Czech Switzerland: excursion routes from Prague. How to get to Czech Switzerland by car using the map. Czech Republic: Czech Switzerland National Park Scheme of hiking routes Hřensko

(České Švýcarsko) is a beautiful protected area in the north-west of the Czech Republic. The area is adjacent to the German “Saxon Switzerland”. And it is famous for its unusually shaped limestone cliffs, gorges and dense forests located in the Elbe (Laba) River basin. In 2000, an area of ​​79 km2 officially became a national park, falling under state protection.

Currently, Czech Switzerland is a popular tourist destination. Which is present in the list of available routes of any self-respecting Prague tour operator. However, travelers who think that they are “somehow on their own” will also easily find their way and gain a lot of impressions. Once in detail.

How to get there from Prague

Ironically, it is more convenient to get from German to Czech Switzerland than from Prague. We take the train from the city station (Hbf) to the Schöna station - time ~ 55 minutes. Then we go to the ferry crossing, cross the river and, please, you are in Grzhensko. The starting point for several popular hiking trails!

You can get from Prague to Decin (we’ll see the local castle along the way) by train - it’s a little over 2 hours on the road. Schedule and ticket prices: .

You can get to the place from Decin by sailing on a boat sailing along the Labe. The final stop is in the village of Shmilka on the German side of the border, then walk about a kilometer to the crossing in Grzhensko.

Another interesting way is, again, by train from Prague. Direction to Decin, there is a transfer to the line to the German Bad Schandau, we get off at the Schöna station. Next you already know...

Short story

The honor of opening the region to the public goes to Adrian Zing and Anton Graff, two Swiss artists and teachers at the Dresden Art Academy who lived in the mid-18th century. In search of "nature" they traveled along the Elbe, visiting places between Pirna and Hrzensko, and painted a lot.

Almost immediately their landscapes attracted attention and tourists flocked to these places for their unusual beauty. One of the most famous personalities who did not fail to visit here: the author of fairy tales, the Dane Hans Christian Andersen, who made two visits: in 1831 and 1851.

What to see

There are several routes that allow you to see Czech Switzerland in detail: both walking and cycling. Let us mention the iconic places of the national park, for the sake of which people actually come here.

Pravčická brána is the largest natural limestone arch in Europe, 26 meters long and 16 meters high. You can't climb it - it's fraught, but seeing it is absolutely necessary.

In 1881, Prince Edmund Clary und Olringen, who owned local lands, built a castle next to Pravcicka Brana, called the “Falcon's Nest”. The building was erected in just one year! Today, it houses a national park museum and a restaurant with great views and not so great prices.

Kamenice is a river flowing through a winding mountain gorge. The Tikha souteska backwater, “Quiet Gorge” (Tichá soutěska), is especially beautiful. For almost a kilometer, tourists contemplate sheer walls up to hundreds of meters high and relict pine groves. Edmund's Gorge is the most colorful part of Kamenica!

The village of Jetřichovice is a convenient starting point for traveling through the mountain range of the same name. Falkenstein and Mariina skála, beautiful viewpoints at an altitude of over 400 meters.

Ruins of the Schaunštejn fortress on a lonely rock. The fortification was destroyed either in the 15th or 16th centuries. And since then they have not been able to restore it.

Nature has created a large number of beautiful and incredibly beautiful places throughout our planet. Millions of years of transformation and improvement have led to the emergence of such corners that can take away the power of speech. The same majesty and splendor can be found in the remote outskirts of the Czech Republic.

Czech Switzerland is a place that will certainly make you feel like you are in the middle of something great and magical. Amazing beauty of nature, man-made monuments, entertainment and relaxation - you will find all this in this nature park. It is located in the northwestern part of the state and occupies about 80 square kilometers. It is noteworthy that Czech Switzerland is located right on the border with Germany, where the park continues, but under a different name. Incredible examples of flora and unprecedented representatives of fauna, steep cliffs, mountain streams, waterfalls, historical and natural buildings and colorful villages - all this will await you on a tour of Czech Switzerland.

Almost in the heart of Europe itself, the park is built around a canyon, through the crevices of which flows the beautiful Elbe River, or as it is called in the Czech Republic, Labe. The canyon itself begins in the town of Decin and extends to German territory. It is noteworthy that the canyon is based on unique sandstone rocks, which over millions of years have turned into highly artistic architectural structures created by nature. Also, it is worth noting that recently, namely since 2000, this natural park received the status of a national reserve. Believe me, you will remember this trip forever.

