*Pravčická brána and Edmundova soutěska – an 18 km round trip (with shorter options)*

Pravčická brána and Edmundova soutěska – an 18 km round trip (with shorter options)

This is a classic circular walk to the most famous landmark in České Švýcarsko – the Pravčická brána – returning along the scenic Edmundova soutěska valley, which involves two short boat trips between the narrow rock gorges.
The walk starts at Mezní Louka, and follows the Gabrielína stezka steeply up into the extraordinary sandstone rock formations and then along the panoramic path to the famous rock arch, where there is the option to visit the higher viewpoints by payment of an additional fee.
Walkers wanting the full tour continue on the Gabrielína stezka trail and then along the road to Hřensko, where there are various refreshment options.
The return to Mezní Louka follows the attractive path along the Kamenice stream. The middle segments of this path can only be traversed using the (paid) shuttle boats, which provide an amusing interlude on the trip (note: the boats usually only only operate from April to October).
At Mezní Louka there are various refreshment options including the well known restaurant U Fořta, which serves excellent Czech dishes.
The total trip length (if the higher viewpoints at Pravčická brána are visited) is 17.8 km, with 520m of height gained/lost on the route. The trip can be shortened at various points on the route (see comments below).

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

Start at the paid parking areas in Mezní Louka and take the RED trail in the direction of Pravčická brána. The trail climbs steadily up to the rock formations and then traverses under the rocks before finally reaching the 19th century holiday chateau, Sokolí hnízdo, after 5.3km
At Sokolí hnízdo (refreshments available) there is the option to visit the higher viewpoints through payment of an entrance fee
From Sokolí hnízdo return back to the main RED trail and turn right in the direction of Hřensko.
Follow the RED trail for 2 km to reach the main road at the Tři prameny signpost. Here there is the option to shorten the walk by 4km (also avoiding the boat trips) by following the YELLOW trail for 3.2km to Mezná and there taking the GREEN trail for 1.8km back to Mezní Louka
For the full walk continue for 1.6km on the RED trail from Tři prameny towards Hřensko to reach the signpost of the restaurant Klepáč
At the signpost take the YELLOW trail in the direction of Tichá soutěska. After 1.9km reach the ticket office for the boats and take the next available upstream boat.
After the boat trip continue along the YELLOW trail to reach the signpost of Mezní můstek. Here there is another option to shorten the trip by 1.7km (avoiding the second boat trip) by taking the GREEN trail directly back to Mezní Louka
For the full trip, continue along the YELLOW trail to reach the second section of stream requiring a shuttle boat. Take the boat and then continue along the YELLOW trail to finally reach the Divoká soutěska signpost.
Here turn left onto the BLUE trail and follow this back to Mezní Louka for 1.9km