Rock climbing in Czech Switzerland.

horolezectví České Švýcarsko

If you look for the Mecca of rock climbing in the Czech Republic, you will without doubt find it in Bohemian Switzerland. As early in the late 19th century, professor Karl Beck climbed the sandstone tower named “Fortress” or, after him, “Beckstein”, thus making the first climb in the territory of our country.

Many things have changed since then, and the Elbe Sandstones, which is the term used for the wider territory of Bohemian Switzerland, have become an ideal place for sandstone rock climbing. The rock towers and massifs in Bohemian Switzerland offer the best conditions for this sport, and climbers have established an emotional bond with the area, as we can see from the poetic names of the individual rock formations such as Nun, Throne, Sugar Loaf...

North of Ústí nad Labem, there are sandstone rock ranges Tisá, Rájec, Ostrov and Sněžník. In close surroundings there is an extensive area Elbe valley. Difficulty grades for climbing are displayed on sandstone qualification. MAP OF TISÁ SURROUNDINGS

Tiske steny

Large and very interesting area for rock-climbing. The height of towers and massifs reaches up to 30m. Very nice climbing mainly of wall character. Safeguarding - rings, pegs and slings. For more detailed information, to report planned or realized first time climbs contact the land agent Edita Vopatová, Email: edita.vopatova@nakovarne.com List of towers ,scales , number of paths.

difficulty	I - III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X
number of routes	279	171	296	265	546	142	69	9

Picture gallery Tiské stěny.

Rajec.

Rock area located near Tisá in the immediate vicinity of the border with Germany. Height of towers and massifs up to 30m. Place that offers beautiful climbing in peaceful environment where aren't many climbers or tourists. Character - hard sandstone, climbing of all types mainly walls though. Safeguarding - rings, pegs and slings. List of towers

difficulty	I - III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X
number of routes	80	68	64	55	130	18	6	0

Ostrov.

Significant rock climbing area 3km from Tisá. Rocks are here divided on east, south and west parts. Mainly long paths /up to 30m/. Hard sandstone mainly wall climbing. Safeguarding - rings, pegs and slings. List of towers

difficulty	I - III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X
number of routes	336	224	275	257	515	43	22	3

Decinsky Sneznik, Anglický parčík and Modřín.

Rock climbing of all types mainly wall climbing though. Hard sandstone. Significant boulder area.

difficulty	I - III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X
number of routes	10	3	10	12	24	0	0	0

Elbe valley.

Large rocky zone Elbe´s valley covers climbing-towers on both sides of river Elbe (Labe) between Decín and state border with Germany. Left bank of river Elbe - in this part there are 52 towers (among them several half-massives with high valley´s walls). The highest and fairest towers are in surrounding of Dolní Zleb there, other towers aren´t considerable enough - they are sinked in the wood and therefore very often wet. Access to towers is from railway-stations of CD (Czech railways) "Prostrední Zleb", "Certova voda" and "Dolní Zleb" on the track Decín-Dolní Zleb. To the towers nr. 51 and 52 is access from town quarter "Jaluvcí" - transport from Decín´s main station by town-bus. Possibility to camp by tower nr. 34 - by pond 250 m from this tower. In the rocks there is sufficiency of sources of spring water.

Right bank of river Elbe - much more valuable and much sought-after for climbers, it is treated the most significant zone of protected area "Elbe´s sandstones". Towers are characterized by high valley´s walls (as many as 80 m) with wide offer of long and worthy climbing ways. Sandstone is very consistent. Whole zone is part of protected area "Elbe´s sandstones". Access to towers is either from Elbe from bus-stations Podskalí, Dolní Zleb-ferry and Hrensko on the bus-track Decín-Hrensko-Vysoká Lípa or from above from bus-stations Bynovec and Labská Strán on the bus-track Decín-Labská Strán. Possibility to camp and bivouac in the neigbourhood (tower nr. 42). Sources of spring water are only in the middle part of valley.

difficulty	I - III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X	XI	XII
left bank	114	67	67	64	211	144	58	20	2	1
right bank	138	98	147	150	561	187	65	19	1	0

Hrensko

An important rock-climbing area Hrensko, which is situated in the heart of Czech-Saxon Switzerland, we divided into two extensive groups. Group "Soutesky" (Gorges) are made up of towers, which are disbanded in shoulders of breath-taking canyon of river Kamenice. Towers are from soft, partly breaking sandstone, (prohibition of climbing when the sandstone is wet) and they don´t attain large heights.This group is accessible from the road Hrensko-Mezní Louka and digression to Mezná (bus-stations Hrensko-Soutesky, Mezní Louka, Mezná), and from the road Ružová-Janov (bus station Janov-Hájenky).

Group of rocks "Pravcická brána" (Pravcická gate) are formed by towers dispersed in rocky ridges north of road Hrensko-Mezní Louka (bus stations Hrensko-Soutesky, Hrensko-Pravcická brána and Mezní Louka). Also there are towers from soft sandstone, which are prohibited in wet. Some of them reach considerable heights and their attraction is multiplied by unique natural scenery. Extensive visiting of gorges by tourists and hikers has negative impact on natural environment. We remind you of duty to observe visiting order of National park Czech Switzerland (and also Protected area Elbe´s sandstones). In this area there is educational path that provides deeper informations about natural interests. Camping is possible in camp by hotel Mezní Louka. Out of season is difficult access to Gorges, because they are closed (passage boat traffic). Sources of spring water are in the lower part of Suchá Kamenice valley.