A 19 km full tour of Prachovské skály from Libuň
- This walk approaches the famous Prachovské skály from the north, on trails that are less frequented and therefore avoids the busy main car parks directly below the rock areas. This rewarding ‘slower’ approach to the Prachov rocks also enables a visit to the Pařez rock fortress
- The walk starts and finishes at the village of Libuň, which also has a regional railway station, if preferring to travel by train
- All the main viewpoints in the Prachovské skály are visited on this walk (there are at least ten!) including a stop at far end of the ridge at Brada castle
- 630m of height is gained/lost on the whole 19.3km route. There are a significant number of steep step sections to navigate
- Access to the trails for part of this walk requires payment at the ticket office
- Refreshments should be available near both entrances to the rock areas, at Brada, at the Parkhotel and in Libuň
“I wanted to include in the guide a ‘big’ walk in the Prachovské skály, combining all the viewpoints, the medieval fortress sites of Brada and Pařez, together with a slow burn approach to the rock areas. I could have gone with a start-finish in Jičín, but I felt the approach from Libuň might be a bit more interesting, especially as it involves trails infrequently used to access the main rock areas ”
Directions
- Start and finish the walk in the village of Libuň which is situated on the main road between Turnov and Jičín. There is a small parking area just off the main road. If this is full, it should be possible to park along the road near the cemetery (which is on the BLUE walking trail). Libuň is on the regional train line between Turnov, Jičín and Hradec Králové, and also on the line from Mlada Boleslav. The station is well situated for the walk, if the train times are convenient.
- Start the walk at the Libuň cemetery (300m from the parking area on the YELLOW trail) or 500m from the station on the BLUE trail
- From the cemetery, take the BLUE trail (direction Hvozdec) along the road for 1.6 km to reach the signpost of Hvozdec. Here take the GREEN trail (direction Pařez)
- After 1.5 km reach the rock fortress of Pařez (optional climb to the top to see the rock rooms)
- From Pařez, take the RED trail in the direction of Prachovské skály and after 1.9 km reach the main parking area
- Enter the Prachovské skály rock area through the ticket office (payment required during the main season, usually April-October).
- Start the walk along the GREEN trail, turning up steep steps after 200m. Pechova viewpoint is at the top of the steps
- Continue on the GREEN trail to visit the viewpoint of Šikmá věž (600m from Pechova)
- From Šikmá věž stay on the GREEN trail for 500m to reach the Míru viewpoint (which is one of the best in the area)
- From Míru return back along the GREEN trail to the U buku signpost and there take the YELLOW trail to the right. After 100m divert briefly to the excellent Českého ráje viewpoint before descending the steps (the Myší díra gorge) on the YELLOW trail
- At the bottom of the steps turn right onto the RED trail and climb up the steps (this is the famous Císařská chodba – see picture below)
- Continue on the RED trail for 200m to reach the U Hlaholské vyhlídky signpost. Here there is an option to take the GREEN trail to visit the Hlaholská view point and return back to the signpost
- Continue on the RED trail to reach the second entrance/ticket office to the rocks. Leave the rock area following the BLUE trail (note the daily ticket purchased earlier allows access back into the rock area – there is no need to pay twice!)
- Continue on the BLUE trail (direction Brada) and continue on this trail for 1.9 km to the end of the ridge where the Brada castle viewpoint is located
- Below Brada there is a small restaurant for refreshments if required
- Return back along the BLUE trail for 800m and then turn off onto the GREEN trail to visit the excellent viewpoint of Václava Čtvrtka on top of Přivýšina hill
- After the viewpoint carry on along the GREEN trail to rejoin the BLUE trail after 600m
- Continue on the BLUE trail for 600m to return to the ticket office
- Re-enter the main rock area and take the RED trail until reaching the U Hlaholské vyhlídky signpost. Here take the GREEN trail to the right and downhill (direction Hakenova vyhlídka)
- Continue on the GREEN trail for 800m up and down the various steep step sections stopping off at the various viewpoints finally reaching the valley where the GREEN trail meets up with the YELLOW and RED trails
- turn right onto the main trail and after 200m reach the signpost of Pod Prachovskou jehlou. Turn right onto the BLUE trail (direction Parkhotel)
- After 700m reach the Parkhotel skalní město (possible refreshment stop). Continue on the BLUE trail all the way back to Libuň (reached after 4 km). Refreshments may be available at the Penzion Libuň which is on the main road in the village
