National Park "Czech Switzerland" (České Švýcarsko). Czech Switzerland National Park Czech Switzerland routes

“České Švýcarsko”, and this is exactly what the name of the reserve, which is located in the north-west of the country, near the border with Germany, sounds like in Czech. On the other side of the border, Switzerland becomes Saxon.

But since the borders in Schengen are conditional, and even more so inside the park, we will consider both halves of the reserve together, like Czech-Saxon Switzerland.

Czech- Saxon Switzerland in all its glory.

Where did Switzerland come from in the Czech Republic?

According to legend, in the 19th century, two Swiss went to restore the Dresden Gallery at the invitation of the Elector himself, and were very surprised to find sandstone mountains nearby, very reminiscent of their native ones. And of course, that's all free time friends spent time on the slopes, eventually christening this place with the name of their homeland. This name stuck because the landscape is really very reminiscent of Switzerland. By that time, these mountains already had the status of a natural reserve, and since the beginning of 2000 they have been national reserve"Czech Switzerland".

True, it is difficult to call these places mountains, since the highest point of the park - Děčínský Sněžník - is located at an altitude of 723 meters. But, nevertheless, it is the rock formations and canyons in them that fascinate many visiting tourists, and the Pravčická brána, which is considered the symbol of the park, is also the largest naturally occurring mountain arch in Europe. Currently, it is impossible to get to the arch due to the danger of its possible collapse, but there are several observation platforms in the area, in the most interesting viewing places.

The ancient stone observation tower at the top has the same name as the mountain itself - Děčínský Sněžník. Best view The view of Czech Switzerland opens from this tower.

How to get there on your own?

The easiest way is to purchase a tour in advance via the Internet or directly in Prague and forget about the need to invent and develop your leisure time. The approximate cost of an excursion at a travel agency office in 2019 is 40 €, when booking online - about 32 €.

Here are excerpts from Lydia’s review:

“Perhaps the most unforgettable event of our trip was the excursion to Czech Switzerland...
The great Danish storyteller G.H. Andersen visited this place and drew inspiration from contemplating the local beauty...
We boarded a boat that looked more like a Venetian gondola...
Every now and then our eyes would see funny figures carved out of wood, obviously for the amusement of tourists, and in one place our cheerful gondolier pulled a string, bringing down a real waterfall in front of us...”

Olga writes in her review:

“There is beauty all around! And you don't know where to look. If in the Czech part nature reserve seemed quiet, peaceful, calm, then the Saxon part of it, on the contrary, is full of majesty, grandeur, you feel helpless in front of all the power of nature...
Amazing landscapes open up from the heights of the Bastei Mountains. And here it is famous bridge Bastei. It is built of sandstone, that is, the same mountains served as the material for it...”

But many travelers prefer to act independently, gaining additional freedom.

How to get to Czech Switzerland yourself?

So, the shortest way to the park is by train, from Prague Mosarikov station to Děčín, a town near the reserve. The journey takes about two hours. If accommodation near the park has been booked in advance, then most likely the hotel’s services include meeting guests at the station and transfer to the hotel. Or you can get to Hřensko on your own, by bus or taxi. It's already very close.

By the way, you can take a boat from Decin to the park, to the pier in the village of Shmilka, and from there it’s about a kilometer to Hřensko.

Chug-chug. Here we come main station city of Děčín. We should go out.

But most in an interesting way To get to Czech Switzerland is, of course, a road (see photo above), which runs along the Elbe riverbed and is full of additional natural beauties. This is what tourists write in reviews after visiting the park: “It is along the Labe (Elbe) that the beautiful landscapes: now thickets of water lilies, now a lonely boat on the river bank, now cute houses with brown roofs along the shore, now a castle..."

The journey by car from Dresden will take about 45 minutes, from Prague - about an hour and a half.

Accommodation

On the territory of Czech Switzerland there are several hotels of various levels offering a full range of tourist services. Among mid-level hotels, we can recommend “Labe”, located in Hřensko, at the intersection of many hiking trails, with parking and cozy rooms.

Hotel "Labe" - in Czech this means "Elbe".

Also interesting is the Belveder Hotel, located on the top of a cliff overlooking the Elbe River canyon.

Here you can see a piece of the Belveder Hotel with an observation deck. High... Very high... If you are planning to climb there, take a diaper with you, just in case.

Automobile travelers can stay in campsites also available in the park.

