Besedice: Rocks, Vistas and Historical Traces

Besedice combines an impressive sandstone landscape with marked trails and historical traces. If you are looking for a place where nature observation, scenic views and culture come together, turn your attention to the Besedické skály and their individual rock formations, gorges and viewpoints.

Sandstone Rocks and Vistas

Besedické skály are a labyrinth of sandstone rocks and scenic viewpoints. The main group of rocks is called Chléviště. The Sluj of the Exile Václav Sadovský ze Sloupna is also located in this area. Another prominent viewpoint is the well-known Husníkova vyhlídka: From here, you can look out over the Jizera Valley.

A yellow-marked circular trail provides orientation through the rocky landscape. It leads through the most important areas of the Besedické skály natural landscape. The Kolem Besedických skal circular trail begins at a car park in Besedice. This allows you to start your exploration at a specifically designated starting point and distinguish between a circular trail and other marked routes.

Chapel and Traces of the Bohemian Brethren

The chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk stands in the village square of Besedice. It is a masonry chapel with a bell tower. It was built by local neighbours and is also regarded as a folk monument to the local masonry and stoneworking tradition from the second half of the 18th century. The chapel thus connects a specific place in the village with an insight into the region’s architectural and craft history.

Further historical sites are located in the rocky landscape. Secret services of the Bohemian Brethren were held at Svatyně Kalich during the Counter-Reformation. At U Kalicha, an altar with a carved chalice and the year 1634 is situated amid five rocky gorges. These details make the trails through Besedické skály an opportunity to discover historical testimonies that are directly connected with the rocks.

Hiking and Cycling in Besedice

The Zlatá stezka Českého ráje hiking trail passes through Besedice. For planning a hike, this provides another specifically named route in addition to the yellow-marked circular trail through Besedické skály. If you prefer to travel by bicycle, a marked cycling route passes the chapel in Besedice, runs via Michovka and continues to Zbirohy. In the Jizera Valley, this cycling route connects with the Greenway Jizera trail.

Important Information for Your Visit

Besedické skalní město is not accessible to wheelchair users or with prams. If you are travelling with a pram or require a wheelchair-accessible environment, you should take this limitation into account when planning your excursion. For all other considerations, the starting points, circular trails, viewpoints and cultural-historical sites help you explore the character of Besedice in a focused way.

For the general travel overview: Koberwald.