Sometimes we come across a place that looks like a setting from a fairytale.
Adršpach Rock City in the Czech Republic, right by the Polish border, is one of those wonders of nature—a mysterious labyrinth of rocks that looks like it was carved by Tolkien’s dwarves with their pickaxes. We stopped here for a quick break during our campervan trip to Sardinia, and ended up staying for a few hours, full of “wows” and “ohs” at every turn.
O tym przeczytasz
Rock City in the Czech Republic – a whole world made of sandstone
This magical landscape was formed around 89 million years ago, when the entire area still lay at the bottom of an ancient ocean. It was the water that shaped today’s incredible pillars, towers, gates, and bastions. The water worked patiently, over millions of years, sculpting from sandstone what now looks like a rocky metropolis. After a massive fire in the 19th century that lasted for weeks and destroyed most of the forest, the rocks suddenly “stepped out of the shadows.” That’s when Adršpach revealed its true face—wild, monumental, and fascinating.
Trails in Rock City – how much time do you need, and what’s best with kids?
The whole area is divided into two main parts: the loop trail around the lake and the main green trail through the rock formations. Altogether it’s about 3.5 km, which takes 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace—with stops for photos, snacks, and of course plenty of time to be amazed! For us, with three kids and a dog, it took around three hours.
The green trail takes you past the most spectacular rocks, like:
- The Lovers (Milenci) – the tallest formation, standing at 81.4 meters!
- The Mayor and Mayoress, Sugar Loaf, Elizabethan Gate
- The Great Waterfall, crashing down from 16 meters high
- Mouse Hole – the narrowest passage between the rocks, where you have to squeeze through sideways (it’s only 50 cm wide!)
- Adršpach Lake – with water so clear you can see the bottom several meters down. We were all shocked! :)
Can you go with a stroller or a dog?
You won’t get through the whole trail with a stroller. For families with small kids in strollers, we recommend walking to the lake on the wide path and then taking the shortcuts marked on the trail maps. After that, the trail gets narrow, with steep stairs, bridges, and paths between rocks—you’d have to carry the stroller, and sometimes it simply wouldn’t fit through the gaps (the narrowest is only 50 cm). With our older kids (6, 9, and 11 years old), we had no problem doing the full trail.
Walking through Adršpach Rock City feels like a giant outdoor adventure game—every rock has a name and a story, and you can look for hidden shapes and make up your own.
We had a small problem right at the end of the trail with our dog Makaron. He’s a 12-year-old golden retriever, still a tough old guy, but he struggled with the stairs. His paws slipped between the steps, and we had to carry him.
Where to park?
There’s a large paid parking lot right at the entrance to Rock City—there’s space for campervans too, but only a few spots for big vehicles. In summer, it’s worth coming early (they open at 8:00), because the lot fills up fast and the trails get crowded.
Tickets and opening hours
You can buy tickets online or at the entrance—we recommend getting them online because Adršpach Rock City recently introduced limits for entry at specific times. In June 2025, for our family of five plus our dog (you need to buy a separate ticket for your dog—they must stay on a leash the whole time) and our campervan, we paid 213 PLN.
Rock City is open daily from 8:00 to 18:00—the last entry is at 16:30. We really recommend coming as early as possible, right after they open. After 10:00 or 12:00, the parking lot starts filling up with tour buses and tourists who head out after breakfast at hotels further away.
What to bring?
Comfortable, preferably closed shoes are a must—even in good weather, parts of the trail can be slippery. It’s also worth bringing plenty of water, some snacks, a rain jacket, and a camera—the views are really spectacular.
One more fun fact…
The Adršpach rocks are part of the largest and wildest rock city in Central Europe—the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks. The first tourists started coming here back in the 18th century! Even today, with all the infrastructure, you can still feel like an explorer—the paths are designed so you sometimes lose your sense of direction and get surprised by what’s around the next corner (which actually happened to me and Jasiek once!).
Is it worth it?
Absolutely. Adršpach Rock City is one of those family adventures that stays with you for a long time. It’s a mix of hiking, fairytale, fun, and nature lesson all in one. For us, it’s a must-see on any trip through the Czech Republic. And definitely a place you want to come back to—maybe next time in winter?
Stay with us longer!
