*A trip to see Panská skála – the most visited geological site in the country: 1 km to 3 km*

• Panská skála is a remarkable basalt outcrop created by the slow cooling of lava that erupted some 30 million years ago to create a massive series of fused hexagonal and pentagonal columns that rise from the ground for over 20 metres. This is a remnant of the extensive volcanic activity that impacted Bohemia in association with the formation of the Alps. According to the signage this is the oldest and most visited geological nature reserve in the country (although the author suspects the Adršpach rocks actually get more visitors…)
• The rock formation is located close to the main road that runs between Nový Bor and Česká Kamenice. it just on the edge of the Lužické hory protected landscape area. There is a large paid parking area, and frequent buses run along the road. The rocks were the setting for a famous Czech fairytale, the ‘Proud Princess’, filmed in 1952. There is a short nature trail for children which starting at the parking area near the rocks and follows to the BLUE hiking trail for 1.4 km to a viewpoint (map point 5).
• On the far side of the rocks stands an 18th-century Marian Column (map point 3) which commemorates a young man and a widow who froze to death here in 1739. It is possible to reach the summit of the rocks via a couple of (quite steep) unmarked footpaths, but it is nicer just to walk around the base of the rocks on the grassy footpath and view the outcrop from different angles.
• For refreshments, there is a seasonally open snack bar opposite the car park. For more substantial fare, head into nearby Kamenický Šenov, or for special treat, stop in Nový Bor and visit the excellent Asian restaurant, BẾP.

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

• It is a short stroll to the rocks from the car park. Take the time to do the full tour around the base of the rocks. The scramble to the top is optional!
• For the children’s nature trail connected to the Proud Princess fairytale, follow the BLUE hiking trail as fdar as the viewpoint and then return to the car park/bus stop.