Rocks and rock towns in the Czech Republic
Anyone who has ever seen a film by Marie Poledňáková How to get the daddy into the penitentiary, surely wanted to try mountain climbing and look at the world from a slightly different point of view. The rocks have been and will be, majestically looking down on the earth and offering a unique experience not only with the view from them, but also as part of the ascent to their top. It is not possible to subdue mother nature, but to conquer some peak, as if it resembles it. The Czech Republic can be proud of essentially natural borders, formed by mountains and rocks, within which you can find breathtaking rock town. The advantage of rocks and rock towns is that, apart from winter, you can visit them at any time, as their embrace is pleasant both in the hot summer and in the cooler autumn. In addition, the ascent to our rocks is not at all difficult, so it is possible to take your children with you or to let your pet air out. In total, there are six larger rock complexes or rock cities in the territory of the Czech Republic, which are worth a visit.
Prachovské rocks
In general, the most well-known rock complex in our country are certainly the Prachovské rocks located in the protected landscape area Český ráj near the town of Jičín. Sandstone Prachov rocks were formed as early as the Mesozoic period as deposits on the edge of the great sea, and their subsequent history is also very rich. Access to the rocks is subject to a fee, but the well-maintained paths and scenic routes make up for it. There are three routes here, although of course they can be combined in various ways and switch from one to the other. The shorter circuit is 1,5 kilometers long and is suitable for a light introduction to the mountains, while the longer circuit, 3,5 kilometers long, on the other hand, offers many more views of the surrounding landscape. The third route is suitable for mothers with strollers. In addition to the rocks, you can also visit Prachovské skály Pelíšek natural swimming pool or see the remains of Pařez Castle.
Adršpašské rocks
Although the Prachovské rocks are one of the most visited in the Czech Republic, the largest complex is the rock city of Adršpašské skály, located in the protected landscape area of Broumovské in eastern Bohemia. There is also a fee to enter the rocks here. There are a total of three tourist routes, the first of which is a 3,5 kilometer long circuit, which can be lengthened, shortened or diversify by boating. A waterfall, two lakes and gorges are part of the sandstone rock town of Adršpach. A second shorter circuit leads around one of the lakes, also suitable for smaller children, in which you will definitely recognize some scenes from the fairy tale The Prince and the Evening Star or The Third Prince. The third circuit is less demanding, as it is part of it climb up to 800 steps. The reward is then well-deserved views of the distant surroundings and variously named rocks.
Hruboskalsko
If you are in the protected landscape area Český ráj, but you don't want to go to the famous Prachovské skaly, you can try the rock town with preserved relict forests Hruboskalsko. Even these rocks are mostly made of sandstone, which is why there are so many interesting formations in them, because they are not so resistant to rain. Towers up to 60 meters high, windows, gates and honeycombs can be seen here. Very Hruboskalsko is especially popular among climbers, but every year a large number of tourist enthusiasts and cyclists visit here. The rocks are freely accessible and the paths along them are well marked, so you can't miss any of the viewpoints or important rock formations. There is an option for variety visit Valdštejn Castle or Hrubá Skála Castle here. And it is precisely these rocks that little Vašek climbs on in the already mentioned classic film How to Get Dad to a Reformatory.
Pulčín rocks
Even Moravia is not completely without a rock complex - you can find it here in the Beskydy in the form of the Pulčín rock labyrinths. The rocks lie stacked on top of each other, which apparently gave rise to the rumor that the devil had stacked them here to win a bet and dam the deep valley by morning. But he didn't succeed, so you have a chance the so-called Devil's Rocks explore in their current unfinished form. On the local ones a rock castle also stood on the rocks in the past, from which almost nothing has been preserved to this day. The rocks are located in a pleasant cool forest and are freely accessible all year round. They are not very high, but they still offer a beautiful view of the surroundings, which even children can enjoy thanks to the easy ascent.
The gorges of the Hřensko mountain ash
The Ústí Region offers an alternative to walking between rocks, but with the same experience. You can find it in the local village of Hřensko sandstone gorges that embrace the Kamenice river. They arose here already in the Mesozoic period, but since then they have changed their appearance in many ways. The rocks can be walked along several marked trails, another option is take a tour of them from a boat, which you can walk right along the river between the rocks. The wild gorge is a roughly half-kilometer long stretch of rocks that can only be accessed by boats sailing down the river. Mixed walks a boat rides are offered by the Edmund Gorge or formerly known as Tichá or Dolní sotúeska. Both gorges are accessible daily from April to October.
