The Rock Town in Adrspach is the most popular attraction in the Broumov region, which means it is often very crowded. So we decided to explore the Adrspach surroundings a little more and find alternative routes where you can traverse the interesting rock formations.
These are much less crowded places, making it easier to travel with e.g. children or a dog. Therefore, by choosing our suggested route, you can make a contribution to combating the phenomenon of overtourism, i.e. when one place becomes the destination of thousands of tourists and is being trampled.
What is more, it may happen that on the chosen date tickets to Adrspach Rock Town is already sold out and it is not possible to go there. If this is the case, take a look at our list to find an interesting time in this Czech region famous for its rock formations.
At the end of this article you will find a map with the rock towns around Adrspach – see how close they are.
Ostas Rock Town Ostas - an extraordinary world of rock mazes
The first of our suggested free rock towns in the Adrspach area is Ostas Rock Town. It includes two labyrinths of varying degrees of difficulty. Each of them has narrow passages between which you have to squeeze.
The trail is rather easy with occasional more difficult climbs among the rocks. We walked it with 3-year-old Leos (half on foot / half in a hiking carrier) and 6-month-old Czarek in an ergonomic carrier.
There were a few complications with the carrier in the southern labyrinth, as some of the places were very steep or it was so narrow that we didn’t risk hiking further there with the little ones.
However, we think that the trail can be successfully completed mostly with children from 4-5 years old should be able to manage everywhere.
Krizovy Vrch near Teplice nad Metuji
Another very cool point on the map of Broumovsko is Krizovy Vrch with a trail leading to its summit. The trail starts in the village of Zdonov and leads not only through the rock formations near the top, but you can also see animal power rocks and druid stones.
The Way of the Cross takes the form of a route leading by wooden steps between rock formations, in which iron reliefs from the 17th century have been installed. So you have to do a bit of gymnastics, but it is not a particularly dangerous path, as 90% of the steps have handrails. At the end of the path, there is a beautiful viewpoint with a panorama of the surroundings and an iron cross from 1857 with statues of St. Anne, St. Joseph and St. Nepomuk.The entire Krizový Vrch area is, due to its form, a
very attractive location for climbers. A total of 153 crags and towers and more than 900 climbing routes of various difficulty levels have been described. Some of them are time-limited due to their proximity to bird nests, which are protected within the framework of the area’s membership of Natura 2000, which focuses on the protection of birds – mainly peregrine falcons and golden eagles.
Trail to Lokomotiva and the lookout tower on Mount Cap
The third free rock town where you can push your way through rock formations is the loop trail leading via Lokomotiva (Locomotive) to the lookout tower on Mount Cap. The entire trail measures approximately 12 kilometres.
The trail is more difficult than the previous ones and will require more strength to complete. It is also advisable to plan your time accordingly as it can be quite a challenge for a child. However, it is interesting because there is a lot going on. You pass narrow passages, rocky steps, viewpoints or stream crossings. In our personal opinion, this is one of the most interesting routes that can be done as an alternative to the Rock Town in Adrspach.
In addition, at the end of the route, right by the former castle, there is a black lake with rocks towering over it. On top of these, an old castle was once built, the ruins of which can still be seen today.
There is also a restaurant in the chateau next door, where you can enjoy traditional Czech cuisine.
Broumovské Steny - Koruna
The trail in Broumovské Steny (Koruna) was our first trail we completed in this area. We were walking from Pasterka and were surprised that there were hardly any tourists there. And the attractions offered by the trail to Korune are beautiful!
You will find wonderful rock formations in the form of a labyrinth somewhat reminiscent of our Błędne Skały. You will find there, among others, a rock called the duck or the camel.
Just behind the labyrinth are the cliffs that you may know from the Corner or Szczeliniec Wielki. This is a great viewpoint, and some of the secret paths take you to the edge of the cliff where you will literally have the whole world under your feet.
The end of the trail is the summit of Koruna, which is an overhanging rock shelf with a small platform. From there you will see beautiful views of our Polish Sudetes and you will be able to see, for example, Szczeliniec Wielki. It is also worth swinging on the iconic swing near the summit located in one of the trees. We were very unlucky, because someone broke it…
The whole route is rated as medium with occasional harder climbs. However, the trail will provide you with a lot of excitement and you will certainly enjoy it.
If you are a persistent hiker and would like to extend your route, you can also go further to Hvezda with its unique little church with star-shaped foundations.
A little-known trail literally 500 m from Rock town Adrspach
If the lines to the Adrspach Rock Town scare you, or you haven’t managed to buy a ticket for the hour you want, you can take the little-known trail next to the Adrspach Rock Town.
Apart from the fact that you won’t have to wade through crowds of people, you will have unique views all to yourself.
The trail is located about 500 metres from the main entrance to Rock Town and leads in a loop shape for about 2.6 kilometres, which should take no more than an hour to complete. Of course, you will probably spend more time there, as the trail offers beautiful views of the Rock Town and Adrspach, as well as the mountain with the old castle on top.
Part of the trail takes you up a wooden staircase, and you have to climb a steep staircase to the viewpoint. The views from the summit are very extensive and will certainly encourage you to stay there for longer. The cliff at this point is protected by railings.
As we mentioned earlier, we hardly met a single tourist here. The trail itself seems to be deserted in some places, but it gives you a lot of freedom to explore, especially if you visit as we did with children and a dog.
Travelling across Czech Republic by car - don't forget about vignettes
For us, Czech Republic is a country we always remember well and love to travel there by car. Fortunately, from Lower Silesia it is really close, but those who plan to come here from other parts of Poland must remember that in the Czech Republic there are toll road sections where it is necessary to purchase a vignette.
The most convenient way to buy vignettes before you leave is online, for example on one of the websites such as this one: vignettes Czech Republic. This will streamline your driving and take away any stress or hassle caused by the hassle of looking for vignettes on the road. Make sure you are well acquainted with the traffic regulations in the countries you will be passing by.
It is also important to make sure that your car is well-equipped and in good working order before you leave. Remember to bring a tow rope, reflective waistcoats, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a warning triangle. A valid identity card or passport are also documents you should have. It is worth paying attention to the things we have mentioned. They will help you avoid heavy fines during your trip and allow you to enjoy it carefree and collect vivid memories.
Interactive map of free rock towns as a great alternative to the Adrspach rock town
As we wrote at the beginning of this article, we include a map of five free Czech rock towns located in the Broumovsko region of Czech Republic. Our suggestions are a great alternative to the much-trafficked Rock Town of Adrspach, so if you don’t like squeezing through crowds of people taking photos at every turn, you are more than welcome to use our suggestions.
