# Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise) Sandstone towers up to 60 metres tall, a hotel castle on the rocks, the ruins of Trosky and Prachovské skály, an hour and a quarter from Prague. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/czechia/bohemian-paradise · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Český ráj, the Bohemian Paradise, was the first protected landscape in Czechia: a region of forests between Turnov and Jičín, about 90 km north-east of Prague, where sandstone forms "rock cities", mazes of towers and gorges, and where every crag has a castle on top. The best-known part is Hruboskalsko, around Hrubá Skála Castle; to the south, the two towers of Trosky can be seen from all over the region, and next to Jičín is the other great rock city, Prachovské skály. ## How do you get there from Prague? By car, about 95 km along the D10 motorway towards Turnov, around an hour and a quarter; from Turnov, the road towards Jičín passes beneath Hrubá Skála. In 2026 the village road is closed and you enter by a signposted diversion. With a car you can fit the rocks, Valdštejn, Trosky and Prachov into one day. By train, from Prague's main station to Turnov in about two hours, sometimes with a change at Mladá Boleslav. At Turnov, the line towards Jičín stops at Hrubá Skála, a 20–25 minute walk from the castle. Without a car, the sensible thing is to stay a night. ## What to see in a day Start at Hrubá Skála Castle, now a hotel, and enter the rock city along the waymarked trails: the Mariánská, Janova and Zámecká viewpoints, with towers up to 60 metres high and climbers hanging from them. Continue through the forest to Valdštejn Castle, from the thirteenth century, joined to the rocks by bridges, which since 2026 can be visited independently. Go back for lunch at the Hrubá Skála Castle restaurant. In the afternoon, drive up to the towers of Trosky, a few minutes to the south-east, or cross over to Prachovské skály, next to Jičín, if you still have the legs. ## When to go From April to October: Valdštejn is open from April to October (daily in summer) and Trosky from spring to autumn. May, June, September and October are the best months; in summer the viewpoints fill up at weekends. In winter the rock cities stay open, Prachov included, but the castles close and the steps ice over. ## Is it worth staying overnight? Yes: it is the destination in this part of Czechia that most rewards a night. Sleeping at Hrubá Skála Castle gives you the courtyard and the viewpoints at sunset, with nobody about, and the next day you do Trosky and Prachov without hurry. If you go by train, the night is almost a must. ## How much does it cost? The rocks at Hrubá Skála are free. Valdštejn costs 150 CZK; Trosky, 180 CZK; Prachovské skály, 150 to 200 CZK depending on the season. A night at the hotel castle, with breakfast, from about 3,500 CZK for two; at Pension Harmonie, 1,400 CZK. ## Dónde está - Cerca: Kokořín and its valley (a 45.3 km), Mělník (a 55.5 km), Kutná Hora (a 66.6 km), Terezín (a 73.9 km) ## Qué hacer - **The Hrubá Skála rock city, from viewpoint to viewpoint** (2 h 30 · 7 km · All ages who can walk; stairs and roots, not much use for pushchairs): The heart of the Bohemian Paradise: hundreds of white sandstone towers, up to 60 metres, separated by narrow gorges, with Hrubá Skála Castle perched on one of them. The waymarked trails go from viewpoint to viewpoint: the Mariánská vyhlídka, with the view of the Dračí skály and, in the distance, the two towers of Trosky; the Janova vyhlídka or the Zámecká, next to the castle. From above you will see climbers: people have been climbing here for more than a century. A good route starts from Hrubá Skála Castle, passes the viewpoints and reaches Valdštejn Castle, about 3.5 km away; you return by another trail or carry on to Turnov. Allow two or three hours with stops. The stairs cut into the rock are slippery in rain and ice. - **Valdštejn Castle, one of the oldest in the Bohemian Paradise** (1 h · All ages; dogs, 20 CZK · 150 CZK adults; 100 CZK ages 6 to 26 and over-65s; 20 CZK ages 3 to 5; family 350 CZK; dog 20 CZK): A thirteenth-century castle on sandstone rocks, joined to them by stone bridges, at the northern end of the rock city. Since April 2026 the whole site can be visited independently, interiors included: the chapel, the halls, a new gallery devoted to 120 years of climbing in the area and the views over the forest. In July and August there are dramatised tours for children with legends of the Bohemian Paradise. It is open from April to October and, in Advent, with a Christmas exhibition and a trail with a code for children (from 28 November 2026). Dogs pay 20 CZK. Next to the castle, a tavern serves food and drink; in November it opens at weekends. - **The ruins of Trosky, two towers on two volcanic plugs** (1 h 30 · All ages who can climb