Walks around the sandstone rock formations of the Hradčanské stěny: 4 km to 12 km

• The Hradčanské stěny are one of the most interesting yet least known sandstone rock areas in the Kokořínsko region. The cliffs and pillars come in multiple colors of sandstone and there are a number of intriguing holes, arches and caves to explore. It is a quiet area, and a good choice when other more famous sandstone areas are crowded during the peak summer season.
• The closest starting location for walks in this area is the village of Hradčany, which has bus connections with Mimoň and Doksy. There are no obvious long term parking areas, but there are usually spots by the lake, which is also a swimming location.
• The shortest (and easiest) route from Hradčany follows the Jeřáb nature trail on a 4 km circuit around the eastern side of the rock formations. The information boards on the trail outline the flora and fauna of the area. This short trail is on good wide paths, without any steep slopes.
• A more challenging route heads towards the western end of the rocks, where a significant rock gate and the well known Jeskyně Psí kostel (Dog Church cave) are located. Sometimes considered man-made, the cave is probably a natural formation. In addition, a short diversion from the Jeřáb nature trail leads (quite steeply) up to an excellent viewpoint – the Hradčanská vyhlídka.
• The extended route is 11.5 km long with around 200m of height to ascend/descend. The paths up to to the rock formations and to the viewpoint are quite steep, but otherwise the trails are not difficult forest footpaths. For refreshments try the snack bar near the information center in the center of the village, which is open seasonally.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• At the trail junction next to the information center and bus stop, take the GREEN trail in the direction of Hradčanská vyhl. 
• After 500m reach the junction with the diversion to the viewpoint – this is a worthwhile 300m detour, even though quite steep
• Return back to the junction and continue on the GREEN trail for 600m to reach the junction of Kraví rokle
• At Kraví rokle if wanting just the shorter – 4 km total route – turn left onto the nature trail (green-white diagonal stripes) and follow this as it circles around the rock formations before returning back to Hradčany village
• For the full route, at Kraví rokle, join the cycle path that runs along the forest road
• Continue on this road for 2.8 km until meeting the YELLOW marked hiking trail. At this point, turn sharply left and continue for 600m to reach the Jelení vrch trail junction
• At Jelení vrch turn right onto the GREEN trail and continue for 100m to get to the cave. The rock gate is a further 200m along the trail
• After visiting the rock formations, return back to the Jelení vrch junction and continue on the GREEN trail for 2.5 km to return back to the Kraví rokle junction (note the marked trail appears to take a different route from that currently – 2022 – marked in mapz.cz)
• At Kraví rokle take the nature trail route (green-white diagonal stripes) which circles back to Hradčany in 2.9 km