When people think of Bohemian Switzerland National Park, the famous Pravčická Gate is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Hot on its heels, though, come the deep sandstone canyons of the Kamenice river — and the Kamenice Gorges in Czechia rank among the most beautiful outings you can find here. Travelers have long praised how gliding through the quiet, cool landscape, with tall, sheer cliffs rising on every side, has an amazing, almost mystical atmosphere.
Let’s take a look together at everything the Kamenice Gorges have to offer. From research and other travelers’ stories, it’s clear you’re in for a wonderful experience full of romance and plenty of funny anecdotes from the local boatmen. I’ll show you how to get to the river, where to park cleverly, and what to watch out for regarding the current operations after the recent large wildfire, which sadly hit part of this stunning place.
TL;DR
- A romantic ride on a traditional flat-bottomed punt, pushed along by a boatman with a long pole.
- Two main sections of the canyon — the shorter Wild Gorge and the longer Edmund (Silent) Gorge.
- Current operations may still be limited due to the aftermath of the major 2022 forest fire.
- Boat tickets can’t be booked online in advance — you always buy them on the spot.
- The starting point is the picturesque village of Hřensko, which holds the record as the lowest-lying municipality in Czechia.
When and how to visit the gorges
Planning a trip to this part of the national park takes a bit of preparation and checking the latest information. Nature here has been through a tough ordeal in recent years, and the operating rules can change depending on safety. Below you’ll find the most important practical tips so you know what to expect in advance and how much all the fun costs.
The main boating season on the Kamenice river traditionally starts in April and runs until roughly early November. Boats usually operate daily from nine in the morning until half past five in the evening. While there’s no entrance fee for the national park itself, you do need to open your wallet for the boat ride. For the shorter Wild Gorge, a ticket is around €3.50 (80 CZK) for an adult. For the longer Edmund Gorge the fee used to be around €5 (120 CZK), but the situation there is a bit more complicated.
In the summer of 2022, the Edmund Gorge was badly hit by an extensive forest fire. The flames damaged trails, trees, and infrastructure, and the overall restoration of this deep valley is extremely complex and slow. Operations in this section can therefore vary and are often restricted for safety reasons. It’s absolutely crucial to check the current status before every trip on the website of the village of Hřensko or on the pages of the National Park Administration. That way you’ll save yourself any disappointment on arrival.
💡 Tip: Boat tickets can’t be bought online in advance — you have to get them at the ticket office by the landing dock. Experienced travelers recommend choosing the route heading toward Hřensko (not from Hřensko upstream) and arriving early in the morning, so you avoid the biggest crowds and long queues for the boats.
How to get to the gorges
Whether you decide to drive or prefer public transport, the journey to northern Bohemia, right by the German border, is fairly comfortable. The starting point for exploring the canyons is the village of Hřensko, which serves as the main gateway to the whole area.
If you drive from major regional hubs, the route runs mostly along the D8 motorway, from which you turn off toward Děčín. Note that driving in Czechia requires a motorway vignette (a toll sticker, much like the ones used in Austria or Switzerland). Parking right in Hřensko can be a huge headache in the peak summer season. Spots fill up incredibly fast and it’s often hopelessly full by mid-morning. A handy alternative is to try your luck at the Mezní Louka car park, from where you can walk down to the gorges along a lovely hiking trail.
You can also get here very easily without a car. Just hop on a comfortable train to Děčín and then continue on the local bus number 434, which takes you straight to the hiking trails. A truly unique experience is said to be arriving in Hřensko aboard a sightseeing boat on the Elbe river, which adds an extra touch of romance to the whole trip.
Where to stay nearby
Bohemian Switzerland is such a magical region that it definitely deserves more than just a rushed day trip. Around the gorges you’ll find plenty of lovely places to rest your head after a full day of walking and enjoy the real evening calm once most day-trippers have headed back home.
Strategically, it’s best to look for accommodation right in the heart of the action or at the surrounding elevated crossroads of hiking trails. Hotel Mezní Louka looks really nice — it sits just a short walk from the park entrance and the gorges themselves. It has its own restaurant and, above all, spacious parking, which saves you a lot of morning hassle. If you want to stay right in the starting village and have the boats truly within arm’s reach, the historic Hotel Praha Hřensko is a great choice. The building has a wonderful period atmosphere, and the windows look straight out onto the surrounding sandstone cliffs.