The reserve will captivate any tourist, not only with its beauty, but also with the freshness of the air, crystal clear waters, greenery, and an amazing and harmonious combination of nature and civilization. An interesting fact is the reasons for the appearance of this canyon. For a long time now, pundits have come to the conclusion that such a rock formation appeared as a result of sea activity. However, when the water left this area many thousands of years ago, we were left with all this beauty as a legacy.

For the convenience of its visitors, a large number of observation platforms, viewpoints, places to sleep and relax, hotels and tourist routes for independent excursions were created.

Czech Switzerland is notable not only for its nature, but also for the number of different tourist spots, which include:

• Decin complex (castle, zoo, water park);
• Pravčicka Gate;
• The rock castles of Schaunstein and Falkenstein, and the ruins of Tolstein;
• Glass factory;
• Silver mine;
• Ruzhovsky Hill;
• Souteski, etc.

It is not for nothing that all these places attract a huge number of tourists, and each part is worthy of the most careful tourist study. Therefore, let's look at them in more detail.

Where to go in Czech Switzerland?

As in every yard, the first thing that greets you when you come to visit is the gate. We would also like to start our journey through Czech Switzerland with such a unique entrance as the Pravcicka Gate. A magnificent, huge natural sculpture that looks like a skillfully made arch. Their height reaches 16 m, and their width is 26 m. The magnificence and power that can only be felt by standing directly there under this sand and stone sculpture can never be compared with simply looking at beautiful photographs of landscapes. This gate is one of those places that everyone should see. Any tourist will probably simply be speechless from such a spectacle. And although it is not possible to go into Bran itself, since this historical monument is protected from destruction, convenient viewing platforms have been specially built so that visitors can still enjoy the stunning views of the city. There is an entrance fee, but the cost is pleasant and one hundred percent worth it.

Pravcicka Brana (Pravcicka Gate)

In the mountain, next to the gate, right in the rock, there is the next attraction - the Falcon's Nest. This small castle gives the feeling that the rock seems to be swallowing the building. The building itself was built in 1881. Today it is a restaurant that is open to everyone. The interior is designed in the style of the last century, and the view from the window is simply extraordinary. In addition, on the territory of the castle-estate of the Clari-Aldringen clan, there is an extensive museum of the entire reserve.

Separately, I would like to mention the border town of Decin, which is a historical monument of the Czech Republic, and it is from here that a tourist trip through the reserve begins. Picturesque places, beautiful landscapes and unforgettable experiences. The city is located in the northwestern part of Bohemia, at the place where two rivers – Laba and Plučnica – merge. However, most tourist spots can be found on the right bank of the Laba River. Here you can enjoy the beauty of Decin Castle, admire and meet the animals in the zoo (1949) and relax in the water park.

Decin map

Another town that cannot be ignored in this story is Grzensko, which is located on the very border with German lands. It is considered to be a kind of gateway to the hiking tourist part of the reserve. It is from here that you can forget about cars and noisy crowds - here begins the silence and beauty of walking along the paths that nature gave us. The city itself is full of places where you can stay overnight or find a place for a delicious lunch. A nice and nice hospitable city, which, among other things, is also located in incredibly beautiful places. Local homes, hotels with spas and guesthouses offer unforgettable views of the cliffs and wildlife.

A memorable place for any tourist will be the ruins of Tolštejn Castle, from the upper walls of which you can view beautiful panoramas of the Czech Switzerland nature reserve. The place itself has a very long history, the beginning of which goes back to 1337. In addition, this place was considered the residence of robber barons. By taking a tour here, you can learn a lot of interesting historical information and get in touch with our past.

Next, let's talk about the two rock castles Schaunstein and Falkenstein. Today, Shaushntein is represented only by intricate ruins that are scattered throughout the forest and at first glance resembles a picture from a children's book. But the main view point of this place is the top of the rock. You can find it only by not being afraid to climb the rocky staircase tunnel. However, once you are there, you will never forget what you saw. Falkenstein, like the castles mentioned above, was built exclusively for military purposes. Now you can take a walk in the center of Czech Switzerland through romantic and historical places - there are restored and comfortable paths, viewpoints and convenient observation platforms.

