The ‘Four Castles Tour’ – an epic 37 km circular trip
- An epic 37 km circular tour of the four classic Český ráj castles; Valdštejn, Hrubá Skála, Trosky and Kost, mostly following the Český ráj ‘golden trail’ (zlatá stezka Českého ráje), which also passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the region
- The recommended starting (and finishing) point for the single day option is the parking area at Sedmihorky – lázně, but there are other parking options (see directions below)
- The walk can be attempted (by very fit and fast walkers) as a long day tour, or split over two days, with an overnight stop. See directions below for the overnight options. Walkers attempting this as a day tour will have little (or no) extra time to spend at the four castles
- Although the trail does not have major difficulties, there are some steep step sections, and as with most Český ráj tours, the paths can be slippery during and after heavy rain. There is a total of 804m to be climbed and descended on the tour.
“I was challenged to create a walk which visits the four most famous medieval castles in Český ráj in a single day. This gets it done, but you will need to start early if you want to see all the castles before sunset…alternatively, make it a leisurely two days and actually stop at the castles and viewpoints for a proper look! If I was doing it in two days I would probably choose the option of starting at Kost or even Sobotka and then staying overnight in Hrubá Skála – the two hotels there are very characterful.”
- The recommended starting point for this tour is the paid parking area of Sedmihorky – lázně, reached from the main road 35 between Turnov and Jičin. This allows for an attractive quick approach to Hrubá Skála, as well as the steepest sections to be tackled early on the walk. This option allows for those planning an overnight stop to do so (after 20km walking) at Kost (potentially at the Hotel Podkost)
- It is, however, possible to do this tour in the reverse direction, starting and finishing at Kost (parking at Parkoviště Kost – u hotelu Helikar). In this case, the route can still be followed using the instructions below, following the route in an anticlockwise direction (vising Trosky as the last castle). In this scenario, the overnight stop would be (after 17km walking) at Hrubá Skála (potentially at either Hotel Štekl or Hotel Zámek Hrubá Skála)
- For travellers coming by train, options include travel to Turnov (and then walking up to Valdštejn as the first castle) or to Sobotka (and from there to Kost). Either option would require an overnight stop and add up to 10km to the walk length
- Starting at Sedmihorky – lázně parking, take the BLUE trail (direction Antonínův pramen) for 800m.
- At the Antonínův pramen signpost turn onto the YELLOW trail (direction Hrubá Skála). Follow this trail for 1.6m (stopping off at Mariánská vyhlídka and Zámecká vyhlídka for great viewpoints).
- At the trail junction of U Adamova lože (YELLOW meets RED and BLUE trails) take the BLUE trail to the left (steep steps down, direction Hrubá Skála). After 300m, join the GREEN trail and take this to the right, up steep steps through the rock cleft (Myší díra) to reach Hrubá Skála car park. (Note, it is possible to avoid this steep step section by taking the RED trail from U Adamova lože directly along the road to Hrubá Skála, but this misses out on a very attractive section of the Hrubá Skála rock formations)
- At Hrubá Skála it is worth stopping to visit for a few minutes the castle courtyards (open to the public despite this being a private hotel). Off the inner courtyard is the castle restaurant (usually open year round)
- From Hrubá Skála car park take the RED trail (which is the zlatá stezka Českého ráje) in the direction of Trosky, which is reached after 6.8km of attractive and easy trails (partly along the road).
- Trosky is probably the most iconic of the Český ráj castles, situated on two prominent volcanic basalt outcrops. Various refreshment options should be available at/near the castle.
- From Trosky, continue on the RED trail (zlatá stezka, direction Kost). Follow this all the way to Kost (10.4km) taking care to stay always on the RED trail. The route passes the Nebákov and Podsemínský ponds and mills, as well as the village of Libošovice. There is a swimming spot at Nebákov.
- The last section of the route passes along the side of the Bilý rybník (excellent views towards the impressive gothic castle of Kost) . At Kost there are various refreshment options including Hotel Podkost and Restaurant Kost
- From the Podkost car park take the BLUE trail (direction Hrubá Skála). The first 400m of this path is the same as the inbound route, alongside the Bilý rybník (pond).
- Continue on the BLUE trail passing through the village of Vyskeř and underneath the chapel of svaté Anny built on the volcanic outcrop (but do stop for a moment at the chapel if you have time – the view is super).
- After 10.6km (from Podkost car park) reach the signpost Arboretum Bukovina where the BLUE trail rejoins the RED (zlatá stezka) trail. Turn left along the RED trail (direction Valdštejn)
- Continue on the RED trail for 2.2km to reach the castle of Valdštejn, stopping on the way at the famous viewpoints of na Kapelu and U Lvíčka. Refreshments may be available at Hospůdka U Hradu, next to the castle.
- From Valdštejn take the YELLOW trail (which passes under the road arch leading to the castle, direction Pod Majákem)
- After 2.5km reach the signpost of Antonínův pramen, and continue on the BLUE trail for 800m back to the car park of Sedmihorky – lázně.