* A tour around the sandstone rock formations near Sloup v Čechách: 10 km*

• Bohemia is well known for its spectacular sandstone rock formations, created when the Bohemian plain was a shallow tropical sea during the Cretaceous period, some 80 to 90 million years ago. The sea was ringed by the mountain ranges that today form the borders with Germany and Poland. Tropical storms lashed the mountains and powerful rivers washed vast amounts of debris into the Bohemian sea. Wave action crumbled the debris into fine sand that was deposited on the sea bed.
• Over subsequent aeons, the sand was compacted and cemented together, forming sandstone. Volcanic activity in Bohemia, during the period when the Alps were formed, resulted in minerals infusing the sandstone and creating some layers and areas of rock which were hardened, becoming more resistant to erosion. The result today is a series of remarkable ‘rock labyrinths’, comprising towering columns of sandstone which have resisted erosion more successfully than the surrounding softer rock.
• Almost all of these sandstone rock areas are situated in the large protected landscape areas and national parks of Kokořínsko, České Svýcarsko, Český ráj and Broumovsko. Many great walks among the sandstone rocks can be found in these regions. Special tip: search for the very best walks in these regions using the ‘Top Walks‘ filter.
• Curiously, though, one of the best sandstone rock labyrinths in the country falls outside these protected nature reserves, near the village of Sloup v Čechách, about half way between the larger towns of Nový Bor and Česká Lípa. The consequence is that the trails in these rocks are often quieter than in the more famous sandstone regions. However, the rocks are just as spectacular, and well worth a visit.
• There are several marked routes in the Sloup rocks making it a challenge to create a route that visits the best areas and viewpoints. The route shown in the map below is this author’s attempt to create a sensible tour which visits the main highlights. The first stop is the summer theatre, carved out of the rock in 1920, and still used for performances.
• The trail then heads over to the 14th century Svojkov rock castle before ascending along a sandstone cliff lined valley to reach the Modlivý důl pilgrimage site – a chapel carved out of the rock in the 18th century (see picture below). The return journey traverses the volcanic peak of Slavíček before circling around the central attractions of the Sloup rocks, including the Na Stráži viewing tower, the viewpoints overlooking Sloup castle and Samuel’s cave.
• The suggested route diverts to visit the centre of the village of Sloup – this is optional as the trail in the rock areas can be taken directly to Samuel’s cave and from there back down to the starting point (a car park/bus stop). However, a visit to the village is strongly recommended as there is an excellent café to visit – the Sloupská Terasa (map point 10). The café also serves excellent home made ice cream. The walk back through the village passes some very attractive 18th/19th century village houses.
• Although the route focuses on touring the rock areas, there is of course the unusual Sloup castle which can be visited in the same trip. This sandstone rock outcrop has been used since prehistoric times and although fortified in the Middle Ages, was converted in the 17th century to a pilgrimage site.
• The full route is around 10 km in length, with 380m of height to ascend/descend, some of which is quite steep. Visiting some of the viewpoints requires ascending and descending some moderately challenging rock steps. There are a variety of refreshment areas in addition to the café in Sloup village, including a snack bar at the Na Stráži viewing tower and two restaurants near Sloup castle.

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

• The route can be started from any point in or near Sloup village, but the U Sedmi trpaslíků trail junction is a good option with its free parking area and bus stops connecting with Nový Bor and Česká Lípa
• From U Sedmi trpaslíků join the GREEN trail heading towards Lesní divadlo, which is reached in 500m
• Continue on the GREEN trail for 1.5 km to reach Svojkov rock castle
• From Svojkov, join the RED trail heading to Modlivý důl, which is reached after 700m
• From Modlivý důl, continue on the RED trail for 2 km to reach the Na Stráži viewing tower
• Return back along the RED trail for 400m to the Nad křížkem junction and there join the GREEN trail heading towards Sloup
• After passing several viewpoints on the main trail, there is an optional detour to more viewpoints at the Sloupské vyhlídky junction (these are not really nicer than those on the main trail)
• Continue a further 500m on the GREEN trail to reach the Konvalinkový důl junction
• After a further 50m on the unmarked trail join the BLUE hiking path heading towards Sloup – pod zámkem, which is reached after 900m
• At the junction, join the YELLOW trail which leads back to Sloup castle (hrad)
• After 600m on this trail there is an option to divert to visit Samuel’s cave – it is signposted from the road (map point 11)
• The cave is located 550m up into the rock area along the BLUE trail
• Return back to the main road and continue along the YELLOW trail to reach Sloup castle and from there back along the road (and the side path) to the starting point