What to experience in the Kamenice Gorges
A visit to this magical valley offers far more than an ordinary walk through the woods. Let’s go through 4 specific tips for the spots and experiences that make the Kamenice Gorges so popular and keep people coming back.
1. A punt ride with a boatman
The traditional ride on a green flat-bottomed punt is, without any debate, the main draw of the whole trip. They say the view from the water’s surface up at the tall cliffs covered in moss and ferns is simply unforgettable. The whole experience is heightened by the boatman himself, who quietly pushes the boat forward using a long wooden pole.
During the slow ride, these connoisseurs of the local waters will serve up plenty of interesting facts and add more than one funny story about the surrounding rock formations, which from certain angles resemble various animals or fairy-tale characters. It’s worth knowing that private rides aren’t allowed here. If you were hoping to bring your own paddleboard or inflatable boat, you’ll have to leave them at home. The whole operation is run exclusively by the village of Hřensko, and only the official operator is allowed to take you along.
2. The Wild Gorge
The Wild Gorge is the shorter but all the more tight and dramatic part of the Kamenice river canyon. It’s about 450 meters long, and the ride takes a pleasant fifteen minutes. The cliffs tower high above your head here, and the water often takes on a beautifully dark color that reflects the surrounding trees. Travelers describe the microclimate here as very refreshing and cool even in the sweltering summer heat.
The entrance fee for this section is around €3.50 (80 CZK), and the boats shuttle back and forth at regular intervals depending on how many people gather. The trail to the Wild Gorge runs along suspended walkways and tunnels carved into the rock, which alone promises a great adventure, even for families with children.
3. The Edmund (Silent) Gorge and its state after the fire
The Edmund Gorge, often called the Silent Gorge by locals, is the longer and historically more visited part. It measures almost a kilometer, and the boat ride here takes a little longer, roughly twenty minutes. It’s named after Prince Edmund Clary-Aldringen, who at the end of the nineteenth century was responsible for building the first hiking trails in this inaccessible landscape.
Unfortunately, this is exactly the area that suffered enormous damage during the aforementioned fire in 2022. The blaze left behind destroyed trees and destabilized rock blocks. Even though nature is slowly but surely starting to recover and turn green, the safety risks remain. The park administration therefore has to proceed very cautiously, and the boat operations and passability of the trails in the Edmund Gorge may be suspended for these reasons. I’ll remind you once again — check the current situation just before you set off.
4. Hřensko as the starting point
Hřensko itself is definitely more than an impersonal car park where you leave your car and disappear into the forest. This picturesque village of half-timbered houses sits right at the confluence of the Elbe and Kamenice rivers and boasts a rather interesting geographical record. It’s the lowest-lying municipality in Czechia, at an altitude of around 115 meters.
You’ll find plenty of small cafés, stalls, and traditional inns here where you can rest before the journey home. For understandable reasons, the local restaurants often tempt you with various forest and game specialties in the form of goulashes or roasted meat. But if you prefer meat-free fare, you certainly won’t go wrong choosing a hearty fried cheese with potatoes, golden-fried potato pancakes, or one of the traditional Czech soups to warm you up.
Where to go next
If this part of the country has won you over and you plan to explore the wider area, be sure to draw inspiration from our other articles and trip tips. You’ll discover that northern Bohemia has much more to offer.
Frequently asked questions
Can tickets for the boat rides be purchased in advance online?
No, tickets can only be purchased in person on site directly at the ticket office by the boat dock. Definitely bring enough cash with you just in case, as the signal for card terminals can sometimes be unstable in the deep gorge.
Can you navigate the gorges on your own boat or paddleboard?
Private boating on any personal watercraft is strictly prohibited to protect the fragile local nature and the safety of visitors themselves. The water experience is provided exclusively by official boats with trained boatmen from the village of Hřensko.
Is there an entrance fee for the national park as well?
Entry to Bohemian Switzerland National Park itself is completely free. You only pay for the boat ride in the gorges and of course you need to budget for all-day parking fees for your car.
What about bringing a dog on the boat?
Dogs are usually allowed on the boat for a small fee, but for safety reasons they must wear a muzzle and be on a leash at all times. Even so, it’s recommended to check the official website beforehand and verify the current conditions for transporting animals.
Are the gorges open in winter too?
No, the boating season traditionally starts around Easter in April and ends at the beginning of November. During the cold winter months the boats are pulled ashore and the popular gorges remain completely out of operation.
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