We had a beautiful Thursday off of school a couple weeks ago for a Czech holiday and we went for a 15 km hike (hence the marathon title) with a group of friends to an area called Cesky Raj (Chess-key Rye), which means Bohemian Paradise. 
We thought, for once, we should do something healthy instead of the normal gluttonous behavior :) Good choice! The Czech countryside was incredible with the lilac trees and the fields and fields of rapeseed that is brilliant yellow.
Cesky Raj is located about an hour or so out of Prague. The area is filled with forests, fields, castles, rock-formations, small lakes, you name it. 
And the forest reminded us a bit of being back home in the Northwest. 
One thing, though, that's very different from the Northwest were the three castles we ran into along the hike. Here's our first stop at Valdstejn Castle. 
It was built in 1260 and is considered the oldest castle in Cesky Raj.
The landscape around the castle was beautiful.
We thought, for once, we should do something healthy instead of the normal gluttonous behavior :) Good choice! The Czech countryside was incredible with the lilac trees and the fields and fields of rapeseed that is brilliant yellow.
Cesky Raj is located about an hour or so out of Prague. The area is filled with forests, fields, castles, rock-formations, small lakes, you name it. 
And the forest reminded us a bit of being back home in the Northwest. 
One thing, though, that's very different from the Northwest were the three castles we ran into along the hike. Here's our first stop at Valdstejn Castle. 
It was built in 1260 and is considered the oldest castle in Cesky Raj.
The landscape around the castle was beautiful.
And, you know that anytime I have an opportunity to climb on castle walls, I take it :)
I even convinced everyone else to climb up, too!
We continued walking through the beautiful forest.
And came to the Prachov Rocks, a famous "rock town" made of sandstone. It was breath-taking. 
It's very popular for rock-climbers & if you enlarge the picture you might be able to see a few of them making their way up...and there's one who's just made it to the top. 
We continued through the forest where there were lots more rock formations. 
And made our way to our next stop, Hruba Skala Chateau. 
The chateau is built on an the grounds of a 14th century castle, on a high cliff.
With spectacular views of the countryside... 
And the close-by rock formations and Trosky Castle in the distance.
Hruba Skala is a hotel now. It would make for a romantic & beautiful weekend getaway. Hint hint Cisco...if you're reading this.
We continued on through dense forest. 
And then we came upon a lovely lake. 
This was just before the landscape changed from forest to beautiful open fields. And there's our first close view of Trosky Castle ruins.
And we got an extra treat as the cherry blossoms were in bloom. 
We finally arrived at Trosky Castle (13 km from where we started). The castle doesn't have much more remaining but its 2 towers. 
But once again, the views were amazing.
A short stay at the castle then we walked our last 2 km.
We made it to the train station that would take us back to where the car was parked at the beginning of our journey.
And we had about 30 minutes to rest our feet and get a little sun before the train would come. We were tired, but it was a fantastic day!
I even convinced everyone else to climb up, too!
We continued walking through the beautiful forest.
And came to the Prachov Rocks, a famous "rock town" made of sandstone. It was breath-taking. 
It's very popular for rock-climbers & if you enlarge the picture you might be able to see a few of them making their way up...and there's one who's just made it to the top. 
We continued through the forest where there were lots more rock formations. 
And made our way to our next stop, Hruba Skala Chateau. 
The chateau is built on an the grounds of a 14th century castle, on a high cliff.
With spectacular views of the countryside... 
And the close-by rock formations and Trosky Castle in the distance.
Hruba Skala is a hotel now. It would make for a romantic & beautiful weekend getaway. Hint hint Cisco...if you're reading this.
We continued on through dense forest. 
And then we came upon a lovely lake. 
This was just before the landscape changed from forest to beautiful open fields. And there's our first close view of Trosky Castle ruins.
And we got an extra treat as the cherry blossoms were in bloom. 
We finally arrived at Trosky Castle (13 km from where we started). The castle doesn't have much more remaining but its 2 towers. 
But once again, the views were amazing.
A short stay at the castle then we walked our last 2 km.
We made it to the train station that would take us back to where the car was parked at the beginning of our journey.
And we had about 30 minutes to rest our feet and get a little sun before the train would come. We were tired, but it was a fantastic day!
1 comment:
Great pics, as usual! Where have you been? I need an update!
M
P.S. I tagged you (check my blog).
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