For passionate lovers of outdoor recreation, there is another one in the Czech Republic. Fabulous sunsets for lyricists, around - for gothic lovers, playgrounds, waterslides and attractions - for children, bicycles and boats - for fatties and athletes, and, of course, royal fishing - for those who cannot imagine themselves without a fishing rod in their hands.

The main attraction of the park is the already mentioned Pravčická brána, a huge sandstone arch, the largest in Europe. Its height is 16 meters and width is 26 meters. Not only a train, but also an airplane can pass through such gates. You can get an unforgettable sight by walking through the arch and enjoying the grandeur and power of nature.

Near Brannoy, built into the rock is the ancient hunting house “Falcon's Nest”, built in the 19th century and which was the summer castle of the Clari-Aldringen family. The castle now houses a reserve museum and a restaurant with original woodwork and ceiling paintings from the nineteenth century.

What to do in the park?

The Czech Swiss mountains, although not large, are still mountains. And the activities here are predominantly mountain - mountaineering, trekking and rafting, but naturally in the simplest form, for unprepared participants.

By the way, sandstone rocks are easily subjected to atmospheric treatment and over time acquire surprisingly unusual features, like piles of individual huge boulders with rounded edges, inexplicably held on top of each other. Due to the soft nature of the rock, mountaineering is not particularly difficult; ascents often occur without additional equipment. But this is only permissible for people with training. U ordinary tourists There is an opportunity to feel like rock climbers only in safety equipment and under the supervision of an instructor.

The entire Czech-Saxon Switzerland is dotted with many specially equipped walking paths of varying levels of difficulty and length. The schematic layout of their location can be found in tourist brochures and on the map, and you can navigate by the signs posted on the routes. This type of outdoor recreation energizes you with vigor and muscle tone for a long time.

There are also specially laid routes for cycling with a rise of up to 300 meters. Several categories of difficulty and length, from 20 to 44 kilometers, with visits to the main attractions, with a picnic or lunch along the way. You can rent a bicycle in the park or at hotels. You can also start the cycling route from Decin.

And there is everything for cycling.

In hot weather, it is very pleasant to go on a short rafting trip through narrow canyons, refreshing yourself with the spray of waterfalls cascading down close to the boat. This kind of entertainment is absolutely safe, the tributaries of the Elbe are light and calm.

Czech - amazing country, full of interesting things, with a mentality of the inhabitants and culture that is kindred and close to the Russian people. But if the time of satiety begins and once again the question arises - where to go in the Czech Republic, then go to Switzerland. In the Czech Republic it is also there, and it’s the real one.

There are many interesting and picturesque places on our planet, where once you get there, you want to return again and again. One of these corners is Czech (Bohemian) Switzerland or, as the locals call it, Saxon Switzerland.

This park was founded not so long ago, at the beginning of the two thousandth. Its territory is about 80 square meters. km. When creating the park, the country's authorities wanted to preserve an area of untouched nature in its pristine condition. And they succeeded. It's amazing here Beautiful places with minimal human intervention.

The basis of the park is made up of unique sand formations in the form of rocks. The rocks are covered with ancient forests with rare species plants. It is believed that the rocks were formed about 10 million years, and over time, when the water receded, the rocks, on the contrary, protruded. These sand deposits were compressed mainly during the Mesozoic period under the influence of wind, temperature changes and other natural phenomena.

Unique natural formations impress with their picturesqueness: canyons, arches, windows, etc. And the ruins of fortresses and other medieval buildings, which have been perfectly preserved to this day, fit very harmoniously into all this. Many photographers come here to capture the unique beauty of these places.

Story

This territory was first inhabited by nomadic tribes of hunters and gatherers about 10 thousand years ago. They settled mainly near bodies of water. Still local residents After spring floods, ancient tools and utensils are discovered.

A little later, farmers began to settle in these places, for whom the lands along the tributaries of the river were the most fertile. Over time, to strengthen their settlements, people began to erect walls and even build forts, the ruins of which are scattered throughout the territory national park.

In the 14th century, Saxon colonialists settled on these lands and were engaged in logging. In those days there were real impenetrable thickets here. They settled here, and in some places there are even ruins of entire settlements with specific architecture.

But it was two Swiss restorers who made this area tourist, who were invited to Dresden to restore one estate. During their holidays, they often walked through the modern territory of the national park from the Dresden side and admired the beauty of these places. And after finishing the work, they stayed to live here, because the local rocks very much reminded them of their native Switzerland. This is how the name “Switzerland” stuck to this place. Since the end of the 18th century, this area began to be called “Saxon Switzerland”.

