Winter in the Adrspach Rock Towns Landscape

Winter in Adršpach

In winter, the Adršpach rocks turn their monumental formations into a fairy-tale ice kingdom. Take a leisurely stroll through the snow-covered rock town and let yourself be enchanted by the views, frozen waterfall and glittering icicles. After the winter fun, enjoy a well-deserved rest in the pleasant accommodation directly in Adršpach. Don't forget to book your tickets and parking early. Buy tickets and parking Find accommodation

Fairytale Rock Towns

Adorned with a delicate snow cover, the fantastic formations in the rock town stand out completely differently than in the summer. Besides Adršpach, there are several rock towns and table mountains in the Broumov region and the adjacent Polish border area that are definitely worth a visit. The largest in terms of area, Teplice Rock Town, is accessible on foot from Adršpach via Vlčí rokle, and circling it means a full-day trip on short winter days. Another rock town can be found on the table mountain Ostaš near Police nad Metují. If you venture across the border, you can visit the Labyrinthine Rocks located at the top of the mountain Bor, steeped in legends. In the same Polish national park, Table Mountains, there are also Malá and Velká Hejšovina, where a hiking trail leads along the very top of the table mountain with stunning views. Furthermore, in the winter season, you will surely find deeper silence and less traffic in the rocks. If you are planning to visit Adršpach, don't forget to buy your tickets in advance through the reservation system. This way, you'll avoid queues and get a better ticket price.

Cross-country Skiing and Downhill Skiing

Adrspach is ideal for cross-country skiing in winter, and there are also downhill ski slopes within easy reach. Right in Adrspach, there are several cross-country skiing circuits leading from here around Křížový vrch to Zdoňov, under Buková hora, to Teplice nad Metují, or a large circuit through Horní Adrspach. After cross-country skiing, you must stop by the local restaurant Qadr, where besides good food, you can also experience a taste of local culture. Concerts, screenings, and discussions are held here not only with climbing legends. For a good lunch, you can definitely also stop by the absolute classic of Adršpach, the U Tošováka inn. And here's a practical tip: in the winter season, always check the opening hours of the restaurant you would like to visit - often they are only open on weekends. But back to skiing, now downhill skiing. In Teplice, there is the Kamenec ski slope with artificial snowmaking, where you can park for free and find a rental shop, refreshments, and even book ski lessons. Janovičky ski resort near Broumov with a beautiful view and a children's lift is also accessible from Adrspach. You can also enjoy skiing on the Polish side at the Zielenec resort.

Zdoňov Animal Menhirs

Křížová cesta nature reserve is a magical rock town on Křížový vrch, opposite the rock town in Adršpach. It is smaller, but very few people come here. A whole range of protected birds nest here, including the peregrine falcon. It is named after the Křížová cesta (Crossroad) formed by a set of cast iron plates depicting scenes from Jesus' journey on the rock from the seventeenth century. The route to the Křížová cesta nature reserve starts in Dolní Adrspach on the yellow tourist trail. You can also start from the village of Zdoňov (also on the yellow trail) and on the way, take a turn from the chapel of St. John Nepomuk to the mysterious ruins of the church of the Virgin Mary, also known as Zbořeňák. Then, you return back to the chapel and continue along Hrnčířské údolí (Potter's Valley) past the Zdoňov animal menhirs, an artistic project dedicated to the animal kingdom. Each stone is dedicated to a different animal and represents a different strength or element. In Zdoňov, you can stop by the renowned Kovářova kobyla restaurant, which serves honest seasonal dishes made from local ingredients, and you can also stay in local apartments. However, during the winter months, it's best to check the restaurant's opening hours before your visit.

