The Elbe River carves a massive canyon through the basalt rocks of the Ústí nad Labem region. You are looking at the cone shaped hills of old volcanoes that dot the landscape like green pyramids. The most famous is the sandstone gate of Pravčická Brána which stands as a natural bridge in the heart of the forest. The terrain is rugged and dramatic with sharp cliffs overlooking the water. You can stand on the lookout at Belvedér to see the river cutting deep into the sandstone plateau below. The rock formations in the Bohemian Switzerland area look like a city made of giant stone towers.
Industrial history has left a massive mark on the landscape through huge open pit mines. These areas are now being turned into massive lakes and recreation zones for a new era. You can visit the thermal springs of Teplice or explore the dark history of the Terezín fortress. The Krušné Mountains provide a high rocky wall to the north with many old mining tunnels to find. Drive to the top of the Milešovka mountain to see a panorama of the volcanic peaks stretching toward the horizon. The dark basalt columns of the Lord’s Rock look like a giant pipe organ made of stone.
This is a land of massive scale and extreme transformations. You can hike through narrow stone cracks in the Tisa rocks or drive along the high ridges of the Ore Mountains. The contrast between the industrial valleys and the wild sandstone cliffs is striking. It offers a bold look at how the earth can be shaped by both nature and human hand. Small mountain huts serve smoked meats and local beer to tired hikers at the end of a long trail. The ferry rides across the Elbe offer a unique perspective on the massive rock walls that guard the river valley.
Ústí nad Labem (region) highlights
- Pravčická Brána: The largest natural sandstone arch in Europe is the iconic symbol of the Bohemian Switzerland road trip route. The road leading to the park passes through deep canyons and under massive hanging rock walls.
- Elbe Canyon View: Stand on the Belvedér terrace to see the river cutting deep into the sandstone plateau hundreds of meters below. This Elbe canyon scenic drive offers some of the most dramatic river vistas in the entire country.
- Panská Skála: These basalt columns look like a giant pipe organ made of stone and were formed by ancient volcanic activity. It is a unique geological site located right next to the road for a very easy photo stop.
- Děčín Castle: This fortress sits on a rock above the river and features a unique long access road carved into the stone. The rose garden and the views of the river boats make it a very pleasant afternoon break.
- Tisa Rocks: A labyrinth of sandstone towers and narrow cracks that was used as a filming location for fantasy movies. You can walk among the stone giants and see the distant peaks of the Ore Mountains.
- Milešovka Peak: Known as the windiest mountain in the country, it offers a 360 degree view of the volcanic peaks of the central uplands. The road to the base passes through a landscape of perfect cone shaped hills.
- Házmburk Castle Ruins: Two dark basalt towers sit on top of a lonely hill and are visible from almost anywhere in the southern part. It is a steep walk but the panorama of the river valley is well worth the effort.
- Kamenice Gorge: Take a boat trip through a narrow canyon where the rock walls are covered in green moss and waterfalls. The area is quiet and cool providing a perfect escape from the summer heat of the valley.
- Terezín Fortress: This massive eighteenth century military town has a dark and moving history as a wartime ghetto and prison. The red brick walls and underground tunnels offer a very deep and educational stop for visitors.
- Záluží Open Air Museum: Discover the rural life of the Ore Mountains in this small village of traditional timbered and stone houses. The local roads wind through misty meadows and high altitude forests near the northern border.
The local Four
History of Ústí nad Labem (region)
The Ústí nad Labem region is defined by the mighty Elbe river which has carved the deepest sandstone canyon in Europe through the heart of the region. This dramatic gateway was once the primary trade route into the northern lands where boatmen navigated the dangerous currents under the shadows of high volcanic peaks. The ruins of Střekov castle still stand guard on a basalt crag looking down at the river that has shaped the history of the north for a millennium.
Beyond the river cliffs the landscape tells a story of industrial power and the raw beauty of the volcanic uplands. The Ore Mountains were once the silver and tin mine of Europe providing the wealth that built the grand cities of the middle ages and the industrial centers of the nineteenth century. Today these mountain ridges offer rugged scenic drives through a terrain that is slowly being reclaimed by nature after centuries of intense human activity.
The Ústí nad Labem region is a place of stark contrasts where the massive natural stone arches of Bohemian Switzerland sit just a few miles away from historic industrial sites. It is a land of hidden rock cities and misty mountain plateaus that feel completely separate from the rest of the country. A road trip here is an exploration of the power of nature to create monuments of stone and the power of humans to transform the earth itself.