Set out on an exciting journey to the rocks and discover sandstone formations with bizarre names. Whatever they might remind you of. Wonderful views, labyrinths, caves, and bandit hideouts await you.
Sharing where to go from Prague for the weekend to spend time in nature and climb strange rocks. Where is best to stay for this and how to get to each location.
Recommended reading: Mountains in the Czech Republic – where to spend active weekends in nature
Tips for visiting rock towns
- Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with a good sole.
- Bring plenty of drinks and snacks with you.
- Follow marked trails.
- Pay attention to safety, do not take unnecessary risks while taking photos, and do not approach the edge.
- Respect nature and pick up all trash.
- Do not carve inscriptions on the rocks, even if some “smart guy” has already done so before you.
- Do not build stone cairns or huts from branches, even if it may seem like harmless fun. In fact, they accelerate erosion and destroy the homes of local animals and plants.
- Check the weather forecast, wet rocks are slippery and make walking difficult.
- It is usually colder in the rocks, so even on hot days it is a good idea to bring a long-sleeve t-shirt or a light jacket that you can pack in your backpack.
- Buy admission tickets on the parks’ websites – they are cheaper this way. Also, on weekends tickets may not be available at the ticket offices due to the large number of visitors.
- Buy tickets for 9-10 in the morning, so you can walk among the rocks without crowds. Around 11-12 buses with tourists arrive at the rock parks – that’s a completely different atmosphere.
- If you bought a ticket to Adrspach, you can use the same ticket to walk to Teplice Rocks – both rock parks are connected by a trail. This is exactly what we did instead of finishing the route in Adrspach, leaving, getting to Teplice, and paying again for entry.
Adrspach Rocks (Adršpašské skály)
Location: Hradec Králové region, 30 minutes by car from Trutnov, 2.5 hours from Prague
Open: year-round
Admission: paid, tickets at the ticket office or on the park’s website, additional boat ticket – 100 CZK in cash.
Route length: The main route in the Adrspach rock town is 3.5 km long.
Adršpašsko-Teplice Rocks – the largest rock town not only in the Czech Republic but also in Central Europe. A narrow rock crevice only 50 centimeters wide – you will go for a walk through the narrowest alley in Adrspach Rocks. And that’s just the start of your adventure – many more experiences await you.
What to do in Adrspach Rocks
- Gothic Gates – the gate featured in The Chronicles of Narnia is just a kilometer from the entrance to the rocks.
- Sugarloaf – it stands on the tip of a rock.
- Waterfalls, beautiful views, and hundreds of rock towers.
- Picturesque boat ride on a local lake. Jump on board, enjoy the views and listen to the stories of the ferryman. And don’t forget to shout the secret password and the local waterfall will release a bit of water for you.
- If you combine the walk with neighboring Teplice Rocks, you can extend the route up to 14 km.
- If it’s hard for you to cover such a distance – trains and buses run between Adrspach and Teplice nad Metuji, so you can shorten the journey to about 10 km.
Amenities on the route:
- Entry: It’s best to buy tickets to the Adrspach rock town online on the official rock website. You avoid queues and are sure that tickets won’t sell out at the venue. Their number is limited. But you can stay in the rocks as long as you wish. However, once you leave, you can’t return.
- Parking: Paid parking in Adrspach. It’s best to buy a parking ticket together with your ticket online. Online parking costs 200 CZK, but there are cheaper options if you park a bit farther from the park entrance on private parking (100-150 CZK).
- Toilets: Only in the information center near the entrance to the rocks. There are no toilets in the rocks themselves.
- Card payment: You can pay for admission by card, but boat rides – cash only.
How to get there?
It’s more convenient to travel by car, but the parking capacity in front of the rock entrance is small, so if you are planning an overnight stay, choose a hotel with parking.
By train – the train stop is located about 200 meters from the entrance to Teplice Rocks. Trains run from the nearby town of Trutnov (trains run to Trutnov from Prague and Hradec Králové). A ticket from Prague to Adrspach costs 360-400 CZK depending on the type of train.
Accommodation in Adrspach and surroundings
- Feelmountains≫ – A very nice place to start the route with beautiful nature around. Everywhere is very clean and spacious. Minimalist, yet tastefully decorated interior. Very well equipped kitchen. Comfortable beds. Very good contact with the owner. Free municipal parking nearby.
- Hotel Javor≫ – Great location. Large, clean rooms with a big terrace overlooking the mountains. Good cuisine. Wide selection of breakfast dishes. Discreet staff. Free parking right by the hotel. Option to stay with pets, albeit for a separate fee.
Teplice Rocks (Teplické skály)
Location: Hradec Králové region, 35 minutes by car from Trutnov, 3 hours from Prague
Open: Year-round
Admission: Paid, tickets on the rock park’s website
Route length: The main route is about 6 km long.