Perhaps, the territory of the Kamenice River can easily be called one of the most beautiful and picturesque places. The river itself is an example of a real picturesque landscape that nature could create. However, tourists also love it for other advantages. 2 streams flow into this river from both sides. In these places, it was decided to build two dams, which resulted in the formation of backwaters of extraordinary beauty - Tiha Sutjeska and Divoka Sutjeska. You can see the splendor of these places either on foot or by boat. However, you will still get more impressions by navigating the water in a canoe. An interesting fact is that there is some discrepancy between the names of the outlets and their essence. For example, Divoka Sutjeska is a quiet, romantic haven for a slow boat ride and admiring the beauty of nature. Its length is only 250 m, but Tikha Sutjeska is several times longer, has more turbulent water, as well as a magical waterfall that tourists will encounter along the way.

In addition to the described attractions and interesting places, in the reserve you can enjoy the following tourist spots:

• Mouse hole. And although this place has nothing in common with small mammals, the point itself is very interesting. It tests your stamina and endurance. It is a steep path that will take you to the tops of the mountains in 3-4 hours;
• Village of Hřipksa. Bohemia is famous for the production of Czech crystal. Here you can witness all the action if you visit a glass workshop;
• Dolski Mlyn. Located directly on the territory of the reserve and is a medieval water wheel mill;
• Belvedere site. This observation terrace is a picturesque viewpoint created by nature. The site hangs over a canyon, inside of which the Laba River flows;
• Silver mines. The site, where silver mining activities took place in the recent past, has now become a tourist attraction. Wearing a helmet and armed with a flashlight, you will feel like a real miner.

One day on the territory of the reserve will leave truly indelible impressions in your life that will continue to linger for a long time.

How to get to Czech Switzerland from Prague?

So, when you have definitely decided that you want to visit this wonderful place, you should carefully consider the route. It is best to get there from Prague, as there is a significant amount of transport from there. However, there are other options. Let's look at them all.

Route map to Czech Switzerland

The first option is by personal car. Such a trip in the Prague direction will take you about an hour and a half, but from Dresden, a little less - 40-45 minutes. The advantage of this travel option is, of course, the incredibly picturesque pictures along the way. In order to get to Czech Switzerland, when leaving Prague, you need to head towards the city of Teplice, along the E55 highway. Then in the following order: Lovoshtitsy - direction to Usti nad Labem - the city of Decin and Grzensko.

The second option is a train that will take you almost to the city of Decin, where you can change to a bus to Grzensko. As stated above, it is from this point that a huge number of different hiking trails begin. The address of the bus stop is simple - opposite the railway station.

The third option is a steamboat. For romantic couples who love long, slow boat trips, a ferry crossing from Decin to Grzensko is an excellent option.

By the way, we strongly do not recommend resorting to a route during which you will need to change trains in Ústí nad Labem. This is due to the fact that the departure and arrival times of transport here are very different, which means that you may have to wait a long time for the next train.

When you arrive in Czech Switzerland, choose your tourist route very carefully. Remember that some of them are quite heavy and are not suitable for older people, travelers with health problems, and small children are unlikely to be delighted. In addition, not everywhere you can use a bicycle. Plan your time carefully. For example, it will take you a whole day to explore Braná, which is worth walking to. Take this into account and be prepared - take snacks, warm clothes and water. If you decide to also travel to Germany, it will take another day. Be sure to purchase a tourist map; without it it is quite difficult to navigate, and you may miss something truly interesting.

All entries about Czech Switzerland:

Czech Switzerland- a beautiful corner of nature in the north-west of the Czech Republic. The area adjoins the German Saxon Switzerland and is famous for its unusually shaped limestone cliffs, gorges and dense forests located in the Elbe River basin. In 2000, an area of ​​79 km2 officially became a national park and came under state protection. On the territory of this park there are several small settlements - starting points from where you can follow tourist routes, getting acquainted with the beautiful nature of this reserve. And Grzensko is the best of them.

Hřensko is a very nice and hospitable border town located near the border with Germany on the banks of the river Elbe. This picturesque village with half-timbered houses is considered the gateway to the Czech Switzerland National Nature Reserve and, at the same time, the place where the Elbe River says goodbye to the Czech Republic.
How we got there:
1. from Prague railway station by train to Děčín - ticket price 159 CZK;
2. by bus from Decin to Hřensko - ticket price 27 CZK.
All information on transport in the Czech Republic can be found.

