Hike through the rocks of Hruboskalsko

As well as during the walk from Hrubá Skála to the castle Wallenstein awaits you also during this hike first about 200 meters walk along a narrow road. From the crossroads then continue on through the forest along the yellow tourist trail. Just a little farther is the first outlook place – Castle outlook (“Zámecká vyhlídka”), from where is a nice view of castle Hrubá Skála. But anyway, just a little farther is the outlook even nicer.
 

Marian outlook that is in front of you, is definitely one of the three most beautiful in Hruboskalsko. You will see from here not only the peaks of Dragon rocks (“Dračí skály“) as is this part of the rock town called, but also castle Hrubá Skála and typical silhouette of the Bohemian Paradise on the horizon – Trosky (“The Ruins”).

From the Marian outlook is also nice view to Ještědsko-Kozákovský ridge, which is separated from the Bohemian Paradise by broad valley of river Libuňka.

In the west direction stick out of the woods „abandoned“ nice rock tower named Skull (“Lebka“)  and far away on the horizon landmark of Liberec – Ještěd.
 

Before you descend along the stairs to the Symbolic cemetery for climbers, you can have a walk for a few meters to the unmarked outlook point of rock towers, Ještěd and Kozákov. You will see from this perspective that the „Skull“ (“Lebka”), which seemed from the Marian outlook (“Mariánská vyhlídka”) abandoned, is in fact not so abandoned.

 

You will get to the Symbolic cemetery for climbers by walking down the long staircase. You can expect a lot of them during this hike.
 

Symbolic cemetery for climbers is a sacred place, which commemorates the climbers who died not only in the Czech rock towns, but also during various expeditions over the high mountains around the world.
 

Walk down to the bottom of rocks from Symbolic cemetery. Here is a large gritty place called Sahara. There is also a small climbing rock for children and amateurs and above it two towers – February (“Únorová”) and Duranga.
 

From Sahara awaits you the least interesting part on this hike – you'll descend through the woods without any nice views to the intersection of hiking trails. Here connects blue trail leading from spa Sedmihorky, an alternative entrance into Hruboskalsko. There are a number of springs – Anton’s, Barbora´s and Joseph´s (pictured), where you can safely drink.
 

Only a short distance from the springs is a intersection of paths at Smíchous pond. Here you leave the yellow tourist trail leading then along narrow road directly to the castle Wallenstein (“Valdštejn“) and head then along the blue trail. You can expect about a half hour walk through Hruboskalsko's roc­ky town. Directly above you will tower also famous Bandleader (“Kapelník”) and other rocks. You might appreciate in many places, if the forest was a little more cut and the views of rocks were better. You will have to bend your head many times to see the tops. From the main path turn a lot of paths to individual towers and you will certainly meet here some climbers.
 

On the top of one ascent awaits you the passage of the gorge and descend again – the path leads up and down.
 

Stairs on this path will really test your fitness. This route is not really suitable for people with joint problems.
 

At the famous rock Devil's hand (“Čertova ruka“) is also a footpath that connects blue and yellow tourist trails. From there awaits you the longest ascent up to the beautiful John's outlook (“Janova vyhlídka”).
 

You are rewarded for the long ascent by truly beautiful view over the towers in this rock town. The outlook is mainly of the part called Lighthouse (“Maják“), including the Devil's hand (“Čertova ruka“).
 

From John´s outlook (“Janova vyhlídka“) it is only a short walk to the intersection of paths, where leads red trail connecting comfortably Hrubá Skála with castle Wallenstein („Valdštejn“), so you can go back the other way.