National parks Semily

In 1997, an area of less than 3,000 hectares was demarcated from part of Český ráj, and a new protected area, the Maloskalsko Nature Park, was established. It is located in the south-western part of the Jablonec nad Nisou District, in the Liberec Region. As the name itself suggests, the centre of the nature park is the municipality of Malá Skála. The Jizera River also flows through the area, creating picturesque meanders and, together with rock formations and other interesting natural features, places Maloskalsko high on the list of tourists' priorities. It is rightfully one of the most visited locations in the Liberec region.

If visitors are not particularly enthusiastic hikers or connoisseurs of Czech geography, focusing attention on two larger towns, Železný Brod and Rychnov u Jablonce nad Nisou, will suffice in this case. Indeed, this territory, sometimes referred to as the Maloskalské Dolomity, is situated precisely between them. An unmissable landmark of the Maloskalsko Nature Park is certainly the ruins of the Vranov rock castle. This is a late medieval castle that acquired romantic elements through its later reconstruction. In the past, this castle was the largest of its kind in Bohemia.

Pantheon, as the Vranov Castle is also sometimes called, is easily accessible from Malá Skála. At the end of the municipality, visitors take the red tourist trail and follow the direction towards Harrachov. A pleasant walk or cycling trip awaits visitors, during which an interesting forest staircase and a historic mill can be seen.

As befits a proper protected area, several rare species of animals and plants can be found here. From the original forest ecosystem, beech forests, pine forests, and pine-oak woods are represented here. Outside the forested areas, there are wet meadows, sandstone quarries, and, near Záborčí, a site where the spring snowflake grows. The sandstone rock formations serve as an excellent refuge for many bird species living in symbiosis with butterflies, salamanders, toads, lizards, and snakes. The primary mission of the Maloskalsko Nature Park is precisely the protection of the landscape and its fauna and flora.

The entire region of Maloskalsko and its surrounding areas is very rich in interesting natural attractions. Near the municipality of Koběrovy, visitors will find the Kde domov můj viewpoint or the Chléviště rock formations, which acquired this unusual name from the place where herds of cattle were hidden during the war. In addition to Vranov, there are plenty of other ruins, such as the ruins of Zbirohy Castle, the ruins of Frýdštejn Castle, or the ruins of Rotštějn Castle. And which one will visitors visit?

Ideally, of course, all of them would be explored. And not only the ruins, but all the rock formations, the meanders of the Jizera, and other natural attractions of the Liberec Region. By securing accommodation in the Maloskalsko Nature Park, visitors gain an excellent starting point and can thus get to know another piece of Northern Bohemia a little better. Do family cottages suit preferences better, or is privacy in an apartment preferred? If catering or other services are needed during the stay, selecting from the offerings of hotels and guesthouses is recommended. Accommodation in private lodging offers a less financially demanding yet homely environment.

A unique rock city in the heart of Český ráj

Prachovské skály are one of the most famous and most visited nature reserves in the Česká republika. This unique sandstone area, declared as such as early as 1933, is located in the Královéhradecký kraj, approximately 5 to 7 km northwest of the town of Jičín. The rock city is part of the Chráněná krajinná oblast Český ráj and is spread between the villages of Prachov, Horní Lochov, Blata, and Pařezská Lhota at an altitude of 300 to 462 metres above sea level. Geologically, it consists of Upper Cretaceous block sandstones, which create a rugged plateau here, divided by deep ravines and gorges into individual rock towers and massifs reaching heights of up to 90 metres. Prachovské skály offer extensive hiking opportunities along marked circuits and are also a popular destination for rock climbers.

The area offers two main sightseeing circuits. The short circuit takes approximately forty-five minutes and leads through a narrow rock crevice and over the two most famous viewpoints, with tourists returning via the Císařská chodba between massive rock blocks. The long circuit is approximately 3.5 km long and passes through seven viewpoints. The tour takes about 2.5 hours and will test one's fitness due to numerous staircases carved into the rock. Among the most famous viewpoints are Vyhlídka Českého ráje and Schlikova vyhlídka, from which panoramic views of the surrounding landscape open up. From an ecological perspective, the area is valuable for its remnants of relict pine forests on the rocks, but the majority of the forest stands consist of spruce monocultures.

How to get there

Prachovské skály are located approximately 6 km northwest of Jičín. The best way to reach them is by car from Jičín via the village of Holín to the village of Prachov, where two large paid car parks for passenger cars and buses are available at the two entrances to the rocks. The car parks are located directly at the entrances to the sightseeing circuits, which ensures convenient access.

What to discover in the surroundings

The surroundings of Prachovské skály are rich in other attractions of Český ráj. The main starting town is Jičín, where visitors may explore the historic centre, Valdická brána, and the Krkonošské muzeum. The ruins of the rock castle Pařez are located in the vicinity of the rocks. The surrounding hills, such as Brada and Přivýšina, are also worth a visit, as they offer additional viewpoints and are ideal for leisurely hiking. Furthermore, from the Šikmá věž viewpoint, there is a lovely view beyond the rock city itself, from Veliš through Jičín to the Zebín hill.