We buy tickets to the side Decin, we take the train and go to Decin. By the way, the tickets are not tied to any train in time, the purchased ticket is valid for two days and the more people there are, the cheaper the tickets; for four of us we got 501 CZK. An even bigger discount comes when purchasing tickets in both directions at once.
In Decin we board 434 bus, which will take us to Grzhensko. There is a stop right opposite the station, but to be sure, we got to the bus station. The bus does not travel often - once every 2 hours (every hour on weekends), so we had time to take a walk and have a little snack.
We buy tickets right on the bus and go to Grzhensko.
And here is the sign “Hrensko” (you should read not “Hrensko”, but “Hrensko” or, at worst, “Hrensko”).
The Czech water slowly flows along the road Laba from the German side it is called more familiar to us - Elbe.
From Grzensko there is a ferry to the other bank of the Elbe (Laba), where Germany is already located. And a steamboat runs from Decin to Grzensko. Also, many come here by car. Previously, the border was closed. But after the Czech Republic joined the European Union, everything changed. Now this is a border crossing.
A beautiful view of the most beautiful wooded cliffs of amazing shapes and sizes opens up as you approach the Czech border.
These rocks are a real miracle of nature.
The entire small town of Grzhensko stretches out on both sides of the river Kamenitsa, which originates in the mountains, and here flows into the Elbe.
Along the edges of the gorge, like entrance towers, stand the information center and the Labe Hotel.
“Labe” looks especially impressive - it seems as if a rock is leaning against it.
The history of the region in which the village of Grzhensko is located began in the 15th century. Near the mouth of the Kamenice River there was a timber storage facility, and a mill also operated. Already in the 18th century there were four sawmills here, and there were also several places for raft tying; wood was rafted to remote places. A special feature was the powerful hundred-year-old trunks supplied to naval shipyards for the masts of large sailing ships. The next important industry was the extraction and processing of sandstone, which was transported even to Dresden. People also made their living by smuggling (Podloudnice trail). Salt, tobacco, cloth and other goods were transported here. In the 19th century, tourism began to develop in Grzensko, supported by the owner of the lordship, Edmund Clary-Aldringen. In the 30s of the 19th century, the path from Grzensko to the Pravczycka Gate was improved, hotels, boarding houses and inns arose.
And this is the main city square, as miniature as the whole city. On it, built in 1786-87, is the Baroque Church of St. John of Nepomuk, in front of which stands his sculpture created in 1756.
To please the Germans, rows of Vietnamese merchants with cheap (compared to Germany) prices stretched across the city.
An unusual phenomenon in the town is a lively trade in gnomes and statues for vegetable gardens. This unusual item of trade creates a very cute and funny picture, a feeling of some kind of magic. A wide variety of gnomes and other fairy-tale characters are waiting for their new owners.
Due to its position at the confluence of the rivers Labe and Kamenice, Hřensko, with its 150 m above sea level, is the lowest located place in the Czech Republic. Despite the very low altitude above sea level, the surrounding nature creates a very interesting effect, thanks to which you will feel as if you are in the mountains.

A little advice for tourists: life in Grzensko ends at 20.00 local time. So you need to have time to eat and drink beer before this time. And shops and shopping arcades close even earlier.

My first trip to “Czech Switzerland” ( České Švýcarsko) was of a random nature: while preparing for a Christmas tour of European cities (the main one was Prague), I was looking for what to see in different countries and how best to plan my route. And then I came across the Pravchitsky Gate. “What is this, where is it, how is it?” - there were no answers on the Internet, which means you have to go and explore everything yourself!

And on the way from Dresden to Prague after the national park “Saxon Switzerland” (and I already talked about the trip there) I find myself in “Czech Switzerland”. The nature there is really different from what I am used to seeing in the center of the Czech Republic.

And visiting at least the main attractions promises an active holiday. On my second visit to the national park in summer, not winter, I spent the whole day exploring “Saxon” and “Czech” Switzerland: I left Dresden early in the morning and returned to Prague late in the evening. And this takes into account the fact that the distance between the cities is some 150 kilometers - no match for intercity trips across Russia.

I had to walk a lot, so I advise you to be fully armed: sports shoes (preferably with soft shock-absorbing soles, since after just the Pravchitsky Gate my legs were literally “humming”), comfortable clothes, a bottle of water and maybe some kind of... then a snack.

So, what is “Czech Switzerland” and what can you see there? I'll tell you now.

History of the park

I have not heard any legends or epics around the rocks, crevices and canyons formed here several thousand years ago due to the movement of volcanic rocks.

