The best hiking routes in CHKO Labské pískovce

CHKO Labské pískovce is defined by its massive sandstone formations, deep pine forests, and dramatic canyon landscapes. Unlike high alpine regions, this protected area offers a maze of vertical rock towers, narrow ravines, and flat-topped mesas rather than sweeping grassy ridges. The terrain transitions sharply between dry, pine-scented sandy tracks on the higher plateaus and damp, mossy gorges where the air remains cool. Underfoot, walkers will mostly encounter soft sand, exposed tree roots, and stone steps carved directly into the bedrock.

The landscape reveals its geological history through the sheer rock faces and deep fissures that you pass along the trails. Wind and water have eroded the soft Cretaceous sandstone over millions of years, leaving behind characteristic honeycomb weathering patterns on the cliffs and isolated rock pillars that rise straight out of the forest canopy. In the dampest ravines, ferns and thick mosses cover the ground, contrasting with the sparse, hardy birches clinging to the exposed, dry clifftops.

While the most famous lookout points and rock bridges draw larger crowds, especially during the peak summer months, the vast network of marked trails allows for quieter walks in the deeper forested valleys. Walkers should expect steep climbs assisted by iron ladders and chains in some of the narrower gorges, alongside level paths that follow the natural contours of the sandstone terraces.