Adršpach-Teplice Rocks and Kuks

Nature Adventure Photography Historic
Suitable for photography

About the trip

9 hAdršpach rock city – dramatic sandstone towers & labyrinthAdršpach glacial lake & scenic forest walksKuks Baroque Hospital & Braun sculptures gardenGiant Mountains (Krkonoše) backdrop & sceneryPrivate car, licensed guide, ~6 hour trip

Some landscapes make you forget you’re in Europe. The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks is one of them — a surreal world of towering sandstone pillars, narrow slot canyons, hidden lakes, and wind-carved passages that feels more like a fantasy novel than a Czech day trip.

Stretching across northeastern Bohemia near the Polish border, this protected rock city (skalní město) is the largest sandstone formation in Central Europe. The rocks were shaped over millions of years by water erosion and frost, creating a maze of passages, natural arches, and monolithic towers that soar up to 100 metres above the forest floor. Walking through the main circuit takes you past landmarks like Lovers’ Rock (Milenci), the dramatic Rock Gate (Skalní brána), and the clear emerald lake at the heart of the formation, where swans glide between cliff walls.

On the way back, the route passes through Kuks — one of Bohemia’s most extraordinary baroque ensembles. Built in the early 18th century by the eccentric Count Franz Anton Sporck, the hospital, church, and pharmacy complex is lined with extraordinary sandstone sculptures by Matthias Bernard Braun, considered the greatest baroque sculptor of Central Europe. The allegorical figures of Virtues and Vices, carved directly into the rock face of the nearby Betlém forest, are unlike anything else in the country.

This is a day trip for those who love nature, art, and the unexpected. Few tours combine raw geological spectacle with baroque masterwork the way this one does.

You might also enjoy: Bohemian Switzerland, Bohemian Paradise, Liberec & Jested Tower.

Pricing: Car tour — price calculated per kilometre, stops, and waiting time. Vehicle: Hyundai Staria (up to 8 passengers). Admission to Adršpach-Teplice Rocks is not included (approx. 120–150 CZK per person). Entry to Kuks hospital is optional and separately ticketed.

Tips: Wear comfortable walking shoes — the rock circuit involves uneven terrain and narrow passages. The main loop at Adršpach takes 1.5–2 hours at a comfortable pace. Summer weekends can be busy; early departure from Prague (7:00–8:00 am) is recommended. The area is beautiful year-round, but spring and autumn offer the best light for photography.

Stops

Adršpach-Teplice Rocks 3 h

The Adršpach-Teplice Rocks (Adršpašsko-teplické skály) form the largest sandstone rock city in Central Europe — a protected nature reserve covering over 1,700 hectares. The main walking circuit winds through narrow gorges, past vertical rock towers (some exceeding 100 metres), under natural arches, and along the shores of the iconic Adršpach Lake. The path is well-marked but adventurous, passing through gaps barely wide enough for one person and over wooden bridges above small streams. For photography enthusiasts, the interplay of light and shadow in the narrow passages is exceptional. A smaller circuit in Teplice nad Metují, reachable by trail, offers more dramatic viewpoints and fewer visitors.

Kuks Baroque Complex 1 h

Kuks is one of Bohemia’s most underrated baroque treasures. The complex was founded in 1707 by Count Franz Anton Sporck as a combined spa resort, hospital, and pilgrimage site. What survives today is the extraordinary Hospital of the Holy Trinity, its church, a historic pharmacy (one of the oldest preserved in Central Europe), and the remarkable sculpture gallery in the surrounding landscape. The master sculptor Matthias Bernard Braun created 24 sandstone statues of Virtues and Vices that line the hospital terrace — and further into the nearby forest, his Betlém reliefs are carved directly into the living rock face. The Betlém is a short forest walk from Kuks and is not to be missed.

Total distance 363.5 km
Total trip time 8 h 38 min
Price 14 239 Kč

Price per vehicle with driver (max. 8 persons)

Frequently asked questions

Roadmap 2 | Úvodní strana

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