Příhrazské Skály

Useful Information

Location:	Mužský, 295 01 Boseň. Interstate 10/E65 exit 57 Mnichovo Hradiště, 268 to Boseň, turn left Zásadka, right to Mužský. Český ráj. (50.522586, 15.060569)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Gorge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Městské informační centrum Mnichovo Hradiště, Masarykovo náměstí 299, 295 01 Mnichovo Hradiště, Tel: +420-326-772-464. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1880s	Jeskyně Krtola (Krtola Cave), also called Sklep na Chodové (Cellar at Chodova), discovered.
JUN-1926	the largest landslide in the recent past destroyed a part of the village of Dneboh.
1960	deepest daylight shaft discovered.
15-JUN-1999	declared a Natural Monument IUCN Category III.

Description

Příhrazské Skály (Příhraz Rocks) is a sandstone rock formation located in the northern part of the Czech Republic at the border to Poland. In a huge area covering Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic, there are numerous such rock formations which all share the same geology. The rock extend from about 240 m asl to 460 m asl. The rocks are bare of vegetation, so they overlook the surrounding forest.

Towers of reddish sandstone are separated by narrow and deep gorges, a total of 178 towers was counted on an area of 520 ha. There are also numerous forms of sandstone karst, like caves, potholes, sinks, and natural bridges, but the dominating feature are the gorges. The forms were formerly called pseudokarst. The most famous cave is the Jeskyně Krtola (Krtola Cave), also called Sklep na Chodové (Cellar at Chodova). The cave was discovered in the 1880s by the archaeologist Josef Ladislav Píč. It is 40 m long. The gorges form through tectonic movements when the blocks start to slide downhill. Fissures are widened to crevasses, which are then subject to weathering by rainwater which widens them further.

The whole area is crisscrossed by hiking trails. The Příhrazské skály Educational Trail with 12 stops starts at the village Dneboh. The trail through the Studený předů gorge is also quite spectacular. A good starting point is the village Mužský, which is surrounded by rocks on three sides. We recommend the Restaurant Krásná Vyhlídka (Restaurant Beautiful View) which also offers good food when you return from your hike.

The Hrad Drábské světničky (Schergenstübchen, Little Girls Castle) is located above the village Dneboh. A group of four larger and three smaller rocks, which are separated from each other by narrow gaps, were used to build a castle during the 13th century. It consisted of wooden buildings, ingeniously anchored in the rocks and connected by bridges. 18 chambers, which served primarily as storerooms and warehouses, were cut into the rock, the largest is 7 m long and 4 m wide. Unlike the trails this castle has open hours and an entrance fee, unfortunately it is currently closed for renovation [2023]. Hradiště Klamorna was inhabited 5,000 years BP and several times since then. There are remains of a prehistoric hillfort as well as an early Medieval castle. The Studený průchod (Cold passage) is a 125 m long and 2 m wide gorge which is never warmer than 10 °C, even on the hottest summer days, hence the name.

The Zřícenina hradu Valečov (Valečov Rock Castle) are the ruins of a quite extensive castle from the 14th or 15th century. It was built on a solitary rock on the southern end of the area. It changed ownership quite often, was a hideout for Hussite troops, and was finally abandoned in the first half of the 18th century. Numerous chambers carved into the foot of the rocks were inhabited until the end of the 19th century. Located north of Bosen it has its own parking lot from where it is reached in a 5-minute walk. This site is not freely accessible, there are open hours and an entrance fee.

It actually makes no difference where you start, there are parking lots for hikers in all surrounding villages, and the ascent is more or less the same. The area is much less known than others, like Bohemian Switzerland and Adršpašsko-teplické skály, so it is less crowded. On the other hand there is also no infrastructure like kiosks or restaurants on the trails. Restaurants and shops are all located in the surrounding villages. We recommend traditional hiking equipment like good walking shoes, sun protection and raincoat, some food and water, and additionally a lamp for the caves and gorges. Also, a good guidebook and map are advisable.