Or in Paradise, it just has to be beautiful
This time we went to the PLA Kokořínsko-Máchův Kraj, specifically to the village Ráj. This location is not only a prototype of picturesqueness, but also a very good starting point for hiking.
In Paradise
Our journey begins in the village of Paradise, where it is possible to park. The village is largely made up of beautiful half-timbered houses.
Olešno
From Ráj, we set off along the yellow tourist sign, which will take us to the village of Olešno. This small village in the middle of nowhere is rightly declared a village monument reserve, as beautiful log cabins and a cute village square give this place an unmistakable atmosphere.
Homesteads
The yellow hiking trail leads us through the forest, around the rocky ravines to the crossroads of Zbrázděný vrch, where there are three separate homesteads. Here we turn onto a green hiking trail to the valley of the White Rocks.
White Rocks Valley
The romantic valley with sandstone rocks of a lighter color, after which the valley is named, has a truly unique atmosphere.
White rocks settlement
Whoever walks through the valley of the White Rocks can not be surprised that the hikers chose him for their settlement. The settlement of Bílé skály was founded in 1958 and to this day there is a regular September rampage. The atmosphere of the local place is enhanced by the memory of grandparents who regularly took part in the local crowd and uncle with friends who are even local „settlers“. In the settlement there is not only a campfire, but also totems and a well.
Konradovska studanka
The green sign takes us to the village of Konrádov, where it copies the road for a short section and then turns between the houses. Here we come across Konrádovská studánka. The well is roofed and nicely repaired, the local water is drinkable after boiling.
Konrád Castle
We also stop at a rock formation called „Petrified Castle“. An unknown castle was built on a pair of sandstone blocks connected by a wooden bridge. The first block shows a carved room with a ruined rock vault. On the second block there are visible traces of fixing the bridge. After climbing the rock formation, you can admire the view of the landscape.
Laka Farm
We leave the green sign at the crossroads Pod Drnclíkem, where we change it to a red one back to the village of Ráj. After a while we pass the corrals with horses and also the local farm Laka.
PR Kokořínský důl
The red sign will take us back to the village of Paradise. All the time we moved either inside or on the border of the Kokořínský důl nature reserve, which is characterized not only by unique rock formations, but also by wetland communities and a number of protected plants and animals.