Adršpach–Teplice rock towns in northeast Bohemia are one of the Czech Republic’s most striking natural areas, with narrow gorges, tall sandstone towers and easy marked trails. They are popular and can feel busy in peak season, but with a bit of planning you can still find quieter corners, combine them with nearby Broumovsko highlights and enjoy a very accessible taste of Czech sandstone scenery.
Quick summary
- Base yourself in Adršpach, Teplice nad Metují or Broumov for easy access.
- Arrive early or later in the afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Expect easy to moderate walking on marked circuits, plus a short boat ride.
- Combine the rocks with Broumov, Ostaš or the Polish Table Mountains for a full trip.
Where are the Adršpach–Teplice rock towns and what to expect
The Adršpach–Teplice rock towns (Adršpašsko–teplické skály) lie in the Broumovsko Protected Landscape Area in the Hradec Králové Region, close to the Polish border. The two main entrances are the village of Adršpach (for Adršpašské skály) and the small town of Teplice nad Metují (for Teplické skály). The landscape is made of tall sandstone towers, narrow corridors, small lakes and viewpoints, with well‑marked tourist trails and basic visitor facilities.
Most visitors walk one or both main circuits in half a day to a full day. Trails are generally well‑maintained, with steps, rails and signposts, but there are some steep staircases and narrow passages that may not suit everyone. The area is family‑friendly if children are used to walking a few kilometres. The atmosphere can feel very different depending on timing: in high summer weekends it is busy and structured, while on a misty weekday in spring or autumn it can feel quiet and atmospheric.
- Location: northeast Bohemia, roughly 25 km from Náchod and 30 km from Trutnov.
- Main gateways: Adršpach (Adršpašské skály) and Teplice nad Metují (Teplické skály).
How to get to Adršpach–Teplice (train, bus, car)
Public transport is practical and often the least stressful option, especially in peak season when car parks in Adršpach can fill up. There is a small railway line connecting Adršpach and Teplice nad Metují with larger towns such as Trutnov and Náchod. From Prague, most travellers change in Hradec Králové or Choceň and then again in Starkoč or Trutnov; the total journey typically takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on connections. From Wrocław or Wałbrzych in Poland, you can reach nearby Meziměstí by train and continue by local train or bus.
Driving gives flexibility to combine the rock towns with Broumov, Ostaš or the Polish Table Mountains (Góry Stołowe), but parking near the main entrance in Adršpach is regulated and can be relatively expensive compared with small Czech towns. Spaces may need to be reserved online in high season, and local authorities sometimes introduce new rules, so it is worth checking the current system before you go. Buses run from Náchod, Broumov and Trutnov to Adršpach and Teplice nad Metují, but frequencies vary by season and weekday.
- Indicative travel times: Prague–Adršpach by train about 3.5–4.5 hours; by car around 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic.
- If you rely on offline navigation or hiking maps, consider downloading them in advance; some visitors use tools like the Prague Tour Guide App for offline maps even outside Prague.
Adršpašské skály: classic circuit, lake and boat ride
The Adršpašské skály entrance is right by the Adršpach train stop, next to the main car park. After buying a ticket at the official cash desk or online in advance, you enter through a gate and follow a one‑way system in the busiest sections. The classic marked circuit around the rock town is roughly 3.5 km, with optional extensions. It leads past famous formations such as the Lovers (Milenci), the Mayor and Mayoress (Starosta a Starostová), and the Sugar Loaf (Cukrová homole), as well as viewpoints over the rock labyrinth.
Near the start of the circuit is the small turquoise Lake Pískovna, a flooded former sandstone quarry that is now one of the most photographed spots in the area. Deeper in the rock town, a short side trail leads to a small artificial lake with seasonal boat rides operated by local boatmen. The boat ride is paid separately from the main entrance ticket and runs mainly in the main season; times and prices change occasionally, so treat any information you see as indicative rather than fixed. Paths are generally easy, but expect some steps and narrow sections.
- Allow at least 2–3 hours for the main Adršpach circuit; more if you stop often for photos.
- There are basic refreshments and toilets near the entrance; options inside the rock town itself are very limited.
Teplické skály: quieter trails and longer walk
Teplické skály, entered from Teplice nad Metují or from the connecting trail from Adršpach, feel slightly wilder and usually a bit quieter than Adršpašské skály. The main loop from the Teplice nad Metují entrance is longer and has more steps, narrow rock corridors and a more enclosed atmosphere. Highlights include the Temple Square (Chrámové náměstí), the Siberia section (Sibiř), which can hold snow and ice longer into spring, and the ruins of Střmen Castle on a rocky outcrop with views over the surrounding forests.
The connecting trail between Adršpach and Teplice rock towns is clearly marked and lets you walk one big combined circuit if you are reasonably fit and have a full day. There is no boat ride here, and facilities are even more limited than in Adršpach, so bring water and snacks. Trail surfaces can be damp and slippery, especially in shaded sections and after rain, so sturdy footwear is sensible even though the official difficulty is not extreme.
- Plan 3–4 hours for Teplické skály alone; 5–7 hours if combining both rock towns on foot.
- Teplice nad Metují has a small selection of guesthouses and restaurants close to the trailhead.
