Adršpach-Teplice Rocks – How to Visit the Czech Republic’s Rock City (2026)!

One of the most magical and underrated places to visit in the Czech Republic is Adršpach-Teplice Rocks.

It’s a national reserve on the Czech-Polish border unlike anywhere I’ve been before. 

You can hike on trails between lush trees to find all sorts of colourful lakes, waterfalls and rock formations that reach heights of over 80 metres!

I visited as part of a day trip from Wroclaw and had a whimsical time. This rock city was like something plucked from the pages of a fairytale. 

Here is how to visit Adršpach-Teplice Rocks in the Czech Republic with tips for buying tickets and park highlights. 

What are Adršpach-Teplice Rocks?

Adršpach-Teplice Rocks Nature Reserve is a gorgeous park in the Czech Republic with thousands of tall rock towers.

It’s estimated that the park is over 89 million years old and used to lie at the bottom of a prehistoric ocean. 

It’s affectionately nicknamed a ‘rock city’ and the tallest formation, The Lovers, reaches a height of over 81 metres.

It gained popularity with tourists in the 18th century during the Romantic era. Famous visitors such as the German poet Goethe fell in love with it.

Today, it’s a protected area filled with magical forest trails, waterfalls, lakes and breathtaking panoramas which leave a lasting impression. 

You have to visit this enchanting City of Rocks if you’re travelling to the Czech Republic or the south of Poland.

Chronicles of Narnia filming location

Fans of the Chronicles of Narnia will also love visiting Adršpach Rocks, as this was a filming location.

In the first movie, you see this rock city when Mr Tumnus is escorting Lucy to his house. 

The movies may have come out over twenty years ago now, but they never fail to fill me with enchantment and wonder.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is still one of my all-time favourite stories. So, visiting this place felt surreal. 

How to visit Adršpach Rocks in the Czech Republic

Adršpach-Teplice Rocks is a reserve located in the north of the Czech Republic, just 10 minutes from the south-west Polish border.

You can visit the rock city on a road trip from Prague, and the journey will take just over 2.5 hours depending on traffic. 

You could also base yourself in Trutnov and take a local train from here if you’re travelling by public transport.

From Wroclaw in Poland, the journey will take around 2 hours to drive. But you can also take a direct train or book a guided tour (more below).

If you plan to drive, remember to purchase a parking ticket at the same time you buy your entry tickets for 180 CZK.

Wroclaw to Adršpach day trip

Did you know that you can visit Adršpach-Teplice Rocks from Poland? It’s easy to do as it is right on the Polish-Czech border.

I actually visited from Wroclaw as part of a day trip. There’s a direct train that runs from Wroclaw to Adršpach on the weekends. 

Seats are unreserved, so I would be at the station well in advance of departure to get a seat and avoid standing.

It is an early wake-up call as it leaves from Wroclaw Główny at around 7 am, with the journey taking just under 3 hours.

It will drop you at Adršpach Station, which is right outside the main park entrance. 

There’s also a return service at 6 pm that gets you back to Wroclaw at 8.30 pm. It’s a long day out but so worth it to see this magical Rock City.

Why not book a guided tour?

If you’re not driving and would rather not figure out public transport, some guided tours run from Wroclaw and Prague.

Here are some of the top recommendations:

Highlights of Adršpach-Teplice Rocks

There are endless attractions to see in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks Nature Reserve.

You’ll visit most of them on the main tourist circuit, which will take around 3 hours to complete.

There are also additional trails you can add on, like Pìskovna Lake and the Wolf Gorge. 

Here are all the highlights and magical things to do in Adršpach Rocks. 

1. Pìskovna Lake Circuit (1.5 km)

You can start your visit to Adršpach Rocks with a hike around Pìskovna Lake, which is a 1.5-kilometre scenic loop trail.

The lake is man-made and was formerly a sand quarry that was flooded to create a large body of crystal-clear water in the centre. 

Of course, you can skip this part of the trail and head to the main tourist loop if you prefer.