stairs · 180 CZK adults; 140 CZK ages 18 to 24 and over-65s; 50 CZK ages 6 to 17): The silhouette of the Bohemian Paradise: two ruined towers on two basalt plugs, the Baba (the old woman), lower and broader, and the Panna (the maiden), taller and slender, visible from almost the whole region. It is visited without a guide, in a single circuit: you climb the Baba tower and the viewpoint below the Panna, with views over the forests and the rock cities. In the first courtyard there are birds of prey and a kiosk. It stands about 4 km south-east of Hrubá Skála as the crow flies. It is open from spring to autumn; in November it has no scheduled days. From the car park there is a short but steep climb. - **Prachovské skály, the other rock city, next to Jičín** (3 h · All ages; some stretches suitable for pushchairs · 200 CZK adults from June to September and 150 CZK the rest of the year; reduced 150/100 CZK; family 550/400 CZK; dog 50/30 CZK; parking 100 CZK): On the other side of the Bohemian Paradise, about 12 km from Hrubá Skála and next to Jičín, is another rock city, privately owned, belonging to the Schlik family: towers, narrow passages and two famous viewpoints, the Českého ráje and the Schlikova. There are short circuits, some suitable for pushchairs, and longer ones for walkers. The ticket is valid all day: you can go out for lunch at the restaurant and come back. You pay at the entrance, without booking: 200 CZK from June to September and 150 CZK the rest of the year, with a family ticket. It is open all year from 7:00 to 19:00. Dogs pay an entry fee. - **Hrubá Skála Castle, its tower and its courtyard above the rocks** (45 min · All ages · Tour 50 CZK; entry to the grounds 20 CZK): A fourteenth-century castle rebuilt as a Renaissance palace, raised on one of the rocks of the rock city and now a hotel. The courtyard and the viewpoints beside the walls can be seen all year (20 CZK entry to the grounds); in summer there are 30-minute guided tours for 50 CZK, which include the tower: in July and August daily from 10:00 to 16:00, in June and September only at weekends. It is the natural starting point for the route through the rocks. - **Eden Spa, the private wellness area of Hrubá Skála Castle** (1 h 30 · Adults · Private hire for 90 minutes from 4,500 CZK; wellness packages for two from 1,299 CZK): The hotel castle has a small wellness centre, the Eden Spa, with a relaxation area that looks out over the rock city. It is hired privately, for 90 minutes, or booked in packages for two; they also give massages. It is the end to a day that a walk up the sandstone stairs calls for. Book by phone (+420 603 152 721). ## Dónde comer - **Zámecká restaurace Hrubá Skála** (Restaurant, Hrubá Skála, €€€). Qué pedir: a Czech dish from the menu or the menu of the day, and in summer a table on the terrace on the walls. - **Hospůdka u hradu Valdštejn** (Bar, Turnov, €). Qué pedir: a soup or something hot with a beer, before continuing towards Hrubá Skála. ## By plane: Fly to Prague and train or hire car to Turnov The Bohemian Paradise is about 90 km north-east of Prague. You fly to Prague, with direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona and other Spanish cities, and continue by train to Turnov, in about two hours, or by hire car from the airport, in a little over an hour. With a car you reach the castles and Prachov, which the train does not link well. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **EA Zámecký hotel Hrubá Skála** (Hotel): The house A fourteenth-century castle rebuilt in Renaissance style, standing on a sandstone rock in the middle of the Hrubá Skála rock city, about 6 km from Turnov. Today it is a four-star hotel of the EA group, with a restaurant, a summer terrace on the walls, the lookout tower and a small spa. In the evening, when the visitors leave, the courtyard is yours. The rooms Doubles, triples and quadruples, some with a view of the rocks, plus a suite and an apartment with an extra bed. They have a minibar, satellite television, a safe and a bathroom with a bath or shower. In an annexe on the grounds there are simpler two-star rooms with a shared bathroom, designed for hikers. Buffet breakfast is included; half board costs 390 CZK per person. Pets pay 500 CZK per night. Getting there and parking By car, from Turnov towards Jičín; in 2026 the III/27921 road through the village is closed and you arrive by a signposted diversion, which satnavs already show. Next to the hotel there is room for 20 cars (200 CZK a night); the rest park at the entrance to the grounds (120 CZK). Without a car, take the train to Turnov and another to the Hrubá Skála stop, about 25 minutes' walk away. - **Pension Harmonie** (Small hotel, desde 1400 € / night): The house A villa in Art Nouveau style built in 1924 in Doubravice, the part of Hrubá Skála below the castle, and renovated between 1994 and 