Patricia Mumby says...
Generally reliable and deliver the promise
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Fondly known as the Bohemian Paradise, the region of Bohemia is just under 2hrs drive from the historic city of Prague. You will find beautiful countryside with landscapes of forest and fishponds, fairytale chateaux and sublime villages home to timber cottages and rural farms. The countryside here offers endless possibilities for visiting places of natural beauty, in particular the striking rock labyrinths which are famous in the Bohemian Paradise, as well as many historical monuments and majestic castles.
Bohemia, or Bohemian Paradise, is a picturesque region containing several impressive sandstone rock cities or rock labyrinths locally known as 'Skalni Mesto'. It is the oldest nature reserve in the Czech Republic and is included in the UNESCO list of Geoparks. The beautiful unspoiled landscapes are comprised of imposing organ-pipe like rock formations contrasting strikingly against the surrounding linden trees and charming folk villages. The wind, rain, frost and sun have sculpted these bizarre sandstone formations allowing us to marvel in their very grand and unique presence. The symbol of the Bohemian region is Trosky Castle. Now in ruins, Trosky Castle is easily distinguished by its twin towers set on two basalt steep cliffs (the towers are called Baba - Old Woman, and Panna - Young Girl) both offering unique views over the land. Trosky was a volcano 16 million years ago, each top has erupted once. Our tour will take you to these renowned sights within the Czech Republic.
The route is well way-marked along defined paths and follows the best route to allow you to visit the various gothic castles, explore the striking rock cities and experience the fairytale like countryside with flowing rivers and shimmering lakes; it doesn't take much to imagine horses and carts trundling past. You will pass through narrow corridors of rock cities, interesting rock labyrinths and splendid view points.
Arrive in the historic town of Jičin.
Overnight Hotel U Valdické Brány, Jičin (breakfast included).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
Make your way back to Prague airport for your flight home.
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
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NEARBY:
Located in the historical centre of Jicin (pronounced Yitch – In), the heart of the Bohemian Paradise. It is built in an old, historical style with comfortable rooms and a lovely restaurant offering local specialties which was designed in the style of 1866 when an important battle was fought near Jičin, which foreshadowed the outcome of the Austro-Prussian War.
Find out more on the hotel website.
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Parkhotel is located next to the gateway of the Český Ráj where the Prachov Rock Cities are found. Since its opening in 1936, this stylish hotel has welcomed many happy guests into cosy rooms and a nice restaurant which serves a wide range of international and Czech specialities. There is also a hot tub and sauna on site.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Generally reliable and deliver the promise
The overall experience was fine and we felt it was an attractive walk - no doubt enhanced by the superb weather we experienced. The only small difficulty that arose concerned the timing of transfers to the start and from the end of the walk but that was satisfactorily resolved in the end.
One comment I would make about the walk is that I would strongly recommend the green route around Prachovske Skaly as it gives a much better oversight of the park
Very interesting walking and spring a good time of year as everything very green. Dramatic rock cliffs and beautiful woodlands. Little towns of not much interest (apart from Jicin) but countryside more than made up for that. Good idea to extend in Prague as there's loads to do and the hotel (Hasta) is superbly situated with excellent restaurants close by. Staff also very helpful in Prague hotel in particular.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 7 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of and hotels
All breakfasts & four dinners
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts & four dinners
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
