An 18 km tour of the Hrubá Skála area, including Kozlov rock castle
- This circular walk combines all the famous sites and viewpoints of the Hrubá Skála rocks, with the relatively unknown and intriguing rock castle of Kozlov (Chlum)
- Starting at the Pelešany car park, the walk traverses the Hlavatice viewpoint, then descends to the Kacanovy valley and on up to Kozlov castle
- After returning to Kacanov, the path leads up to the Hrubá Skála plateau for a circular tour of the rock formations, finishing at the gothic castle of Valdštejn
- Total walk length is 18.4 km, with 575m of height gained/lost, some of which is quite steep
- The walk can be shortened by 5km by excluding most of the Hrubá Skála section if necessary – see directions below
- Directions are also provided for a start at Turnov main railway station, for travellers arriving by train. This increases the walk length to 24 km, so an early start might be needed to catch the last train home, unless staying in Turnov for the night
- Refreshments should be available at Kacanov, Hrubá Skála and Valdštejn
“For me, this rewarding walk captures the essence of Český ráj; mysterious rock cities, gothic castles, majestic views, quiet valleys, historic farmhouses and romantic lakes. All the pieces of the mosaic connect together on this walk. ”
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 trail for 2.6 km to reach the Hlavatice viewpoint. 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 paid parking of Pelešany, easily reached from Turnov (payment during opening hours of Valdštejn)
- From the car park, take the YELLOW trail (direction Pod Hlavaticí) and reach the signpost after 1km. Approximately 100m down the track is the restaurant and pension of Pod Hlavaticí where refreshments may be available
- Take the RED trail up the hill for 300m to reach the tower viewpoint of Hlavatice
- Continue on the RED trail for 800m to reach the signpost of U Konic. Turn right onto the YELLOW trail (direction Kacanov)
- After 2km reach the hotel/restaurant Králiček
- Continue on the YELLOW trail for 900m to reach the Podpohoří signpost. Turn left onto the GREEN trail (direction Podpohoří)
- After 65m pass a statue on the left and turn immediately to the right down a wide unmarked track, heading towards the half-timbered house
- Continue down this path for 700m, alongside the photogenic Vústra pond, to meet the YELLOW trail just past the pond
- Turn right onto the YELLOW trail and follow this for 1.1 km through the forest and then steeply up to the rock castle of Kozlov (Chlum)
- Continue on the YELLOW trail on steps through the rocks, past the viewpoint and down to hill to reach the Podpohoří signpost again.
- Return back to the hotel Králiček on the same YELLOW trail, as was taken on the outbound route
- At the Králiček hotel /Kacanovy signpost turn right onto the road in the direction of Kacanov village (following the GREEN cycle track marks)
- After 300m reach the war memorial cemetery and outdoor rock exhibition . Turn left onto the BLUE trail towards Hrubá Skála.
- Continue on the BLUE trail for 1.9 km, to reach the Jižní sedlo signpost, passing the fine 19th century farmhouse Kopicův statek at the halfway point
- At Jižní sedlo, there is an option to shorten the walk (* see below). For the full walk, turn right onto the RED trail which is followed for 2.1 km passing the famous viewpoints of U Lvíčka and Na Kapelu.
- After passing through the Arboretum reach the signpost of U Adamova lože. At this point walkers may wish continue to Hrubá Skála square (where there are refreshment kiosks and the castle restaurant) then return back to U Adamova lože (a total extension of 1 km)
- From the U Adamova lože sign take the YELLOW trail (direction Mariánská vyhlídka) stopping at the viewpoints for excellent views of Hrubá Skála castle
- Follow the YELLOW trail for 4 km to finally reach the gothic castle of Valdštejn (usually open from April to October)
- Refreshments may be available at the small pub next to the castle Hospůdka U Hradu (usually open at the same times as the castle)
- Return to the Pelešany car park using the GREEN trail, which is picked up just below the castle on the left side. Reach the Pelešany car park after 800m.
* To reduce the walk by 5km (missing the tour of the Hrubá Skála rock formations and classic viewpoints – which would be a shame unless you have already been to Hrubá Skála) turn left at Jižní sedlo on the RED trail (direction Valdštejn). Valdštejn castle is reached after 1km.