Nature attractions in Czechia

Pravčická brána is the symbol of the Národní park České Švýcarsko. It is located near the village of Hřensko in Northern Bohemia. This national natural monument is the largest natural rock arch on the European continent. It has stood in its place since time immemorial, formed by a millions-of-years-long process of weathering of the sandstone massif, specifically its lower, less resistant part.

Tourists began to discover the beauty of Pravčická brána, formerly known as Prebischtor, quite early. In the immediate vicinity of the arch, a small bark-covered house served as a taproom at that time. By the end of the 1870s, the access road from Hřensko had been paved, and the promenade trail to Mezní Louka was also established during that period. In 1881, Prince Edmund Clary-Aldringen, the owner of the estate, had the Sokolí hnízdo excursion château built directly at Pravčická brána. Italian builders completed it in almost record time, in a single year. A few years later, railings were added to the surrounding rock viewpoints. Shortly after the restaurant was built, an entrance fee to the area began to be charged. Since Pravčická brána became a tourist attraction, it has demonstrably been visited by millions of people, including famous personalities. The famous writer Hans Christian Andersen visited here not once, but twice, in 1831 and 1851, drawing inspiration for his work.

Until 1980, visitors had the opportunity to climb to the very top of the arch. However, access was prohibited because the presence of people on the rock arch caused accelerated erosion. As a result, this section narrowed by almost a metre, which led to the ban so that the monument would remain for future generations. Even though it is not possible to enjoy the view from the rock bridge itself, the vistas are certainly worth it. Three viewpoints offer beautiful views not only of the arch itself but also of the České Švýcarsko and Saské Švýcarsko regions. They can be reached via maintained trails and staircases that lead directly from the entrance to the area. The first viewpoint is located directly below the rock arch and will enchant visitors with its unique atmosphere. From the second viewpoint, Pravčická brána and the Sokolí hnízdo château can be seen in their full beauty, as well as the Křídelní stěny and the Pravčický kužel. The third viewpoint offers a view of the Dlouhodolské stěny.

Sokolí hnízdo, an excursion château in the Alpine style, is inextricably linked to Pravčická brána. In the past, it served as accommodation for important guests of the princely family. Today, it houses a stylish period restaurant, decorated with original wall panelling and paintings. In addition, the château is home to the museum of the Národní park České Švýcarsko and an information centre. The first floor of the building is dedicated to an exhibition of photographs of the local nature by Julius Pufler.

Pravčická brána can be reached either from Hřensko or Mezní Louka. If Hřensko is chosen as the starting point, a red tourist trail leads for about 2 km along the road towards Mezní Louka, then at Tři prameny, the trail enters the forest and continues with a gentle ascent for about 2.5 km to the national natural monument. A red trail also leads from Mezní Louka along the Gabrielina stezka; an undulating trail about 6 km long with beautiful views awaits visitors. Parking areas can be found in both Hřensko and Mezní Louka.

Visitors may wonder if there is surely more to see here besides Pravčická brána. And that is correct. Two nearby gorges, Divoká soutěska and Edmundova soutěska, also deserve attention. Explore also the CHKO Labské pískovce and the entire Národní park České Švýcarsko, including Malá Pravčická brána, Růžovský vrch, the rock ravine Úzké schody, or the Jetřichovické stěny. Is a bit of an urban environment desired? Head to Děčín, which has two landmarks: a château and the Pastýřská stěna with a viewpoint. Families with children will also be well entertained here, as a visit to the zoological garden or the aquapark will certainly be an experience.

Excitement for discovering this beauty is certainly shared. Plan a multi-day holiday with accommodation near Pravčická brána. In the surrounding area, stylish cottages and cosy guesthouses can be found, as well as comfortable hotels or chalets in a peaceful setting. When searching, various directions can be chosen; accommodation capacities are offered by Hřensko, Janov, Arnoltice, or Jetřichovice, and various rooms or apartments can also be found in Děčín. Pravčická brána and the entire České Švýcarsko region boast a unique beauty that is worth seeing with one's own eyes. Start planning your stay right now by browsing our accommodation offer!

Monumental granite formations in the Ohře river canyon

Svatošské skály, officially named Národní přírodní památka Jan Svatoš, represent a geomorphologically unique granite rock formation located in the romantic valley of the Ohře river, in the Karlovarský kraj, between Karlovy Vary (the Doubí district) and the town of Loket. These rock massifs are composed of Loket granite and were formed by the erosive action of the river, frost weathering, and the gradual removal of rock, which led to the creation of massive rock pillars, prisms, and pyramids. Some of the rock towers reach an impressive height of up to 50 metres. The area was declared protected as early as 1933. According to an ancient legend about Jan Svatoš, who broke a promise made to a water nymph, the nymph turned his entire wedding procession into stone formations. The rocks are thus named after the individual wedding participants and bear names such as Ženich (a massive rock chimney), Nevěsta, Páter, Svědkové, Muzikanti, and Tchyně. This picturesque place inspired the famous writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud.

