Bohemian Switzerland National Park
Bohemian Switzerland National Park
5
About
The Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Narodni park Ceske Svycarsko), which was established on 1st January 2000 and covers an area of nearly 80km2, is the youngest national park in the Czech Republic. The park on its northern side borders and is linked to the Saxon Switzerland National Park in Germany, which was established in 1990 and covers an area of 93 km2. The mission of the National Park is to preserve the local territory in its full beauty and to enable natural processes to prevail in this area. Human interventions are only limited to activities which help restore the natural balance to the greatest extent. The focal point of the area protection is a unique sandstone rock town with the occurance of rare plant and animal species and islands of well-preserved woods. Natural values of the National Park have also been acknowledged within the European Union by including it in the prestigious list of European conservation areas called Natura 2000. With a click on the headline or the picture You find further information about tasks and aims of the national park, a broad section about the geology, fauna, flora and forests within the national park, an overview over the history and tourism and a detailed description of the different management fields of the national park Bohemian Switzerland:
Duration: More than 3 hours
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5.0
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Alla M
13 contributions
Sept 2021
this is relatively new and less visited place of Czech Republic, but you really could found there many trekking trails and nice places to see. If you love nature and trekking so 3 days is good option to explore the area, Hrensca town is good starting point for many trails and you can found many places to stay and eat. Cash is good option because many restaurants receive cash only. We stayed in hotel Kotva- very recommended, good breakfast, bed, room, cleaning- all 9 from 10
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camper778138
3 contributions
Sept 2022
Amazing views of rock formation and ancient fortifications. Guide was very knowledgeable and open to altering experience for my personal weak physical condition. I really appreciated it. And then we had a fantastic lunch at local restaurant. Love that authentic experience.
Written 10 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ng400
Camarillo, CA32 contributions
Oct 2022
There was a big fire in the summer of 2022, and a large area of the park is burnt. But you can still enjoy the climb and the summit with the iconic view. There were mostly German families the day that we went, which means that although it's not a very easy climb, it's totally doable with kids.
Written 9 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikmad23
3 contributions
Sept 2022
It was my first solo trip. The best day I've had was this! Ondrej our guide was amazing
and incredibly friendly and chatty, I actually felt I was among friends visiting an absolutely spectacular place.. It's so worth it that I will definitely do it again with my family!! Big thanks to Ondrej for an excellent guidance!!
and incredibly friendly and chatty, I actually felt I was among friends visiting an absolutely spectacular place.. It's so worth it that I will definitely do it again with my family!! Big thanks to Ondrej for an excellent guidance!!
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva L
8 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Day trip to Bohemian Switzerland from Prague. We wanted to start at Kamenice gorge from Hrensko. Both gorges were closed without any notice on park's website which was a real bummer. A lot of fire damage on the forest which made the whole trip feel a bit weird. The Pravcicka brana was a nice highlight, but the Gabriella pathwas closed so we couldn't continue to Mezna Louka directly but had to walk back to the main road. We also walked to Šauenštajn castle and back.
Written 9 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maggiezoo
London, UK11 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Fun and easy walk up to see the arch, it is also not as difficult to get there from Prague by public transport as most people think.
The hike is enjoyed by people of all ages, although there are rocks that jut out from the ground. Wear comfortable shoes.
Public transport route from Prague:
Prague Main railway station > Decin > then 434 bus to Hrensko
The hike is enjoyed by people of all ages, although there are rocks that jut out from the ground. Wear comfortable shoes.
Public transport route from Prague:
Prague Main railway station > Decin > then 434 bus to Hrensko
Written 13 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan C
Portsmouth, UK9 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We stumbled across this little gem whilst looking for activities to do in Prague. We had seen a tour group that runs day trips to the park but thought the price was a little steep and so looked into alternatives.
We found some information (mainly on here) about how to do the trip using public transport but generally speaking there was a lack of information about how to plan a trip. However we really wanted to visit the park and so thought what the hell let's just try and work it out ourselves - what's the worst that can happen!
So here is how we did it, firstly hire a car - if you have a driving license and don't mind driving on foreign countries it is by far the easiest way to get there from Prague. We hired from rent plus - cheapest place we found with good availability - 750.20Kč for 24hr (So you can pick up 8am one day and drop it off 8am the next day, don't need to worry about getting it back for a set time that evening).
