*A circular route around the Kokořín plateau, including a visit to the castle: 11 km*

• Kokořín castle has a fascinating history and is well worth a visit. It is usually only open for tours between April and October but can be viewed from the outside at any time of year! The following highly recommended route takes the trail past the castle, visits the best viewpoint and then reaches the village of Kokořín, which is sited on a plateau 2 km from the castle.
• The return journey traverses two scenic sandstone rock gorges, which include a number of man-made and natural caves and rock dwellings, often dating back to the Middle Ages. Some of the most striking rock towers are found in these gorges, including the superb Koráb boulder.
• Originally constructed in the early 14th century, Kokořín castle passed through the hands of several famous Czech dynasties, including the family of Albrecht of Valdštejn after the battle of Bilá Hora. Kokořin was somewhat controversially reconstructed in the early 20th century in a Romanticist style – the first medieval castle to be fully restored in the country. The castle today is owned by the Špaček family, who took possession of the castle at the end of the 19th century and were responsible for its reconstruction.
• The route is just under 11 km long and involves 320m of height to ascend-descend. Some of the footpaths in the rock gorges are quite steep and can be slippery at times, but there is nothing too challenging. The route can be done either clockwise or anticlockwise, depending on whether preferring to see the castle at the beginning or end of the trip – the route shown below goes clockwise (visiting the castle first).
• For refreshments, there are a couple of options in the valley below the castle (next to the parking areas). Try the refurbished Restaurant Pobuda, which serves good food. In Kokořín village (2 km from the castle) there is an atmospheric café-restaurant, the U Koně which is worth stopping at.

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Directions

• Start the walk in Kokořín valley below the castle. There is a bus connection here from Mšeno and three paid parking areas
• Join the BLUE trail heading in the direction of Kokořín hrad. After quite a steep climb the castle is reached in 600m
• After visiting the castle area, continue on the BLUE trail which shortly joins the switchback road. There are two good viewpoints overlooking the castle just off the road
• Continue on the BLUE trail which follows the road to reach the village of Kokořín (2 km from the castle)
• From the village, continue a further 1.6 km on the BLUE trail until reaching the trail junction Truskavenský důl. Here, switch onto the YELLOW trail, heading in the direction of Klemperka
• Follow the YELLOW trail along the valley and then up into the rocks to reach Kostelíček cave after 3 km
• Continue a further 800m on the YELLOW trail until reaching the junction of Malá Jestřebice. Here turn right onto the GREEN trail in the direction of Nedamy
• The trail passes the Koráb rock after 600m and then the Nedamy rock castle (dating from the 13th century) after a further 1.2 km
• The trail then drops down to valley level and follows the road for 1 km back to the parking areas