Sightseeing in Bohemian Paradise
Protected landscape area of Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) is considered a unique region with extraordinary aesthetic value. A harmonic unity is created by its rock cities, extinct volcanoes, and other natural wonders, among which people found no difficulty in integrating ponds, building castles and châteaux and founding picturesque villages and towns. All of this creates a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction.
Bohemian Paradise is the country's oldest protected region, having been declared as such in 1955. The area of the protected region was doubled in 2002.
Bohemian Paradise offers excellent conditions for hiking, cycling, rock climbing, water-sports and even for fishing.
Hiking
Bohemian Paradise offers excellent conditions for hiking all year round. It has a vast quantity of tourist attractions, such as sandstone rocks, enchanting panoramas from lookout towers and observation points, castles, castle ruins, and caves, as well as rustic log cabins with galleries, and a variety of museums. Just like in most of the Czech Republic, the region’s hiking trails are very well-marked. Blue and yellow hiking trails cross the village of Kacanovy.
Cycling
Cycling in Bohemian Paradise is a really pleasant experience, though it is not always easy. Clearly marked trails run through the entire district, taking cyclists through the rock cities, and to most local natural wonders and historical monuments. They go along forest and field footpaths, and often have a sandy base. From this attractive mix, cyclists can choose between physically demanding paths best suited for mountain or trekking bikes and paths that are manageable for families with children. Bikes can be parked in the garage.
Hiking and cycling map
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Boat and scooter trip on the Jizera River
A popular trip on the Jizera River is a canoe or raft trip from Malá Skála to Dolánky, returning by scooter along the cycle path. The Jizera River is calm and gently flowing here, with no weirs along the route. The flat cycle path along the water is ideal for returning by scooter, crossing two bridges and two footbridges along the way. It is also possible to return by train. The trip is suitable for all ages, children and beginners alike.
More information: lodekoza.cz, klokoci.cz, maloskalsko.eu
Swimming pool in Kacanovy
Close to the house (200 m) is a swimming pool. A small pool for children and non-swimmers is near by. Volleyball court, ping-pong table and table soccer is available on site. Balls and other equipment are for rent at snack-bar for a small fee.
More information: kemp-kacanovy.cz
Hruboskalské rock town
Without any doubts one of the most well-known czech rock towns which is characterized by impressive towers reaching the height of up to 60 m and by steep canyons leading from rock edges to deep romantic valleys. The most frequently visited places include Mariánská vyhlídka (Mary's Viewpoint), the viewpoint U Lvíčka (At the Lion), and Janova vyhlídka (John's Viewpoint). People gave names to individual rock groups and formations and there are plenty of tales and stories connected with them.
More information: hruboskalsko.czech-mountains.eu
Prachovské skály (Prachov rocks)
The famous rock town was created through eroding of the originally compact table of rectangularly shaped sandstones of the upper Cretaceous. It is a real paradise for rock climbers and tourists. There are many tourist paths leading through the sandstone rocks and to beautiful viewpoints.
More information: prachovskeskaly.com
Příhrazské skály (Příhrazské rocks)
Towers of reddish sandstone are separated by narrow and deep gorges, a total of 178 towers was counted on an area of 520 ha. The sandstone rocks with the ruin of very old rock castle with beautiful viewpoints. It's a popular tourist place for nice walk.
More information: showcaves.com
Suché skály (Dry rocks)
The rugged rock ridge is situated 1,5 km above Malá Skála on the opposite side of Jizera river than Vranov ridge. The narrow massive from hard sandstone was lifted up by the Alpine-Carpathian folding and put into a vertical position. Thanks their shape are Suché skály called Teachers Organs or Bohemian Dolomiti too. Plenty of rock-climbers frequently come there. The most beautiful outlook to Suché skály is offered from view point under Sokol hill.
Další informace: dry-rocks.czech-mountains.eu
Ještěd - 1 012 metres above sea level
Architect Karel Hubáček decided to place a television transmitter, restaurant and hotel in one tower. The summit can be reached by a cableway which is unique within the Czech Republic. Ještěd is a Czech national cultural monument and has also been named Building of the 20th Century. Just come and see!
More information: jested.cz
Kost castle
Originated after 1371; its builder was probably Benes of Wartenberg. The Castle is dominated by the angular White Tower, five storeys high, the south-eastern part pointing towards the Plakánek valley. The tower is a part of the battlements erected from stone blocks.
