Walk the Bohemian Paradise

Itinerary:

Day 1. Prague - Jicin
Arrival to Prague airport. Public bus to Jicin. Accommodation at a hotel in Jicin and overnight.-/-/-

Day 2. Jicin - Prachovske Skaly
The route leads through an undulating terrain and ends in a rugged rock city. Following the well-marked paths you will leave Jicin walking up Zebin hill, from where a beautiful view to Jicin region is revealed. You continue downhill to the villages of Kbelnice and Brada. The path will finally take you to the rock city in Prachov. Take your time for some hiking in the park (entrance ticket is required, not included in the price). Overnight at a hotel in the natural reserve of Prachovske Skaly (rocks). B/-/-
Walking: 11 km + circuit trip through the Prachovské skály rocks.
Shorter option: 7,5 km + circuit trip through the Prachovské skály rocks

Day 3. Prachovske Skaly - Sobotka
The walk folllows a mild terrain with beautiful views from Prachovske Skaly to the small village of Neprivec in the outskirts of the town of Sobotka. Well-marked paths will take you the town of Mladejov, passing by the romantic rock castle Parez. You will continue to the village of Steblovice and then to the town of Sobotka. Don't miss a visit to the Baroque Humprecht castle. Overnight in Sobotka. B/-/-
Walking: 16 km 

Day 4. Sobotka - Hruba Skala
The route runs in the undulating terrain of enchanting valleys with nice views and romantic castles. After you leave Neprivec you will pass by the village of Vesec with its typical folk architecture houses. Then you cross Plakanek valley to reach the beautiful castle of Kost. You continue to the village of Libosovice and the symbol of the Bohemian paradise - Trosky castle. After you pass by Vidlak tourist restaurant you end your hiking at Hruba Skala. Your hotel in Hruba Skala is situated in a former chateau standing on the rock blocks with a unique view. B/-/-
Walking: 26 km
Shorter option: 18 km

Day 5. Hruba Skala - Turnov
The day begins with a walk exploring Hrubá Skála rock city. The rock city consists of about 400 sandstone towers. Some of them are 60 meters high (380 meters above sea level). The trail leads you through the Bukovina arboretum, the Mouse Hole rock passage, and passes by the cave named Adam’s Bed. You will then reach a spectacular viewpoint called Mariánská vyhlídka, opening Bohemian Paradise’s most beautiful views. The path continues to the upper part of the Hruboskalská Plateau.Situated on the plateau is your next stop – the Valdštejn castle, built in the middle of the 13th century. You will then continue to the end of the rock ridge Hlavatice (a lonely rock located at the edge of the Hruboskalská Plateau). You will ascend to the top via stairs with railings to reach an observation point, opening a panoramic view of Turnov, Ještěd hill, and Bezděz.The trail continues with a descent to Turnov, where you will have the opportunity to visit the museum of the Bohemian Paradise. And discover this town located along Jizera river itself. B/-/-
Walking: 13 km
Shorter option: 10 km

Day 6. Mala Skala
After breakfast, your route heads to Dolánky – the modern museum of Bohemian Paradise nature. Then you will continue to Drábovna (a small rock town). A marked path will take you to the ruins of a castle from the Middle ages – Frýdštejn, after which you will descend to the rock castle Vranov, also known as Pantheon. With its length of almost 400 m, it is considered the most complicated rock castle in Bohemia. The form of the castle was determined by the sandstone cliffs, on which it was built before 1425. It was abandoned during the 16th century. Later modifications transformed the ruins of the castle into a romantic monument available to the public called the Pantheon. Reconstruction was completed in the summer of 1826 when a chapel was built high above the Jizera valley. In total 14 km.

Here you have 3 options. Have a rest and return back Turnov. Extension A means making short-circuited in a rock labyrinth and returning back to town for the train ride. Extension B is the longest but you will continue from the rock labyrinth to the hotel with extra places to visit.

Extension A:
You will then continue for circuited in the Besedické Skály – a rock labyrinth. The Besedické skály Rocks are located on the left bank of the Jizera River above Malá Skála. The walls of the rock maze hide the Kalich praying room, among other things. A ladder is cut into sandstone, with an inscription bearing the year 1634. At that time, secret services of the Czech Brethren were held during the anti-reformation period. Return back to Malá Skála. In total with an extension 18 km.

The route ends back in Mala Skala, where you can visit the Bouček’s farm. This is a two-storey wooden building with a gallery – a wonderful example of the rural architecture in Mala Skala region. The gallery, named after Josef Jíra (a famous local artist) exhibits a collection of paintings and sculptures made by more than 120 Czech artists of the 20th century. A separate part contains a permanent showcase of the painter Josef Jíra’s artworks. By train back to station Dolánky (one station)

Extension B:
You will then continue for circuited in the Besedické Skály – a rock labyrinth. The Besedické skály Rocks are located on the left bank of the Jizera River above Malá Skála. The walls of the rock maze hide the Kalich praying room, among other things. A ladder is cut into sandstone, with an inscription bearing the year 1634. At that time, secret services of the Czech Brethren were held during the anti-reformation period. Your route continues to Zbirohy ruins (empty from 15. the century). Descending to the valley and following the calm Jizera river in a picturesque valley. Coming to Dolánky a hotel.B/-/-/
Walking: 23 km

Day 7. Departure
Departure by the local bus to Prague. Possibility to prolong your stay in Prague. B/-/-

Necessary equipment: sturdy walking boots and walking socks, a small rucksack, a water bottle with at least 1 litre capacity, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, rainwear, insect repellent.