Itinerary

• Day 1
  Prague - Klecany - Melnik (13 km / 8 miles, elevation gain 150 m)

  This tour starts in Prague, the “city of a thousand spires” on the Vltava River, the main tributary of the Elbe. After meeting our representative/guide in your hotel you will get a thorough briefing followed with a short car transfer to Stromovka Park, a former royal game reserve. Crossing the Vltava, you can visit the Baroque Troja Palace or the extensive Botanical Gardens with their magnificent Fata Morgana Greenhouse, and the vineyards covering the hill above the palace. An easy trail then follows the river winding its way out of the city in a narrow valley. The final short climb takes you to the village of Klecany for a car transfer to Melnik, the main wine growing center in Bohemia. Melnik’s castle looks out over confluence of the Vltava and Elbe rivers, and the view goes down well with the wine in its cellar…

  Overnight in Melnik.

• Day 2
  Melnik - Kokorin - Litomerice (14 km / 9 miles, elevation gain 290 m)

  After a short transfer to Libechov chateau you can start today’s walk in its park with fascinating statues and carvings by romantic-era sculptors. The trail continues on gently rolling terrain through the Protected Landscape Area Kokorinsko, hiding the Czech version of Mount Rushmore – sandstone sculptures of Devil Heads. The easy walk ends with a short ascent to Kokorin Castle, a romantic reconstruction of a medieval fortress, from where you get a car transfer to Litomerice, the bishop’s seat with superb architecture including the Baroque cathedral and Gothic houses, a jewel of the Bohemian region.

  Overnight in Litomerice.

• Day 3
  Litomerice - Varhost - Decin (12 km / 7.5 miles, elevation gain 590 m)

  Today’s trail leads directly from the town center uphill through the woods and fields to Varhost Hill (639 m / 2,096 ft). Its 15-meter-high observation tower offers a 360-degree view of the picturesque countryside. From the top you can spot the Elbe River and its meanders in eight different places. From the hillside you will be transferred to Decin, a riverside town dominated by a castle with the Rose Garden.

  Overnight in Decin.

  An alternative or additional trip can take you from Litomerice to Terezin and back (easy 10 km walk) – originally the 18th century fortress, during WWII turned into Jewish ghetto and transit camp for Nazi prisoners en route to extermination camps, now a memorial to those who suffered here.

• Day 4
  Decin - Hrensko (21 km / 13 miles, elevation gain 440 m)

  The longest hike of the tour begins with a climb from the city center to the top of the bluff overlooking the Elbe River. From there it is a lovely trek along a trail that offers many magnificent views of the river and the cliffs along it before you go down a forested canyon. Your hike ends at your hotel in the town of Hrensko, the gateway to the Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland National Park, known for its incredible landscape where over millions of years the river Elbe has carved intricate formations in the sandstone.

  Overnight in Hrensko.

   

• Day 5
  Hrensko - Pravcicka Stone Arch - Bad Schandau (18 km / 11.5 miles, elevation gain 460 m)

  The impressive landscape of spectacular sandstone rock formations, narrow passes, rocky viewing platforms and green woods will take you up to the largest natural stone arch in Europe, the Pravcicka Gate, the icon of the Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland National Park. On your descend back to Hrensko you will go down into deep and mysterious canyon of the Kamenice River. At the end of your day you will catch a steamboat that takes you to Bad Schandau in Germany, a lovely riverside spa town.

  Overnight in Bad Schandau.

• Day 6
  Bad Schandau - Schmilka - Bad Schandau (12 km / 7.5 miles, elevation gain 480 m)

  A morning steamboat ride will take you to the trailhead in the German border town of Schmilka. You have one steep climb at the start; the rest of the day is a pleasant stroll through the forest, with the great river valley on the left side and the stacks and towers of rock on your right. At the end of your walk enjoy a ride down from the bluff in the historic elevator; later you might even want to go for a swim in the pool of the local spa.

  Overnight in Bad Schandau.

• Day 7
  Bad Schandau - Kurort Rathen - Dresden (5 km / 3 miles, elevation gain 270 m)

  Morning car transfer will take you to explore the most popular site of Saxon Switzerland National Park – Grosse Bastei (Big Bastion). After a steep climb you will be rewarded by a fabulous view of the Elbe River and the surrounding cliffs and villages. After a ferry ride to the opposite river bank you will be transferred to Dresden. No visitor to Dresden should miss the Zwinger Pavilion, The Frauenkirche Church, the Semper Opera House or the Royal Palace.

  Overnight in Dresden.