Bohemian Paradise from Prague 2026: Rocks, Castles, Hiking
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Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) is a landscape of sandstone rock towns and castles about 90 km north-east of Prague, and it works as a day trip. Turnov, the main gateway, is 1 h 5 min away by car and 1 h 48 min by train. In winter go for the rocks, not the castles: Prachov Rocks are open all year from 9:00 to 17:00 for 150 CZK, while Trosky, Valdštejn, Kost and Hrubý Rohozec closed for the season by 2 November. Until late November, part of the Prague–Turnov train line runs by replacement bus. Around Prague checked hours, prices and routes on official sites and timetables in IDOS on 2 November 2026.
What is Bohemian Paradise?
Český ráj lies between Turnov, Jičín, Mnichovo Hradiště and Sobotka. It is not a national park. It became the country's first Protected Landscape Area in 1955, and the wider Bohemian Paradise geopark covers 833 km² and belongs to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network. People come for three things: rock towns such as Prachov and Hruboskalsko, castles such as Trosky and Kost, and marked trails between them.
How to get to Bohemian Paradise from Prague
| To | How | Departures | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnov | R21 train from Prague main station | 7:22, 9:22 | 1 h 48 min, 135 CZK on 11 Nov |
| Turnov | Bus from Černý Most (metro B) | Saturday 7:25, 8:15, 9:15 | 50 min to 1 h 10 min |
| Jičín | Bus 405 from Černý Most | 7:05 weekdays, 7:00 Saturday | 1 h 20 min |
| Jičín | R10 and S21 trains via Nymburk | 7:14 weekdays, 8:14 | 1 h 59 min |
| Turnov by car | D10 motorway | any time | about 1 h 5 min, 89 km |
Times are for Wednesday 4 and Saturday 7 November 2026. Timetables change on 13 December 2026, so check idos.cz. The motorway needs a vignette.
- R21 engineering work: buses replace trains between Mladá Boleslav and Turnov. PID lists this until 22 November, Arriva's timetable until 27 November. The times above already include the bus. In Mladá Boleslav it stops on Nádražní street, about 200 m from the station building.
- Back to Prague: from Turnov, R21 at 16:42 and 18:42, reaching Prague at 18:31 and 20:31. On Saturday buses to Černý Most leave at 16:35, 17:35 and 18:35. From Jičín, bus 405 leaves at 15:37 and, on weekdays, at 17:37.
- Inside the region: the Turnov–Jičín railway stops at Karlovice-Sedmihorky (11 minutes from Turnov), Hrubá Skála (13), Ktová (21) and Rovensko pod Troskami (23). On Saturday, trains leave Turnov at 10:45, 12:45 and 14:45.
Bohemian Paradise walks: routes with distances
| Route | Distance | Time | Climb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prachov Rocks, yellow circuit | 1.5 km | 45 min | steps |
| Prachov Rocks, red circuit | 2.5 km | 1.5 h | steps |
| Prachov Rocks, green circuit | 3.5 km | 2 h | many steps |
| Sedmihorky, Hrubá Skála, Valdštejn | 10 km | 3 h | 228 m |
| Rovensko to Trosky | 10 km | 3 h | 285 m |
| Turnov, Hlavatice, Valdštejn, Hruboskalsko | 12 km | 4 h | 300 m |
| Sobotka, Plakánek valley, Kost, Sobotka | 13 km | 4 h | 150 m |
| Rovensko, Podtrosecká valleys, Sedmihorky | 14 km | 4 h | 288 m |
| Golden Trail: Libošovice, Trosky, Valdštejn, Turnov | 23 km | a full day | not listed |
Figures come from the official regional site and the Prachov Rocks operator. The Golden Trail (Zlatá stezka) is marked in red in this section and runs in seven day stages from Mladá Boleslav to Jičín. The regional site lists the Turnov walk among its winter tips.