In the 19th century, local communities opened the first tourist routes for travelers. The mountain society of Bohemian Switzerland began to open the first hotels and restaurants here. They began to equip observation decks and clear the most beautiful gorges. And on the Elbe River they have equipped everything for those who like to sail. In general, everything was equipped for comfortable rest tourists in these places.

Where is

Conventionally, the park is divided into German and Czech parts, which are separated by the border between the states and the Elbe River in the west of the park.

Czech Switzerland is located in the northern part of the Czech Republic, close to the border with Germany and 40 km. from Dresden. The highest part of this park is Mount Decinski Snezhnik with a height of just over 700 meters. The most popular place tourists see the Pravcicka Gate, which was formed due to rain and severe erosion.

How to get there

Basically, there are only two options to get into this fabulous place: independently in a rented or own car or with a tour. Excursion tour can be purchased at any travel agency in . The cost of such a tour is from 30 euros and above, depending on the number of people in the group. You will also have to pay separately for visiting certain attractions.

If you get there on your own, you can enter the park both from German territory and from the Czech Republic. IN National Park you can stop by in different ways: both on the autobahn and on simple ones highways. But you should use a map or navigator so as not to get lost.

You can also take a train from Prague to the city of Decin, and then take bus number 434 to the village of Hrzensko.

When is the best time to go?

Park opening hours – all year round. From November to March the park is open from 10.00 to 16.00. And from April to October 10.00 – 18.00.

The best time to visit the park is considered to be spring and autumn, when it is not very hot and you can spend a lot of time walking and relaxing.

The entrance ticket can be purchased at the entrance to the park and costs 70 CZK. Optional excursions will have to be paid separately. In the park you can go boating, with sightseeing tour along the gorge, or visit castles.

Tourism

The entire territory of the park is marked with special hiking trails, from which you cannot leave. Therefore, it is worth purchasing a park map immediately at the entrance. All trails are accessible. There are even routes for cyclists. You can rent a bike right in the park. There are also rock climbing areas within the park.

Those who like to camp in tents can spend the night immediately in the reserve, but this is permitted in special camp areas. Even pets are allowed to walk around the park, so you can safely bring your beloved pets for a walk.

For a more convenient stay in the reserve and searching for places in the park, there are several tourist centers located in different parts parka. The main tourist center is located in Krasnaya Lipa. It is open daily from 9.00 until the park closes. There are also information centers in Hrzensko, Saul, Serbska Kamenica.

When traveling to Czech Switzerland, you should definitely take comfortable shoes and clothes. It is unlikely that it will be easy to climb a mountain in heels or tight trousers. You should definitely take a couple of bottles of water with you, as water in the park is much more expensive.

Attractions

The basis of the reserve is forests and rocks. But even in addition to the stunningly beautiful landscapes, you can also see architectural sights in the park.

Pravcicka Gate

The main attraction of the park is the Pravchitsky Gate arch. The gate is a symbol of the park. Tourists are eager to see this colorful and miraculous heritage. Nature has been creating this huge hole in the rock for many millennia. And only after passing through it can you truly admire the work of nature. From the observation deck near the arch there is a stunning view of the canyon from below. But climbing to the top of the arch is strictly prohibited.

Falcon's Nest Castle

This castle is located near the Pravčicka Gate. It was built in 1881 by a noble Czech family, literally within a year. The walls of the castle are built into the rock, which gives it extraordinary charm and simplicity. High-ranking guests were always received here. The castle has ancient interiors and a restaurant decorated in medieval style. The view from the restaurant is stunning, but the menu is meager, but with greatly inflated prices for dishes.

Ruins of Schaunstein Castle

They are another scenic spot that deserves attention. Once upon a time, barons engaged in robbery lived in this place. The barons themselves did not build the castle, they simply captured the already built defensive fort and firmly established themselves in it, changing its name to “the castle of thieves.” You can climb to the ruins through a narrow gorge along a steep staircase thrown over a cliff. Today, tourists come here to see the beautiful views that open from the observation deck near the ruins.

Canyons of the Kamenitsa River

For a fee, you can see the beauty of the canyons from a gondola. During this journey, you can see a man-made waterfall leading to a cave with a pirate castle.

Dolskaya mill

This is another picturesque place, but it is located in a dense forest, and it is impossible to see the surroundings from it. The ruins of the fortress are used as scenery in films. By the way, it is believed that it was thanks to films that this place became famous. The mill operated from the end of the 14th century and was destroyed for many years due to the influence of natural phenomena. But having declared this area a nature reserve, restorers set about working on the mill. And in 2007, the mill became a national architectural monument.

