř winter 2010 3.jpg | image_caption = The Úpa near Jaroměř | source1_location = Pec pod Sněžkou, Giant Mountains | source1_coordinates = | mouth_location = Elbe | mouth_coordinates = | progression = | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Czech Republic | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = Hradec Králové | length_km = 78.1 | source1_elevation = 1424 m | mouth_elevation = 250 m | discharge1_avg = 6.99 m3/s near estuary | basin_size_km2 = 513.1 The Úpa () is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Elbe River. It flows through the Hradec Králové Region. It is 78.1 km long.
Etymology
The name is of the Illyrian or Celtic origin, from the word that meant 'river'.
Characteristic
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Trutnov_-panoramio(25).jpg" caption="The Úpa in [[Trutnov"] ::
The Úpa originates in the territory of Pec pod Sněžkou in the Giant Mountains at an elevation of 1424 m, on the slope of the Studniční hora mountain. It has the highest source of all Czech rivers.
The upper course is characterized by a large drop and a rocky river bed. Its tributaries are mainly small mountain streams. ::data[format=table]
| Tributary | Length (km) | River km | Side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olešnice | 18.6 | 14.8 | left |
| Ličná | 17.3 | 44.5 | left |
| Válovický potok | 11.4 | 9.3 | right |
| Malá Úpa | 11.3 | 67.5 | left |
| Rtyňka | 9.1 | 32.0 | left |
| :: |
Settlements
The most notable settlement on the river is the town of Trutnov. The river flows through the municipal territories of Pec pod Sněžkou, Horní Maršov, Svoboda nad Úpou, Mladé Buky, Trutnov, Suchovršice, Úpice, Havlovice, Slatina nad Úpou, Červená Hora, Žernov, Česká Skalice, Říkov, Rychnovek and Jaroměř.
Bodies of water
There are 266 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them is the fishpond Špinka with an area of 35 ha.
Protection of nature
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Babiččino_údolí,_Viktorčin_splav.jpg" caption="''Viktorčin splav'', one of the best-known places in Grandmother's Valley popularized by ''[[The Grandmother]]'' book"] ::
The section of the river between Červená Hora and Česká Skalice and the immediate surroundings is known as the Babiččino údolí ("Grandmother's Valley"). It is protected as a national nature monument with an area is 331.0 ha. Protected species of birds such as the common kingfisher, grey wagtail, white-throated dipper, river warbler and common merganser are tied to the Úpa. Other notable representatives of the fauna in the protected area are the European crayfish, European bullhead, Eurasian otter and green snaketail.
Sport
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Divoká_Úpa_-_panoramio.jpg" caption="Slalom course in Trutnov"] ::
There is a slalom course on the river in Trutnov. The Trutnovské slalomy competition is held here every year since 1965.
Tourism
The Úpa is suitable for river tourism, but in the summer there is usually a lack of water in the river. The upper course is only suitable for experienced paddlers. The most popular section is therefore the section from Trutnov-Bohuslavice to Česká Skalice.
Grandmother's Valley is connected with life and work of Božena Němcová, who belongs among the most impactful Czech writers. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The area of the Ratibořice Castle and valley is protected as a national cultural monument.
References
References
- Šmilauer, Vladimír. "O původu názvů českých řek". [[Institute of the Czech Language]].
- "Řeka Úpa – nejvýše pramenící česká řeka". CzechTourism.
- "Základní charakteristiky toku Úpa a jeho povodí". T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute.
- "Svoboda nad Úpou – Povodňový plán města: Hydrologické údaje". Elektronický digitální povodňový portál.
- "Vodní toky". [[Czech Hydrometeorological Institute]].
- "Vodní dílo Rozkoš". Povodí Labe.
- "Babiččino údolí". Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic.
- "Národní přírodní památka Babiččino údolí". Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic.
- Braun, Jan. (2023-04-30). "Nesmlouvavé souboje s divokou vodou. Trutnovská loděnice žila závody". Deník.cz.
- (2017-11-11). "Úpa – zpod Sněžky do labských rovin". Pádler.
- "Zámek Ratibořice s areálem Babiččina údolí". National Heritage Institute.
- "Babiččino údolí v Ratibořicích – na skok do románu Boženy Němcové". CzechTourism.
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