How to get there

Svatošské skály are located approximately 10 km southwest of the centre of Karlovy Vary and are accessible exclusively to pedestrians, cyclists, and water tourists, as motor vehicles are prohibited from entering this protected area. The most popular and simplest access is on foot or by bike from Karlovy Vary, specifically from the Doubí district. In Karlovy Vary-Doubí, there is a park-and-ride car park, from which a flat path leads along the Ohře river. From the car park, a route approximately 2.5 to 3 km long leads to the rocks following the blue tourist trail, which is also part of cycle route No. 204. From the centre of Karlovy Vary, you can also reach Doubí by bus number 305. A second option is to set out on foot from the town of Loket, where a route approximately 7 km long begins at the Goethův pomník. Directly at the rocks, a romantic suspension bridge intended for pedestrians and cyclists serves to cross the river.

What you can discover in the surroundings

Svatošské skály are located on the Naučná stezka Doubí – Svatošské skály, where you will learn interesting facts about the geology, archaeology, and history of this place at twelve stops. Directly at the rocks, on the opposite bank of the Ohře, there is a tourist restaurant, Jan Svatoš, and the newly renovated Svatošky dětský ráj complex with a playground. Less than 7 km upstream, the Gothic-Romanesque Hrad Loket rises, which is a landmark of the picturesque town of the same name. In nearby Karlovy Vary, visitors may visit the famous spa colonnades with thermal springs, primarily the Vřídlo, and take the funicular up to the Vyhlídka Diana, from which a magnificent panoramic view of the entire spa town is offered.

The deepest chasm of its kind in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, over 138.5 metres deep. This is the Macocha Abyss. It is located in the Moravian Karst (Moravský kras), near the village of Vilémovice, in the Blansko District. The abyss was most likely formed by the collapse of the ceiling of a large underground chamber of the Punkevní jeskyně, through which the Punkva river flows. Should you visit the Punkevní jeskyně, you will be able to reach not only the bottom of the abyss but also take a boat that will transport you to it.

The upper part of the Macocha Abyss is 174 metres long and up to 76 metres wide. At two points, at different levels of the abyss, two viewing bridges are available to visitors. The first dates back to 1882 and is located in the highest part. The second is 92 metres lower and was built in 1899. The entire surroundings of the Macocha Abyss have a special, almost magical atmosphere. Just as Prague has its infamous Nuselský most (Nusle Bridge), for the Blansko region, the Macocha Abyss is a typical site where dozens of people have decided to end their lives.

Even the legend associated with the Macocha Abyss has a tragic undertone. Once, in the nearby village of Vilémovice, lived a young farmer named Hálek. When his wife fell ill and subsequently died, Hálek was left alone with his young son, Martínek. As often happens, Hálek eventually remarried, and before long, his wife gave birth to a son. Then, difficult times began for Martínek. His stepmother favoured her own child and turned against Martínek. Hálek tried to help his firstborn son in secret, but it was all to no avail.

One day, when Hálek travelled to town with his younger son, the stepmother took Martínek into the forest to pick strawberries. They reached an abyss with a small lake, which was said to be so deep that it had no bottom. The stepmother sent Martínek to the very edge of the abyss, claiming that the most beautiful strawberries were there. Martínek, afraid to disobey, leaned over the abyss; the stepmother then pushed him, and Martínek plummeted into the depths. The wicked woman ran away from the abyss, but on the way home, she began to realise what she had done and returned to the site. She knew that Hálek would never forgive her for this, and she could not live in peace anyway. Therefore, she covered her eyes and jumped down into the abyss.

When the farmer returned from town and could not find his wife and the boy at home, he set out to look for them. Neighbours told him that they had gone to pick strawberries. The farmer reached the abyss, and suddenly, a great storm broke out. He was about to run and hide, but suddenly he heard a child crying. He leaned over the edge of the abyss and saw his Martínek, who, as if by a miracle, had caught onto a bush growing on the slope of the abyss. He ran for a rope and pulled the boy up. Judging by a headscarf that had also caught on the bush, he realised what had happened to his wife. Ever since, the abyss has been called Macocha (Stepmother). And it is said that during a storm, you can hear a faint crying coming from the abyss. That, they say, is the unhappy stepmother moaning.

The first to penetrate the Macocha Abyss was the team of Karel Absolon through the Punkevní jeskyně from the Pustý žleb valley, via the so-called "dry route". The first human stood there on 31 January 1914. In the 1930s, Macocha was also made accessible via the so-called "water route," along the Punkva river through the water chambers. At the bottom of the abyss, there are two small lakes – the Lower and the Upper. Beneath the Lower lake, there are further, as yet unexplored spaces. If the water level of the lake rises, for example, during persistent rain, it connects with the Upper lake. Conversely, during periods of drought, the water dries up completely.

The Macocha Abyss is certainly the most famous tourist attraction in the entire Chráněná krajinná oblast Moravský kras (Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area). For this reason, especially during the holiday season, there is a large number of tourists, and tours should be booked in advance. In addition to the Punkevní jeskyně, you can also visit the nearby Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně, jeskyně Balcarka, or Kateřinské jeskyně. This area is a paradise for both professional and novice speleologists.

