A circuit from Ostrov into the sandstone rock complexes at Tisá: 7 km – 10 km

The Tiské stěny are a spectacular series of sandstone rock columns, situated above the village of Tisá, close to the German border. Sandy paths weave through the maze-like rock complexes, as scenic as any in Český ráj. The rocks lie in the Labské piskovce Protected Landscape Area, effectively an extension of the České Švýcarsko National Park, which straddles the border area north of Děčín and Ústí nad Labem.
Most visitors to Tiské stěny will probably choose to visit the rock complexes following the classic 3.5 km circuit starting in Tisá. However, for those wanting a slightly longer walk, a nice circuit passes through (or starts at) the border hamlet of Ostrov, which has a series of pretty lakes and a fine hotel-restaurant, with an attractive terrace area.
The route shown below starts in Ostrov (there are various accommodation options in addition to the Ostrov hotel, including a popular campsite) and heads first to Tisá through a series of rock complexes almost hidden in the forest. In Tisá, the circuit of the rock complexes is highly recommended if not already explored on a separate trip. The return leg, passes across a classic sandstone ‘table mountain’ before returning along the Cz-D border to Ostrov.
The full circuit, including visits to the two loops in the Tisá rocks, is just under 10 km long, with around 260m of height to ascend-descend. If planning on exploring the Tisá rocks on this trip it is worth noting that there are quite a number of steep rock steps to navigate, if following the nature trail around the rocks. In addition to the hotel in Ostrov, there are various good refreshment options in Tisá.

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

Starting in Ostrov, join the GREEN trail heading towards Tiské stěny
The edge of the Tisá rock complexes is reached after 2.1 km (at the tourist hut). Continue on the GREEN trail for a further 1.1 km to reach the centre of the complex (the two nature trail loops start from this point – there is a small entrance fee payable)
Either take the nature trail loop (s) or return back to the Tiské stěny – tur. chata along the outbound GREEN trail
At the Tiské stěny – tur. chata join the YELLOW trail heading towards Nad Rájcem
After 2.2 km reach the Nad Rájcem junction and here turn right onto the RED trail which heads directly back to Ostrov (passing the Ostrov hotel after 1.6 km)