Adrspach Castle

Adrspach Castle The two-story Renaissance castle, which stands on the site of a medieval fortress from the 15th century, has been undergoing renovations in recent years and has been open in winter for a few seasons now. The original fortress was built here by the wealthy noble family of Berků z Dubé, whose founder Hynek z Dubé was one of the most significant nobles at the court of John of Luxembourg, and in his possession were famous castles such as Kokořín, Bezděz, and Houska. The last noble owner, before the castle was confiscated from him by the Beneš Decrees in 1945, was Otmar from the Nádherný z Borutín family. Nowadays, you'll find amenities here including a café, an information center, a children's corner, a fairytale room, and an escape game "Třetí princ" based on the fairytale, which was filmed in the Adršpach Rocks. You can explore exhibitions on flax processing, life in the castle, and a fossil exhibition that will tell you about the times when Adršpach was at the bottom of the sea. In addition, the first mountaineering museum in the Czech Republic is housed here, which covers both high-altitude climbing and the beginnings and golden age of sandstone climbing in "Ádr". The castle also hosts various local markets and exhibitions.

Around the Castle on Horseback

Isn't the world most beautiful from the back of a horse? You can experience it with us as well. Local guides offer horseback rides, and we would be happy to provide you with further information at our information center. Apart from Adršpach, there are beautiful horseback rides, for example, in the Jiráskové skály above Teplice nad Metují, where the settlement of Skály is located, the highest village in the Hradec Králové Region. On the rocky ridge above the black pond stands the ruins of the Gothic castle formerly known as Katzenstein. Below, under the castle, lies the Bischofstein castle, which was built in 1666 for the Bishop of Hradec Králové, Karel Sobek of Bílinberk, as a summer residence. You can also take a nice walk from here to the Čáp lookout tower, where you can see the Chrámové stěny in Teplice as if in the palm of your hand. Just be careful of the stairs, as they can be icy in winter.

The Enchanting Police and its Museums

Police nad Metují is a small town, and its main square, Masarykovo náměstí, was declared a municipal monument reserve in 1990. Right on the square, you can quench your thirst from the Julinka spring, where locals go to tap crystal-clear water gushing from a large underground water reservoir called the Polické křídové pánve. A short distance from the square is the old log school. In Police nad Metují, there is also a unique museum that traces the history and present of the well-known Czech toy - the Merkur construction set. Among other things, you will see the largest object ever created from this construction set: the Steel City, created according to the adventurous book by Jules Verne. In the same building as the Merkur museum, you will also find the Museum of Paper Models, which is the only one of its kind in the country. In an exhibition area of ​​three hundred square meters, you will find nearly two thousand exhibits made of paper, representing architecture, automobiles, airplanes, ships, military equipment, sci-fi and fantasy, railways, and plenty of figures. Both museums offer a children's corner, workshops for children, and a relaxation area for visitors.

Broumov Monastery and Baroque Churches

Broumov Monastery is one of the most significant Baroque landmarks in the Hradec Králové Region and has been a National Cultural Monument since 1995. The monastery was built in the 17th century and has recently undergone revitalization. This included not only the building itself but also the nearly three-hectare monastery garden. The monastery houses a unique monastery library with seventeen thousand volumes. In the local church of St. Adalbert, you will be amazed by the beautiful decoration and, above all, the rare copy of the Turin Shroud (with the imprint of the lying Jesus Christ). The monastery also reveals the secrets of its cellars, where 34 mummies are located. Throughout the year, the monastery hosts numerous cultural events or lectures, and there is also a café and restaurant on the premises. History and architecture enthusiasts will appreciate another Baroque gem and national cultural monument: the Broumov Group of Churches. Visitors with children should definitely not miss the unique Children's Gallery Lapidarium in the monastery premises, which provides a friendly way to experience contemporary art. In addition to exhibitions, it offers creative accompanying programs for children and adults.