Finding accommodation near the Macocha Abyss will be a breeze with the MegaUbytko portal. Cosy cottages, guesthouses, or apartments in the Blansko region are ready for you, and their owners and operators, known for their cordiality, will be happy to share not only the legend of the stepmother but also provide many interesting tips for trips or lesser-known places in this area. And there are truly many interesting attractions in the Blansko region. Do you not believe it? Come and see for yourself.

The most massive sinkhole of the Moravský kras

Rudické propadání is a dominant karst phenomenon in the central part of the CHKO Moravský kras, not far from the villages of Rudice and Jedovnice. This is the site where the Jedovnický potok suddenly disappears underground into the limestone bedrock, creating one of the longest cave systems in the Česká republika, spanning over 13 kilometres. This system, connected to Býčí skála in the Josefovské údolí, includes a cave with a cascade of waterfalls, one of which reaches a height of up to 35 metres. Underground, one can also find the Rudická propast, which, with a depth of 153 metres, is considered the deepest dry chasm in the Česká republika, as well as the impressive space of the Obří dóm. The waters of the stream overcome a gradient of up to 90 metres underground.

How to get there

The best access is from the village of Rudice, where visitors may leave their car in the free car park and follow the green tourist trail (part of the Naučná stezka Jedovnické rybníky – Rudické propadání). The entire circular nature trail is 6.5 km to 7 km long and begins in Jedovnice. A shorter section leads directly to the sinkhole, where the terrain around the cave portal is somewhat more challenging.

What to discover in the vicinity

Right by the sinkhole, visitors will find the rock formation Kolíbky, a spot popular with rock climbers. In the village of Rudice, there is a historic brick windmill with a museum and geopark that maps the history of iron mining and glassmaking. Within easy reach are also the world-famous Propast Macocha and the Moravský kras caves open to the public, such as Punkevní jeskyně, Kateřinská jeskyně, or Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně. For families, a walk to the nearby Jedovnické rybníky is highly suitable.

Brno biotope with picturesque ponds

Růženin lom is a significant landscape feature on the northeastern edge of Brno, situated on the slope of the Hády massif. It is a former limestone quarry, now partially flooded, and forms part of the Jižní svahy Hádů site of European importance. Limestone mining took place here from 1911 until 1998, and after its conclusion, the quarry transformed into a thriving biotope. The quarry contains several picturesque ponds fed by a plentiful spring, which are home to various protected animal species, including dragonflies, aquatic beetles, and amphibians. Although the quarry is officially closed to the public to protect the fragile ecosystem, it has become a popular recreational spot with a tranquil environment.

How to get there

Růženin lom is located in the cadastral territory of Maloměřice, but the nearest built-up area is the Líšeň housing estate. Access by car to the quarry gate is possible only from Líšeň, but it is formally restricted (no entry except for transport service); therefore, it is recommended to reach the quarry on foot or by public transport. Yellow and green tourist markers lead around the quarry. The quarry itself is accessible only to pedestrians, with access to the ponds possible from its southeastern edge. An educational trail also leads around the entire quarry.

What you can discover in the surroundings

Directly in the vicinity of the quarry, it is possible to walk along the Hádecké lomy a okolí educational trail, which provides information about natural, geological, and historical points of interest. A "Reed Trail" (Stezka rákosím) on a boardwalk leads around the entire Růženin lom, which was built by the Pozemkový spolek Hády to educate visitors about the ecological significance of the locality. Not far from the quarry, in the former Džungle limestone quarry on Hády, is the Lamacentrum Hády, where you can get into close contact with llamas. For hikers, the longer Cesta Stanislava Kostky Neumanna, which starts in Obřany in Brno, is also of interest.

Geopark Vižňov – Broumovsko’s geological heritage under the open sky

Next to the Church of St. Anna in Vižňov, a picturesque village near Meziměstí on the Polish border, lies an outdoor geological exhibition – the Vižňov Intrasudetic Basin Geopark. This presentation of regional geology is open year-round and invites you to explore the world of rocks that have shaped the Broumovsko landscape and the Javoří Mountains.
 

What the geopark lets you discover

• Samples of typical rocks of the Broumov Promontory, including Paleozoic sediments and remnants of volcanic activity
• Geological maps and information panels on the history, mineralogy, and paleontology of the area
• An overview of the occurrence of black coal and Triassic deposits, unique within the Czech Republic

Who will enjoy the geopark

• Those who want to discover geology not only from textbooks but also with their own eyes – literally at hand
• Families, schools, geologists, and tourists who appreciate an educational stop during a trip around the region
• The site is easily accessible on flat terrain directly from the center of Vižňov – very easy level
• Entry with dogs is not allowed

How to get here and what the surroundings offer
The geopark is located right next to the local Church of St. Anna, in the heart of the village. You can easily reach it on foot or by car, with parking available on the village square. A visit can be nicely combined with a walk in the surrounding countryside, a church visit, or a trip into the rocky landscapes of the Javoří Mountains.

Geology that connects you to Earth’s history
The Vižňov Geopark allows you to glimpse the transformations of Earth and the region through its rocky face. The stones you see here tell stories of ancient lakes, volcanoes, and mining – all within a small space of great significance.