Therefore, I had to look for interesting information myself. It turns out that in the 13th–14th centuries, colonialists were invited here from the lands where modern Germany is now located, and castles and other buildings were built by them. They also started glass production and coal mining. But due to the lack of plains and dense forests, their life was, to put it mildly, not simple and very specific. In one place, I saw with my own eyes that food and other necessary things cannot be delivered here so easily. But more on that below.

So, all this specificity was reflected in the architecture. But in the last century, many buildings and even settlements fell into disrepair. Probably, the opportunity and availability of an easier life played an important role and people simply simply moved. Now, in some places on the territory of “Czech Switzerland” you can see the most picturesque ruins!

I have already talked about the name of the park, namely the word “Switzerland,” so I will not repeat it. In 2000, this area was given the status of a national reserve.

Geography of the park

České Švýcarsko- all the same Elbe Sandstone Mountains that I talked about at More precisely, a quarter of this mountain range. The national park is located in the north of the country, its western border runs along the Elbe River. It was from there that I visited “Czech Switzerland” both times. Actually, both national parks (“Saxon” and “Czech”) are separated by the border between Germany and the Czech Republic; they are adjacent to each other.

The highest point of the national park is Mount Decinski Snezhnik ( Děčínský Sněžník) - located at 723 meters above sea level. When I first heard about this, I smiled: I arrived in “Czech Switzerland” shortly after the Austrian Alps, where I lived in a hotel at an altitude of approximately 1,200–1,300 meters. But, after all, the reserve is not famous for its mountains!

Further in the text I added some cards. They will help you better understand the geography of the area, but they are unlikely to explain how to get to a specific attraction. But! In the nearest settlement to each of them (and they are visible on my maps), you can take a detailed paper map, as well as use signs along the roads and trails. The park took care of the convenience of sightseeing, which I personally really liked.

How to get to “Czech Switzerland”

There are basically two options: with a tour or on your own. I chose to travel in a rented car without guides or a group of onlookers. But for those who want to take a tour of the reserve, I advise you to read about tours from Dresden or Prague to “Saxon Switzerland” (I think they also offer tours to the Czech part). The prices, it seems to me, are similar, because there are parks in the neighborhood. Below I will tell you about an independent journey to “Czech Switzerland” by car.

From Prague

From Prague you can enter “Czech Switzerland” from different directions. There is an option to travel through Hřensko. It is not far from this city that the Pravchitsky Gate is located. By the way, the first time I read Hřensko as Hrensko (I didn’t notice the gachek above the letter “r”, which makes the sound [rzh]), and so it happened: to this day I refer to the innocent town almost as a vegetable (everyone makes associations to the extent of depravity, right?). I marked the route Via Khrzhensko on the map below; the first half of the route will pass through the highway, and then I propose to follow a regular road past towns and picturesque fields.

You can also enter via Jetřichovice. To reach the town of Děčín, the route is the same as the previous one, and at the fork follow the signs.

Or Krasná Lípa. In theory, you can drive through the same Děčín; it seems to me that it won’t be too much of a detour in terms of time.

But the last half hour flew by faster: there were still no toilets along the way, the flow of hikers was small, but there was always one, so now the attitude is “get there!” was supported not only by curiosity, but also by obvious necessity.

Along the way, I came across these cute “installations”: I don’t know who “propped up” the mountain and why, but the spectacle amused me.

And finally you can see the Falcon's Nest estate (now a hotel/restaurant of the same name) and the Pravchitsky Gate to the right of it. It would seem that you just have to extend your hand. This was not the case: the vertical distance from me to my destination was several tens of meters, which also had to be walked in a loop.

But all the efforts were justified. The height of the arch itself reaches 26 meters, so that, standing in this natural opening, you feel all the greatness of nature. In addition, near the gate there was a stall with my favorite ones. By the way, they were cheaper than: only 1.25 EUR or 34 CZK.

Once through the gate arch, you can see many paths leading to observation decks. And literally “the whole world is at your feet.”

"Falcon's Nest"

Almost under the Pravchitsky Gate is the summer estate Falcon's Nest. Once upon a time, the owners accommodated noble guests there. Now inside the castle there is an exhibition about the history of “Czech Switzerland” and there is a restaurant.

The restaurant has preserved original paintings, and the interior is designed in the style of the beginning of the last century.

I didn’t have dinner at the restaurant, since, as I understood, the local employee had already closed it. To be honest, I couldn’t fully understand him: he agreed to speak only in Czech and German, so the conversation was almost “hands-on”. But they did let me into the toilet.