Royal spruce

Not far from the Dolskaya mill there is an ancient spruce, which is more than 180 years old, and the tree trunk has grown more than three meters wide. Spruce is protected by the state no less than other monuments.

Falkenstein Castle

This is one of ancient places parka. The castle was built in 1394 on a high hill. This structure was built for the purpose of defense against robbers. It was very difficult to climb the walls of this castle. Many parts of this castle are perfectly preserved, as they were carved into the rocks. Several legends are associated with it, one of which says that the robbers who wanted to capture this castle were caught. Then they were hanged. And soon angry dogs began to run around the castle, which can still be found today in the vicinity of the castle. Local residents believe that these are the same robbers who are trying to take revenge on their killers.

mouse hole

This strange name has a staircase that leads to the top of the hill through a narrow gorge. There are a lot of steps at the stairs, and many tourists who go back down constantly shout “Wow!” It's hard to say why, but perhaps they admire their excellent physical shape. Initially, local residents called this staircase the Staircase of Angels. But the owner of the estate did not like the name, and he renamed it in his own way.

Chrzypska

Everyone has heard about Bohemian glass, but no one knows that it is not made in Bohemia, but in a workshop in Czech Switzerland in the village of Hřipska. Since the 14th century, the same Bohemian glass that was admired before and admired to this day has been produced here. Today there are no excursions to the production, but in the village you can buy products made from real Bohemian glass for almost pennies.

Belvedere observation deck

This is a huge rock terrace located above the Laba River canyon. The height of the site is 130 meters. The Belvedere Hotel was built not far from the site, with stunning views of the surrounding area. This platform is considered the very first observation deck in Bohemian Switzerland. It was built by the owners of the estate, who owned almost the entire part of modern Czech Switzerland.

Silver mines of Jiřetín pod Jedlova

In the ancient mines of these mines long time mined precious metals. Today, in order to feel the spirit hovering in the dungeon, you can put on a miner’s helmet with a flashlight and go down into the mine tunnels. These mines first opened in 1474. The mines produced silver and copper for more than two hundred years. But the Thirty Years' War forced the owners to shut down production. When production resumed several decades later, it turned out that it was no longer profitable and the mines were closed again. Today, excursion groups are taken here, showing and telling in detail how the mining process takes place.

What else to see?

You should definitely visit the town of Decin, which is located in the vicinity of Czech Switzerland. The main attraction of the city is Decin Castle, built in the 8th century. IN different time The castle was both a military and defensive structure and the residence of aristocratic families and even monarchs. The city also has a small zoo and water park.

Video trip to Decin:

Hrzensko is a small village from which all excursions to Czech Switzerland begin. This is a nice and very hospitable place where you can relax and drink real Czech beer with German sausages. The village is located along the Kamenitsa River. The city is famous for the fact that at almost every step they sell gnomes for vegetable gardens, the most different types, sizes, colors and for every taste.

A trip to Czech Switzerland is a solitude with nature, an acquaintance with unusual sandy cliffs and a great chance to get acquainted with the sights created by Mother Nature herself.

The Czech National Park is located in the northwestern part of the Czech Republic on the border with Germany. Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland is an untouched area with wildlife and picturesque corners. In Germany this park is called Saxon Switzerland, and in the Czech Republic - Czech. This is due to the fact that the park is located on the territory of two states.

Tourists come to this park not only to enjoy nature, but also to do active species sports. You can explore the main sites in just one day, but many stay at the campsite for longer periods of time.

A visit to this national park will give unforgettable experience from communicating with wild nature and ancient monuments, which are an important part of the culture not only of the Czech Republic, but throughout Europe.

More than 10 thousand years ago, the first inhabitants of Bohemia lived here, who hunted, fished and collected various berries and herbs. The ancient inhabitants roamed the area and settled mainly near water streams, so modern archaeologists find tools, dishes and used coal.

Farmers settled the area much later. Trade caravans passed through the entire territory of the modern park, and a fortified fort was erected for defense.

In the 13th century, the kings of Bohemia invited the colonialists who settled modern Germany here to make the place more civilized. The colonialists built villas and castles here, and were engaged in industry and coal production. Dense forests and the absence of wide plains meant that many areas remained untouched. There were no places where one could permanently reside or engage in industry. Still, some objects built by man have survived. For example, the runes of ancient half-timbered houses of the 20th century.

