Panská skála is the best known and most visited geological reserves in the Czech Republic. This natural formation is known also to geologists abroad. The rock is often called the “organ” because the five and six-sided columns of up to 12 meters long look like the structure of organ pipes. Its current appearance got Panská skála by mining, which took place here until 1948. This high quality basalt was exported to the Benelux countries, where they used it to build the dam.

In 1953 Panská skála became National Natural Monument. Under the rock there is a small lake, which was created after the mining and is filled with rainwater. The summit offers a stunning view of the The Lusatian Mountains (in Czech Lužické hory) and of the National Park of Czech Switzerland (České Švýcarsko).

At the foot of the rock there is the Marian Column, which was built in 1739 in memory of two people who froze to death here.

You can find similar formations in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, named Giant’s Causeway.

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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.

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Ant-hill in Natural Park Šebeň, The Czech Republic by Huhulenik

The Natural Park Šebeň is composed entirely of forest land. And although there are a number of villages located throughout the park, they are scattered throughout the 133 hectare parcel. These villages include the Jívoví, Dobrá Voda, Radenice as well as Cyrilov.

According to the scientists and naturalists in charge of operating the Natural Park Šebeň and observing the ant population, there is more than 900 million ants that live within the park boundaries. Likewise, at any given time there are more than 1400 anthills; roughly 10 per hectare. There are so many ants, that it is possible for a new hill to be created in a single day’s time. To make things even more interesting, it is not uncommon to see hundreds of Queen ants in a single anthill.

And while there is much more to the Natural Park Šebeň than just the ant population, the vast majority of visitors to the region specifically make their way to the park for the ant experience. So popular is the ant tourism industry in the region, that a specialized ant trail has been opened in the park, which provides you with up close and personal access to the ant population, as well as offers a smorgasbord of information about the different types of ant species that populate the Park.

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Several places on the river are popular destinations for recreation and canoeing in the Czech republic. The most recommended part started from Suchdol – Majdalena – Stará řeka (Old river) – Lužnice but there are also other great parts suitable for canoeing.

The river is ideal for beginners and suitable for a family holiday. The river flows slightly, the dangerous can be just silty or fallen trees, which you must outflank, and thus slows down a ride. However if you want to experience a romantic vacation in nature, just go to Lužnice.

We recommend you to start in Suchdol early morning (9:00-10:00am) and then – after a daytrip (11.5km) – stay in a campsite at Majdalena. The following day start again early in the morning and ride down through the most beautiful part of the river (protected areas + large lake) to another campsite in Lužnice (22km). Here you can stay for another night or return your canoes. However if you have more days available, you can continue on the water trip in the morning. Be aware that those two camps are the only here, so do not miss them!

Staying in the camp-sites are very cheap (1Eur/person + 1Eur/tent) but do not expect Italian or Austrian luxury. For the canoeing you could need to rent a canoe, barrel for your wears and personal stuff, safety vest and paddles of course. You can rent it really cheap (approx. 10Eur/day) from one of the following rental services:

Veronica https://www.pujcovna-lodi-raftu.info/luznice/ (in czech only)

Dušan Jakubec https://www.pujcovna-lodi.com/ (in czech only)

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