Český ráj — the Bohemian Paradise — is the hilly country between Turnov, Jičín and Mnichovo Hradiště, where sandstone has weathered into “rock towns”: mazes of towers, chimneys and narrow canyons hidden in pine forest. In 1955 it became the first protected landscape area in what was then Czechoslovakia, and it is now a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Castles and châteaux stand on the rocks, volcanic plugs carry ruins, and a web of marked trails links them all. From Liberec it is the classic day out: Turnov, the gateway town, is about 40 minutes away by train.
What to see and do: Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj)
Hruboskalsko
The most famous rock town. The red-marked Golden Trail runs for about 4 km between Valdštejn Castle — the oldest in the region and the ancestral seat of the Wallenstein family — and the chateau of Hrubá Skála, passing a string of railed viewpoints over hundreds of sandstone towers. The Mariánská viewpoint, with the chateau in front and Trosky on the horizon, is the classic picture.
Trosky Castle
Two basalt spires with a 14th-century castle strung between them: the lower tower is called Baba (the Crone), the higher Panna (the Maiden). It is the emblem of the region, visible for miles and open to visitors in the main season.
Kost Castle
A Gothic castle that, unusually, sits in a valley rather than on a hill — and was never taken or ruined. Guided tours show the interiors; the wooded Plakánek valley below is a lovely walk.
Prachov Rocks
Near Jičín, on the far side of the region, a compact rock town with two signed circuits, steep stone steps and dramatic viewpoints. There is an entrance fee.
Turnov and Malá Skála
Turnov has been a town of gem-cutters and goldsmiths for centuries; its Museum of the Bohemian Paradise shows local garnets and a colossal battle painting by Mikoláš Aleš. Upstream, at Malá Skála, the Jizera cuts between the Vranov rock castle and the jagged ridge of the Suché skály; a riverside path leads to the timber Dlask farmstead at Dolánky.
How to get to Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj)
- Trains run from Liberec to Turnov in about 35–45 minutes. Change there for Hrubá Skála station (a few minutes further, then a walk of about 2.5 km uphill to the chateau), for Malá Skála, or for Jičín.
- By car, Turnov is half an hour from Liberec and Hrubá Skála about 45 minutes. Car parks at the chateau and at Valdštejn are paid.
- The guided hikes and bike tours on GetYourGuide start from Prague, not Liberec — see best tours.
Insider tips
- Wear shoes with grip: sandstone steps are polished smooth and slippery when wet.
- Summer weekends are crowded at Hrubá Skála and Prachov. Start early, or walk in from Turnov via Valdštejn.
- Rock climbing here has strict local rules to protect the soft stone — go with a local guide.
- Most castles close on Mondays and have a reduced winter season.
Tours that fit: Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj)
These GetYourGuide experiences pair well with Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj):
Guided hike from €123 From Prague: Full-Day Bohemian Paradise Guided Hiking Trip
A guided day’s walking in Hruboskalsko, the best-known rock town of the Bohemian Paradise, reached the local way — by train. Expect a proper hike between rock towers, viewpoints and castle walls rather than a coach tour with photo stops. Every one of its reviews so far gives it five stars.
- Travel by train to Hruboskalsko
- A full day among the sandstone towers
- A challenging but rewarding trek with a guide
Small-group hike from €129 From Prague: Hike the Hidden Valleys of Bohemian Paradise
A small-group hike that deliberately avoids the busiest paths: hidden valleys, narrow passages between the sandstone towers and a hearty lunch at the Hrubá Skála castle restaurant, with pickup in Prague. A good choice if you like your scenery without a queue.
- Pine forests and quiet sandstone valleys
- Zigzag paths between rock towers
- Lunch at the Hrubá Skála castle restaurant
Small-group e-bike tour from €129 From Prague: E-Mountain Biking Trip to the Bohemian Paradise
The Bohemian Paradise is hilly, and an electric mountain bike takes the sting out of it. This small-group ride covers about 20 miles past rock towers, country villages and castles, with pickup in Prague and a meal included. Rated 4.9 by nearly forty riders.
- About 20 miles (32 km) on an e-mountain bike
- Sandstone towers, villages and medieval castles
- Small group with pickup and lunch
Guided hike from €123 From Prague: Bohemian Paradise – Full-Day Hiking Trip (Maloskalsko)
The sister tour to the Hrubá Skála hike, set in Maloskalsko — the northern, quieter corner of the Bohemian Paradise, only about 20 km from Liberec. The same format, but just one review so far, so we show no rating.
- The Maloskalsko area on the Jizera river
- Rock formations and deep pine forests
- Historic landmarks along the trail
Private day trip from €599 per group Prague: Bohemian Paradise and Kost Castle Day Trip
A private six-hour trip from Prague to Kost, one of the best-preserved Gothic castles in Bohemia, and to the sandstone scenery around it. Priced per group of up to two and new to GetYourGuide, with no reviews yet.
- Gothic Kost Castle
- Lofty sandstone formations
- Private trip with pickup in Prague
