Bohemian Switzerland in winter

Views far and wide, the forest air, footpaths: the rock areas of Bohemian Switzerland are a fantastic destination for a trip. In winter this region is a less frequented attraction, a refuge sought out by romantics, hedonists and people wanting to get away from the towns and cities. This rock world shows its wild and unexplored side in winter. Snowfalls create a fairy-tale landscape that visitors will remember for the rest of their lives. The rocks rise up like sandcastles, with icing on top. And, most of all: you’ll be amazed to find yourself alone at most of these places. There are not many tourists who visit the rock towns in winter. A one-day trip is certainly a good idea, but what about a longer stay? You can plan a long weekend or a week's holiday and pick yourself out some accommodation and places to eat in Bohemian Switzerland.

Tiské stěny rocks

Tiské stěny rocks are completely different in winter. Not only will you encounter far fewer people than in the summer, but most of all – the rawness of the cold weather, the bare trees and the natural muted colours really accentuate the monumental sight of these rock formations. The silence that blankets the place is literally palpable. And once the snow falls, that white blanket completely changes the shapes of the rocks and the way we see this town of giants. Like anywhere else in winter, you need to bear in mind that the weather may complicate your trip somewhat, particularly in places that can only be reached via ladders or steep steps. But this makes a winter adventure in one of the most remarkable rock towns in Europe all the more interesting. So, don’t forget to take a winter walk amongst the rocks.

Brtníky icefalls

Bohemian Switzerland is riddled with icefalls, although many of them lie undiscovered throughout the winter, as they are difficult to access. The icefalls on Vlčí potok stream near the villages of Brtníky and Vlčí Hora are accessible, however, making them the biggest winter attractions in the whole region. They form – or fall – mostly on sandstone overhangs or walls. The ice falls form much better under heavy snow and at low temperatures. 

Pravčice Gate

Taking a trip here one weekend in the winter is a great idea. Although the rock viewpoints on the massif opposite are trickier to clamber up to after a recent snowfall or in frosty weather than they are in the summer, the sight of that breath-taking gate is simply unforgettable. And the vista from the viewpoint, which looks very much like an eagle’s nest, of the solitary Small Pravčice Cone tower, one of the symbols of the national park, covered by a sprinkling of sparkling snow in the chilly sunlight, is a wholly unique experience.

Děčínský Sněžník

Děčínský Sněžník, the queen of Czech lookout points, a dignified chess piece from a game of giants, a stone tower on the peak of a mesa, is decorated with thousands of diamonds in winter. Merely the viewpoint from the rock plateau at the foot of the lookout tower is impressive, but the panoramic view from the tower walkway, that’s a whole other dimension. The whole of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland, the table mountains, seas of forests, the towers of Dresden’s churches, the ridges of the Ore Mountains, as well as Ještěd, Sněžka, the whole of the Central Bohemian Uplands with Milešovka and even Říp.

Růženka on Pastevní vrch

Winter visitors are sure to be pleased to know that Růženka was awarded the prestigious title of Lookout Tower of the Year 2018, but most of all they’ll love that unusual view through the large round window. The walkway three metres above the ground offers an amazing 360-degree panorama – the Elbe sandstone rocks with the table mountains of Děčínský Sněžník, Grosse Zschirnstein, Pfaffenstein, Lilienstein and Kaiserkrone, Pravčice Gate, as well as the surrounding sister lookout points of Janov, Sokolí vrch, Tanečnice, Vlčí hora, Jedlová, and Studenec; in the distance you can also see Vlhošť and the peaks of the Central Bohemian Uplands, headed by the queen, Milešovka.

Dolský Mlýn mill

The various remains of the former Dolský Mlýn mill on the bank of the little Kamenice River are undoubtedly the most romantic place you’ll find in the whole of Bohemian Switzerland, and you’d be hard pushed to find anything similar elsewhere in Bohemia. The roads here tend to get very crowded in the summer, and so the wintertime is the best season to come and experience the deep intimacy of this remarkable place. Only real aficionados of beauty come this far in the winter. Only one of the four access routes is easily manageable in the snow – the one that leads from Jetřichovice past Starý Mlýn mill and the lovely little Jetřichovická Bělá stream, whose white sand and luxuriant green bushes light up the muted winter tones around you.