An easy 7km walk from Hrubá Skála to Valdštejn and back
- An easy 7km ‘there and back’ walk, partly on road, partly on a wide forest track, from the famous Hrubá Skála rocks to the castle of Valdštejn, taking in several spectacular viewpoints along the way
- Start and finish at the car park next to Hrubá Skála castle (Note: this is small and can be full at peak times)
- Paths are easy and navigable with a baby stroller (apart from the small diversions to the viewpoints) but there is 232m of height gained/lost, so this is not a completely flat walk. The trails can be quite busy at peak times
- For a longer and more varied walk, also visiting Hrubá Skála and Valdštejn on similar easy paths, try the 11km circular walk from Kacenovy
- Various refreshment options should be available at Valdštejn and Hrubá Skála
“Hrubá Skála and Valdštejn are the two best known castles in Český ráj, and they can both be visited in a couple of hours in an easy walk along the famous Golden trail. If you have limited time available and prefer a wide trail, mostly on forest roads, then this a good way to start your Český ráj experience!”
Directions
- Start and finish the walk at the small paid car park of Hrubá Skála (accessed by driving along main road 35 from Turnov to Jičin, and turning off to the right, signposted Hrubá Skála). Note: this is small car park and can be full at peak times, so an early start is advisable
- From the Hrubá Skála car park take the RED trail (direction Valdštejn)
- Follow the RED trail all the way to Valdštejn (3.5km), firstly along the road, then through the Arboretum (snack bar at the exit).
- Continue on the RED trail on the forest path, taking the (optional but recommended) signposted detours to the famous viewpoints of Na Kapelu and U Lvíčka.
- Reach the spectacularly situated 13th century castle of Valdštejn (usually open from April to October – see times on website).
- Just before the castle, there is a refreshment opportunity at the Hospůdka U Hradu (usually open at the same times as Valdštejn castle).
- Return back to Hrubá Skála along the same RED trail.
- Zámek Hrubá Skála is a private hotel, but the courtyard is open to the public and worth seeing. The castle restaurant (usually open year round) leads off the inner courtyard
- Other refreshment options next to car park include fast food kiosks or the interesting Hotel Stekl (only open at weekends for lunch in the main season)