The Czech Republic-Tips for the trips-Český ráj and České Švýcarsko

Adrenaline flows through the body, overcoming your fear is even more difficult. A mountain climber works his way upward on vertical sandstone towers, looking down at solid ground tens of metres below …with his group members he writes his name in the book of visiting climbers. He is not the first to reach the top, for even a century ago climbers had already headed in this direction. However, this doesn’t detract from his joy. In a moment, he will begin his descent. He places his rope through the hook and lowers himself downward through the air like a spider. The Czech Republic is a land of many sandstone rock towns. Hundreds of their high-towering rock spires can boast ten or more, some up to one hundred metres. Most of these rocks are concentrated in two areas, named Český Ráj (Czech Paradise) and České Švýcarsko (Czech Switzerland), because of their beauty.

Czech Paradise
The protected nature preserve, Czech Paradise, does not bear its name for nothing. Visitors are welcomed by sunlit meadows, pinewood forests, thin rock towers, dark ruins of fortresses, and luxurious castles. Even after several days of exploration, there is still something to see. Lovers of hiking will find a well-developed network of paths at their disposal. These paths lead between canyons and romantic little valleys. Cyclists can take on local roads to obtain their daily dose of kilometres. During their outings they can swim without care in one of the local ponds and in the evening they can all gather for a glass of well-earned beer in one of the traditional pubs. Czech Paradise is just an hour away from the capital of the Czech Republic by car. A comfortable train ride takes a bit longer

Don’t miss:
Pravčická brána – the largest stone bridge in Europe, bowing over a 16-metre depth and spanning a 30-metre length. A comfortable hiking path leads to it from nearby Hřensko.
Hřensko – starting point for hikers into the Labe area sandstone formations.Hrubá skála – one of the most picturesque areas with massive lone rock towers protruding above the crowns of mammoth trees.
Trosky – the ruins of a fortress on two peaks of a basalt heap with a longdistance view of the countryside.
Bezděz – a massive medieval fortress with an interesting past – in its day it ruled over the surrounding area, in time it became a monastery, and later a mere ruin. Afterwards it was renovated and made accessible to tourists.