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A 9km tour of Besedické skály, Sokol and Suché skály

  • This walk extends the similar Besedické skály 6km tour by adding an adventurous circle around the Suché skály. Note: part of this extension is not on a marked trail and uses a narrow climber’s path (including a steep wooden ladder) so should only be attempted by the very sure-footed.
  • The route starts by traversing the amazing rock mazes of Besedické skály, then explores the romantic ruins of the medieval rock castle of Zbiroh, before returning to visit the volcanic hill of Sokol, and ends with a close up look at the climber’s terrain at Suché skály with a circle around the rock ridge
  • The walk is 9.2km in length, but has nearly 500m of height gained and lost, mostly on the extensive step sections in the Besedické skály, and on the climbers path in the Suché skály. The route switches coloured trails frequently, and good navigation skills are important on this walk.
  • Refreshments should be available close to the parking spot in Besedice

“Besedické skály is probably my favourite rock city in the whole region, with intricate canyons to navigate and extraordinary colours. Adding a light scramble just beneath the Suché skály ridge makes this a superb adventure.”

Directions

  • Start and finish at the (paid) car park of Besedice (reached on the winding road up from Turnov)
  • Initially take the RED trail heading towards Sokol hill (this is the path to the left as you face the main road with the car park behind you)
  • After 300m reach the signpost of U Kalicha. Take the BLUE trail (direction Kalich-Modlitebna) through the intricate rock mazes of Besedické skály
  • After 600m reach the Modlitebna signpost and continue on the BLUE trail (direction U tůňky)
  • At the U tůňky sign, reached after 300m, take the GREEN trail for 900m to reach the ruined castle of Zbiroh
  • After exploring the ruins, return back along the GREEN trail to U Tůňky, and from there back along the BLUE trail to the Kalich-Modlitebna signpost
  • At Kalich-Modlitebna take the YELLOW trail (direction Kalich – Na Rovně)
  • Reach Kalich – Na Rovně after 300m and stay on the YELLOW trail through the second section of the Besedické skály, with several viewpoints
  • After 800m leave the rock formations and reach the crossroads (signpost) of Pánovo pole. Here the YELLOW trail crosses the RED trail . Continue on the YELLOW trail (direction Sokol)
  • Reach the Sokol viewpoint after 600m (excellent views of the Suché skály)
  • Return back to the Pánovo pole signpost, and continue on the RED trail (direction Malá Skála)
  • After 340m turn off the RED trail onto the GREEN diagonal trail (the Vyhlidkový okruh pod Sololem)
  • Continue on this trail for 1km (views of Malá Skála) to reach the small car park
  • At the car park turn left and walk down the road for 100m. Cross the road and take the forest trail ( by the information board about the rocks) directly towards the Suché skály cliffs
  • After 150m reach the walls. Pass the first climbers’ wooden access ladder and climb the second ladder (see picture below)
  • At the top of the ladder, scramble down 10m to the narrow climbers trail and continue to the right (uphill) along the northeast side of ridge staying at the bottom the rock walls. After 200m the rock walls end. Continue on the forest track to join the BLUE trail. Turn right onto the BLUE trail
  • After 500m reach the Nad Suchými skalami signpost. Turn right onto the GREEN trail (direction Besedice
  • After 500m reach the main road and take the RED trail up the road towards the village. Reach the car park after 400m
  • Refreshments should be available at the kiosk, or at the nearby Hospoda na Terase
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