czech - saxon switzerland

Hřensko (German: Herrnskretschen) is a small village in the České Švýcarsko (Saxon Switzerland) on the border with Germany. It is situated at the confluence of the Kamenice and Labe rivers and was established during the 15th century as a trading settlement. The area around Hrensko is part of National Park - Bohemian Switzerland (Saxon Switzerland)I spent 5 days in a little B & B Pension “Na Vyhlidce” in Mesna. The location was perfect. I walked down the steep hill to the Wild Klamm (Soutesky) (Gorges) and took a ride in a sort of large pant on the Kamenice river. Well worth doing, beautiful scenery and carved Vodnik (Water Geist) poking from the rocks only added to the attraction. The walk back up the steep hill was somewhat of a challenge.From Hrensko there is another gorge s.c. Edmunds Klamm (Soutesky) and again ride on a pant is recommended.The National Park offers plenty of wonderful walks through the woods, be it Pravcicka Brana (Prebischtor) or a small drive to Bastei. Sandstone boulders, rocks and mountains are quite something special and worth the effort. The Old mediaeval fortress Königstein is also a very popular destination.And if there is a need for some pampering, how about visiting Bad Schandau Spa facilities. The spa facilities and extensive Botanical Garden (Pflanzengarten Bad Schandau) with over 1,500 species of plants is also worth seeing. Bad Schandau is about 6 kilometres from the Czech frontier and 33 km southeast of Dresden. In 1480 Prince Ernest of Saxony granted the right to Bad Schandau to bear a coat of arms and a seal. A day excursion recommended.A trip to Dresden on River Elbe was also one of the highlights of my Hrensko & České Švýcarsko experience.

the best hiking with amazing views!the footpath are well and are not dangerous at all.very romantic place

Amazing place for adventurous people. Beautiful landscape, with huge rocks between the hills... We've been there last August and it was already cold and rainy, so I don't think winter is a good time. I don't think it's a place for bringing the kids as well, since as I said, it's more about adventure, walking, biking on the road and there's no attraction for them in there. What we saw is a big amount of elderly coming in groups for activities on the forest.

Very nice place to stay. We spent there 3 days and could stay more. The scenery is really beautiful. You can make short walks around o nice 20 km round walking from Hreńsko to Mezna through Pravcicka Brana and then taking yellow path back to Hreńsko. I recommend it because it easier- most of the way goes down :). You can have a lunch in Mezni Louka(mid way). The cost of lunch is aprox.4-5 Euro, twice cheaper than i Germany:). Hreńsko offer to the visitors a lot of nice restaurants and tavernas. You wont be bored there:).

The nature in the area is breathtaking especially "Pravcicka Brana" and its immediate surroundings. Lots of cycle and hiking tracks on both sides of the border mean one could easily spent a good long weekend in the area.

The scenery around "Pravcicka brana" or "Divoka souteska" buried in deep forests is just lovely. The steep sandstone rocks are popular with mountain climbers but most tracks are easily accessible for anyone who can walk a couple of miles.The smell of pine resin on a warm day is the pure essence of holiday for me. The woods must look gorgeous in autumn, too.It was just the beginning of high season but there were lots of people both in the Czech and the German part of the area. Try to come during low season (a nice May or October day would be perfect) or at least avoid weekends. Also, be prepared to pay foolish prices for parking, toilets, fast food, seeing a particular rock formation or boarding a punt ferry shuttle with ferryman repeating nonsense stories in poor German. Services but also prices were generally better on the German side (Bastei bridge etc.) On a rainy day, you can check out the castle or the ZOO in Decin. As for the area aroud Sluknov, Krasna Lipa etc... let's just say it is not exactly safe there and not so much to miss.

The gate is really unique because you can see just couple of them all around the world. The sceneries and panoramas are wonderful.

We're went to visit Pravcicka Brana, we're parked on street parking designated in locality Hrensko.The parking belongs and is run by local authority. The parking was nearly full on our arrival at 11.30 AM and park lady directed us to place. We paid 120 Czech Korun ( £4 ) for stay over 4hrs. Upon our return we found out that only a few cars are left parked, attendant's shed is locked and no one watching over Car park. Our car was broken into and stuff was stolen from boot.If you visit similar attraction we recommend: Park close to city centre, front of hotel etc, rather than on designated (far from crowd) place to avoid attraction to your foreign car. As according to locals this is happening very often. Complete procedure from calling police, securing evidence and making protocol about incited took over 4 hours.

After 6 kms long ascent from Infocenter at Hřensko ve finally stood under the Pravčice Gate and cottage Sokolí hnízdo (The falcon's nest) where refreshment at restaurant is available. The entry to the Pravčice Gate is at fee. The Pravčice Gate is really magnificant. It is the highest sandstone gate in Europe. Its spane is 26 m and height 16 m. However, since 1982 tourists are not allowed to walk on its top as in its ridge during intensive visits of tourists a groove 80 cm deep appeared and the geologists warned that the vault might cave in as result of gradual thinning . Nevertheless there are several viewing points around the Pravčice gate from which we can get beautiful view of the surroundings.

Everything was vibrant green, like you'd see in Ireland, but in August the weather was just right so you didn't get the cold of Ireland :) It's a magical place.

Comfortable hiking trails through forests, bathrooms and a food stand on the Edmund Gorge trail; bathrooms, food stands, gift shop at the Natural Bridge. Beautiful area.

Visiting Edmund's Gorge in Hrensko - Czech-Saxon Switzerland is a wonderful experience and an easy hike even for small children, seniors and dogs. Families and couples walk from Hrensko (paid parking available) along the wild river Kamenice in a deep canyon lined with bizarre huge rocks. After about a mile and half walk there is a small wharf, where you may board comfortable small boats to admire the canyon from a new perspective. The ride with a boatman and his stories (in Czech and German) takes about half an hour. Then you may return to Hrensko or walk again about a mile and get in a new boat for a 15 minutes ride. You may then continue along a steep tourist trail to new places or return along the same route. The whole pleasant excursion takes about half a day.

Посетили Чешскую Швейцарию в несезон и поэтому не было наплыва туристов. Многие рестораны были закрыты. Сначала решили пройти по одному из многочисленных пешеходных маршрутов, но начался мелкий дождь и поэтому мы ограничились прогулкой по городку. Какой там воздух!!! Как кто-то красиво сказал: "его можно было есть ложками"

Понравилось все: пеший маршрут 10 км, замечательная природная достопримечательность Pravcicka brana и территория вокруг.

Красивые места. Для любителей пешего туризма, велопрогулок и просто отдыха в лесу. Правчицкие ворота - как кульминация путешествия. А вот сплав по Соутескам не впечатлил. Предприимчивые люди придумали достопримечательность и берут не маленькие деньги за то,чтобы прокатить вас на корыте по речке.