When you have your car you want to head to Mezní Louka (see attached map). Should take anywhere from 1h30 - 1h45. When you arrive, as long as you get there fairly early, you should be able to park for 100Kč. From here you can either choose to head north to the Pravčicka brána (the gate) or south to the river - we went north.
This is a relatively easy walk and very well sign posted (it's the red route). The route has some spectacular scenery along the way before you reach the gate itself.
The gate opens at 10am and has an admission fee. There is a restaurant and a cafe here where you can purchase food and drink but obviously it is better (and cheaper) if you take a mini picnic with you. When you have finished admiring the views there you can carry on heading west to Hřensko.
Once in Hřensko you cross the river and carry on following the red route. This route now follows the river east. After a short trek you will come across the ferry stop. Here you can choose to purchase a single ticket for the first section, or any other combination of ticket which covers both ferry sections and return journeys. We selected the single one section ticket and set off on the boat.
This part of the trip made a pleasant change to the waking with approximately 15-20min boat ride down the river. Don't expect any English for the tour (in fact anywhere on the route) but regardless it is nice sitting back and appreciating the scenery. Once you portage, it is a short walk into Mezná and then a bit of a steeper climb back to Mezní Louka.
All in all if you are visiting Prague and enjoy a spot of walking and hiking then this little hidden gem is a must!
We found some information (mainly on here) about how to do the trip using public transport but generally speaking there was a lack of information about how to plan a trip. However we really wanted to visit the park and so thought what the hell let's just try and work it out ourselves - what's the worst that can happen!
So here is how we did it, firstly hire a car - if you have a driving license and don't mind driving on foreign countries it is by far the easiest way to get there from Prague. We hired from rent plus - cheapest place we found with good availability - 750.20Kč for 24hr (So you can pick up 8am one day and drop it off 8am the next day, don't need to worry about getting it back for a set time that evening).
When you have your car you want to head to Mezní Louka (see attached map). Should take anywhere from 1h30 - 1h45. When you arrive, as long as you get there fairly early, you should be able to park for 100Kč. From here you can either choose to head north to the Pravčicka brána (the gate) or south to the river - we went north.
This is a relatively easy walk and very well sign posted (it's the red route). The route has some spectacular scenery along the way before you reach the gate itself.
The gate opens at 10am and has an admission fee. There is a restaurant and a cafe here where you can purchase food and drink but obviously it is better (and cheaper) if you take a mini picnic with you. When you have finished admiring the views there you can carry on heading west to Hřensko.
Once in Hřensko you cross the river and carry on following the red route. This route now follows the river east. After a short trek you will come across the ferry stop. Here you can choose to purchase a single ticket for the first section, or any other combination of ticket which covers both ferry sections and return journeys. We selected the single one section ticket and set off on the boat.
This part of the trip made a pleasant change to the waking with approximately 15-20min boat ride down the river. Don't expect any English for the tour (in fact anywhere on the route) but regardless it is nice sitting back and appreciating the scenery. Once you portage, it is a short walk into Mezná and then a bit of a steeper climb back to Mezní Louka.
All in all if you are visiting Prague and enjoy a spot of walking and hiking then this little hidden gem is a must!
Written 4 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray P
Pittsburgh, PA15 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Our trip to the Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Park last week was absolutely the best day tour that we have ever taken. The natural beauty of the parks on both sides of the border are almost indescribable, and pictures just can't do the very special and beautiful place justice. Tall sandstone spires stand in silent testimony of the brilliance of the River Elbe and the quiet valley down below. Castle ruins perch almost impossibly and precariously atop these spires while soft mist rises to meet the sky. Brilliant fall colors, swaying river gorges, tall trees all combine to make a brisk morning hike an almost sacred experience. Our guide, Daniela Paulova, spent her childhood and still lives near the park, and provided an intimate introduction to land that she loves and cherishes. Her knowledge of the area and its history and people, her willingness to accommodate our specific needs, her friendliness, her sense of humor, and willingness to share something so close to her heart with us so freely, made this day the highlight of our visit to the Czech Republic. If you are thinking at all of booking this tour, be sure to ask for Daniela to be your guide. She will make your visit memorable, enjoyable, and most off all, magical, in such a way that at day's end, you will be tired in the good way, and also sorry that the day is over. I am so thankful for the time that we were able to spend together in this breathtakingly stunning place. Remember to dress for a hike---good, strong shoes and socks layer for possible changes in weather, no leather coats lol, and a desire to see one of the most intensely gorgeous places on earth is all that you will need. Daniela will take care of the rest.
