Hiking Regions

In addition to the Bohemian Forest National Park, there are numerous other hiking areas in the Czech Republic – not only the impressive cities are worth a visit, but also the unique nature.

Bohemian Switzerland (České Švýcarsko)

Bohemian Switzerland is located in the northwest of the Czech Republic on the border with Germany – not to be confused with the Bohemian Forest. Together with Saxon Switzerland, it forms an impressive sandstone massif and has been a national park since 2000. Getting there: 1 hour from Dresden, 2 hours from Prague.

• Pravčická brána: Europe's largest natural rock arch (26 m span)

• Hoher Schneeberg (723 m): highest mountain of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

• Edmund Gorge and Wild Gorge, also experienced by boat trip

• Tip: 7-hour circular hike from Hřensko via Janov, Wild Gorge and Prebischtor

Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj)

Bohemian Paradise in the northeast of the Czech Republic has been a protected landscape area since 1955 and is reachable from Prague in one hour – ideal as a day trip. Typical are bizarre sandstone formations with rock towers, narrow gorges and rock spires.

• Prachov Rocks (Prachovské skály): narrow gorges and viewing towers

• Hruboskalsko: over 400 rock towers up to 60 m, popular with climbers

• Malá Skála: Suché skály rock formation, ideal for canoeing

• Bozkov Dolomite Caves: underground lakes, natural monument since 1999

Ore Mountains (Krušné hory)

The Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) stretch 150 km along the border with Germany and are known for forested slopes, upland moors and mountain meadows. The old mining region (silver, tin, uranium) has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage as the "Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region" since 2019.

• Klínovec (Keilberg, 1,244 m): highest peak with viewing tower, a ski resort in winter

• Božídar Peat Bog: one of the largest upland moors in Central Europe, 3 km nature trail

• Mining towns Jáchymov, Krupka (Tin Mining Museum) and Horní Blatná

• Ore Mountains Ridge Trail: 242 km long-distance hiking trail, also possible by bike and in stages

• Stoneman Erzgebirge: mountain bike route through the Czech Republic and Germany

Giant Mountains (Krkonoše)

The Giant Mountains on the border with Poland are the highest mountain range in the Czech Republic and a popular ski resort in winter. It takes about 2 hours from Prague. The Czech part has been a national park (KRNAP) since 1963 and forms a UNESCO biosphere reserve together with the Polish park.

• Sněžka (1,603 m): highest mountain in the Czech Republic, reachable on foot or by cable car from Pec pod Sněžkou

• Elbe Source: symbolic source of the Elbe, reachable from Špindlerův Mlýn

• Elbe Valley (Labský důl): glacial cirque with rock faces and waterfalls

• Mumlava Waterfall (10 m): easily accessible, also suitable for families

• Mountain spirit "Rübezahl": symbol and legendary figure of the mountains

Jizera Mountains

The Jizera Mountains are located in the northeast of the Czech Republic on the border with Poland and are named after the Jizera River. They are known for plateaus, granite rocks and peat landscapes with rare species such as capercaillie and black stork. It has been a protected landscape area since 1968.

• Smrk (1,124 m): highest mountain with viewing tower

• Jizerka Plateau: secluded moorland with boardwalks and nature trails

• Waterfalls: Černá Desná, Jedlový důl and White Desná (Bílá Desná)

• Polední kameny (Midday Stones) and Frýdlantské cimbuří granite rocks: popular with climbers

• Cross-country skiing: over 180 km of trails, host of the Jizerská 50 race

• Jablonec nad Nisou: glass museums and workshops

Altvater Mountains (Hrubý Jeseník / Jeseníky)

The Altvater Mountains in the northeast of the Czech Republic (Sudetenland) are the second-highest mountain range in the country after the Giant Mountains. They have been protected since 1969: dense forests, glacial cirques, upland moors and waterfalls. Black storks, capercaillies and lynxes live in the strictly protected nature reserve.

• Praděd (1,491 m): landmark with television tower and panoramic views as far as Poland

• Other peaks: Keprník (1,423 m), Šerák (1,351 m, also accessible by cable car), Vysoká hole (1,464 m)

• Vysoký vodopád: highest waterfall in Moravia at 45 m

• Rejvíz Moor: largest upland moor in Moravia with a nature trail

• Karlova Studánka: spa town with the cleanest air in Central Europe

• Ski resorts: Praděd/Ovčárna, Červenohorské sedlo and Ramzová

Adršpach-Teplice Rock Town

The rock town in northeastern Bohemia near Teplice nad Metují is one of the largest sandstone rock towns in Europe and was formed through thousands of years of erosion. It belongs to the Broumovsko Nature Reserve (430 km²) and is a highlight for hikers and climbers.

• Rock faces up to 100 m high, narrow rock crevices and small caves

• Rocks with their own names such as "Lovers" or "Giant Jug"

• Over 1,700 climbing routes in the nature reserve

• Adršpach circular trail (3.5 km) with a lake, Teplice circular trail (6 km) often less crowded

Moravian Karst (Moravský kras)

The Moravian Karst is located north of Brno and, at 92 km², is the most significant karst area in the country (protected landscape area since 1956). Over 1,000 known caves, sinkholes, gorges and underground rivers – easy to combine with a city trip.

• Punkva Caves: underground rivers, boat trip on guided tours

• Kateřinská Cave: colorful stalactites

• Sloupsko-šošůvské Caves: passages on two levels, Neanderthal remains were found in the Kůlna cave

• Macocha Gorge: around 138 m deep, two viewing platforms, hiking trail to the Punkva Caves

• Rudice Sinkhole and Býčí skála: second-longest cave system in the Czech Republic (over 13 km)

• Tip: Book cave tickets in advance in summer

Beskids (Beskydy)

The Beskids are an extensive range of low mountains on the border with Poland and Slovakia and are part of the Carpathians. The best-known areas are located in northern Moravia and Silesia: forested mountain ridges, wide valleys and many viewpoints. Parts are protected landscape areas, home to lynxes and wolves.

• Lysá hora (1,323 m): highest mountain, especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset

• Radhošť: peak with the Radegast statue and a chapel

• Pustevny: mountain saddle with Art Nouveau wooden buildings by Dušan Jurkovič

• Winter sports in Bílá, Velké Karlovice and Pustevny

• Nearby: Rožnov spa, Štramberk and the Wallachian Open-Air Museum

White Carpathians (Bílé Karpaty)

The White Carpathians are located in the southeast of the Czech Republic on the border with Slovakia. They have been protected since 1980 and a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1996. Typical are species-rich flower meadows and traditional orchards, gentle hills and forests – ideal for relaxed hikes.

• Velká Javořina (970 m): highest mountain with far-reaching views

• Orchid meadows: in full bloom in May and June, one of the most species-rich meadows in Central Europe

• Velký Lopeník viewing tower (911 m)

• Wine region at the foot of the White Carpathians: start of the South Moravian wine-growing region

• Ride of the Kings from Vlčnov (Jízda králů): folklore festival, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

• Small ski slopes in winter

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a safe journey to the Czech Republic and are happy to help with any questions about toll regulations. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip perfectly and see the suitable toll products displayed. Contact us via email if you have any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette.