It has been a difficult time for Bohemian Switzerland. Part of the national park has been devastated by a fire and the symbol of Bohemian Switzerland, Pravčice Gate, together with gorges and other places, are inaccessible. However, you can still visit plenty of rock formations and other beautiful places in Bohemian Switzerland with no restrictions. You’ll be surprised at how many places previously overlooked rival some of the more famous ones. And what’s more, by visiting them you’ll be supporting the whole region and local businesses.
Tiské stěny and Děčínský Sněžník
The whole of the left bank of the Elbe was unaffected by the fire, and that vast area offers plenty of opportunities for trips and long all-day hikes. The rock town above the village of Tisá is one of the most spectacular and beautiful rock areas in Bohemian Switzerland, with dozens of remarkably shaped rock towers, a labyrinth of footpaths and passageways. Some other rock towns lie not far from Tisá - Volské kameny, Ostrovské stěny and Rájec. It is especially worth visiting the Děčínský Sněžník table mountain with one of the most impressive stone lookout towers in Bohemia. There are dozens of trips to take on your bike or on a scooter, or you can take a bus down into the valley of the Biela stream – to the breathtaking Pillars of Hercules or as far as the rock fortress of Königstein, or into the gorgeous canyon of the Elbe River. There are some beautiful unexpected and little known places to discover here, such as the Baroque paved road above Dolní Žleb, Klopotský Falls and some lesser used paths into the table mountains of Saxony.
Jetřichovice region
Another area not hit by the fire is the Jetřichovice region. For more than a hundred years now there have been several scenic nature trails offering walks around Jetřichovice. Definitely don’t miss a walk up to the Marian viewpoint with its recently installed replica of the original viewpoint gazebo, and then head along the ridge of the Jetřichovické stěny rocks to the Vilemína viewpoint and onwards as far as Rudolph’s Stone, and then back to Jetřichovice along the beautiful forest trail that runs amongst the sandstone rocks. However, a walk up to the former rock castle of Falkenštejn, which is now open to the public, is also a real treat. You can admire the picturesque Dwarf Rocks with their carved reliefs of sprites. There is a beautiful walk through the Pavlinino údolí valley formed by the Chřibská Kamenice stream, and, if you fancy, you can keep going along the nature trail to Lipnice and Studené. One less well known but lovely hike is across the Všemil plain to Všemil with its rock chapel, through the Sudeten cemetery, restored by volunteers, past the newly discovered largest rock overhang in the area, and also seeing some remarkable Upper Lusatian houses. In Jetřichovice you can swim in the natural outdoor pool or relax in the sun on the warm rocks at the Treppenstein viewpoint.
Chřibská and the surrounding area
The little town of Chřibská with its picturesque square, St. George’s Church, pleasant café and unique museum dedicated to local prominent figure Thaddäus Haenke, the botanist and traveller, is surrounded by gorgeous countryside with some unexpectedly beautiful sights. These include the cascade of waterfalls on the little stream running down the slopes of Plešivce, the mysterious Chřibský castle, the charming Budersdorf Way that leads to Tokáň, and the picturesque Narrow Steps and the Cipísek rock formation, which is especially popular with children, the unique mill race and aqueduct, the natural outdoor swimming pool, the beautiful forest trails leading from Křížový buk, the historical forest theatre, a trip to the Na Spravedlnosti viewpoint and to the remarkable rock formation of Pickelstein. And what’s more, a walk through Chřibská itself is also a unique opportunity to tour the unexpected and wholly alive open-air museum of unique Upper Lusatian houses.
Krásná Lípa Region
The town of Krásná Lípa is one of the most hospitable places for tourists. What can you see there? The beautifully refurbished square with the House of Bohemian Switzerland, the Information Centre and its interactive exhibition, the Falkenštejn brewery, the Mana chocolatier’s with its chocolate workshop, and several cafés. And that’s not including the surrounding area, such as the less well known but still beautiful Charles' Viewpoint, and especially the Kögler Nature Trail, which criss-crosses the Krásná Lípa region. If you decide to take it, you’ll see the village of Vlčí Hora and the lookout tower on the hill of the same name that rises above it, visit the wonderful garden and shop and tea room of Nobilis Tilia, the well-known natural cosmetics company, and through the Kyjov Valley you’ll find yourself in a valley which is famous for its icefalls in winter; go through Brtníky with its forest Stations of the Cross, visit Brtnický castle and the hidden overhang of the Large Russian Camp, admire an astonishing geological map in Zahrady, and walk through the former village of Skřivánčí pole along the avenue planted in 2021 to return to Krásná Lípa, marvelling at the beautiful views of the highest peaks of the Lusatian Mountains on the horizon.
Šluknov region
The town of Krásná Lípa is one of the most hospitable places for tourists. What can you see there? The beautifully refurbished square with the House of Bohemian Switzerland, the Information Centre and its interactive exhibition, the Falkenštejn brewery, the Mana chocolatier’s with its chocolate workshop, and several cafés. And that’s not including the surrounding area, such as the less well known but still beautiful Charles' Viewpoint, and especially the Kögler Nature Trail, which criss-crosses the Krásná Lípa region. If you decide to take it, you’ll see the village of Vlčí Hora and the lookout tower on the hill of the same name that rises above it, visit the wonderful garden and shop and tea room of Nobilis Tilia, the well-known natural cosmetics company, and through the Kyjov Valley you’ll find yourself in a valley which is famous for its icefalls in winter; go through Brtníky with its forest Stations of the Cross, visit Brtnický castle and the hidden overhang of the Large Russian Camp, admire an astonishing geological map in Zahrady, and walk through the former village of Skřivánčí pole along the avenue planted in 2021 to return to Krásná Lípa, marvelling at the beautiful views of the highest peaks of the Lusatian Mountains on the horizon.
Děčín and the Děčín region
Děčín, the lowest town in Bohemia, is the first gateway of the Czech lands, if we sail upstream along the Elbe. Děčín Chateau, for a long time the most visited historical heritage site in the Ústí region, looms large above the river. There are three walking tour circuits you can take, through the beautiful gardens, unique in the world, of The Long Ride, and past the adjacent Church of the Ascension of the Holy Cross. On the other bank of the Elbe, directly opposite the chateau, you can ascend the unique via ferrata to the restaurant on the Pastýřská stěna massif. It is situated practically right in the centre of town, making it something not found anywhere else in the country. At the top you’ll enjoy a wonderful view of Děčín, but can also visit the nearby zoo hidden away in the forest. Cyclists will be making a big mistake if they don’t try one of the two beautiful cycling trails – the one leading upstream alongside the Ploučnice river as far as Benešov nad Ploučnicí, that gem of the Saxon Renaissance, or the Elbe Trail, which ends its long journey from the source of the river here through the deepest sandstone canyon in Europe. The Elbe Trail runs along the left bank of the Elbe, and so is open and in no way affected by the fires on the other bank of the river above Hřensko.
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