Written 7 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruno M
2 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
It is a beatiful place, but a bit tricky to reach by public transport.
We went to the park from Prague, so we bought train tickets from Prague hl n station to Decin hl n station.
The tricky bit is when you arrive in Decin; from there you need to get a bus to Hrensko. The bus stop is just in front of the train station, the route number is the 434. The bus only pass every 2 hours, so if you don't want to wait this much as we had to, I recommend to check the bus timetable.
From there the journey takes approx. 30 minutes to Hrensko, Pravcicka brana, that is the bus stop you should go if you want to get the shorter way to the famous rock formation with the same name. I suggest to start the hiking from this point, and after Pravcicka brana continue the route to Mezni Louka.
The reason is that to get the bus back, Mezni Louka is the second bus stop, so after walking about 10 km, if you want to get a seat to Decin you should get it here. In Hrensko, Pravcicka brana a lot of people will be there, as the majority do the opposite route. The bus only runs every 2h from the park to Decin too.
The route is amazing and you can enjoy a beer in Pravcicka brana for 25 Kc, however the only "food" available there was instant soup, so bring your sandwich =)
There are also the boat tours which shows a different part of the park, but we didn't have time.
We went to the park from Prague, so we bought train tickets from Prague hl n station to Decin hl n station.
The tricky bit is when you arrive in Decin; from there you need to get a bus to Hrensko. The bus stop is just in front of the train station, the route number is the 434. The bus only pass every 2 hours, so if you don't want to wait this much as we had to, I recommend to check the bus timetable.
From there the journey takes approx. 30 minutes to Hrensko, Pravcicka brana, that is the bus stop you should go if you want to get the shorter way to the famous rock formation with the same name. I suggest to start the hiking from this point, and after Pravcicka brana continue the route to Mezni Louka.
The reason is that to get the bus back, Mezni Louka is the second bus stop, so after walking about 10 km, if you want to get a seat to Decin you should get it here. In Hrensko, Pravcicka brana a lot of people will be there, as the majority do the opposite route. The bus only runs every 2h from the park to Decin too.
The route is amazing and you can enjoy a beer in Pravcicka brana for 25 Kc, however the only "food" available there was instant soup, so bring your sandwich =)
There are also the boat tours which shows a different part of the park, but we didn't have time.
Written 17 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
teddy_1810
Hanoi, Vietnam10 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Our trip to Czech would never be completed without visiting this stunning park. It was literately breathtaking... So lucky that we got there by the sunset and in an autumn day. Best timming!!!
In case you want to go by public transport from Praha (Prague) within a day, here are my tips for you:
1. The train from Praha (Praha Hlavni Nadrazi) to Decin takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. You can buy tickets or check the train time online. It costs about £5 - £6.5/ single ticket.
2. Then take the bus no. 434 from Decin to Hrensko village (direction Mezná). We had to wait quite long for the bus, I reckon there was only one bus in an hour. It takes about 20 minutes to Hrensko village.
* If you want to go straight away to the Pravcicka gate, I think you can get off at the 3rd stop after Hrensko village. It's the stop right at the starting point of the hike to Pracvicka gate from which it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike up to the top. Otherwise, you will need to walk about 45 minutes extra from the village.
* However, if you get off at Hrensko village, you can also take the Edmund Gorge & Wild Gorge Boat Tour for just £2.5/ way. You can find more information by searching for Hrensko village website.
Make sure you have enough time to do both the boat tour and the hike to Pravcicka gate. It takes a full day to do both.
Bear in your mind that the most tricky thing on the way back to waiting for the bus from the village to Decin. We got off the hiking trail around 6:45pm. It was quite dark so we decided to walk back to the village rather than waiting for the bus in the dark without knowing when there would be one (our phones were out of battery so we couldn't check). No matter how desperately you wave the bus driver, he will not stop if you are not at the bus stop. It was about bitter experience. We were 50 meters away from the bus stop, trying to wave the driver but just got his ignorance, then had to wait for another 1.5 hours. I am not sure about the time for the last bus from the village to Decin but we took one at 8:25pm. Taxi is quite hard to get from the village.
