Bohemian Switzerland
5
Day Itinerary •
Czech Republic
Five days in Bohemian Switzerland takes you through the most extraordinary sandstone rock landscape in Central Europe. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park on the Czech-German border protects a remarkable landscape of towering sandstone pillars, deep river gorges, extraordinary rock arches and the remarkable Pravicka Brana, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, all set in dense pine forest. This route covers the complete Bohemian Switzerland experience. The extraordinary Pravicka Brana natural arch, the remarkable Kamenice River gorge boat journey, the fine Decin Castle, the outstanding Tisa Rocks labyrinth, the remarkable Edmund Gorge walk and the extraordinary rock cities of the Labske Piskovce area, together with the fine spa town of Teplice.
Best Time To Visit
May to October
Getting There
Drive or bus from Prague, 2 hours
Getting Around
Rental car or buses within the park
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,000 to 2,500 CZK per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, rocky forest hiking trails
DAY 1
PRAVICKA BRANA AND KAMENICE GORGE
MORNING
PRAVICKA BRANA NATURAL ARCH
Pravicka Brana, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe at 26.5 metres high and 16 metres wide, is the most extraordinary natural feature in Bohemian Switzerland. The remarkable 4km walk from Hrensko through the extraordinary sandstone landscape gives the finest approach to the arch. The view through the arch over the pine forest and the remarkable sandstone towers beyond is the finest single view in the national park. Entry approx 100 CZK. Travel: 2 hours from Prague
MIDDAY
KAMENICE RIVER GORGE BOAT TRIP
The Kamenice River Gorge boat trip from Hrensko is the most extraordinary river journey in Bohemia. Flat-bottomed boats poled by boatmen navigate through the extraordinary Edmundova Soutaska and Divoká Soutaska gorges, where the sandstone walls rise 50 metres on either side of the narrow river channel. The remarkable rock formations, the extraordinary overhanging walls and the fine waterfalls make it the finest boat journey in the Czech Republic. Entry approx 180 CZK. Travel: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
HRENSKO VILLAGE AND FIRST EVENING
Hrensko, the extraordinary village where the Kamenice River meets the Elbe on the German border, is the most dramatically situated village in Bohemia. The remarkable half-timbered houses built into the sandstone cliff face, the fine views of the Elbe and the outstanding position at the confluence make it outstanding. A first evening exploring the remarkable sandstone landscape around the village is excellent. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Novy Rathen viewpoint on the German side of the border, accessible via the Elbe ferry from Hrensko, gives the finest aerial view of the Hrensko sandstone landscape from the opposite bank. The ferry costs approx 50 CZK each way.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Prague or en route cafe Good breakfast before the drive to Hrensko. | Lunch: Hrensko riverside restaurant Traditional Czech lunch at the extraordinary sandstone village. | Dinner: Hrensko hotel restaurant First Bohemian Switzerland dinner in the remarkable gorge village.
DAY 2
TISA ROCKS AND EDMUND GORGE
MORNING
EDMUND GORGE WALK
The Edmund Gorge, the longer of the two Kamenice gorges, is the most extraordinary canyon walk in Bohemian Switzerland. The remarkable narrow path follows the river through the extraordinary sandstone gorge for 2km, passing the fine wooden bridges, the outstanding rock overhangs and the remarkable pools of the Kamenice in the most atmospheric gorge in the national park. The walk can be combined with the boat return for the finest gorge experience. Entry approx 60 CZK. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
TISA ROCKS LABYRINTH
The Tisa Rocks, a remarkable labyrinth of extraordinary sandstone pillars up to 30 metres high near the village of Tisa, is the finest rock city in Bohemian Switzerland. The outstanding walking paths through the remarkable rock maze, the fine views of the German Elbe Sandstone Mountains from the highest pillars and the extraordinary atmosphere of the ancient forest between the rocks make it outstanding. Entry approx 80 CZK. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
TISKÉ STENY VIEWPOINT
The Tiské Steny viewpoint above the Tisa Rocks gives the finest panoramic view of the Bohemian Switzerland landscape, with the extraordinary sandstone plateau stretching to the horizon and the remarkable rock formations visible below. The fine sunset from the viewpoint is the finest in the national park. The remarkable drive back through the extraordinary sandstone landscape to Hrensko passes through the finest forest scenery in Bohemia. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Jonsbašský Waterfall near Tisa, the finest waterfall in Bohemian Switzerland outside the gorges, flows over a remarkable sandstone ledge into an extraordinary pool. Almost entirely unvisited. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hrensko hotel Good breakfast before the Edmund Gorge walk. | Lunch: Tisa village cafe Simple Czech lunch near the extraordinary rock labyrinth. | Dinner: Decin hotel or restaurant Move to Decin for the second base. Czech dinner in the castle town.
