Hrubá Skála

Hrubá Skála Chateau is a castle and chateau complex on sandstone rocks in the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) in northern Bohemia, Czechia, about 6 to 7 kilometres southeast of Turnov, between the castles of Trosky and Valdštejn. Hynek of Valdštejn founded the castle in the 14th century, it became a Renaissance chateau in the 16th century, and in the mid-19th century it received its present neo-Gothic form.

Today the chateau is a hotel of the EA Hotels chain with a restaurant and spa. Above the moat there is a rope climbing park, and a lookout tower gives views of the rock formations. Whether and when visitors without an overnight stay may enter is something you should check beforehand.

For hikers, a circular route from the chateau works well: past the Adamovo lože viewpoint towards Valdštejn, back via U Lvíčka and the Bukovina arboretum. From the Mariánská vyhlídka viewpoint you see the chateau and, in clear weather, the tower on Ještěd. The viewpoints are rewarding but not always easy to find without a map or guide. Turnov or Jičín make good bases; the ruined castle of Trosky, about 15 kilometres from Turnov, is a good addition.