I looked up how to get there from Prague, since thats where I was staying. I came across a few helpful forums online so I jotted down some notes. I looked up how to get there on my own as well as on a tour. There is popular tour called Northern Hikes that cost $160 for a day trip there from Prague. Being the budgeting backpacker that I am, I was not going to pay that much. I knew i could do it for much less. Turns out, its really quite simple. Here are the details on spending a day hiking in Bohemian Switzerland from Prague.
Go to the ticket counter at the Prague Main Railway Station the day before
Get a second class roundtrip train ticket from Prague to Decin and back to Prague (costs around 14 euros total) You don't need a reservation, there will be seats available.
I recommend going as early as you can to beat the group of hikers and tourists (the first train is at 6:21am but you will have an open ticket so you can catch any trains there and back)
After buying your train ticket, go to the nearby train information counter and ask for them to print the train schedule to Decin and one for returning to Prague for your day of the trip
The train ride is anywhere between 1 hour and 25 minutes and 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on what train you catch.
Once you arrive at the Decin hl.n. (Main railway station), go to the information desk in the station. The lady was extremely helpful and printed off the bus schedules for me and gave me several maps. All for free. She told me exactly how to get there.
Go outside of the train station (its a small station so you can get really lost) and to the bus stop #2 that's right outside.
Wait for the green bus #434
Tell the driver (or show on your map) where you want to go. The bus costs 27kc. You pay the driver
The bus ride is about 20 to 25 minutes in the Village of Krensko.
I'd much recommend getting off at Menzi Louka, not getting off at Pravcicka Brana stop
I'd recommend hiking up to Pravcicka Brana first then taking the boats in the river due to the distance and the crowds.
The hike from Menzi Louka up to Pravcicka Brana is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours
There is a bar, restaurant, and free toilets up there to use. It cost around 3 euros for adults to enter the area at the top.
I'd recommend hiking the same path all the way back down to Menzi Louka
There are restaurants there if you'd like to eat something
Then, ask what direction the Kamenice Gorge river boats are (it can be a bit hard to realize where the path begins). This walk is about 30 to 40 minutes
Take the boat to the next boat. This costs 2.5 euros and takes around 15 minutes with a tour guide.
There is a small waterfall in the river which is why its broken into 2 boat trips.
You get off the first boat and walk about 20 minutes to the second boat.
Take that boat to its end. It costs 3 euros and take about 20 minutes,
Once the boat tour ends, get off and walk to the small town/main road nearby. The path only leads in one direction.
Cross the road and wait for the same green bus #434 back to Decin. There are restaurants near by if you want to eat and wait at them because the buses back are about every 1.5 to 2 hours, depending.
The bus costs 27kc and takes about 20 to 25 minutes to get back to the same bus stop at the Decin main railway station.
Catch the next train back to Prague with your return ticket. You use the same ticket that you used to get to Decin. The last train is at 8:09pm.
This adventure from Prague to Bohemian Switzerland costs less than 30 euros total and all the times would be the same timing as any organized tour.
I hope you enjoy it as much as i did. The hike is great with beautiful views and the river is like a fairyland. So next time you are in Prague, consider visiting Bohemian Switzerland!
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