Prachov Rocks and Hruboskalsko
Prachov Rocks (Prachovské skály) are the easiest choice in winter because the area stays open from January to December, and hours can change with the weather or visitor numbers. Tickets cost 150 CZK, reduced 100 CZK, from October to May and 200 CZK, reduced 150 CZK, from June to September. They are valid all day and you can pay by card. Parking costs 100 CZK. You must leave the trails by 20:00, and a blue-marked route for sturdy prams starts from the car park in Prachov village. The circuits lead to viewpoints such as the Bohemian Paradise viewpoint and the Peace viewpoint (Vyhlídka Míru).
Hruboskalsko sits between Turnov and Trosky. The Golden Trail follows the ridge past viewpoints such as Mariánská vyhlídka, and Hrubá Skála chateau, now a hotel, opens its courtyard and viewing tower to visitors. Parking is limited, so the regional site suggests leaving the car in Turnov and walking or taking the train.
Castles: what is closed now
| Castle | Adult ticket | Season | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trosky | 180 CZK | 2 April to 1 November 2026 | closed for winter |
| Valdštejn | 150 CZK | April to October, plus autumn holidays to 1 November | closed |
| Kost | 130–270 CZK, guided only | April to October | closed until spring |
| Hrubý Rohozec | 220 CZK | until 1 November | closed until 1 April 2027 |
Trosky has two towers on volcanic rock, Baba (47 m) and Panna (57 m), and you explore it without a guide. You can still walk to the foot of it in winter, but you cannot go in. Valdštejn, founded around 1260, is the oldest castle in the region. Dates for 2027 were not published on 2 November.
Open in winter: the Museum of Bohemian Paradise in Turnov opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:00 from October to April. Its minerals and gemstones are a good backup for a wet day.
Two day trips without a car
Rocks from Turnov, any day: take the 7:22 R21 to Turnov and walk the 12 km route to Hruboskalsko. Return from Hrubá Skála by train at 15:01 or 17:01 and change in Turnov. Times are for Saturday 7 November.
Prachov on a weekday: take bus 405 from Černý Most at 7:05 to Jičín, then bus 510 at 9:40 to Holín, Prachov, Skalní město. Walk the green circuit and return at 13:06 or 14:06, with bus 405 to Prague at 15:37. Bus 510 did not show up in IDOS for Saturday 7 November. At weekends take the train from Jičín to Jinolice and walk about 3.5 km on the green trail. The seasonal tourist bus runs only from 30 April to 30 September.
Rules and closed areas
- Stay on marked trails in nature reserves. Sokolka, Apolena and Starý hrádek – Javorový důl are closed to visitors.
- Drábské světničky has been closed for restoration. Reopening was planned for around autumn 2026, and we could not confirm it, so check first with Mnichovo Hradiště.
- Wear shoes with grip, as cut stone steps get slippery when wet.
Bohemian Paradise from Prague (FAQ)
Where is Bohemian Paradise?
In northern Czechia, about 90 km from Prague, around the towns of Turnov and Jičín.
Can you visit Bohemian Paradise as a day trip from Prague?
Yes. Choose one area: Hruboskalsko from Turnov or Prachov Rocks from Jičín. With a car you can see both.
Is Bohemian Paradise open in winter?
The rock towns and trails are. Prachov is open all year, but Trosky, Valdštejn, Kost and Hrubý Rohozec are closed.
How much are Prachov Rocks?
150 CZK for adults until 31 May and 200 CZK from June to September, plus 100 CZK for parking.
Is Bohemian Paradise a national park?
No. It is a Protected Landscape Area, and the wider area is a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Sources: Bohemian Paradise official site, restrictions, Geopark, Prachov prices, Prachov hours and access, Prachov routes, Trosky, Valdštejn, Kost, Hrubý Rohozec, Turnov museum, PID, Arriva R21, IDOS. Checked on 2 November 2026; confirm hours and timetables before you travel.
See also: Day trips from Prague: 17 ideas, Bohemian Switzerland day trip, 7 hiking trails in Czechia, 12 best castles in Czechia, Golden autumn in Czechia, Prague tours and day trips.
Photo: the towers of Trosky Castle in Bohemian Paradise. Tmv23, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Want more walking? See 8 hiking trails in Bohemian Paradise.
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