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Bohemian Switzerland

Europe's Largest Sandstone Arch and the Kamenice Gorges

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2 daysIdeal stay₹5,720From / night₹1,760Food / day₹2,090Entry

A national park of sandstone towers, ravines and pine forest on the German border, the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains (Saxon Switzerland is the German side, in the same Schengen area). Its emblem is Pravčická brána, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, reached by a steady uphill path from Hřensko; below it, boatmen pole flat-bottomed boats through the Wild Gorge and Edmund's Gorge of the Kamenice river from April to early November. A forest fire in 2022 burned large parts of the park; most trails and the gorges have reopened since, but check closures before you go. From Prague, take the train to Děčín (about 1 h 30) and bus 434 to Hřensko. Stay in Hřensko, Jetřichovice or Děčín.

Highlights

  • Pravčická brána, Europe's largest natural sandstone arch
  • Poled boats through the Kamenice gorges
  • Sandstone towers and ravines
  • Jetřichovice rock-top viewpoints
  • Gabriela Trail under the cliffs
  • Bastei bridge across the border in Saxony

Things to do

  • Hike from Hřensko to Pravčická bránaMorning · 3h 30m
  • Kamenice gorges: the walk and the poled boatsApr–OctAfternoon · 3h
  • Jetřichovice rock viewpoints trailMorning · 3h 30m
  • Gabriela Trail from Pravčická brána to Mezní LoukaAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Děčín Castle and its rose gardenAfternoon · 1h 30m

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Bohemian Switzerlandvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Bohemian Switzerlandvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: May – October

Worth knowing

Gorge Boats Not Running; Arch Open Weekends Only

The poled boats through the Kamenice gorges run only from April to the start of November (1 April-1 November in 2026), and Pravčická brána opens only Friday to Sunday, 10:00-16:00, from November to late March. The trails stay open, but can be icy: bring shoes with grip, or come between April and October.

Heads up

Fire Risk and Trail Closures

The 2022 forest fire burned large parts of the park, and in a dry summer the authorities can close trails or ban fires and smoking in the forest. Check the national park's notices the day before a hike, and carry water: there is little on the trails.