Near the Falcon's Nest there is a booth with control of the cable car.

I understand that walking and carrying the necessary things is not easy here, so there is a utility box running along the cable car, where you can put the necessary things and send them upstairs or downstairs.

Lupežnice Castle or Schaunštejn

I heard that the castle used to be a robbery site. That is, it was built as a fortification, but later it was captured by robbers and changed its name. Šaunštejn translates as “thieves' castle.”

The castle itself has not been preserved, so at present you can be content with ruins and a good viewing platform.

Connecting bridges are laid between parts of this site. You know, the sensations are quite exciting when you walk like this literally next to an abyss along a connecting structure that is quite easy at first glance!

Dolský Mlýn

They say that the fragments preserved from the mill date back to the beginning of the 14th century!

I heard that in the middle of the last century the place even became the setting of a Czech fairy tale film. You could even say that the film glorified this landmark.

Over time, without maintenance, the mill deteriorated more and more, until in 2007 it was declared a cultural monument and the process of destruction was stopped.

By the way, a hundred meters upstream there is a unique building: a reinforced concrete bridge. I heard that this is the first such structure (made of steel and concrete) in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the bridge was built shortly before its collapse.

The closest village to the mill is Kamenická Stráň, a kilometer away.

Royal spruce

They say that half a kilometer from the Dolskaya mill there is one spruce. Its age is about 180 years, and the trunk span is about 3 meters. Alas, I myself did not see this ancient tree, since I was limited in time, but don’t be lazy and take a walk to it from the mill.

Hřensko

To be honest, I really liked this small town almost on the border with Germany. Most likely, there are few just residents here: almost everyone runs a hotel, restaurant or something else for the needs of tourists. But the 2-3 storey houses are decorated very authentically, this is exactly how small rural towns or villages seem to me.

I also liked the fact that globally there are only two streets in Khrzhensko, running parallel along the two banks. Of course, the high cliffs do not provide room for expanding the territory deeper.

If you drive along the river from the highway where you turned to Khrzhensko (remember, I asked you to remember this path?), then at the very end of it, in front of the parking lot, which I mentioned in the part about the Pravchitsky Gate, there is a waterfall.

Near it, I took two identical pictures towards the city: one in winter, and the second in summer.

The difference, in my opinion, is not big.

There are a lot of souvenirs near the track, but I didn’t buy anything there. It’s hard to say what the prices are: on the one hand, this is the Czech Republic, on the other, Germany and its prices are quite close. There is also another parking lot; you can ask the workers about a toilet nearby.

Other attractions

There are places where I was not able to visit, but I will definitely make up for it on my next visit:

• Dittersbacher peaks.
• Waterfalls near Brtnikov.
• A boat trip along the Křinice River (Kirnitzschklamm) on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany.

And this is just what remained in my ears after the trip. I'm pretty sure that if you start digging, less touristy areas of the national park might come up.

Routes around the park

At the moment, there are dozens of well-marked hiking trails and routes in the park: signs, certain specific coverage and relief for the type of tourism, picturesqueness. In “Czech Switzerland” you can rock climb, ride horses, ride a bicycle, and camp in equipped areas (and only in them!).

True, I explored the territory on my own, without resorting to the help of tourist centers, but I can tell you the addresses of organizations that will help, if necessary, organize your leisure time:

• In the city of Krasná Lipa.
  • Opening hours: June - August from 09:00 to 18:00, January - February until 16:00, in other months until 17:00; break from 12:00 to 12:30.
  • Address: Krinicke nam. 5, Krasna Lipa 407 46.
• In Hřensko.
  • Opening hours: November - January from 09:00 to 17:00, in other months until 18:00.
  • Address: Hřensko 71, 407 17 Hřensko.
• In Srbska Kamenice.
  • Address: Nam. Miru 73, Ceska Kamenice, 407 21.
• In Jetřichovice.
  • Address: Jetšichovice 393, CZ - 407 16.

Among the main routes, I know, there are:

• To the rock gate (Pravchitsky): along ornate stones and paths, then along the rock wall (I passed it too). Then the “Falcon’s Nest” program - a visit to observation platforms on the tops of the rocks near the gate.
• To the Dolskaya mill.
• To Schaunstein.

Where to stay

If you want to choose camping over a hotel, then in the above-mentioned tourist centers you should inquire about special parking lots; you cannot set up a tent camp outside of equipped campsites: it is a specially protected area.

