Pravcicka Brana - the largest sandstone arch in Europe

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In co-operation with Czech Tourism

Pravcicka Brana is Europe's largest natural sandstone arch and is located in the north-west of the Czech Republic, in the area known as Bohemian Switzerland. The area is magically beautiful, with intensely green deciduous trees and high mountains, and is perfect for hiking.

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From Neuzelle to Pravcicka Brana

Our last stop in Germany (for now) was at the magnificent the baroque monastery in Neuzelle. From there we drove to Pravcicka Brana in the north-east of the Czech Republic, which took us just over three hours. It's not really that far in terms of distance, but the last bit took time to drive due to winding (and beautiful!) forest roads.

Can you drive a motorhome here, you might ask. You can! Besides driving our FREEDOM here, we saw buses and other motorhomes. If you do not want to drive such narrow roads, but still want to go to Bohemian Switzerland and Pracicka Brana, you can drive in from the south. There the roads are wider and less winding.

Bohemian Switzerland

Bohemian Switzerland is not in Switzerland, although it may sound like it, but in the north-west of the Czech Republic. This picturesque region extends eastwards to the Lusatian Mountains, westwards to the Ore Mountains and southwards to the town of Decin.

The area is fabulous with its high mountains, dense greenery and all the hotels and restaurants. The Czechs seem to love the area and it is extremely popular for hiking, cycling, camping or perhaps kayaking in the river Elbe. The pictures below are taken just south of Pravcicka Brana, the day after when we continued on the road further south.

Camping at Pravcicka Brana

When you arrive at the starting point of the hikes towards Pravcicka Brana, you are greeted by a small tourist village with camping, cottages, hotels, restaurants and tourist information. There are a lot of people here (mostly Czechs and some Germans) and the atmosphere is great.

We checked in at camping Mezni Louka, which had a small number of pitches for motorhomes. However, most people here were camping in cabins or tents, and there was good humour around the barbecue all evening. We celebrated Peter's birthday with tuna and some white wine in the car.

Hike to Pravcicka Brana

The next morning it was time for us to hike to Pravcicka Brana. The nicest hiking trail is 6 kilometres long in each direction, and we loaded up with hiking clothes, egg sandwiches, water and cameras. None of us are really into hiking, but this route was really nice and varied! You walk through an intensely green deciduous forest, surrounded by mountains that get more and more dramatic.

Europe's largest sandstone arch

Finally we arrived, and now it was almost crowded with people. You do not have to walk the 6 kilometres, but can take a bus so that you only have two kilometres to walk (but then you get a less beautiful hike). Once there, we finally got to see the huge arch, along with other cool rock formations. Fantastic!

The sandstone arch (Pravčická brána) With a span of 26.5 metres, an internal height of 16 metres, 8 metres maximum width, it is the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe and one of the most striking natural monuments of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

Perhaps it is not surprising that it was here that Hans Christian Andersen was inspired to write the fairy tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and that several scenes from the film Narnia were filmed here.

At the destination of the hike, there are also some services in the form of toilets, a small tourist information centre and a small restaurant where you could buy drinks, beer, snacks and perhaps the Czechs' most popular fast food - sausages served on a paper plate together with slices of bread and mustard. Full of energy, we could walk back to the motorhome, very happy with the day!

Film from "Bohemian Switzerland"

Here's a film we shot in the northwest of the Czech Republic, featuring scenes from Bohemian Switzerland and Litomerice.

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