When in Adrspach, don’t miss the neighboring Teplice Rocks. The two rock towns are connected by a yellow tourist trail, so you can visit both in one or two days. But this requires some physical fitness, as you will have many stairs and climbs ahead of you (actually, it’s not very difficult). In Teplice Rocks you can climb to the observation platform where the castle Střmen once stood. There are 300 steps leading up to it – you will feel the load in your thighs.
Teplice rock town is full of bizarre formations. You will encounter, for example, the Giant Toothpick, Ice-cream Hand, Caterpillar, or the Butcher’s Axe. There are also caves and an area aptly called Siberia. The sun does not reach the local gorges, so there’s snow even in summer. Take a light jacket or sweatshirt – inside the rock labyrinths the temperature does not exceed +10 degrees, even in heat.
Amenities at Teplice Rocks:
- Entry: Tickets can be purchased online or on location. Unlike Adrspach, in Teplice rock town the number of tickets is unlimited. A ticket is valid for the entire day, you can leave and re-enter the rocks as you wish.
- Parking: There’s a small paid parking lot in front of the rocks, or you can park directly in Teplice nad Metuji, about 2 km walk away.
- Card payment: Yes, you can pay for entry by card.
How to get there?
It’s more convenient to travel by car, but the parking capacity in front of the rocks is small, so if you plan an overnight stay, choose a hotel with parking.
By train – the train stop is located about 200 meters from the entrance to Teplice Rocks. Trains run from the nearby town of Trutnov (trains run to Trutnov from Prague and Hradec Králové).
Accommodation in Teplice and surroundings
- Penzion Severka≫ – Excellent atmospheric hotel located right by the entrance to Teplice Rocks.
- Hotel Koruna penzion≫ – Very convenient location, about 300 meters from Teplice nad Metuji Mesto stop and very clean.
- Apartment Ve Mlýně≫ – Comfortable apartment in an old house (old mill ~ 1880). Perfect for a family with 2 children. Adequate distance to the city center (~15 minutes walk with children) with shops, restaurants, and tourist information. Garden with children’s attractions and a barbecue spot. Good location for stays while visiting Teplice and Adrspach rocks.
Ostaš Rock Labyrinth
Location: Hradec Králové region, 30 minutes by car from Nachod, one and a half hours from Hradec Králové
Open: Year-round
Admission: Free
Route length: about 5.5 km
In Ostaš rock town the rocks have formed a labyrinth – actually, there are two. Ostaš is a table mountain located just 10 minutes by car from Broumov Walls and Teplice Rocks. You can get there from Adrspach in 20 minutes.
- You’ll find two rock towns here: The Upper and Lower Labyrinths. There is no admission fee – you can easily walk through both rock towns in one day.
- The trail to the Upper Labyrinth is circular and about 3 km long. It leads to the top of Ostaš, from which you get a wonderful view of Adrspach-Teplice Rocks, Krkonoše Mountains, Jestřebí Mountains, and Broumov Walls.
- The route from the Lower Labyrinth is 2.5 km, including the return path. So it’s a short trip, but it’s really beautiful. You pass, for example, Cave of Czech Brothers, where persecuted evangelists once hid. You’ll finish your journey at the Cat Castle, where wild cats once lived. There are many rocks here with interesting names like Hogwarts, Grinch, Little Mermaid, or The Last Maiden.
How to get there
By car in the direction of Pěkov, if coming from Teplice nad Metuji. Parking near the entrance to the rock area.
Where to stay near the Ostaš Rock Labyrinth
It’s best to stay in one of the hotels located in Teplice nad Metuji (I have listed them above).
Prachov Rocks (Prachovské Skály)
Location: Hradec Králové region, Bohemian Paradise, 12 minutes by car from Jičín
Open: Year-round
Admission: Paid, tickets on the park’s website, or at the ticket office.
Route length: 1.5–3.5 km depending on the chosen route.
Sandstones — these are incredible rocks, just look at the beauty they have created in the sandstone rock town near Jičín. These were our first sandstone rocks we visited in the Czech Republic back in 2015. Prachov Rocks are one of the most famous sandstone rock towns in the Czech Republic and one of the most beautiful places in Bohemian Paradise .
You’ll find rocks of all shapes and sizes, as well as plenty of stairs and cracks, ensuring this trip will never be boring.
There are three hiking routes directly in the rocks:
- yellow (1.5 km)
- red (2.5 km)
- green (3.5 km)
- There is also a 2.5-kilometer children’s walking trail (about 5 km round trip) along the edge of the rock town. It won’t take you directly to the rocks and to four viewing platforms, from which you can see the sandstone towers in full view.
Useful information for visiting:
- Entry: Tickets can be purchased on site, reservation is not required. The ticket is valid for the whole day; you can leave and return to the rocks.
- Parking: Two paid parking lots near the entrance to the rocks. One in Prachov, the other near the tourist hut Prachov.
- Card payment: You can pay for both admission and parking by card.
How to get to Prachov Rocks:
The most convenient way is by car, parking is available near the entrance to the rocks.
By train: take the Turnov – Jičín line and get off at Jinolice station, then follow the green tourist trail that leads through the Jinolice ponds. It takes about 3.5 km.