DAY 3
DECIN CASTLE AND ELBE VIEWS
MORNING
DECIN CASTLE
Decin Castle, the extraordinary Baroque castle on a rocky promontory above the Elbe in the finest castle town in northern Bohemia, has the most remarkable rose garden in the Czech Republic, the outstanding Great Tower with views of the Elbe valley and the fine Baroque interiors. The remarkable White Tower and the extraordinary connection to the Elbe give it an outstanding position. Entry approx 180 CZK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SHEPHERD'S WALL VIEWPOINT
The Shepherd's Wall, a remarkable sandstone cliff above the Elbe 6km from Decin, is the finest viewpoint of the Elbe valley in Bohemia. The extraordinary walk along the cliff edge above the river, the remarkable views of the Elbe as it winds through the sandstone landscape toward Germany and the outstanding rock formations make it the finest cliff walk in northern Bohemia. Free. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PRAVCICKA BRANA SECOND VISIT OR MARIINA SKALA
Return to the extraordinary Pravcicka Brana for a late afternoon visit when the crowds have thinned, or explore the fine Mariina Skala viewpoint, the remarkable rock platform above Hrensko with the most extraordinary view of the Elbe confluence and the German bank opposite. The outstanding evening light on the sandstone gives the finest photography conditions of the day. Entry arch approx 100 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Belvedere viewpoint above Decin, reached by a fine forest walk, gives the most outstanding panorama of the Elbe valley, the castle and the sandstone landscape of Bohemian Switzerland in one remarkable view. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Decin hotel Good breakfast before the castle. | Lunch: Decin old town cafe Traditional Czech lunch in the castle town. | Dinner: Hrensko evening Return to the gorge village for a final Kamenice evening.
DAY 4
EASTERN PARK AND CASTLE RUINS
MORNING
KRASNA LIPA AND THE PARK CENTRE
Krasna Lipa, the fine small town on the plateau above the Kamenice gorges, is the best base for exploring the eastern part of Bohemian Switzerland. The remarkable National Park Information Centre and the outstanding natural history collection give the finest introduction to the extraordinary geology of the sandstone landscape. The fine town square and the remarkable brewery pub are both excellent. Entry centre free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SAUNSTEJN AND FALKENŠTEJN CASTLES
The extraordinary ruins of Šaunštejn and Falkenštejn castles, medieval fortresses built directly into the sandstone rock faces above the Kamenice valley, are the most remarkable castle ruins in Bohemian Switzerland. The fine walk from Krasna Lipa through the outstanding forest gives the finest approach to these extraordinary rock-built fortifications. The view from the Šaunštejn ruins over the sandstone plateau is outstanding. Entry free. Travel: 45 min walk
AFTERNOON
JETRICHOVICE ROCK LANDSCAPE
Jetrichovice, a fine village in the heart of the eastern Bohemian Switzerland, has the most extraordinary network of sandstone rock viewpoints in the national park. The remarkable Vilemínina stena, the outstanding Mariánská skala and the fine Rudolf n v kámen give the finest combination of views of the extraordinary rock landscape from above. The remarkable evening light on the sandstone is outstanding. Entry to rock viewpoints free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tokanske skaly, a remarkable sandstone rock labyrinth near Jetrichovice that is almost entirely unknown to foreign visitors, is the finest hidden rock city in Bohemian Switzerland. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krasna Lipa guesthouse Good breakfast in the finest plateau town. | Lunch: Jetrichovice village pub Traditional Czech pub lunch in the heart of the rock landscape. | Dinner: Krasna Lipa brewery Excellent Czech beer and food in the finest brewery near the park.
DAY 5
NORTHERN BOHEMIA AND RETURN
MORNING
NORTHERN BOHEMIA TOWNS RETURN ROUTE
The return drive to Prague through the extraordinary northern Bohemian landscape passes through the remarkable Litomerice, a fine Baroque town on the Elbe with the most extraordinary cathedral in northern Bohemia. The remarkable Litomerice old town with its fine market square and the outstanding Church of All Saints are worth a brief morning stop. Entry cathedral free. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
LITOMERICE AND THE TEREZIN MEMORIAL
Terezin, 3km south of Litomerice, is the extraordinary former Nazi fortress town converted into the Theresienstadt ghetto and concentration camp during WWII. The remarkable Small Fortress, the outstanding Ghetto Museum and the extraordinary National Cemetery are deeply moving. The fine historic fortress town itself, with its remarkable star-shaped layout, is outstanding. Entry memorial approx 220 CZK. Travel: 10 min drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO PRAGUE
Return to Prague through the fine Bohemian countryside, perhaps stopping at the extraordinary Roudnice nad Labem with its remarkable castle above the Elbe or the fine Melnik at the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe. The outstanding journey south gives the finest farewell to the extraordinary sandstone landscape of Bohemian Switzerland. Melnik castle and wine cellar entry approx 160 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Melnik Castle winery at the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe rivers produces the finest wine in Bohemia. The remarkable cellar tour and the outstanding view of the river confluence from the castle terrace are both remarkable. Entry approx 160 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krasna Lipa or Decin hotel Good breakfast before the return drive. | Lunch: Litomerice old town Traditional Czech lunch in the finest northern Bohemian market town. | Dinner: Prague return Farewell dinner back in the capital.
Where To Stay
Hrensko, Nights 1 to 3 The finest base inside the park. Approx 1,200 to 2,000 CZK per night. Krasna Lipa or Decin, Nights 4 to 5 Better facilities, good for eastern park. Approx 1,000 to 2,000 CZK. Booking ahead Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead in summer. The park fills fast in July.
Top Tips
1. Buy the Kamenice gorge boat ticket early in the day. It sells out in summer.
2. The Pravicka Brana arch is closed after heavy rain. Check conditions before visiting.
3. Hrensko gets very busy at weekends. Visit Pravicka Brana on a weekday morning.
4. A rental car gives far more flexibility in Bohemian Switzerland than buses.
5. The gorge walks require water shoes or sturdy boots. The paths can be wet.
6. Combine the Edmund Gorge walk with the boat return for the finest gorge experience.
Total Budget
2,000 to 4,200 CZK/day