Hřensko – sandstone gorges and paths along the Kamenice

Hřensko between the Elbe, Kamenice and sandstone

Hřensko forms a gateway to České Švýcarsko National Park. The town lies at the confluence of the Labe and Kamenice rivers, in a landscape with a large canyon of sandstone rock formations. At 115 m above sea level, Hřensko is the lowest-lying settlement in the Czech Republic. The cool conditions between the rocks allow mountain plants to grow despite the low elevation.

Pravčická brána and a distinctive landscape

Pravčická brána is Europe's largest sandstone rock arch. The arch is 16 m high and almost 27 m wide. Near Hřensko, the historic Sokolí hnízdo chateau stands by Pravčická brána and now serves as a restaurant and museum. This connects the landscape with a specific cultural destination.

Hiking trails with fixed reference points

The “Velký okruh okolím Hřenska” is a circular hike approximately 18 km long and begins at the Hřensko, nábřeží bus stop. On the red-marked trail from Hřensko, an approximately 2 km ascent begins at the Tři prameny crossroads. The “Okolím Hřenska” educational trail begins in the municipality of Hřensko and uses information boards to explain the forests, plants and sandstone of the Labské pískovce area. The different trail lengths provide practical guidance for planning a day trip.

Gorges along the Kamenice

From the upper edge of Hřensko, the trail first follows the left bank and then the right bank of the Kamenice, beneath rock overhangs and through three tunnels, to the lower boat landing. A 960 m section on the water is followed by a footpath along the left bank to Mezní můstek; from there, the trail can be continued to Divoká soutěska. Edmundova soutěska can only be entered and exited from Hřensko. Access is only possible with a guide: groups comprise no more than 25 people and depart hourly. Edmundova soutěska, also known as Tichá soutěska, opened in 1890 as the first developed section of the Kamenice gorges and was approximately 500 m long. Development work on the 250 m long Divoká soutěska was completed eight years after the opening of Edmundova soutěska.

Church and local history

The Baroque Church of Saint John of Nepomuk in Hřensko was built in 1786–1787. In front of it stands a statue of its patron saint dating from 1756.

Getting to Hřensko

From Schöna railway station on the opposite bank of the Elbe, you can take the ferry to Hřensko. Ferry F1 Schöna–Hřensko carries passengers and bicycles, is integrated into the Ústecký kraj transport system and operates under the unified DÚK fare system. Bus routes 434 and 438 connect Děčín with Hřensko and continue to Pravčická brána and Mezní Louka.

If you would like to extend your search to other places, you can also visit Jilove U Decina, Nová Chribská, Mikulášovice, Kytlice, Chřibská, Krasne Pole, Alt Ehrenberg and Jiříkov.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Děčín.