Sauna, Shooting Range, Špičák

You can reach the Javoří Mountains, a border range of hills, including the highest point Ruprechtický špičák, in twenty minutes through Teplice and Meziměstí. The hike to this lesser-traveled peak begins in the village of Ruprechtice, where there is a small parking lot at the very end of the village. You can choose a steeper route marked with yellow signs or a gentler one marked with blue signs for cyclists. The latter joins the blue hiking trail near the summit. At the top of the hill, there is an observation tower. The ascent can be done quickly in about an hour, but otherwise, it makes for a nice half-day trip. On the way back, you can stop in the center of Meziměstí at Centrum Walzel, which is housed in the former mechanical weaving mill of Josef Walzel. Here, you'll find the Švejk restaurant, a sauna, a salt cave, a climbing wall, a covered shooting range, and bowling. The spacious restaurant serves honest Old Bohemian cuisine, pours excellent beer, and occasionally hosts a "Schnitzel Fest"!

Historical Kłodzko and the "Czech Corner"

Kłodzko is a city in Lower Silesia with a rich history spanning over a thousand years. It was founded in the Kłodzko Basin, on the Kłodzka Nisa River, which originates at the foot of the Králický Sněžník mountain. You'll find many historical landmarks here, such as the Gothic bridge, which is said to be a miniature version of the Charles Bridge in Prague. It has only six statues and doesn't cross the river but rather a mill race, yet it's still a very picturesque spot. In Kłodzko, you'll also find an extensive fortress with casemates, underground tunnels beneath the Old Town, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Franciscan Church with a monastery, and the Kłodzko Land Museum.

Kłodzko is located in the southwest part of Poland, in a region still referred to as the "Czech Corner". It's not uncommon to hear Czech spoken here, there are Czech signs, and you can even pay with Czech crowns.

Gorges in the Broumov Rocks

The ten-kilometer-long and very narrow ridge of the Broumov Rocks is adorned with many unique rock formations, such as the Slavenské hřiby or the Kamenná brána. On the ridge stands the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows and the wooden mountain hut Hvězda, which is open all year round and easily accessible by car. A walk from the hut to the so-called Rock Theatre, which offers a magnificent view of Kovářova rokle, is not long and suitable for families with young children.

We would like to introduce two routes leading through the most beautiful gorges in the area. The first is Kovářova rokle, which leads to the ridge from the village of Hlavňov. In the lower part of the forested, sometimes steep gorge, you'll find the Marian Cave, then the path leads along rock towers to the main ridge. From the lookout point Orlí hnízdo, you can see the entire Broumov Basin. The second is Třešňová rokle, which you can reach from the village of Martínkovice on the northern side of the rocks, or you can take the red hiking trail from Slavné. The gorge is surrounded by high sandstone towers with devilish themes, such as Lucifer, Trepifajskl, or Káča Máša. At the bottom of the gorge is an avalanche cave, a so-called macarát, where ice often remains until summer. From Slavné, you can also take the yellow trail to Kamenná brána and other beautiful viewpoints. And if you've seen all of this already, guides will gladly take you to explore that unique macarát or one of the many other gorges where paths do not lead.

Kudowa-Zdrój Spa

Kudowa-Zdrój is a spa town with a tradition spanning over six hundred years, located right next to the town of Náchod. The heart of the town is the spa park housed in a historic building from 1853 at the foot of Góra Parkowa mountain. The spas are widely sought after, primarily due to the year-round favorable climate and picturesque surroundings with a colonnade and extensive spa park. There is a public swimming pool and also a publicly accessible wellness pool with a sauna, whirlpools, and a slide at the Verde Montana hotel. The town is home to many pleasant cafes offering renowned Polish desserts and restaurants, including popular trout fryers.

The Dark Sky Full of Stars

The long winter nights here provide an ideal opportunity for stargazing because the sky above the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks is very dark without any light pollution. You can admire, for example, the binary star Pollux and its neighboring star Castor, named after the mythological twins, in the constellation of Gemini. Or the Trapezium cluster within the Great Nebula visible to the naked eye in the constellation of Orion. In the winter sky, you can also find the Pleiades cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, in the constellation of Taurus, as well as the constellations of Draco, Camelopardalis, Unicorn, Lepus, or Ursa Minor with the star Polaris at the end of the tail.