2000. It has a garden with a pond and a dining room on the ground floor where breakfast is served. The castle and the entrance to the rock city are a walk of about ten minutes away. The rooms Eight doubles with a bathroom and an apartment for four, plus an attic room. The double costs 1,400 CZK a night with breakfast and all taxes included; the apartment, 1,800 CZK, and each extra bed, 250 CZK. It is one of the most affordable options in the area. Getting there By car, by the signposted diversion while the village road is closed. Without a car, the Hrubá Skála train stop, on the Turnov–Jičín line, is less than two kilometres away. From the door trails lead off to the viewpoints. ### Servicios - **Train from Prague to Turnov and Hrubá Skála**: Train from Prague to Turnov in about two hours and the line to Jičín with a stop at Hrubá Skála, 20–25 minutes' walk from the castle. ## Car-free: Train to Turnov and trails from castle to castle Without a car, the Bohemian Paradise works well if you stay a night: train to Turnov, the Jičín line as far as Hrubá Skála and, from there, everything on foot through the rock city to Valdštejn. Trosky and Prachov need a bus or car. Presupuesto orientativo: 70–130 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **EA Zámecký hotel Hrubá Skála** (Hotel): The house A fourteenth-century castle rebuilt in Renaissance style, standing on a sandstone rock in the middle of the Hrubá Skála rock city, about 6 km from Turnov. Today it is a four-star hotel of the EA group, with a restaurant, a summer terrace on the walls, the lookout tower and a small spa. In the evening, when the visitors leave, the courtyard is yours. The rooms Doubles, triples and quadruples, some with a view of the rocks, plus a suite and an apartment with an extra bed. They have a minibar, satellite television, a safe and a bathroom with a bath or shower. In an annexe on the grounds there are simpler two-star rooms with a shared bathroom, designed for hikers. Buffet breakfast is included; half board costs 390 CZK per person. Pets pay 500 CZK per night. Getting there and parking By car, from Turnov towards Jičín; in 2026 the III/27921 road through the village is closed and you arrive by a signposted diversion, which satnavs already show. Next to the hotel there is room for 20 cars (200 CZK a night); the rest park at the entrance to the grounds (120 CZK). Without a car, take the train to Turnov and another to the Hrubá Skála stop, about 25 minutes' walk away. - **Pension Harmonie** (Small hotel, desde 1400 € / night): The house A villa in Art Nouveau style built in 1924 in Doubravice, the part of Hrubá Skála below the castle, and renovated between 1994 and 2000. It has a garden with a pond and a dining room on the ground floor where breakfast is served. The castle and the entrance to the rock city are a walk of about ten minutes away. The rooms Eight doubles with a bathroom and an apartment for four, plus an attic room. The double costs 1,400 CZK a night with breakfast and all taxes included; the apartment, 1,800 CZK, and each extra bed, 250 CZK. It is one of the most affordable options in the area. Getting there By car, by the signposted diversion while the village road is closed. Without a car, the Hrubá Skála train stop, on the Turnov–Jičín line, is less than two kilometres away. From the door trails lead off to the viewpoints. ### Servicios - **Train from Prague to Turnov and Hrubá Skála**: Train from Prague to Turnov in about two hours and the line to Jičín with a stop at Hrubá Skála, 20–25 minutes' walk from the castle. ## By car: By car on the D10, an hour and a quarter from Prague By car it is about 95 km along the D10 motorway towards Turnov, around an hour and a quarter. With a car you can fit both rock cities, Hrubá Skála and Prachovské skály, and the castles of Valdštejn and Trosky into one day. Presupuesto orientativo: 80–150 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **EA Zámecký hotel Hrubá Skála** (Hotel): The house A fourteenth-century castle rebuilt in Renaissance style, standing on a sandstone rock in the middle of the Hrubá Skála rock city, about 6 km from Turnov. Today it is a four-star hotel of the EA group, with a restaurant, a summer terrace on the walls, the lookout tower and a small spa. In the evening, when the visitors leave, the courtyard is yours. The rooms Doubles, triples and quadruples, some with a view of the rocks, plus a suite and an apartment with an extra bed. They have a minibar, satellite television, a safe and a bathroom with a bath or shower. In an annexe on the grounds there are simpler two-star rooms with a shared bathroom, designed for hikers. Buffet breakfast is included; half board costs 390 CZK per person. Pets pay 500 CZK per night. Getting there and parking By car, from Turnov towards Jičín; in 2026 the III/27921 road through the village is closed and you arrive