The classic 10 km circular walk around Hrubá Skála and Valdštejn
- Possibly the most famous walk in Český ráj, a 10km circular tour with stunning panoramic views over the Hrubá Skála rocks from a number of viewpoints, and visits to the well known castles of Hrubá Skála and Valdštejn, and passes below the ancient fortified site of Čertová ruka
- The walk starts and finishes at the easily accessed car park of Pelešany (close to Turnov), although the walk can also be started at Hrubá Skála (see directions section)
- The paths are relatively easy but there is 413m of height gained/lost, so it is certainly not a flat walk. The trails and car parks can be quite busy at peak times
- Directions are also provided for a start at Turnov main railway station, for travellers arriving by train. This increases the walk length to nearly 18 km
- Various refreshment options should be available at Valdštejn and Hrubá Skála
“For first time visitors to Český ráj, this is probably the medium length walk I would start with – unless it was a sunny weekend in the middle of summer, when the paths can get pretty crowded. It has everything that has made Český ráj a top tourist destination, since the early 19th century!”
Directions
For travellers arriving at Turnov main train station, to connect to the directions noted below, take the YELLOW trail towards the town centre. After 700m (just before the bridge over the Jizera river) turn right onto the RED trail. Follow this RED trail for 2.6 km to reach the Hlavatice viewpoint and from there a further 1.3 km to reach Valdštejn castle . On the return journey, from the Pelešany car park take the GREEN trail towards Turnov, joining the RED trail used for the outbound route after 1.7 km
- Start and finish the walk at the car park of Pelešany, which is close to Turnov (follow the road signs from Turnov to Valdštejn. These lead to the car park)
- Take the GREEN trail from the car park (direction Valdštejn) and after 900m reach the castle (usually open from April to October – see times on website)
- At the castle, take the YELLOW trail (direction Pod Majákem). Note: the trail passes under the archway leading to the castle
- Stay on the YELLOW trail for 5.5km all the way to Hrubá Skála. The trail passes below the ancient fortified site of Čertová ruka Approximately 1km before the castle, there are two short diversions to viewpoints (Mariánská vyhlídka and Zámecká vyhlídka). Both are worth taking for views towards the zámek)
- 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 are at the kiosks by the car park or at the interesting Hotel Stekl (only at weekends for lunch in the main season)
- From 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) through the taking the (optional but recommended) signposted detours to the famous viewpoints of Na Kapelu and U Lvíčka.
- At Valdštejn, there is a final refreshment opportunity at the Hospůdka U Hradu (usually open at the same times as Valdštejn castle).
- Return to the car park at Pelešany on the same GREEN trail as was used at the start of the walk (0.9km to the car park)
- Note: This walk can also be done starting at the Hrubá Skála car park, but this can be full at peak times, and is harder to access than Pelešany. It also means starting in the middle of the attractions rather than having the pleasure of approaching from a short distance away. Starting at Hrubá Skála does, however, save 1.8km of walking and 100m of height gain/loss. From Hrubá Skála it is recommended to follow the walk in an anticlockwise direction: taking the YELLOW trail to Valdštejn and returning to Hrubá Skála along the RED trail.