Rock reliefs and rolling countryside on the edge of Kokořínsko: 3 km to 14 km

• The sandstone rock regions in central Bohemia actually extend beyond the borders of the protected nature zones of Kokořínsko and Český ráj, and there are good trails outside these classic regions which visit some of interesting rock formations. The trails, however, are usually much quieter than in the popular tourist regions.
• One nice route tours the attractive rolling countryside north of the industrial town of Štětí. There is a long 30 km educational trail which starts in Štětí. For a shorter option, which takes in the nicer sections of this trail, a good starting point is the village of Radouň, which is on the bus line from Štětí. There are a few parking spots in the centre of the village next to the potraviny (which is also a pub).
• Just over a kilometre from Radouň is a small sandstone cluster of rocks a short climb off the main trail. These rocks include a couple of nice rock carvings, including a large snake. There are quite a few similar reliefs in the Kokořínsko region.
• The continuation of the trail circles around the pretty villages of Újezd and Lomy in attractive countryside on quiet, sometimes quite hidden paths, before returning through Snědovice where there is an intriguing restored Empire style chateau.
• The full route described below is 14.1 km long, mostly on trails that do not include trail markers (although there are occasional signposts indicating the educational trail). So, it is advisable to follow the route with a good map, or the mapy.cz phone application. There is approximately 200m of height to ascend/descend with a couple of steeper sections, but generally the route is on easy forest tracks or quiet public roads. The only refreshment stop directly on the route is the small pub in Radouň.
• If preferring just to visit the rock reliefs, this is a simple ‘there and back’ route of 3 km, following the BLUE trail markers.

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 Radouň, take the BLUE hiking trail in the direction of ‘Skalní reliéfy u Radouně’
• After 1.5 km there is a trail junction, with a diversion marker to see the rock reliefs (this is a short, quite steep climb for 100m)
• Return back to the junction after viewing the reliefs and (if completing the full circuit) continue on the BLUE trail to reach the village of Veselí after 3.8 km
• In Veselí leave the BLUE trail and continue on the (unmarked) education trail which follows the public road to reach the village of Újezd after 1.2 km
• At the fork in the road in the centre of Újezd bz the bus stop, take the LEFT hand fork and continue for 2.2 km on the farm track beside the forest, to reach the village of Lomy
• At lomz, continue straight over the main road, heading straight on towards the forest
• 50m after passing the last house turn left onto a forest path (unmarked) and continue steeply downhill
• After 300m on this track there is signpost for the educational trail indicating a turn to the left. Take this turn (even though the map would suggest carrying straight on)
• The path descends through a sandstone rock canyon, finally emerging in the village of Snědovice, 2.1 km after leaving Lomy
• From Snědovice continue straight on for 1.5 kn to reach the main road
• Follow the road for 1.7 km back to Radouň