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Bohemian Paradise
Sandstone rock towns, castle ruins on old volcanoes and the gorge of the Jizera to the north-east of Prague. In Czech it is called Český ráj.
Rock towns, volcanic hills and castles
About a hundred million years ago there was a sea here. The sand that settled in it became sandstone, and wind and water later carved whole rock towns out of it. At Hrubá Skála there are more than four hundred towers up to more than 50 metres high. In 1955 the area became the first protected landscape in the Czech Republic.
Among the rocks stand old volcanic hills. On two basalt cores stands the castle ruin Trosky, with two towers you can see from far away. Valdštejn was built among the rocks in the second half of the thirteenth century and is one of the oldest castles in the region. The château of Hrubá Skála stands on top of a group of rock towers. The Zlatá stezka is a trail that links the rock towns, the Jizera and the castles.
Nicest in May, June and September
The paths through the rocks are open all year round. It is nicest in May and June and from September to early October. In July and August Czech schools are on holiday and it gets busy. Set off early then. Most castles are open from early April to the end of October. In wet weather and snow the stone steps are slippery.
Beautiful walks
Hruboskalsko: from Hrubá Skála to Valdštejn
about 8 km · circular walk · starts at the château of Hrubá Skála
Along the red trail through the rock town and past viewpoints such as U Lvíčka and Na Kapelu to Valdštejn Castle. Close to the château another path descends through the narrow crevice Myší díra. The rock town and the viewpoints are free.
Prachovské skály rock town
3.5 km (large loop) or 1.5 km (small loop) · up to 2 hours · starts at the Turistická chata
The green large loop takes you up many steps past the viewpoints Pechova and Hlahol. On the yellow small loop you pass through the narrow Imperial Corridor. Prachov charges admission, and you also pay to park a motorhome. Kemp Nebe is about 15 kilometres away as the crow flies.
Příhrazské skály nature trail
about 9 km · 4 hours · circular walk · starts at Valečov Castle
Past the rock castle Drábské světničky and through the cool gorge Studený průchod to the viewpoint Na Krásné vyhlídce. On the way you see the remains of castles from the thirteenth century. Drábské světničky has been open again since 7 November 2026. The rock chapel Hynšta lies a little further east on the red trail. The first rocks are 1 to 2 kilometres from Kemp Nebe. The start at Valečov is about 4 kilometres away.
To Trosky Castle
about 7 km one way · linear walk · starts at the château of Hrubá Skála
Along the red Zlatá stezka to the ruin on the two volcanic cores. Since 2024 the Baba tower has a new viewing gallery. The castle is open every day in July and August and mainly at weekends in April and October. You walk back the same way, or you continue to the station Borek pod Troskami or Ktová and take the train from there. From Turnov the whole walk is about 14 kilometres.
Our campsites nearby
At each campsite you can see on the map the circular walks that start close by.