Is it dumb of me to try writing a blog post about a place I visited almost eight years ago? Yes, probably, because I can’t be helpful like I’m supposed to be and tell you valuable things like how to get there or where to stay. I’ll give you those details but I’m relying on my crappy memory and a bit of Google for them, which basically means I might be completely lying to you about it (without knowing, I mean c’mon, you know I’ll do my best).
But the thing is, I’ve been travelling for a long time but only blogging for a couple of years, so I have a LOT of places to tell you all about. It’s not like I only started going to cool places when I started blogging. I saw and did plenty of awesome things before that too; things I think you should know about. So I’m hoping that you’ll forgive me for not giving you every detail of these spots and that I will inspire you to go check them out for yourself!
I also have a LOT of pictures of these places that will never get seen by anyone if I don’t use them in a blog post. Unfortunately they come from before the days when I had a very good camera, or at least before I really knew anything about how to take good pictures with my camera, so the photos are not quite up my usual standard. I apologize; I’ve done what I can with them. Again, you’ll just have to take my word for it on how awesome these spots are and go see for yourself!
Side note: How much do I wish that a) I had learned to use my camera properly a LONG time ago, and b) I could go back to all these places, do all the same things (and more) and take much better photos!
One such spot is Adrspach-Teplice Rocks. What? Doesn’t that name have way too many consonants strung together in a weird way to be real? Well, yes, but that’s only because it’s in Czech Republic! It is very real, I assure you.
Adrspach-Teplice Rocks is a collection of massive rock pillars and unique formations. Some of them once supported an entire castle with buildings connected by a series of bridges and ladders!
Others have been named after the animals and humans they resemble, which are visible if you have enough imagination.
The thing that’s cool about Adrspach-Teplice Rocks is that the path goes right among them, between them, and through little tunnels where they tower over you while you really hope there’s not an earthquake while you’re in there.
There are wonderfully rickety looking steep wood and metal ladders to the tops of the pillars that held Střmen Castle for a great view over the surrounding landscape.
Some parts of the path here go over a peat bog, or along a gorge, or through ‘Siberia’, where the sun never reaches and the temperature drops considerably.
There are two loop trails; one from the Adrspach end and another from the Teplice end, connected by a hike through Wolf Gorge. Word on the internet is that the Teplice loop sees far less visitors. I think I did both and I don’t remember seeing too many people. However, I did meet a group of French people who were astounded that I was there alone and invited me to go have a beer with them after!
Afterwards I walked back to town, along a high ridge with fantastic views back to the valley below.
Practicalities:
Adrspach-Teplice Rocks is about 3-4 hours from Prague by train, with a connection in Hradec Králové, Náchod or Starkoč. I went from Olomouc (also highly recommended) and I’m certain I changed trains somewhere too. It’s easier to get to Teplice nad Metuji than to Adrspach by public transportation, although a small train runs in between the two.
I arrived in Teplice nad Metuji on a Sunday in early September and the town was dead. I mean absolutely no one was around, aside from a couple of locals in the hotel bar. The information centre and all shops were closed, and there seemed to be very few eating options as well. It’s probably just that it was Sunday, but be prepared for that.
I think I stayed at the Penzion Rybarna, although I’m not entirely sure of that. I don’t remember it being either exceptionally good or bad. There seems to be plenty of accommodation in the area, although in the busy season you might want to try to book ahead.
This website has opening hours and admission fees; hopefully it’s kept current.
So are you up for a slightly out-of-the-way experience in the Czech Republic? It’s worth it; just go and enjoy, and let me know what you think!
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Don’t be so hard on yourself, I think your pictures are amazing!! Very well written article. I’ve never heard of Adrspach Teplice Rocks before and now it is on my list of places to see 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Eric! I’m not really being hard on myself, I just know that now I could take better pictures of the parts I really wanted to showcase. And probably a lot more pictures too! 😉 Glad I inspired you to go!
This looks like an amazing place to visit. I love the contrast of the rock formations against the forest. And there is a castle and pretty town too! Thanks for sharing Jenny
Thanks Katy! It’s a great place to visit. There’s not really a castle now though, only in the past. Now you can just see the holes in the rocks in places where beams were supported, and a little map showing you what it might have looked like! But there’s a great view from up there, and yes, the town is lovely!
This is such a beautiful place!
It really is! Thanks for stopping by Bernard!
This looks like a magical place! I think it’s good that you’re writing about somewhere you visited a while ago – it keeps the memory alive! There’s so many places I visited before I started blogging, but I don’t really have any decent photos of them so couldn’t really write a blog post about them!
Claire, I thought I didn’t have decent photos, and while I know I could do better now, with a little editing they’re not as bad as I thought! Or you could just write the post and let people imagine, or find creative commons images. You’re right, it does keep the memory alive, and makes me go back and research the place a bit and then I remember things I’d forgotten, so it’s great for that. I’ll have to get onto writing about ALL the other places I went before I started blogging!
its awesome
Yep, it’s a pretty cool place!
Hi. I am Czech and never been. Love your article and planning to visit this summer. Can not wait to see it.. Love your article
Hi Jana, thanks for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed my article and that it inspired you to go. It was a pretty cool place! 🙂