An 8 km circular walk around the Kozlov rock formations
- This circular walk explores different sides of the intriguing, but still infrequently visited, Kozlov rock region
- The walk starts as close to the centre of Český ráj as it is possible to get, in the small village of Kacanovy, and passes through the village of Pohoří on the way to the fine lookout point of Bezděz
- The route then traverses the photogenic Vústra fish pond, before circling around to visit the mysterious rock castle of Kozlov (Chlum), with its well preserved cave rooms
- The route then descends gently back to Kacanov, where refreshments may be available at the hotel Králíček
- Total walk length is 8.0km with 225m of height gained lost. The path up to Kozlov castle is quite steep and can be slippery in wet weather. Otherwise all paths are easy and wide
- This is a shorter version of the similar 11 km walk from Písečák lakes. It avoids the road section of the longer walk, but does not provide a swimming option at the end!
“This walk traverses some of my favourite terrain in Český ráj, and yet it is one of the least visted parts of the region. The huge sandstone rocks below Kozlov, the view from Bezděz and the romantic pond of Vústra are a photographer’s dream”
Directions
- Start and finish the walk at the small parking area next to the cemetery in the village of Kacanovy
- From the car park, follow the road towards the northwest following the green marked cycle trail. Do not follow the blue hiking trail in either direction
- After 400m reach the Kacanovy tourist signpost and the hotel/restaurant Králiček
- At the signpost, turn left and at the hotel car park again to the left, still following the green marked cycle trail
- After 1.6 km reach the village of Podpohoří and join the GREEN hiking trail. Continue straight through the village until the recently built Penzion Na Pohoři. Just after the hotel there is a signpost with directions to Vyhlídka na Bezděz
- Take this path to the Vyhlídka (viewpoint), which is reached after 200m
- Return back to the Penzion and continue on the GREEN trail back into the village.
- At the war memorial the GREEN trail turns to the left. Continue this way down the hill
- After 300m there is a statue on the right side. At this point turn left 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 up through the rocks, past the viewpoint and down to hill to reach the Podpohoří signpost after 1.3km.
- At the Podpohoří turn left and continue to follow the YELLOW trail back to the hotel Králiček, where refreshments may be available
- At the hotel Králiček/Kacanovy signpost turn right onto the road in the direction of Kacanov village (following the GREEN cycle track marks) for 400m back to the car park/cemetery