But I loved it and thought it was worth the added time exploring. The vivid colour of the turquoise water was like something from a fairytale. 

There were also beautiful reflections you could capture when the water was still.

2. Main Tourist Circuit (3.5 km)

After you’ve completed the lake loop trail, you’ll seamlessly merge into the Main Tourist Circuit, which is approximately 3.5 kilometres.

It will take you on a big loop around all the most notable rock formations and highlights of the reserve. 

This trail has a mix of flat gravel paths, wooden boardwalks, and steep staircases. But it’s nothing too exerting. 

A part of the trail is wheelchair/pushchair accessible from the entrance to the Small Waterfall. But then you must turn back.

The last part of the main circuit has many steep staircases to manoeuvre towards the exit barrier. So, only do this part if you’re walking.

This circuit will take you around 2.5-3 hours to complete, depending on your speed. 

Add some more time if you love taking photos. It’s hard not to get distracted by these mesmerising views!

3. Gothic Gate

A little while after you’ve started the Main Tourist Circuit, just beyond the Sugar Loaf, you’ll encounter the incredible Gothic Gate.

I’m not going to lie, this magical portal was the reason for my visit to Adršpach Rocks.

It looks like something from The Lord of the Rings or a gate from a dark fantasy world.

This was built in 1839 by Ludvík Karel Nádherny and was the original entrance gate for the park.

It’s a very popular part of the trail, and you’ll find people getting photographs here all day. 

You may need to wait in a queue or have some patience to get photos and videos without people. 

4. Rock Town 

After you enter the Gothic Gate, it’s like a portal that transports you to the fairytale world of Rock Town. 

You’ll walk on wooden boardwalks between narrow stone crevices with tall and twisted rock formations on either side of you. 

This part of the trail is utterly breathtaking, and you can’t help but feel small compared to these mammoth monoliths formed by nature.

There are endless rocks to admire on this part of the circuit. But some of the bigger and more notable ones have names. Look out for:

• Sugar Loaf
• Elephant Square
• Devil’s Bridge 
• Thunderstone

At the end of the north part of the loop circuit, you’ll encounter the Small Square, where you can relax on benches to take a rest stop.

Or, you can visit some of the caves to admire the Small and Great Waterfalls. 

5. Great Waterfall

After you’ve entered the Small Square, you can visit the Great Waterfall. 

This roaring cascade falls from a height of 16 metres and crashes through the rocks into a pool below.

It wasn’t a very strong cascade during my visit in early summer, but the cave was refreshing.

During wintertime, this waterfall freezes over and looks like something from the Chronicles of Narnia. 

At the entrance, there’s also a bust of Johann Wolfgang Goethe cast by Trutnov sculptor Emil Schwanter in 1932.

6. Rocky Lake Boat Ride

Adršpach Rock City also offers scenic boat rides on Rocky Lake, an elevated man-made reservoir.

The flood gate was created in the 18th century by Count Blümegen, and it became a tourist attraction in 1857.

You board a wooden punting boat with a guide who will row you through the still waters. It’s extremely scenic with incredible views along the way.

It also has a funny commentary if you speak Czech or Polish. As I was English, I was given a piece of paper with a translation. It was so thoughtful. 

Just note that a boat ride will add a kilometre or so to your walk, and you access the boat station by climbing a set of steep stairs.

You will also need to pay the boatman in cash using Czech crowns, and the rides cost 100 CZK per person. 

If you’re travelling here from Poland, make sure to use the ATM at the visitor centre to get some cash before you enter the park. 

7. Wolf Gorge Circuit (3.5 km)

You could extend your adventure at Adršpach Rocks with a longer hike around the panoramic Wolf Gorge.

I only explored a small part of this circuit during my visit, as that was how I accessed the Great Waterfall and the Rocky Lake Boat Ride.

It will add another 3.5 kilometres to your journey. You start the trail on a boardwalk through a clearing. 