The tourism business in Czech Switzerland began to develop very early. In the second half of the 18th century, romantic artists began to come here in search of new, previously little-known places. Later in the 19th century, tourism began to develop systematically. It was during this period that farmers from local estates and tourist communities, which were just beginning to form, began to come here. To increase the attractiveness of the area, hiking trails were built, restaurants, hotels and observation towers. Even later, tourists began to actively engage in extreme species sports and sailing on the river.

Sights of the park: what to see in Czech Switzerland?

There are no modern attractions in Czech Switzerland, but there are unique natural creations and ancient castles. There are a lot of attractions on the territory, but you can create a route so that you can visit the most interesting places in one day. It is worth noting that it will be easier to get around by car, but you can truly enjoy the nature of the Czech Republic and partly Germany while walking.

Pravcicka Gate

The symbol of the national park is the Pravchitsky Gate tower. The uniqueness of this natural site is that it is the highest rock in Europe, which has an incredible appearance. This is a natural monumental arch 16 meters high, which has a length of 26 meters.

You can get to the attraction from Grzhensk. From the parking lot you will need to walk about 4 km. You cannot climb the Pravčicka Gate, but you can view the unique natural creation from the outside. The entrance fee for adults is 75 CZK, and for children (6-14 years old) – 25 CZK.

If you walk a little further from the Pravchitsky Gate along the wide path, you can see a smaller copy 2 meters high - the Small Gate.

Important! Please note that there is also a narrow path, which is marked in red on the map; it also leads to the Small Pravchitsky Gate, but you will have to wander around the park for a long time.

Falcon's Nest

IN late XIX century, near the Pravčicka Gate, a castle was built in the rock, which with its spring view resembled a hunting lodge. "Falcon's Nest" is a unique castle of the Clari family, which has been reorganized.

It's popular now tourist place, where there is a restaurant overlooking the grounds of a natural castle, and a museum dedicated to the history and natural diversity of this region.

Lupežnice Castle or Schaunstein

Schaunstein Castle, which is also located in the rock not far from Vysokikh Lipa, was inhabited by robbers, but over time it became empty and lost its former appearance.

It is now a ruin in a dense forest and a popular route through the national park. It is recommended to climb the stairs in the rock tunnel to the observation deck, where an extraordinary view of Czech Switzerland opens. At the bottom of the main tower, a small room was excavated that served as a prison for trespassers and a warehouse.

The place is fully equipped for tourists and is easily accessible, so it is worth adding to your itinerary for independent travel.

Dolskaya mill

It is difficult to imagine that for several centuries this was a busy place where roads crossed and trade was carried out. Later, when the territory was empty, a fairy tale about a princess was filmed here. Today the Dolskaya Mill is a ruin and a popular attraction in the park.

Royal spruce

Not far from the Dolskaya mill there is the Royal Spruce. Its age is 180 years, and its trunk span is 3 meters. This ancient tree amazes with its scale and majestic appearance.

Khrzhensko

On the border with Germany there is a small but very picturesque city Khrzhensko. In the 15th century, “Bohemian glass” was made in a glass workshop. Tourists will be able to visit this workshop and see with their own eyes the entire process of blowing Czech glass. Tourists often visit the workshop's gift shop, where you can buy various glass vases, glasses, dishes and other items made of crystal and Bohemian glass.

Few people live in the town of Khrzhensko, but everyone is involved in tourism business. Here you can rent a hotel room, visit a restaurant or buy a souvenir. You can leave your car in the parking lot and walk around the area.

Residents' houses are no less striking objects, because they are decorated authentically and resemble small village houses. What is also unique here is that the city has only two parallel streets that run along both banks. If you drive a little further from the village, you can see the waterfall.

Other attractions

Along with these top attractions and popular tourist places, there are other equally beautiful and ancient route points:

Abandoned silver mines. It will be interesting to visit this place with a guide who will tell you more about the ancient mines where silver was mined. You can also go down into the mine and feel involved in this industry.

Falkenstein Castle. This castle is located among the rocks and is difficult to get to. Tourists who decide to climb the mountains will be incredibly amazed by the beauty of nature and architectural features castle building. If you climb to the very high point cliffs, you can view the park territory from a height.
Panska Skala. Another attraction created by nature is a huge 12-meter cliff, which was formed from basalt slabs. Similar nature education is in Northern Ireland, but why not visit Panska Skala in Czech Switzerland?

