Hrubá Skála and Valdštejn from Kacanovy on easy paths – an 11 km tour
- This is a tour of the popular Hrubá Skála area, starting away from the crowds in the quiet village of Kacanovy, visiting the castles of Valdštejn as well as Hrubá Skála, and passing the interesting farmhouse of Kopicův statek, with its famous rock reliefs
- The route is on good paths, which are mostly rough roads, and is navigable with a baby stroller. A total of 240m height is gained/lost during the 11.2 km trip.
- For a shorter (but less varied) walk, also visiting these famous castles on similar easy paths, try the 7 km walk from Hrubá Skála to Valdštejn
- Refreshments should be available at Valdštejn and Hrubá Skála castles
“Most of the longer walks in Český ráj involve sections on more difficult terrain (steep steps or narrow rocky paths). This walk is an exception as it allows access to the rock formations and castles using only wider and easy graded paths that are suitable for walkers with baby strollers or prams”
Directions
- Start and finish the walk at Kacanovy, best reached by taking the road out of Turnov towards Masov. Parking is available in the area next to the cemetery
- From the car park, follow the BLUE hiking trail south along the road for 400m to reach the Kulturní dům on the right side. There is a yellow cycle signpost. Here turn left onto the narrow road following the green cycle path in the direction of Arboretum Bukovina
- Follow this green cycle path on narrow road (loose gravel and asphalt) for 2.6 km until it joins with the BLUE hiking trail. Turn left onto the BLUE trail (also still marked as the green cycle trail)
- Follow this trail for 1.2 km to reach the signpost of Arboretum Bukovina. Here turn right onto the RED hiking trail in the direction of Hrubá Skála.
- Follow the trail through the Arboretum for 1.1 km to reach the Hrubá Skála castle square (refreshments available at the square, in the castle restaurant or at Hotel Stekl)
- From the castle square retrace the path back to the Arboretum Bukovina and there continue on the RED trail on the wide forest path, taking the (optional but recommended) signposted detours to the excellent viewpoints of Na Kapelu and U Lvíčka (these detours may be difficult with a baby stroller).
- After 2.1 km walking on the RED trail (from the Arboretum) reach the 13th century castle of Valdštejn (usually open from April to October – see times on website).
- Just before the castle, there is a refreshment opportunity at the Hospůdka U Hradu (usually open at the same times as Valdštejn castle).
- From Valdštejn return back along the RED trail towards Hrubá Skála for 900m until the Jižní sedlo signpost. Here turn right onto the BLUE trail (direction Kopicův statek) on the forest path
- After 800m reach the attractive farmhouse Kopicův statek. There is a diversion trail just below the farmhouse leading through some sandstone rocks where many interesting rock reliefs have been carved by the former owner of the farmhouse. The trail lasts for 500m and emerges just above the farmhouse. It is not navigable with a baby stroller
- Follow the BLUE trail for a further 1 km after the farmhouse to reach the car park