by a signposted diversion, which satnavs already show. Next to the hotel there is room for 20 cars (200 CZK a night); the rest park at the entrance to the grounds (120 CZK). Without a car, take the train to Turnov and another to the Hrubá Skála stop, about 25 minutes' walk away. - **Pension Harmonie** (Small hotel, desde 1400 € / night): The house A villa in Art Nouveau style built in 1924 in Doubravice, the part of Hrubá Skála below the castle, and renovated between 1994 and 2000. It has a garden with a pond and a dining room on the ground floor where breakfast is served. The castle and the entrance to the rock city are a walk of about ten minutes away. The rooms Eight doubles with a bathroom and an apartment for four, plus an attic room. The double costs 1,400 CZK a night with breakfast and all taxes included; the apartment, 1,800 CZK, and each extra bed, 250 CZK. It is one of the most affordable options in the area. Getting there By car, by the signposted diversion while the village road is closed. Without a car, the Hrubá Skála train stop, on the Turnov–Jičín line, is less than two kilometres away. From the door trails lead off to the viewpoints. ### Servicios - **Prachovské skály central car park**: A paid car park next to the entrance to Prachovské skály, 100 CZK per day for cars; caravans and motorhomes, 500 CZK. ## As a family: Rock mazes, castles with bridges and towers to climb The Bohemian Paradise is a natural playground: passages between rocks, carved stairs, viewpoints and castles on high. Valdštejn has dramatised tours for children in summer and a family ticket; Prachov has short circuits, some suitable for pushchairs. Trosky, with its two towers, is the photo. ### What works best Hrubá Skála rock city, from viewpoint to viewpoint Valdštejn, with a family ticket of 350 CZK and tours for children in July and August Trosky, 50 CZK for ages 6 to 17 Prachovské skály, with short circuits for families ### Where to sleep EA Zámecký hotel Hrubá Skála, with quadruple rooms, free cot and high chair Pension Harmonie, with an apartment for four ### Where to eat Zámecká restaurace, every day Valdštejn tavern, for a snack ### Keep in mind Rock stairs are not for pushchairs: bring a baby carrier Keep an eye on children at the viewpoints: there are railings, but not everywhere Trosky and Valdštejn close in winter ### Qué hacer as a family - The Hrubá Skála rock city, from viewpoint to viewpoint - Valdštejn Castle, one of the oldest in the Bohemian Paradise - The ruins of Trosky, two towers on two volcanic plugs - Prachovské skály, the other rock city, next to Jičín - Hrubá Skála Castle, its tower and its courtyard above the rocks ## With teenagers: Rock stairs, ruined towers and climbers on the ropes For teenagers, the Bohemian Paradise is a real route: narrow passages, rock stairs and viewpoints from which you can see climbers on the towers. The two towers of Trosky can be climbed, and Valdštejn has a gallery on the history of climbing. ### What works best Hrubá Skála rock city, with climbers on the towers Trosky, climbing the Baba tower Prachovské skály, the longer circuits Valdštejn, with the climbing gallery ### Where to sleep EA Zámecký hotel Hrubá Skála, for sleeping in a castle ### Where to eat Zámecká restaurace Hrubá Skála ### Keep in mind Climbing at Prachov is allowed from 1 April to 31 October, outside closed areas Wear shoes with a grippy sole ### Qué hacer with teenagers - The Hrubá Skála rock city, from viewpoint to viewpoint - Valdštejn Castle, one of the oldest in the Bohemian Paradise - The ruins of Trosky, two towers on two volcanic plugs - Prachovské skály, the other rock city, next to Jičín ## Consejos ### Shoes with a good sole Sandstone steps are slippery in the rain. ### Diversion at Hrubá Skála Follow the signs or your satnav: the village road is closed in 2026. ### Sleep in the castle In the evening the courtyard and the viewpoints are yours. ### Carry cash It helps in the small taverns and at the car parks. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take to get from Prague to the Bohemian Paradise? An hour and a quarter by car to Hrubá Skála; about two hours by train to Turnov and a short train to the Hrubá Skála stop. ### Can you do it in a day from Prague? By car, yes. By train it is possible, but with a night you enjoy it far more. ### Which is better, Hrubá Skála or Prachovské skály? They are similar: Hrubá Skála is free and has castles next to it; Prachov is paid, more compact and has routes for all levels. ### Can you go with a dog? Yes: on a lead on the trails, and at Valdštejn and Prachov they charge an entry fee; the hotel castle takes dogs for 500 CZK a night. ### Are the castles open in winter? Valdštejn and Trosky close; Valdštejn opens in Advent with a Christmas exhibition. ### Where should I stay? At Hrubá Skála Castle or at Pension Harmonie, ten minutes from it.