Tickets, crowds, best time to visit and typical visit duration
Both Adršpašské skály and Teplické skály have paid entry with different ticket types for adults, children and sometimes family combinations. Prices are adjusted from time to time, and there may be seasonal differences, so it is safest to treat any quoted amount as approximate and check current information on the official Adršpach–Teplice rocks website or at the ticket office. In recent years, Adršpach has used online reservation systems in the busiest months to manage numbers and parking, which can change the way you plan your visit.
The rock towns are open year‑round, but access to some sections may be restricted in winter or during maintenance or safety work. Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–early October) often offer a balance of milder weather and fewer crowds than the school‑holiday peak. Weekends and public holidays in July and August can feel crowded, especially between roughly 10:00 and 15:00, so arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon can make the experience calmer. Many visitors are content with a half‑day in Adršpach; a full day lets you see both areas at a relaxed pace.
- Indicative pattern: higher ticket and parking demand in summer and on sunny weekends; quieter on weekdays outside school holidays.
- In winter, expect shorter daylight, possible ice on steps and some closed sections, but also fewer visitors and a different atmosphere.
Where to stay and eat: Adršpach, Teplice nad Metují and Broumov
For a short visit focused on the rocks, many travellers stay in or near Adršpach itself, in Teplice nad Metují, or in the small town of Broumov about 20 km away. Adršpach village has a few guesthouses and small hotels within walking distance of the entrance and train stop, which is convenient but can feel very focused on tourism in high season. Teplice nad Metují is quieter and makes a good base if you plan to hike more widely in the Broumovsko area.
Broumov offers a slightly wider choice of accommodation, supermarkets and services, plus its own sights such as the Broumov Monastery and the historic wooden Church of Our Lady in nearby Broumovská Lhota. Eating options directly at the rock town entrances are basic and can be busy at lunchtime, so it is practical to plan a main meal in Adršpach, Teplice nad Metují or Broumov before or after your hike. Prices for simple meals and accommodation are generally lower than in Prague, but they can rise in peak summer and during events like the Teplice nad Metují rock‑climbing festival.
- Book accommodation in advance for July–August and long weekends, especially if you want to stay within walking distance of the entrances.
- Self‑catering is straightforward if you stay in Broumov or Trutnov, which have regular supermarkets.
Nearby hikes and day‑trip combinations in Broumovsko and Poland
The rock towns fit well into a wider trip around the Broumovsko region and the Polish–Czech borderlands. Within Czechia, Ostaš near Police nad Metují offers another sandstone plateau with marked circuits and generally fewer visitors, suitable for a half‑day walk. The Broumov Walls (Broumovské stěny) provide longer ridge hikes with viewpoints such as Hvězda, accessible from villages like Hlavňov or Slavný. Trutnov, Náchod and Police nad Metují are small towns that can work as bases if you are travelling by car.
Across the border in Poland, the Table Mountains National Park (Park Narodowy Gór Stołowych) with the rock labyrinth at Szczeliniec Wielki and Błędne Skały is a logical extension to Adršpach–Teplice. Cross‑border public transport links exist but may require careful planning and timetable checks, while driving between Adršpach and the Polish side is straightforward in normal conditions. If you are continuing further, both Wrocław in Poland and Hradec Králové in Czechia are pleasant cities with good onward train connections.
- Allow an extra day or two if you want to include Ostaš, the Broumov Walls or the Polish Table Mountains.
- Weather in the sandstone areas can change quickly; carry layers and check local forecasts before longer hikes.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to visit the Adršpach–Teplice rock towns?
If you only plan to walk the main Adršpach circuit at a relaxed pace, half a day is usually enough. To see both Adršpašské skály and Teplické skály on foot, many visitors allow a full day. Adding nearby hikes such as Ostaš or the Broumov Walls works best with at least two days in the area.
Is Adršpach suitable for children and less experienced hikers?
The main marked circuits are relatively short and well signposted, so they are suitable for most reasonably mobile visitors, including families with children who are used to walking a few kilometres. However, there are many steps, occasional narrow passages and potentially slippery surfaces, so sturdy footwear is recommended and pushchairs are not practical on much of the route.
Can I visit Adršpach–Teplice as a day trip from Prague?
It is possible as a long day trip, particularly by car, but it makes for a fairly full schedule. Driving from Prague to Adršpach typically takes about 2.5–3 hours one way in normal traffic, plus time for walking and breaks. By train, the journey usually takes 3.5–4.5 hours each way with changes, so many people prefer to stay at least one night in Adršpach, Teplice nad Metují or Broumov.
Do I need to book tickets or parking for Adršpach in advance?
In recent seasons, online reservations for entry and parking at Adršpach have been used during the busiest months to manage visitor numbers. The exact system and time slots may change from year to year, so it is best to check the official Adršpach–Teplice rocks website shortly before your trip. Outside peak periods, you can often buy tickets on the spot, but availability is never guaranteed.
Important note
- Routes, timetables and ticket prices can change. Please verify current information on the official websites of the relevant operators (e.g. České dráhy, RegioJet, DPP, PID).
- Prices, fees and exchange rates are indicative only and may change.
- Opening hours may change seasonally or without notice. Check the official venue website before visiting.
- Safety guidance is for general information only and does not replace your own judgment on site.
- Trails and natural areas may be closed seasonally or affected by weather. Check trail conditions before setting out and bring appropriate gear.
- Spa treatments and offerings may change. Check directly with the venue for current services and prices.
Sources and official links
Prague Tour Guide App – Czech Republic app (coming soon)
We are building a Czech Republic app with offline maps and practical routes.
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