Walking through Bohemia

Day 1: Arrive in Jičin

Arrive in the historic town of Jičin.
Overnight Hotel U Valdické Brány, Jičin (breakfast included).

Day 2: Jičin to Prachovske Skaly (11km/6.8mi or 17km/10.6mi)

Leave Jičin along a striking avenue of lime trees where you can visit an impressive ‘summer house’ in a park, before passing through agricultural land and villages until you reach forest on higher ground. After a break there you have the option for something a little more strenuous (extension), but not to be missed! A short walk takes you to the entrance to Prachovské Skály, (‘rocks’). You can easily spend hours exploring this unique and dramatic landscape.
Overnight Parkhotel Skali Mesto, Prachov (breakfast & dinner included).

Day 3: Prachov to Sobotka (13km/8.1mi)

Today you walk through varied woods, villages and agricultural areas, a little further than yesterday. Two undoubted highlights are a castle at Pařez and a chateau at Sobotka. The first is a ruin from the late 14th century and is dramatically situated on top of a rocky outcrop in the forest. There are rooms carved in the sandstone. The second, known as Humprecht castle, was built in the late 17th century as a hunting lodge and now houses an exhibition and is open to the public. Being located on top of a hill it is a significant landmark and provides expansive views of the surroundings.
Overnight Hotel Posta, Sobotka (breakfast & dinner included).

Day 4: Sobotka to Hruba Skala (23km/14.3mi)

You walk through picturesque villages, walk along unusual sandstone gorges, pass lakes and marshes, wander through woods and forests, and visit two stunning castles. At Kost, you can pay to join a tour if the time is right; later in the day, at Trosky, you can wander around at your own pace. The latter castle is quite incredible and not to be missed.
Overnight Hotel Zamek, Hruba Skala (breakfast & dinner included).

Day 5: Hruba Skala Circular (12km/7.5mi)

By staying at Hrubá Skála for two nights, you can spend as much or as little time as you wish exploring the area today. It’s well worth the effort as it is very picturesque! We describe a route which takes in much of the so-called rock town (‘Hruboskalské Skalní Město'), several viewpoints, fresh-water springs that emerge below the sandstone, the dramatically positioned Valdštejn castle, a memorial to Bohemian mountaineers, an old farmstead and a curious area of rock carvings created many years ago by a self-taught sculptor.
Overnight Hotel Zamek, Hruba Skala (breakfast & dinner included).

Day 6: Turnov to Mala Skala (13km/8.1mi)

Not long into the walk you pass a farm museum, at Dolanky. You may well be ready for a rest by the time you get to Drabovna, a 'rock town' with views over the valley of the River Jizera. You'll pass the distinctive castle of Frýdštejn, which you can visit. Finally, walking down a sharp ridge towards Mala Skala, you pass rocky outcrops with rather airy ladders and walkways; and just before reaching the valley bottom, you can visit another castle, called Vranov (otherwise known at the Pantheon). This is quite an incredible place! A short transfer takes you into the centre of the substantial town of Turnov, famous for processing of precious stones; here you can visit the Bohemian Paradise Museum.
Overnight Hotel Karel IV, Turnov (breakfast included).

Day 7: Explore Prague

Today you can either transfer to Prague in the morning or you can enjoy a circular walk in Mala Skala before transferring to Prague in the afternoon. There is much to see and do in Prague, it is undoubtedly a very beautiful city.
Overnight Hotel Hastal, Prague (breakfast included).

Day 8: Depart Prague

Make your way back to Prague airport for your flight home.