Explore the amazing sandstone mountain range
Bohemian Switzerland (Czech: České Švýcarsko) is a 700-square-kilometre nature reserve in the fairytale Elbe Sandstone Mountains in the northwest of the Czech Republic. The area has been protected as a national park since 1972. The region on the right bank of the Elbe was declared a national park in 2000 and borders the Saxon Switzerland National Park in Germany. A geologically interesting area: around 100 million years ago, sand was deposited here on the sinking floor of an estuary. Around 65 million years ago, it was pushed tectonically back up, whereupon weathering and erosion broke up the 400-metre-thick sandstone layers, forming bizarre and beautiful rock formations. A unique, tranquil area in the middle of Europe.
The name comes from the Swiss artists Adrian Zingg and Anton Graff, who felt reminded of their homeland by the geography of Northern Bohemia.
Numerous castles were built in Bohemian Switzerland to guard the trade routes. Some of these castles also served as hiding places for medieval robber barons. The region has always been very sparsely populated, with only a few more people along the Elbe, and this is still the case today.
The approximately 90-kilometre-long route is characterised by a four-pronged blue ridge, which is why it was also called the Blue Ridge Way in the 1930s. This route has existed since 1902. This week you will hike the part of the route that leads through Bohemian Switzerland with a special stage through German-Saxon Switzerland. The routes are well signposted throughout.
If you prefer to book a 7-day (6 nights) version, the price will change by €50 per person in a double room and €70 in a single room.
Day-by-day scheduleRead more → Decin - Hrensko - Jetrichovice
You arrive in Děčín by train or car. Perfect connection by train.
This North Bohemian town is situated in the river basin on both banks of the Elbe. From one side you can see the towering, mighty castle, from the other the rock formation known as the Shepherd's Wall. The Elbe flows through the city from south to north, with the fairytale landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, with its mighty sandstone rocks and deep forests, beginning just outside the city gates. There are several lookout towers near the city from which you can get spectacular views of the landscape.
The majestic castle, which sits on a rock above the confluence of the Elbe and Ploučnice rivers, has been the emblem of the northern Bohemian town of Děčín for centuries. The Baroque rose garden on the northern castle terrace is worth visiting, with its sala terrena, gloriette and magnificent view over the city. The garden was laid out at the end of the 19th century, when the then owner had the castle converted into his representative residence.
You travel by bus, alone with a small day bag, to the small town of Tisa/Libouchec, in the forested highlands of Děčín. Even the transfer by public transport introduces you to the vast forests and hills of this almost uninhabited area. Buses run twice an hour from Děčín. Bus routes 432 and 452 start near the hotel.
Two rock towns welcome you at the beginning. Each is different, but both are beautiful, whether you walk between the rocky giants or along the edge of the high stone walls of yew walls. The next route also leads between the rock formations hidden in the forest, through Ostrov, the bottom of a huge rock pot with a cascade of small ponds, and from there you climb over the Ostrovské Stones to the summit of Bohemian Switzerland, which then leads to the old stone tower, the lookout tower at the summit of Děčínský Sněžník, from which you can see very far into the Czech Republic and Germany. After that, the route leads into the deeply incised Elbe Valley and you will reach Děčín and walk back to the hotel.
The extensive grounds of Thun Castle, with the longest Baroque brick entrance road in the world, should not be missed. The mountain ridge waits for a while and then shows you the way through the forest park to the imperial lookout point on Kvádrberk Mountain, which rivals the view of Děčín from the Hirtenwand. This is where a breathtaking hike along the ridge of the rock massif begins, along the right bank of the Elbe Gorge, the deepest sandstone gorge in Europe.
On this day, the hike takes you across the German border and through the rugged sandstone formations of Saxon Switzerland. You will hike back to your hotel along the banks of the Elbe.
The square-shaped Blue Ridge hiking trail leaves Hřensko and immediately begins to ascend to Labská vyhlídka, a beautiful spot above the village with a view of the river and the Hřensko gorge, and then along Gabrielina path to the famous Pravčická brana (in English: Prebischtor), the most famous landmark in the whole of Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland. The sandstone gate is the largest in Europe.
Through the forests between Mezní Louka and Jetřichovice, you will reach the small Pravčická Gate, which leads up to a lookout point on the rock and down a sandy path between the rocks to the foot of the former robber baron's castle Šaunštejn from the 14th century. Thanks to newly built ladders and the safety of the plateau at the top, climbing to the top of the rock massif is now easier than ever. Šaunštejn is like a ship docked in the forest, and the view from the ‘bow’ is simply breathtaking.
Overnight stay in Jetřichovice or Vysoká Lípa.
After yesterday's long day, a shorter circular hike is planned today north of the sprawling half-timbered village of Jetřichovice, passing phenomenal rock formations or lookout points such as Mariina vyhlídka. Going even deeper into the sandstone mountains of Bohemian Switzerland is not an option. Of course, a day of doing nothing before the last day's tour is also possible.
The wild and romantic ruins of Dolský Mlýn and a series of bunkers hidden in the forest lead to the Ferrata Kavárnička climbing rocks. Then it's through meadows to the small town of Česká Kamenice, a suitable place for an afternoon break. Through the deep and narrow Pavlina Valley, you will walk past the Griesl'schen Mühlentunnelsee back to your overnight accommodation in Jetřichovice. If you have booked the shorter version of the hiking holiday, your trip ends today.
After breakfast, your trip ends. We hope you had an unforgettable week with lots of sun and beautiful views. From Jetřichovice it is only an hour by bus to Děčín or you can take our taxi transfer. Perhaps you still have time for an extension in Prague or Dresden, the most beautiful city in the Czech Republic or Saxony.
If you prefer to book a 7-day (6 nights) version, the price will change by €50 per person in a double room and €70 in a single room.
Level: 2 of 5
Total length of the tour: 105 km / 65 miles
| Price | per person |
|---|---|
| 7 nights in three or four star hotels / pensions | € 719 |
| Double room, incl. breakfast | Included |
| Luggage transport | Included |
| Detailed maps and gps files (gpx / kml) | Included |
| 24-Hour SOS service | Included |
| Route description | Included |
| Single room | € 919 |
| Surcharge solo traveller | € 80 |
| triple room / family room (4 beds) | € 699 / 679 |
| 7 x Half board | € 175 |
| Extra night first hotel (single, double, triple, quad) | € 85 / 95 / 120 / 150 |
| Extra night last hotel (single, double, triple, quad) | € 80 / 90 / 120 / 150 |
| Special transfer back to first hotel (max. 4 Pers. / max. 8 Pers.) | € 75 / 75 |
| GPS device | € 25 |