In case you want to go by public transport from Praha (Prague) within a day, here are my tips for you:
1. The train from Praha (Praha Hlavni Nadrazi) to Decin takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. You can buy tickets or check the train time online. It costs about £5 - £6.5/ single ticket.
2. Then take the bus no. 434 from Decin to Hrensko village (direction Mezná). We had to wait quite long for the bus, I reckon there was only one bus in an hour. It takes about 20 minutes to Hrensko village.
* If you want to go straight away to the Pravcicka gate, I think you can get off at the 3rd stop after Hrensko village. It's the stop right at the starting point of the hike to Pracvicka gate from which it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike up to the top. Otherwise, you will need to walk about 45 minutes extra from the village.
* However, if you get off at Hrensko village, you can also take the Edmund Gorge & Wild Gorge Boat Tour for just £2.5/ way. You can find more information by searching for Hrensko village website.
Make sure you have enough time to do both the boat tour and the hike to Pravcicka gate. It takes a full day to do both.
Bear in your mind that the most tricky thing on the way back to waiting for the bus from the village to Decin. We got off the hiking trail around 6:45pm. It was quite dark so we decided to walk back to the village rather than waiting for the bus in the dark without knowing when there would be one (our phones were out of battery so we couldn't check). No matter how desperately you wave the bus driver, he will not stop if you are not at the bus stop. It was about bitter experience. We were 50 meters away from the bus stop, trying to wave the driver but just got his ignorance, then had to wait for another 1.5 hours. I am not sure about the time for the last bus from the village to Decin but we took one at 8:25pm. Taxi is quite hard to get from the village.
Written 16 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Any suggestions as to what hikes to take since it has been burned so badly? We will be there next year and planning now. Where is a good place to start from? What are the park fees to get in?
Written 21 July 2023
What company was Marek with? Did you travel to the park from Prague?
Written 30 May 2022
Hi, I wanted to know if it can be done in a day and how much will it take?Is there a short route?
Written 3 October 2021
Hi I would appreciate your reply
Planning a trip for one day with my husband in October I wanted to know:
1. What are the opening and closing hours of the park?
2. We would like to see the Pravčická Brána (arch) as well as a boat trip. What is the easiest route there is? And how long will it take ? Is it even possible to do in one day?
we will arrive as early as possible.
Many thanks in advance
Written 3 October 2021
Marek O
Prague, Czech Republic
If you are interested in the tour to the Bohemian Switzerland National park from Prague with local. See following website: airbnb.cz/experiences/900725
Written 8 February 2020
I’m not sure. You can directly contact the organizers through their website, though.
Written 25 August 2019
Bonjour, est-il envisageable de faire une randonnée d'un jour au départ de Prague ? Si oui, quel est le moyen de transport le plus adéquat pour s'y rendre: train, bus ou location d'une voiture ? Merci.
Hi, is it possible to do a one day hikking ? We will go to Prague three days in april, but we have only one day free to go out of the city. What is the best way to go there : bus, train, hire a car ? Or do you recommand us to go to an other park ? Thank you.
Written 19 March 2019
according to this website of cztour, the bus service from Decin is very limited?! Is it better for tourists to join a one day tour instead of taking train + bus by themselves? We are not going to drive.
Is it easy to find the ways to those famous rock and take the boat in the river?
thanks a lot!
Written 19 March 2019
I'm not sure about the bus service, but once you get to the park, you can easily hike to the areas of interest. The trails are well marked and in good shape. We took a tour for the day since we were going from Prague (Praha), but Decin is much closer.
Written 22 March 2019
Hello, we will stay in Decin, and plan to visit Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Pravcicka brana, Wild Gorge and Czech - Saxon Switzerland, what's the best way to visit all them inside the nation park - by bus, or by car(we have a rental car)? we plan to do a lot of hiking, too, is one full day sufficient? THANK YOU!
Written 26 January 2019
You must use a car then
public transport is available but it is simply too inefficient lol
and thats assuming it arrives on time
take note that if you miss the buses at night you must stay overnight :P
Written 27 January 2019
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