Belvedere observation deck. This is a natural retreat that overhangs the river canyon, and is located near the town of Binovce. From this city you can take a straight road to a site from which you can see sandy cliffs.
Gorges Wild and Quiet. Tourists who find themselves on the steep canyon of the Kamenica River can continue exploring Bohemian Switzerland by boat with local gondoliers between the dams. The first place where they will sail is the Wild Gorge, and a little further is the Quiet Gorge. The latter has a unique waterfall that breaks through the cliff. This is incredible natural object which is a must visit.

Suha Kamenitsa. At the beginning of spring, the canyon of the stream, which flows into the Elbe River, fills with water and small waterfalls gurgle between the rocks. At other times of the year it is not so unusual here, so tourists rarely visit this place.
Kamenice Gorge. Not far from the village of Mezne there is a gorge where tourists ride gondolas and enjoy the wild nature.

Ruzhovsky Vrkh. This place should be visited only by active tourists who are willing to take risks, because the only way to climb Mount Ruzovsky Vrh is along winding paths through the thickets of beech forest. There will be no sights along the way, only nature and people. This is an opportunity to test your endurance, to think, and as a result to consider the view that opens up, which deserves all the effort put into the climb.
Wolf board. This attraction is located near the canyon of the Krinitsa River and is known for its untamed nature. There is also a 17th-century stone slab depicting the story of a successful hunter.

Decinsky Snezhnik is the most high mountain Czech Switzerland and another observation deck. There is a tower from the mid-19th century, 33 meters high, as well as the ruins of a medieval castle.

Independent travel routes

There are many marked routes throughout the park for independent travel. Tourists can plan a route either on their own or resort to the help of tourist centers. You can also enjoy active sports here: rock climbing, horse riding or cycling.

There are a huge number of routes for independent travel in Czech Switzerland, we will post only some of them that you can use:

Route 1: Pravcicka brana – Divoka and Ticha Soutezki. The route is approximately 15 km long and will take approximately 5-6 hours.
Route 2: Arnoltitsy, Ruzhove and Janov. The length of the route is approximately 17 km and will take approximately 4.5-5 hours.
Route 3: Saunštejn Castle – Ptaci kamen observation deck. The length of the route is approximately 11 km and will take approximately 3 hours.
Route 4: Belvedere observation deck. The length of the route is approximately 18 km and will take approximately 5 hours.
Route 5: Jetrichovice rocks. The length of the route is approximately 14 km and will take approximately 4.5 hours.
Route 6: Falkenstein Castle – Rinartice – Pavlinino Udoli. The length of the route is approximately 14 km and will take approximately 4 hours.
Route 7: Greater Doubitsky district. The length of the route is approximately 28 km and will take approximately 8 hours.
Route 8: Narrow stairs. The length of the route is approximately 12-15 km and will take approximately 3-4 hours.
Route 9: Ružovski vrkh. The length of the route is approximately 13 km and will take approximately 4 hours.
Route 10: Jetřichovice Viewpoint – Falkenstein Castle

How to get from Prague to Czech Switzerland on your own?

There are several ways to get to Czech Switzerland:

On public transport: you need to take the train to the city of Decin, and then transfer to bus No. 434, which goes to the Hrzhensko stop.
By car: follow the highway to the town of Decin, and then Hrzhensko. You can leave your car in the parking lot and go explore the national park.
By steamboat on the Elbe River from the city of Decin, but you need to get to this city by train. Ending station is located 800 meters from Grzhensk.

Reviews from tourists

Tourists speak positively about the beauty and uniqueness of this place, but you need to be prepared to walk a lot.

Map of Czech Switzerland

You can see the location of the main attractions of Czech Switzerland on the map of the national park.

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The Bohemian Switzerland National Park (also known as the Bohemian Switzerland People's Park) was founded on January 1, 2000 and covers an area of almost 80 sq. km. The park is located on the northern border with Germany and continues on German territory (where it is called "Saxon Switzerland") The purpose of creating the park is conservation. natural beauty these places, so human intervention here is strictly limited.

The main wealth of the park is the unique sandstone rock formations, covered with green islands of well-preserved old forests and rare plants. These rocks once rose from the seabed, where sand accumulated over 10 million years to reach a thickness of more than 1 km today. The most important geological processes took place here in the Mesozoic.

The modern amazing landscape of the national park consists of these deposits, compressed into cliffs, which cracked and split under the influence of wind, rivers, temperature changes, etc., forming stunningly picturesque cliffs, rock towers, canyons, arches and windows to this day. The most famous of them is the Rose Hill, the highest in Czech Switzerland.

The main wealth of the park is the unique sandstone rock formations, covered with green islands of well-preserved old forests.

