*A circuit in the north Kokořinsko sandstone rock area with a visit to Čap viewpoint: 16 km to 19 km*

• This is a superb circuit along the quiet trails in the northern sandstone rock area of the Kokořinsko protected landscape area. The colorful weathered rock formations are amongst the most interesting in the country, with a highlight being the spectacular Čap pillar. The route also traverses the sunny Martinská sandsone rock walls and visits two huge rock overhangs which were inhabited in prehistoric times.
• The route starts in the small hamlet of Obrok, situated halfway between the larger towns of Dubá and Úštěk. If driving, there is a small free car park just off the main road. There are occasional (weekday) buses to the hamlet from Dubá, but if travelling by public transport a better option is to start in the nearby village of Skalka, which has more bus routes.
• From Obrok, the route climbs steeply up to the Čap viewpoint, where there are also some remains of a 14th century ‘rock castle’. From Čap, the trail traverses a high sandstone plateau through attractive forest, filled with blueberry bushes and then reaches the Martinská rock walls, which are topped with relict pine trees.
• A (recommended) short diversion then visits the two rock overhangs (pseudo-caves), the first called Krápník (which shows signs of occupation from the Bronze Age) and the second just a little further down the trail – Tisícový kámen – which was used as a shelter from the end of the Stone Age. There are still fireplaces in use at both sites.
• The trail then visits the unusual shapes of weathered rocks in the Husa protected reserve before returning towards Obrok along a picturesque ‘ hidden’ forested canyon lined with towering rock walls. The sandstone was formed when the Bohemian basin was filled with a tropical sea during the Cretaceous period, some 90 million years ago.
• There is an option to make a short diversion to the village of Skalka where there is a popular outdoor pub (map point 10) and just a little further along the trail, the well-regarded restaurant and pizzeria, U Gregorů (map point 11).
• The total route (including all diversions, including a visit to Skalka village) is 19 km long. Excluding Skalka, the route is just under 16 km long, with 390 m of height to ascend-descend. Most of the trails are easy, but there are two short steep sections on the ascent to Čap and the descent back to Obrok. Note if walking with small children – the Čap viewpoint has steep cliffs and no protection.

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

• Walk through Obrok hamlet to reach the Obrok trail junction and join the BLUE trail heading in the direction of Čap
• After 2.2 km (including a steep step section) reach the Čap – skalní vyhlídka junction. Here turn right to visit the viewpoint, reached in 200m
• Return back to the trail junction and join the GREEN trail heading in the direction of Pod Čířem, which is reached after 800m
• At the Pod Čířem junction join the RED trail heading the direction of Skalka
• After 3.7 km (the last part being on the Martinská rock walls) reach the U Martinské stěny junction. Here there is the optional but recommended diversion along the GREEN trail to visit the two rock overhangs – head in the direction of Kostelíček for 600m to see both caves and then return back to the U Martinské stěny junction
• Continue on the RED trail towards Skalka. After 1 km there is an optional 200m diversion to the right up through a rock crevice to visit the Husa rock formations (also recommended!)
• Continue on the RED trail a further 1.4 km to each the Nad Kravími doly junction. Here there is an option to continue on the RED trail to visit the pub and/or restaurant in Skalka (a 3km detour there and back)
• From the Nad Kravími doly junction return back to Obrok along BLUE trail. The hamlet is reached after 4.3 km