# Bohemian Switzerland: sandstone arches and river gorges

> 3-day road trip of about 146 km (91 mi) with 7 stops, from Prague to Hřensko. About 2 h 01 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b16-bohemian-switzerland/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 146 km (91 mi) with 7 stops, from Prague to Hřensko. About 2 h 01 min of driving in total. From Prague down the Elbe to Europe’s largest sandstone arch, the Tisá rock labyrinth and the boat gorges of the Kamenice.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 146 km (91 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 01 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Prague → Hřensko |
| Countries | Czechia |
| Updated | June 9, 2026 |

## Route description

Leave Prague north on route 9 to Mělník, about 40 km, where the château terrace looks over the meeting of the Vltava and the Elbe and the hillsides are planted with vines. From there follow the Elbe valley north through Litoměřice and Ústí nad Labem, or take the D8 motorway, which needs a Czech e-vignette, towards the German border.

Before dropping into Děčín, turn off to Tisá for the Tisá Rocks, a maze of sandstone towers with short loops that suit children. Děčín itself has a large château above the river and is the practical base for supplies. Route 62 then follows the Elbe gorge for 12 km to Hřensko, the lowest point in Czechia, squeezed between cliffs at the river’s edge.

Bohemian Switzerland National Park starts right behind Hřensko. Drive a few kilometres up the Kamenice valley to the Tři prameny car park and walk up to Pravčická brána, about an hour each way. The Kamenice gorges start at the edge of Hřensko. Since the 2022 fire, Edmund’s Gorge is open only for guided groups with daily limits, entered and left from Hřensko in a shorter summer-to-autumn season, while boats run in the Wild Gorge upstream from spring to autumn.

Parking in Hřensko is tight and paid, and the narrow valley road is not a place for long motorhomes at busy times; leave larger vehicles in the car parks by the Elbe. Parts of the park burned in 2022 and some trails may still be rerouted, so check the park website first. Spring and early autumn are quieter than summer weekends, when German day-trippers fill the lots.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Prague** (Czechia)
2. **Mělník** (Czechia)
3. **Tisá Rocks** (Tisá, Czechia): A labyrinth of sandstone towers and narrow passages above the village of Tisá, with short marked loops and easy viewpoints. There is a car park by the entrance and a small fee; allow one to two hours.
4. **Děčín** (Czechia)
5. **Pravčická brána** (Hřensko, Czechia): The largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, spanning about 26 metres in Bohemian Switzerland National Park. Walk up from the Tři prameny car park near Hřensko in about an hour; an entry fee applies and winter opening is limited.
6. **Edmund’s Gorge** (Hřensko, Czechia): A narrow gorge of the Kamenice river where boatmen pole flat boats between sheer sandstone walls. Since it reopened after the 2022 fire, visits are guided, in small groups with daily limits, entered from Hřensko; check the season before you go.
7. **Hřensko** (Czechia)

## FAQs

**How long is Bohemian Switzerland: sandstone arches and river gorges?**
3-day road trip of about 146 km (91 mi) with 7 stops, from Prague to Hřensko. About 2 h 01 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Bohemian Switzerland: sandstone arches and river gorges?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 01 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Bohemian Switzerland: sandstone arches and river gorges start and end?**
It starts in Prague and ends in Hřensko.

**Which countries does Bohemian Switzerland: sandstone arches and river gorges pass through?**
Czechia.