Peklo (The Hell) – National Natural Monument in the Czech Republic
Updated June 10, 2026 by europeexplored
The sound of the Robečský Stream grows louder as you descend into the steep, forested valley that locals call Peklo, or Hell. Despite the intimidating name, this national natural monument in the Czech Republic offers a landscape of serene beauty rather than damnation. Rocky cliffs rise on either side of the rushing water, carved by millennia into strange formations that catch the dappled forest light. A winding footpath follows the stream past small waterfalls and wooden footbridges.
Czech National Natural Monument called Peklo (means The Hell in English) stretches in 4 km wide area between the village of Zahrádky and the city of Česká Lípa, in the northern part of the Czech Republic. Peklo is situated in the valley, which is up to 60 meters wide in some parts. The rocky chasms are up to 35-45 meters high.
Peklo, The Czech Republic by RadekS
Peklo is a popular destination for tourists, geologists and botanists. The valley is rich in endangered plant species (e.g. spring snowflake, Primrose higher) and animals (e.g. eagle owl, kingfisher, river otter). Many tourists come here every spring to see the breathtaking spectacle that offers thousands of blooming snowflakes. In 1880, there was a plan to build a railway through the valley. Fortunately, the local club managed the construction of a bridge across the valley and saved this spectacular piece of nature. Today there is 24 meters high and 209 m long steel bridge with arches, which is also a technical monument. If you arrive by train across the bridge, you should notice the rock formations that resemble animals (eg, turtle, lizard). During the Thirty Years’ War, the Prussian-Austrian War or World War II, Peklo served as a refuge for the inhabitants of surrounding villages against the military units.
Through the Peklo valley leads very pleasant and not difficult hiking trail which is 4 km long. It is a narrow forest trail and contains several footbridges crossing the stream. You can even walk through the rock tunnel. At the southern end of the valley lies Karba settlement with houses sunk into the rocks.
How Peklo Got Its Name and the Geology of the Gorge
The name Peklo, meaning Hell in Czech, has nothing to do with fire or damnation. It comes from the Old Czech word peklo, which described a wild, remote, and hard-to-reach place, precisely the character of this steep-sided valley before tourism arrived. Local folklore offers a more colourful explanation: the devil himself was said to dwell in the deep pools of the Robečský Stream, dragging unwary travellers to their doom. The name stuck, and the valley has been known as Peklo for centuries, long before it became a protected natural monument and a popular hiking destination.
The geological story of Peklo is written in the sandstone and basalt of its cliffs. The valley cuts through the Ralsko Upland, a region shaped by volcanic activity 80 million years ago and subsequent erosion by the Robečský Stream. The layered sandstone walls display horizontal bedding planes that record ancient sea floors from the Cretaceous period, when this part of Europe lay beneath a warm shallow ocean. The darker bands visible in the cliff faces are basalt intrusions, remnants of volcanic vents that pushed through the sedimentary layers. The stream itself has carved a sinuous path through the softer sandstone, leaving behind the harder basalt pillars and rock towers that give the valley its dramatic topography. Interpretive panels along the trail explain these formations in Czech and English. The narrowest sections of the gorge, where the cliffs close in to just a few metres apart, create a natural echo chamber that amplifies the sound of rushing water.
Nearby Attractions in the Kokořínsko Region
Peklo lies within the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Area, a region of castles, sandstone towns, and other hidden valleys that reward extended exploration. The most famous attraction is Kokořín Castle, a 14th-century Gothic fortress perched on a sandstone ridge just 10 kilometres southwest of Peklo. The castle was restored in the early 20th century and retains its medieval character, with furnished rooms, a knight’s hall, and views across the forested landscape. A popular circular walking route connects Peklo with Kokořín Castle, following the Robečský Stream through the valley before climbing to the castle plateau. The entire walk covers about 12 kilometres and takes three to four hours at a relaxed pace.
Also worth visiting is the town of Mělník, 20 kilometres to the east, where the Vltava and Elbe rivers converge. Mělník is known for its wine production, and the cellars beneath the town hall offer tastings of the local white wines. The Mělník Château, with its 16th-century arcaded courtyard and panoramic river views, houses a regional museum. For a more unusual stop, the sandstone labyrinth at Kokořínský důl features narrow passages carved through the rock by wind and water, creating a natural maze that children find endlessly entertaining. The nearby village of Liběchov has a beautifully preserved Baroque château with an English-style park. Combined with Peklo, these attractions make the Kokořínsko region an excellent day trip from Prague, offering a mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage that remains remarkably uncrowded compared to other destinations within the same distance from the capital.
Would you dare to explore a place called Hell? 🌿
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