Narrow clefts
Between rock walls.
Thalun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jerzy Strzelecki — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Thalun — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Maksym Kozlenko — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Carsten Wiehe — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks are a vast set of sandstone formations in northeast Czechia near the Polish border, named after the villages of Adršpach and Teplice nad Metují, about 49 km northeast of Hradec Králové and 134 km northeast of Prague in a straight line. The rocks have been a national nature reserve since 1933 and since 1991 have lain inside the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area; the reserve covers 17 square kilometres. It is one of the largest permanent breeding sites of peregrine falcons in Europe, so some areas are closed to climbers and walkers to protect the birds. Many rocks have been given fanciful names such as «Grandfather's Chair», «The Lovers» and «Sugar Loaf». The trail winds between towering grey rock pillars rising among pines and birches, and in places narrows to clefts only one person wide. Inside lie a small waterfall and a still green lake between rock walls, and by the entrance another lake in an old sand quarry mirrors the cliffs. The main circular trail at Adršpach is about 3.5 km long and takes about two hours, including a short boat ride on the inner lake in the summer season. Book tickets ahead on busy summer days, and arrive by train at Adršpach station.
Between rock walls.
A boat ride.
At the entrance.
Adršpach, Hradec Králové Region, northeast Czechia
About two hours for the circular trail.
Booking ahead is wise on summer days.