More information: kost-hrad.cz
Trosky castle
The original castle was built on two volcanic tops by Čeněk of Vartenberk in the 14th century. The castle ruins are a characteristic dominant feature of the region and one of the symbols of the Bohemian Paradise. The remains of two towers watch over the surrounding countryside. These are known as "the Old Hage" (Baba) and "the Virgin" (Panna). The beautiful viewpoints on both towers are open to the public.
More information: hrad-trosky.cz
Valdštejn castle
The Valdštejn castle lies in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise, in the region of beautiful rocks. Valdštejn, considered to be the oldest castle in the Bohemian Paradise, was established approximately around 1260 by Jaroslav of Hruštice from the Markvartic family who were the ancestors of the lords of Valdštejn.
More information: hrad-valdstejn.cz
Hrubá Skála château
On the site of the original castle from the 14th century, built on a monumentally high cliff, stands the Hruba Skala château with romantic church, from which a connecting bridge with Baroque statues leads to the château. The château is a hotel today, but visitors may enter the courtyard and the tower with its unique view of the surrounding rock scenery and the ruins of Trosky Castle, the most prominent landmark of Bohemian Paradise.
More information: hotelhrubaskala.cz
Vranov castle and Pantheon
A rock castle founded in the early 15th century, deserted in the 16th century. The castle complex adapted in the 19th century into a Romantic Pantheon. In front of the castle a summer residence in the form of a chapel built in 1826. Probably the biggest and the most complicated rock castle in the Czech Republic.
More information: vranov-pantheon.org
Frýdštejn castle
Major dominant of the castle is a large castle tower built up on the highest rock in order to watch around surroundings. A special attention should be paid to a small room carved out south from the main tower where a niche in the wall indicates a former chapel and this room as referred to 1691 was used even long after being left.
More information: frydstejn.cz
Hrubý Rohozec château
Originally an Early Gothic castle founded in about 1280, it was built as an inaccessible seat of noblemen, not far from an important trade route leading through the Jizera region. Today's appearance of the castle results from several large reconstructions, none of which suppressed the former architectural elements of the building. The outcome of the building Dining-room. development, lasting seven centuries, is a harmonic unity with significant features of reconstructions from the periods of Late Gothic from the years 1509 - 1516, late Renaissance from the beginning of the 17th century and Empire from 1822.
More information: zamek-hrubyrohozec.cz
Sychrov château
Enjoy the neo-Gothic interiors, Rohan Gallery – a collection of French portrait painting art, the largest in Central Europe, English-style park with exotic wood species. Castle Restaurant – possibility of lunching there.
More information: zamek-sychrov.cz
Valečov castle
Interesting rock castle of Valečov is located four kilometers east of the town of Mnichovo Hradiště in the Bohemian Paradise. Valečov lies at an altitude of 330 meters above sea level, directly above the village of Boseň, on the edge of the Mužský rock hill. Only ruins remain of the original medieval castle, which are protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
More information: bosen-obec.cz/valecov/
Kopicův statek (Kopic estate) near Kacanovy
The picturesque timbered house - a nice example of folk architecture of the Jizera basin - is a secluded dwelling in the woods above the village Kacanovy. There are relieves with motifs from Czech history carved out a little below - in the sandstone cliff zone; it is a work of patriotic Vojtěch Kopic, a former owner of the estate.
More information: cesky-raj.info
Museum of Bohemian Paradise in Turnov
Since the year 1886, the Turnov Museum has been collecting documents about the cultural and historical development of the region and the town. Rich collections comprise archaeology, ethnology, mineralogy, history, arts and archives materials. What makes the Turnov Museum go beyond the ranks of other regional national historical and geographical museums is its specialization in documentation, working and collection of precious stones.
More information: muzeum-turnov.cz
Škoda Auto Museum in Mladá Boleslav
There are only four car makers in the whole world able to boast of a century-long history of uninterrupted exchange of information, know-how, experience, development, and production. Škoda is one of them – join us to get the feel of history. Three sections of exhibits – 100 Years of Škoda Auto, Gallery of Engines and Slavia Exhibition – map the successful journey of the Czech industry from 1895 to date. Individual exhibits are multimedia supported – join the play.
More information: museum.skoda-auto.com