Sokolí hnízdo restaurant
What to order: a simple Czech meal and a beer on the terrace, with the arch beside you.
Inside the Pravčická brána grounds; from November to March, limited services
geocalia
Day itinerary · 50.87° N · 14.24° E
Bohemian Switzerland in a day from Prague, the Narnia arch in the morning and the gorge by boat in the afternoon.
Train along the Elbe valley to Děčín, bus to Hřensko, the climb to the Pravčická brána, lunch in the little castle beside the arch and, in the afternoon, the Edmundova gorge by boat.
Leaving from
Direct flight to Praga fromBarcelona 2 h 30Bilbao 2 h 45Palma de Mallorca 2 h 45Alicante 3 hMadrid 3 hMálaga 3 h 30Sevilla 3 h 30Lanzarote 5 hFuerteventura 5 h 15Gran Canaria 5 h 15
Part of Bohemian SwitzerlandElbe Sandstone MountainsFilm locations
Add to my trip
Total time12 h
By car1 h 45 each way
Train and busAbout 2 h 15 via Děčín
Pravčická brána125 CZK · 3 km climb
Edmundova gorge350 CZK · with a guide
DifficultyModerate
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
-
Leave Prague 1 h 30 by train
from the main station to Děčín along the Elbe valley
- 30 min by bus · bus 434 to Hřensko and 441 to Tři prameny
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1
Pravčická brána, the largest stone arch in Europe, from Hřensko
from Tři prameny, about a 3 km climb · 125 CZK
- 5 min on foot
- 2
- 1 h on foot
-
3
The Edmundova soutěska by boat, guided from Hřensko
descent to Hřensko along the red waymark · guided groups every hour, the last at 15:00 · 350 CZK
-
Back home 30 min by bus
bus 434 from Hřensko to Děčín
- 1 h 30 by train · in Prague by about 19:00
Approximate cost
About €20–35 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Pravčická brána, the largest stone arch in Europe, from Hřensko
Bohemian Switzerland can be done in a day from Prague without a car: train along the Elbe valley, bus to Hřensko and, on foot, the two things you come for, the Pravčická brána and a gorge of the Kamenice by boat. It is a long day on your legs, with a reward halfway through: lunch beside the arch.
The day, hour by hour
6:50 · Train to Děčín. An hour and a half from the main station, with views of the Elbe and the Porta Bohemica. Buy the Elbe-Labe day ticket for the bus.
8:40 · Bus to Hřensko and Tři prameny. The 434 takes you to Hřensko and the 441 goes up to the Tři prameny stop, the most comfortable starting point.
9:30 · Pravčická brána. About 3 km of climbing through the forest, an hour, with steps at the end. The site costs 125 CZK.
11:45 · Lunch at the Sokolí hnízdo. The little castle of 1881 attached to the arch, inside the site.
13:00 · Descent to Hřensko. Along the red waymark, an hour downhill to the village.
14:00 · Edmundova gorge. With a guide, in groups of 25 leaving every hour (the last at 15:00), with a stretch by boat. 350 CZK. Arrive early: some days it sells out.
16:30 · Return. Bus 434 to Děčín and train to Prague; you arrive around 19:00.
With children or if the weather is bad
With children, do the arch and the gorge without rushing and drop the rest; they love the boats and the Edmundova admits children from age 3. In April, May or if the Edmundova is sold out, take the 441 up to Mezní Louka and go down to the Divoká soutěska. In rain or strong wind the gorges close: that leaves the arch and a long lunch in Hřensko.
Distance6 km
Time3 h
Change the route
In April and May, or if the Edmundova is sold out: bus 441 to Mezní Louka and descent to the Divoká:
The Divoká soutěska by boat, the wild gorge of the Kamenice
If you prefer to be picked up in Prague and walk with a guide:
Guided day trip from Prague to Bohemian Switzerland and the Bastei
For lunch in Hřensko, by the river, before the gorge:
Pension Soutěsky restaurant
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
Hostinec Mezní Louka
What to order: a dish of the day with fresh produce and, in the morning, the buffet breakfast.
Next to the Mezní Louka car park and stop
Pension Soutěsky restaurant
What to order: Czech cooking from the menu on the terrace, beside the river.
Summer terrace · a few steps from the Edmundova soutěska
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Bohemian Switzerland
June to October, when the Edmundova gorge (reopened on 18 June 2026) and the arch are running daily. In April and May, swap the Edmundova for the Divoká soutěska. From November to March there are no boats.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Leave early
The Prague groups reach the arch mid-morning.
- 2Bring water and mountain footwear
The climb is simple but long.
- 3Check the Edmundova on social media
The municipality of Hřensko announces when the tickets sell out.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can you do it in a day from Prague?
Yes, by train and bus or by car, leaving early.
How much does it cost?
The arch, 125 CZK; the Edmundova, 350 CZK; train, bus and lunch extra.
Can you go in winter?
The arch is open Friday to Sunday; the boats do not run from November to March.
Do I need to book?
The boat cannot be booked, but it is worth buying tickets online or arriving early.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/czechia/bohemian-switzerland/itineraries/pravcicka-gate-and-gorge-by-boat
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.