Czech Switzerland is a real forest kingdom. Forest covers almost its entire territory. Mostly coniferous and birch forests grow here, the oldest of which can be found in inaccessible gorges and on high cliffs. Since the soil in the latter is either poor or absent, very resilient representatives of the flora grow here, creating very picturesque pictures with their curved trunks. Animal world The national park is also rich: the landscape creates ideal conditions for nesting of many species of birds, colonies of bats live in rock cracks, and shy and nocturnal animals such as deer live in the forests.

History of Czech Switzerland

The first inhabitants of Bohemian Switzerland were probably hunters, fishermen and gatherers - as was natural for that time, more than 10 thousand years ago. They wandered around the area, establishing settlements near water streams. Tools, pieces of coal and dishes are still found here. Much later, Bohemian Switzerland was partially settled by farmers. From time to time, a fortified fort was erected here and there, and trade caravans passed through the territory of the national park.

Hiking in Bohemian Switzerland

In the 13th and 14th centuries, Bohemian kings invited colonialists here from the territory of modern Germany. The latter built villas, stone castles, started logging, and began producing glass and coal. But, since the forests were dense, and there were no wide plains in Czech Switzerland, the life of these communities had a specific character. The architecture was also specific: in the national park, ancient half-timbered houses of a typical design are still preserved (in particular, in Kamenicka Strana and Vysoka Lipa). In the second half of the 20th century. Many of these settlements, abandoned, have fallen into disrepair, and here and there in the park you can find the most picturesque ruins.

Start tourism development region was founded quite early, approximately in the second half of the 18th century. Romantic artists living in Dresden began their first journeys through what was later called Saxon Switzerland (in Czech version the title has been adapted). The systematic development of tourism began in the 19th century, when landowners from local estates (the Kinski and Clary-Aldringen families), as well as the first tourist societies (the Mountain Society of Bohemian Switzerland and the Mountain Society of Northern Bohemia) began to gradually increase the attractiveness of the region for travelers. The first walking trails, restaurants, hotels, observation decks and observation towers began to appear here. Lovers aquatic species Sports people increasingly came here to sail on the Elbe, and the gorges in Kamenice were full of punts.

Tourism in Czech Switzerland

Today, there are dozens of well-marked hiking trails throughout the park. Here you can ride a bicycle, go horseback riding and rock climbing in designated areas, and stay overnight in official camp sites. You can even come here with pets.

But what you can’t do is leave the marked trail in zone I of the park.

Today, within the territory of the national park there are several extremely interesting places, which tourists come from all over Europe to see. This is a natural stone arch 26 by 16 m, which is called the Pravchitsky Gate; gorges of the Kamenice River; Krynica river valley; the famous Pink Hill rock; town of Vysokaya-Lipa; Dolskaya mill; Dittersbacher peaks; waterfalls near Brtniki... We can list them further, but it’s already obvious: spending a day or two in Czech Switzerland is not enough. It’s worth coming here as if you were on a full-fledged vacation.

Practical information

Tourist centers are located in different parts of the national park. The main one is located in Krasnaya Lipa. Information centers- in Saul, Jetrichovice, Srpska Kamenica, Hrensko.

Working hours tourist center in Krasnaya Lipa: daily from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 12:30 to 17:00, in January - February - until 16:00, in June - August - until 18:00.

You can get to Krasnaya Lipa by car in about two hours, if you drive strictly north through Melnik and Ceska Lipa. Another option is to take the train to Germany, to Bad Schandau, which is in the German part of the national park (Saxon Switzerland). This trip will take about two hours.

On the border with Germany, I just want to write, in the dense forests there is the Czech Switzerland National Park. It seems that in Europe all the places where beautiful nature bears the name Switzerland only the adjectives change. So in the north of the Czech Republic they did not deviate from traditions. The national park “České Švýcarsko” (as it looks like in Czech) is famous for its extraordinary beauty of high steep cliffs and babbling streams. Against the backdrop of such beauty, one stands out natural monument, which is business card this area. It's about about the Pravchitsa Gate. This is a rock hole, as we would call it, the largest natural gate made of rock on our continent. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come here for their sake.