If you are more attracted to the east, then choose Krasna Lipa or Hřibská.

Room prices start from 8–10 EUR for a campsite and from 45 EUR for a double room.

"Czech Switzerland" in winter

I was in the national park in winter, but their winter was quite slushy at that time, so walking along the forest paths was out of the question. Falcon's Nest Castle is, again, a summer castle. So we had to be content with waterfalls on rivers and towns around “Czech Switzerland”.

Also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

When the weather is good on weekends, many Czech residents, especially those living in large cities, flock to nature. At the same time, they go there not to drink and eat, but to walk or ride through beautiful places. We also try to maintain this tradition and go for walks in parks or forests. The recent weekend was no exception, and we went for a walk around Czech and Saxon Switzerland.

Czech Switzerland is one of four national parks in the Czech Republic, which is located directly on the border with Germany. Crossing the border, you immediately find yourself in the German national park Saxon Switzerland. The main objects of protection of the park are the unique sandstone formations. Here you can find massive stone towers, arches, and labyrinths that were formed due to centuries of erosion. The most famous rock formation is the Pravčická brána, which is the main goal of our walk.

Leaving Prague early in the morning, passing and crossing the bridge over the Elbe, we find ourselves in the town of Hřensko, where we leave the car in the parking lot between the rocks. Grzensko is a village with a population of only 200 people, which is located on the banks of the Elbe, and from which it is closest to the Pravcicka Gate. The distance from Hřensko to Prague is 130 km.

Parking costs CZK 120 per day. There are a catastrophic shortage of parking spaces; if someone abandons a car right in the middle of the road, he is given a fine and a wheel blocker is installed.

In addition to the car, you can get from Decin to Grzensko by bus; the travel time is approximately 30 minutes. In the summer months there is still a boat from Decin, which also goes to the German city of Bad Schandau. It is most convenient to get to these places from Prague.

If you want to stay overnight in Czech Switzerland, there are approximately 10 hotels and guesthouses in this area alone. The Forest Garden Hotel is the nicest hotel in the area and is very popular for its cleanliness, modern design and quiet location.

Not far from the parking lot there is a fork in the paths, along one of which we go up to the Pravčicka Gate, along the other we can reach the departure point for boats on the Kamenica River. During the boat ride, you will see the waterfall and enjoy the local beauty without straining your legs.

We meet the dawn in the forest. Forests cover 97% of the park's area, which is 79.23 km². Forests helped these places develop, since wood processing became the main activity of the indigenous population. After all, wood produced at local sawmills was supplied to shipyards and used to build sailboat masts.

Initially, the territory of the current park was dominated by beech forests, now spruce trees mainly grow here.

During our walk, we came across signs reminding us that it is prohibited to fly drones throughout the park. The fine for launching a drone can reach up to 200 thousand Euros.

And now we have reached our goal - the Pravchitsky Gate. Travel time from the parking lot uphill at an average pace is a little more than 1 hour.

A small castle was added to the rock formations in 1881, called the Falcon's Nest (Sokolí hnízdo).

Entrance fee to the territory of the Pravčicka Gate and the castle: 75 CZK. Entrance fee for children, students and pensioners: 25 CZK.

On the observation deck there is a restaurant and separate tables where you can have a picnic from your own food or buy sausages, soup, beer or any other hot and cold drinks in the tent. If you don’t want to eat here, then in the town of Grzensko there are at least 5-7 restaurants at guesthouses serving Czech cuisine.

The views from the observation deck are quite nice.

Some take selfies on the observation deck, while others hone their climbing skills; fortunately, the local rocks are suitable for this.

The park is home to 62 species of mammals. Wolves, bears, and moose have been exterminated here a long time ago. Now the park is home to beavers, various rodents, roe deer and wild boars. Also in the park there are 227 species of birds, 1000 species of butterflies, but the number of fish species is very low, and the park administration is working to revive the fish population in local rivers. For example, in just one year more than 1,200 salmon fry were released.

It is worth mentioning that Czech Switzerland is the largest nesting site for black storks and falcons.

The Pravčicka Gate, with a width of 26.5 and a height of 16, is the largest arched rock formation in Europe. The gate became a symbol of the park.

After a busy walk and a small picnic, we went to Saxon Switzerland, and we decided not to waste time on the rest of the sights of Czech Switzerland, since they are not very picturesque.