Jičín’s volcanos and viewpoints; 8 km or 16 km tours

Jičín’s volcanos and viewpoints; 8 km/16 km tours (+ a stop at Veliš)

• These two walks start in the magnificent Baroque town square of Jičín, seat of the famous Bohemian general Albrecht of Valdštejn
• The first (7.7 km) walk offers a tour of the main volcanic hills close to the town (Zebín and Čeřovka) . It is on flat terrain (apart for the short scramble up the two volcanic hills). This route is navigable with a baby stroller if the hill ascents are skipped
• The extended (16.1 km) version covers the same ground as the shorter tour, but also visits the edge of Prachovské skály, stopping at the outstanding Brada castle and Přivýšina viewpoints
• 160m of height is gained/lost on the first walk (assuming the hills are ascended) and 380m on the full tour
• The third main volcanic hill close to Jičín is by far the most famous – as it is the site of the ruins of Veliš castle, once the strongest castle in Bohemia (although very little remains of the castle now)
• It is possible to walk to Veliš from Jičín, but the approach paths are mostly along roads and lack interest, so to complete the set of volcanos it is recommended to drive to the village of Podhradí and take the 500m path up to the summit from there
• Refreshments are available on these walks in Jičín and (on the longer walk) ,just outside Kbelnice and at Brada

Directions for 7.7 km volcanic hill walk (excludes Brada and Přivýšina)

• Start and finish the walk in Jičín’s superb baroque town square Valdštejnovo náměstí (paid parking on the square on in the nearby streets). If traveling by train, take the YELLOW trail from the main station in Jičín for 1km to reach the square.
• From Valdštejnovo náměstí take the BLUE trail in the direction of Valdštejnská lodžie. After 500m join the wide alley of lime trees (Valdštejnova alej) and continue on this for 200m before leaving the alley to the left on the BLUE trail
• Follow the BLUE trail past the villas and houses for 500m to reach the bottom of the Čeřovka hill. Climb the hill and the 19th century tower.
• Descend the hill on the opposite direction (unmarked path) and after 500m rejoin the main Valdštejnova alej again
• Turn left along the alley following the RED trail for 1.2km to reach the Valdštejn loggia (started by Albrecht of Valdštejn, but unfinished in his lifetime)
• Immediately after passing the loggia, turn left up a small straight road (unmarked) which leads directly up to the volcanic Zebín hill (with the small white 18th century chapel of Mary Magdalene on top)
• After 200m on the road, join the BLUE trail and continue up towards the hill. Just after entering the wooded area, there is a signpost and a trail that leads to the top of the hill (worth taking for the view at the top).
• Return down the hill to the main BLUE trail on the same path. Note: the trails that seem to lead down the west flank of the hill (past the quarry) are dangerously steep and slippery
• Continue on the BLUE trail past the church (Kostel Všech svatých) to reach the signpost of Zebínský dvůr. Here turn right staying on the BLUE trail
• Continue for 800m past the riding stables to reach the signpost of Pod Zebínem. Turn left towards Jičín, staying on the BLUE trail
• After 1.8km reach the bottom of the Čeřovka hill. Divert briefly up the hill to climb the 19th century tower and viewpoint
• Return back to the BLUE trail and follow this for 1.5km back to Valdštejnovo náměstí in the town centre

Directions for full 16.1 km touring (including Brada and Přivýšina)

• Start and finish the walk in Jičín’s superb baroque town square Valdštejnovo náměstí (paid parking on the square on in the nearby streets). If traveling by train, take the YELLOW trail from the main station in Jičín for 1km to reach the square.
• From Valdštejnovo náměstí take the RED trail in the direction of Valdštejnská lodžie. After 500m join the wide alley of lime trees (Valdštejnova alej) and continue for 1.5 km along this lovely tree lined path to reach the Valdštejn loggia (started by Albrecht of Valdštejn, but unfinished in his lifetime)
• Immediately after passing the loggia, turn left up a small straight road (unmarked) which leads directly up to the volcanic Zebín hill (with the small white 18th century chapel of Mary Magdalene on top)
• After 200m on the road, join the BLUE trail and continue up towards the hill. Just after entering the wooded area, there is a signpost and a trail that leads to the top of the hill (worth taking for the view at the top).
• Return down the hill to the main BLUE trail on the same path. Note: the trails that seem to lead down the west flank of the hill (past the quarry) are dangerously steep and slippery
• Continue on the BLUE trail past the church (Kostel Všech svatých) to reach the signpost of Zebínský dvůr. Here turn right staying on the BLUE trail
• Continue for 800m past the riding stables to reach the signpost of Pod Zebínem. Turn left towards Jičín, staying on the BLUE trail
• After 800m reach the U Bílého Mlýna signpost and turn right onto the YELOW trail (direction Kbelnice)
• Walk for 1.3 km through the village to reach the main road and Kbelnice – host signpost (note the pub Hospoda U Rumcajse on the righthand side)
• Cross the main road and join the BLUE trail which is followed for 2.5km up to the village of Brada and then onto the hill with the viewpoint (note: refreshments may be available at the restaurant Brada)
• Descend from the Brada hill to the BLUE trail gain and continue for 400m to reach the signpost of Pod Přivýšinou
• Just after the signpost, take the GREEN trail climbing the hill of and take the short diversion to visit the exceptional viewpoint Vyhlídka Václava Čtvrtka
• Return back to the GREEN trail and continue for 800m past the interesting sandstone rock formations to reach the road and signpost of Prachov – okraj
• At the signpost, join the YELLOW trail and follow this for 2.1 km to the village of Holín
• In Holín, turn left onto the RED trail and follow this for 2.8 km back to Valdštejnovo náměstí in the town centre

Directions for visit to Veliš viewpoint

• Although it is possible to walk to/from Veliš from Jičín, the approach paths are mostly along roads and lack interest, so to complete the set of volcanos it is recommended to drive to the village of Podhradí and take the 500m path up to the summit from there
• Park along the village street (there should be a few places not in restricted areas close to the small village pond)
• Walk from there up to join the YELLOW trail and turn left towards the hill.
• There is a steep and sometimes slippery path to the viewpoint, where the trigonometry point was built in 1942
• Veliš was quarried for its high quality basalt in the 18th and 19th centuries and the scars are very visible today. It is not recommended to explore the quarry
• Return to the car along the same route