Of course, when so many people gather in one place, it would be a sin not to organize walking routes and attractions with which you can earn money.
Boating along the gorge with helmsmen steering the vessel using poles is another entertainment that attracts tourists.
According to those who have passed this route, it is better to start it from the village of Mezni Louka. Along the route marked in blue (marks on the trees are blue) we descend to the Divoká Soutěska canyon. The markers start right behind the Mezní Louka Hotel. This option is convenient because most of the road will go downhill. We took the more difficult route.
It began for us in the village of Hrensko. Before he even had time to park the car at the entrance to the settlement, his mouth opened randomly from the beauty he saw. High cliffs hung directly above the road. At their foot, houses with restaurants have been built wherever possible. There was a parking lot under one of these rocks, where the car was left.
Before starting the route, let's look around and enjoy the moment. Next we will have a walk along the Kamenice River. To get your bearings correctly, let’s remember the film The Diamond Arm. The action will take place near the toilet. On the map marked with the letters M and ZO. Everything is very similar here. Near a huge rock there is a low building with the same letters. If you go to the left of the rock, then you will meet the Pravchitsa Gate, and if you go to the right along the river, then you will sail on a boat with a guy who has a big pole.
Since the guys swim only until six, and we arrived after lunch, we decided to start with them.
The first part of the gorge is pedestrian. About twenty minutes along the path, sometimes just above the river, sometimes going straight down to it. The rocks are so close that your hands are reaching out to them. Pedestrian tunnels have been made somewhere for convenience. Children enjoy such a neighborhood. Together with adults, they play echo, screaming loudly inside. So, with jokes and jokes, they didn’t notice how they plowed two kilometers. As soon as a dam appears ahead, you can relax and slowly walk to board the boat. This part of the rides is called Edmund's Gorge (Edmundova soutěska). The riding session will last approximately 15-20 minutes. A lot of interesting features made for tourists can fit into this short period. It’s a pity that fluent Czech is not entirely, or rather completely incomprehensible to the Russian ear. Based on the stories of linguists, the boatman leads his unhurried story about the route and history of this place. In the most unexpected places, a dragon's head comes out, a boletus man sits on a rubble, a rock in the shape of an open mouth, and much more. For convenience, the places where you need to look at the strange rocks are painted yellow. And the crown of this story is a waterfall that suddenly turns on “by itself” (for this purpose, a wire is stretched at the top).
The freebie ended quickly and I need to work with my legs again. First, in light mode along the river to the bridge. On the way, right after the boat landing, there is a small cafe where you can have a snack. I really don’t recommend doing this, as the hardest part lies ahead. It starts immediately after the bridge.
Before continuing, I will make a short digression. The difficult section after the bridge begins for those who want to shorten the route. If you go as far as possible to the end, then after the bridge you need to move further along the river until the next boat boarding. The boat trip will take you through the Wild Gorge (Divoká Soutěska). Then you will need to climb up the mountain from the gorge and reach the village of Mezni Louka. Then, along the yellow tourist road called Gabriela's path, you need to climb the road along the rocks to see the rock massifs: Great Pravcicka Cone, Homole Sahara, Křidelní Wall. Ultimately, this trail will lead us to the Pravchitsa Gate.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have that much time and from the bridge we started the most difficult part of our journey. From the very bottom of the gorge, a steep climb uphill awaited us. For those who are not physically fit, the trail is made in the form of a serpentine. We went ahead. The twenty-minute climb ends at the hotel-restaurant. Here you can take a break and drink a cup (of beer). This small settlement called Mezna.
Then you need to strictly follow a straight line to the road leading down to highway 25861. This part of the route is marked in yellow. The road will first go through a field and you can see a rocky ridge along which a longer route goes. If you hit it correctly, you will come out straight to bus stop, from which another ascent to the Pravchitsa Gate begins.
The climb itself is initially not very interesting until you reach the section along the rocks. The giants soaring up to a height of 30-40 meters hang over you. You are so small compared to them, you move further and further. When they end, you think everyone has arrived. However, no, this is only half, because after going around the stone you begin to move in the opposite direction. How long is it short, but after about ten minutes there’s a final push and there’s a huge rock ahead with a hole inside. This is not just a gate, this is a whole overpass across the gorge, but no, it will be cooler than the bridge across the Bosphorus Strait. Of course, taking into account the fact that nature did it itself.
Next to the gate is the Falcon's Nest castle, built in 1881 in the Alpine style. Previously, local hosts accommodated their guests here. Now there is a restaurant on the first floor, and a national park museum on the second. To get to the gate you need to bypass the castle and pay money. We didn't have time. The gate slammed in our faces. All that remains is to admire the gate and take a few pictures.
The way back was no longer pleasant. By this time, fatigue from the route and the morning race distance had taken its toll. The route ended in a cozy restaurant near a water mill in the village of Grzhensko.