Later, you’ll encounter even more rock formations within the shade of the forest.

8. New Part 

If you’d rather skip the Boat Ride / Wolf Gorge, you’ll start your journey south towards the exit.

This is the ‘New Part’ of the rock city which opened up to tourists in 1890 and was one of my favourite parts of the main circuit. 

It has gorgeous panoramas and viewpoints of Adršpach Rocks, and at one point, you pass through the narrowest rock crevice. 

Again, there are many incredible rock formations here to look out for on this part of the circuit, including:

• The Lovers (tallest rock formation at 81.4 metres)
• Rock Chapel & Memorial
• Great Panorama
• Mayor & Mayoress

Just note that there are lots of steep staircases that will lead you through the rock formations towards the exit. 

Make sure to take your time, hold the handlebars and watch your step as some of the metal ladders are almost vertical.

You’ll then head to the exit gate, where there are some market stalls selling local produce and souvenirs. There are also some public toilets.

Where to eat at Adršpach Rocks? 

Something important to note is that they don’t sell any food or drinks in the Adršpach Rocks reserve.

So, it’s best to bring a packed lunch, including snacks and bottled drinks for the day. 

Some food vendors around the train station serve fast food like burgers, hot dogs, wraps, and fries along with hot and cold drinks. 

As I forgot to pack any food, I was starving, so I ordered a loaded cheeseburger.

It was also roasting during my visit, so I treated myself to a refreshing pint of cold beer to celebrate finishing the hike.

Just remember to dispose of your rubbish responsibly and leave no trace. 

Are Adršpach-Teplice Rocks worth visiting?

Yes, I thought that Adršpach Rocks was well worth visiting in the Czech Republic.

It’s such an underrated attraction and a hidden gem in Europe; you have to add it to your whimsical bucket list.

Walking through the magical Gothic Gate felt like I was travelling through Middle-Earth in The Lord of the Rings.

Plus, there were all sorts of breathtaking rock formations, panoramas, waterfalls and crystal lakes to find. 

Don’t skip a visit to Adršpach-Teplice Rocks; it’s an unforgettable adventure.

Adršpach Rocks opening hours

Adršpach Rocks are open all year round; the opening hours are:

• Summer: 8 am to 6 pm 
• Winter: 8 am to 4 pm 

The last entry time is usually around one hour before closing time.

How to buy tickets for Adršpach Rocks

You must buy your tickets for Adršpach Rocks online, and you have to choose a specific entry date and time.

If the tickets are sold out on the website, you cannot buy them on-site on the day. 

I recommend purchasing your tickets at least a week in advance, as they can sell out. 

This is especially important during summer, Polish/Czech public holidays and weekends. 

Adult tickets cost 180 to 200 CZK depending on the day of the week and what season you choose to visit.

There are also children and family tickets available, as well as reductions for students and seniors.

It’s also a dog-friendly site as long as they are kept on a lead. If you want to bring your furry friends, it will cost an extra 50 CZK.

If you’re driving, you’ll need to buy a separate parking ticket in advance for 180 CZK. These frequently sell out, so book in advance. 

How long do you need to visit?

The main circuit at Adršpach Rocks is 3.5 kilometres, and this will take around 3-4 hours to complete depending on your speed.

I took a lot longer than this as I was stopping to take photos every five minutes and I had to queue for a long time for the boat ride. 

You can also extend your walk with the Lake Loop (1.5 kilometres) and Wolf Gorge (3.5 kilometres).

But I found that the main loop was more than adequate to see the highlights. 

Important tips

• If you’re visiting from Poland, remember to take out some Czech crowns from the ATM to pay for boat rides and vendors.

• Wear a comfortable pair of shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. There are steep staircases, but nothing too demanding. 

• There are no toilets on the main circuit. You’re allowed to leave for a short time and re-enter to use the toilets at the visitor centre. 

• If you’re bringing your own food, remember to dispose of your rubbish responsibly. Please respect and preserve this place.

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