By bus: from Jičín, bus 510 to the stop named: Holín,Prachov,Skalní město –Timetable
From April 30 to September 30 you can use the tourist cycle bus on the route Jičín – Holín – Prachov Rocks – Pařezská Lhota – Mladějov – Sobotka – Podkost. The connection operates from April 30 to September 30 on weekends and holidays, and from July 1 to August 31 also on working days.
Where to stay near Prachov Rocks:
- Penzion Prachov≫ – cozy house, room is clean with comfortable beds. On the ground floor – kitchen with literally everything you need (also all clean and tidy). Location – just 10 min to the entrance to the rocks.
- Chata Březka 69≫ – nice apartments for families, with private kitchen and terrace. Located near the entrance to the rock park.
Hruboskalsko (Hruboskalsko)
Location: Liberec region, Bohemian Paradise, 8 minutes by car from Turnov, 30 minutes from Liberec or Mladá Boleslav
Open: Year-round
Admission: Free
Time requirements: You can make up the routes differently and go for just 2.5 hours. As you wish. There is also a route 8 km long.
This beautiful rock town in Bohemian Paradise has over 400 sandstone towers. Throw a backpack over your shoulder and take a walk through the picturesque landscape full of sand giants. Wonderful views await, such as Hruba Skala Castle or the ruins of Trosky Castle.
Along the way you will walk through narrow passages and climb many stairs and hills. It takes a bit of physical strength, but believe me, a snack after such effort tastes completely different than when you walk from beach to beach on the plain. But of course, there are also easy sections. That is why the rock town of Hrubá Skála is one of the most popular routes in the Czech Republic.
Parking: Paid parking near Hruba Skala Castle, paid parking in Sedmihorky or Pelešany. However, you can also easily get here by train from Turnov.
Where to stay near Hruboskalsko:
- Pension Jana Hrubá Skála≫ – Guest house ideally located for trips around the area. The room offers a wonderful view directly of Trosky Castle. Very nice owner who makes delicious breakfasts.
- EA Zamecky Hotel Hruba Skala≫ – The best place for a holiday, and also an opportunity to explore the local amazing scenery. A wonderful chance to stay in a real castle in large rooms with high ceilings and beautiful views from the windows.
Rocks in Bohemian Switzerland
Where located: Ústí nad Labem region, 25 minutes by car from Děčín
Open: Year-round
Admission: Free
Route length: about 6.5 km, but you can shorten or extend the trip.
On your journey through the rock towns you cannot miss Bohemian Switzerland. Wonderful sandstone rocks everywhere you look. The dominant feature of the region is undoubtedly the Pravčická Gate — the largest natural rock gate in Europe, recognized as a national nature monument. Tourists and experts agree that it is one of the greatest natural gems of Bohemian Switzerland. There are also excellent Jetřichovice viewing platforms. These include:
- St. Mary’s Viewpoint (428 m above sea level),
- Vilemín’s Wall (439 m above sea level),
- Rudolf’s Stone (484 m above sea level).
The route to them is challenging. There are many stairs on the route, and in some places you’ll have to climb ladders. So consider your physical condition carefully, and with smaller children it’s better to go to a rock town, where they can run and scramble through various holes. They’ll enjoy it much more, as will you.
However, if you are ready for something and are not afraid of physical challenges, you should definitely go to the Jetřichovice rock town. You will be rewarded with wonderful views.
You can adjust the route as you wish. For example, in Jetřichovice you can make a detour to the ruins of Falkenštejn , and from Rudolf’s Stone you can walk to the forest chapel or through the remains of Šaunštejn castle to Malá Pravčická Gate, with a length of more than 18 km. This way you can estimate the length of the route.
Tip: From Bohemian Switzerland to Saxon Switzerland in Germany is very close. And you can get there by boat . Try it. It leaves from Děčín, and during the trip you will see the best that this German rock town has to offer: Königstein Fortress and the Bastei viewpoint, which is truly breathtaking.
Parking: At the paid parking lot in Jetřichovice, or you can walk from Vysoká Lípa, from where it’s about 14.5 kilometers round trip, which will take over 5 hours.
Where to stay in Bohemian Switzerland:
- Hotel Praha≫ – Very convenient parking, hotel in the center itself, by the river, beautiful views from the windows, delicious breakfasts, truly very friendly staff, everything clean and tidy. Very conveniently located for exploring Bohemian Switzerland.
- Penzion Hřensko≫ – Comfortable beds, very clean rooms, and excellent clear instructions and tips from the host. The hotel is located very close to the Czech–German border, with a view of the Elbe from the bedroom. The train station is also nearby.
Useful articles and links:
- What to see in Prague if you’re not a first-timer
- South Moravia – a journey through the Czech wine region
- Where to go from Prague for one day – castles, rocks, mineral resorts
Route schedules and tickets for buses – at InfoBus
Travel insurance – HotlineFinance
Hotel and apartment bookings – Booking.com
